How to Buy a Used Pool Table

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Today we're going to go over the three key points to look for when buying a used pool table.
The first thing you want to do is to check the rails. Using a standard cue, you should be able to bounce the cue back and forth on the short side of the table at least 3 or 4 times. On the long side of the table, you should get at least 2 bounces back and forth with a decent throw.
The second thing to look for when buying a pool table is the building material of the table itself. You absolutely want a slate table, except no substitutions. You'll likely be looking for a 1" thick slate with a wood backing. Be aware of the diffrences between slate tables and wood backed tables.
To test wheter or not a pool table is slate or wood (sometimes called "Slatron), simply knock on it with your hand (like you're knocking on a door). If it sounds hollow, the table is likely a wood bed table. You want to avoid wood-bed tables because they will NEVER be level. No matter how good the installer is it will never be properly level.
Another drawback to those wood-bed tables is that they're not very sturdy. It's quite likely that someone who bumps into the wood-bed table a little hard will actually cause the balls to shift positions. You never have this issue with a slate table since the slate itself is so heavy, it's almost immovable.
Finally, the last thing you want to check is the construction of the table. Look for under the table for the blocks that hold the table together. If it's a good table, there will be nice, solid looking wood blocks that are holding the legs to the table itself. You don't want to see those thin, sheet-metal brackets.
Also look for those big, thick wooden beams going across the underside of the table. These are additional support and they make the table that much better. You may or may not see that the table have a very long beam in the middle. This is a nice thing to have, but not essential (so don't worry if the table you like doesn't have it).

[@turkey0165]

Thanks Brandon, alot of very useful information in a short video! I didn't know thank you ! 👍

[@sheldonkilbourne1098]

Thank you for you information I learned a lot today..

[@jeanlc]

excellent, excellent video. Great tips as I'm looking at buying a used table soon. Thanks!

[@scottcarter1689]

For the most part your assessments are sound, but with all due respect, the leg block vs bracket issue is not completely correct. Though there are some poorly made brands that use metal bracketing, some others are still quality in that they supplement cabinet rigidity with other structural augmentation such as double cross-center bracing and cabinet miter blocks. In those cases, the leg-block bracketing is advantageous in its ease of replacement and interchangeability. For those looking for a pre-owned tables that are budget-minded, this is a way to keep production cost down as well, and it is not necessarily a deal-breaker. It is important to keep in mind all aspects in their totality. The main issue is to look at where the leg meets the cabinet for tight anchoring and connection and most importantly, push on the table in various angles to look for weak rigidity. I've done more than 5,000 (solo) pool tables in 27 years. It's good that this guy seems honest natured.

[@victorvonzell360]

thank you Brandon now that i know what to look for maybe I can sell mine. it's a 1970's table.

[@jayjayclayjay]

So im really starting to enjoy pool and beginning to whoop guys at the bar now. But I play on 8 foot tables and to my knowledge standard tables are bigger (9 foot). Is there any affect on skill or gameplay when switching tables or playing back and forth from a 9 foot to an 8footer? Advantage? disadvantage? would it be a hard task to master both? Lookin to purchase one and join pro ranks !

[@peteslonka7328]

good video. 3/4" slate is not bad as well, especially if you are cost conscious.

[@BilliardsDirect]

+Pete Slonka It's a good way to save money. Cheap tables typically have 3/4" slates, or coin-operated tables.

[@colemontsandy3424]

BrandonBilliardGuy what do you think of the Brunswick gold crown V

[@roadshowautosports]

Hi, Brandon, as usual a very useful video. I have one question that I’ve asked a few professionals but nobody had an answer and some haven’t even replied, so I hope you can shine some light on it. I got a FOREMOST brand table that someone was asking just a nominal fee to free up some space in their storage unit. Once it was delivered by accident i sat a small parts tray on it that had a magnetic base and noticed that it attached to the top of the table! I don’t know if it is a slate that does that but sure it sounds like. Hope you can answer that question and give some insight if this brand is a good brand. Table is made like a commercial type with ball rails that end in the bottom like a bar table but no con mechanism at all. I’m super happy with it but knew it was a project table with endless opportunity to learn. I’ll have to replace the cloth and the rubber bumpers (feel like wood poor things) and that’s something I was looking for! If you can help me out I’ll be forever thankful!

