Pool – The Game
This section is intended to inform players about the game of pool and its derivations, here you will find help on basic techniques and rules, you will also be able to try out alternative games and obtain the standards for pool tables.
Related links
UK Style Pool Table
US Style Pool Table
The standardisation of the pool was jointly agreed upon by B.A.P.T.O and BACTA (British Amusement Catering Trades Association). It was decided that the following features should be the subject of standardisation.
To ensure individuality of manufacture designs and manufacturing variances it was agreed in all cases that there should be a degree of tolerance.
Table Size
Pool tables vary in size and usually overall measurements are external. The sizes are 6ft x 3ft (1.8m x 1.06m), 7ft x 4ft (2.1m x1.2m) or 8ft x 4ft 6in (2.4m x 1.4m). The playing surface is measured from cushion nose to nose, and therefore the actual playing area is less, in most cases 1ft (0.3m) less in length and width, with a tolerance of plus or minus 2″. In general the length should be twice the width.
The playing surface is known as the bed and is normally made of slate, but 15-25mm MDF can be used as a good substitute. Traditionally it is covered by a wool, nylon or a wool/nylon mix, with the nap of the cloth running down the table from the bulk line or ‘D’ to the bottom cushion.
Pocket Sizes
Corner Pockets – Width of Corner Pocket Opening – Width should be determined by ball to pocket ratio formula, i.e. ball size x 1.6 = pocket opening width with a tolerance of plus or minus 1/8″. The point at which to apply this measurement should be across the fall of the pocket. The fall of the pocket occurs at the point where the projected lines of the cushion faces cross.
Centre Pockets – Width of Corner Pocket Opening – Width should be determined by ball to pocket ratio formula, i.e. ball size x 1.6 = pocket opening width with a tolerance of plus or minus 1/8″. The point at which to apply this measurement should be between the ends of each cushion, which should be the point at which the ball should drop. The pocket opening cut into the slate should not extend beyond a projected line across the nose of the cushion and should not be less than 3/16th inch from that projected line.
Angle of Cushion into Pocket
The cushion should not begin to fall to the pocket before a specified distance, the distance is measured from the end of the cushion as follows:
- Corner Pockets – 3 inch.
- Centre Pockets – 2.5 inch.
Height of Table
The height of the Pool Table should not be less than 31″ high and not more than 34″ high.