[@futbol1972]

I currently have a nice 9 ft pool table which is very nice..I had an 8 ft pool table before and I think people enjoyed the 8 footer more than the 9 footer...maybe cause 9 ft is harder to play since is longer and pockets are narrower? Thinking about selling 9 to get an 8ft table. We don't play professionally just for fun in my garage man cave...debating between selling my 9 footer to get an8 footer..what kind a felt and bumpers should I get ether for 8 footer or even if I decide to keep 9 footer? I have enough room to play on 9 footer, well I have a pub round table on corner of garage with 2 barstools and people have to move when shooting from that corner. Also I have just barely enough room along wall to shoot..however I was thinking about putting a shelve along wall for drinks etc, etc..but tje shelve will definitely get in the way when shooting from that side of wall..so that's why I was thinking about 8 footer to just have a little more space Maybe get a nice Dimond pro with good bumpers and blue felt, or upgrade my current 9 footer with good bumpers and blue felt too:)

[@appletree8441]

What would you recommend for felt and cusion material brand and quality replacement? The old guys need it all replaced on there 9 foot GLOBAL. It's played at least four hours per day.

[@amxadbhai4401]

Very intelligent guy. Informative video

[@dorothyandrews8872]

I wonder if you can help me. I have a pool table we bought from a Canadian legion and it is a full size snooker table. 5 slates 11/2deep by 74in by 29in. It has 8 large wood fat square legs and a number stamped on all the parts 193118 but cant find a name plate. it has 6 leather net pockets. We never used it as it was just too big for the basement. Now my husband has passed away and i would like to sell it, but dont know how to find out how much it is worth. I have a new felt that was never used, all the balls, rack and felt brush. Can you tell me how to find out maybe who made it so I can try and sell it.

[@humansvd3269]

Snooker tables are a minimum of 1000 CAD.

[@RaviLal]

Which table were you demoing on? Brand, model.. thanks

[@MrBartender49]

Good job!! very helpful!

[@omaiwashinderu5912]

Great video, thank you!

[@MrRobVision]

I own that first pool table. Highly recommend it. It's a connelly billiards table. Red looks like crap, mine has a light brown/camel 🐫 color felt. Looks much better.

[@ozarkliving7263]

I’m looking at a Connelly Scottsdale…. Thoughts? Is the 1 1/4” slate really a big deal?

[@losmoore3358]

How about slight water damage on the footing ? What about 1/4 of a crack at the footing ? Any concerns? This table is coming from a billiards business, used.

[@sallykasper61]

Good job very helpful

[@jacobborden9171]

Hey Brandon were is a good place to buy a cheap 8 ft pool table at .

[@cjviz49]

Do you sell used pool tables?

[@rodericknordstat5015]

I would like to find a price list on used olhausen pool tables? I have one that I purchased 15 years ago and has been in storage for the last 14 years. I would love to keep it but just don't have a large enough room to set it up. it was hardly played on and had custom made pockets that where $250 each at the time I purchased it .I would like to get a fare price for such a great table.It was $9ooo when I bought it.I would like to know what price it might go for now> I need a fast sale.

[@robertcalaway4970]

I bought an 1898 Brunswick Saratogs that need restored for $600. Was that a good deal?

[@davids11131113]

Those are just the tables, they don't have the slate installed yet, that's too heavy and done on final install. Wood tables are awesome, I have a sweet Diamond bar box with cocobolo top that I got for free.

[@kingblack22ss]

can i put slate on a cheap none slate table

[@CandyflossCottonCandy]

The table wouldn't be designed to withstand the weight of the slate. You'll need to be careful

[@Greenmonoluche]

Hey Brandon I want to ask you a question what is PVC laminate slate I saw a pool table that said that was its playing surface what is this is it still wood? Or is it slate?

[@joblo9773]

if you can't get AT LEAST four rails of kick then be skeptical it's maybe not K-66 100% gum rubber - i think there's a K-55 and U-23 &tc but those aren't high dollar is my present understanding think about it you KNOW you have 3 and 4 rail kick shots if your ball won't rebound AT LEAST four rails then WHAT KIND of pool are you playing? -OR- what kind of pool table (rails) have you REALLY got?

[@SuperNovadose]

Hey Brandon I'm in the market for buying a pool table but the only place I can put it is in my garage so my question is to you what do you recommend for a garage application it is a concrete floor with a wood stove and preferably want a 9 footer.thanks for your time

[@BilliardsDirect]

al bundy You can put any table you want in your garage, based on what you've told me. If you're looking for a really good playing table, the most cost-effective one is by Imperial and it's called "The Duke". Depending on your area, you can expect it to cost between $4,500 - $5,500 delivered with accessories.

[@SuperNovadose]

Thanks

[@drivingsafety6200]

goodmrning where i can buy a 2nd hand of billiard table metro mnila only thanks

[@douglaslawncare2843]

Thank you!

[@alialtaf6248]

Can u say A specific price And can it be courier to bd?

[@martinparker9249]

Surely thats not a good way to store those tables ? stacking them on top of each other the bottom ones cloth will surely be damaged and or the base warped ?

[@ryangangelhoff1007]

I’m getting a single slate newly felted pool table for 50 dollars but I have to move it any tips?

[@BilliardsDirect]

I recommend finding a professional pool table mover that specializes in single-piece slates. They can be very difficult to move.

[@roo7227]

I saw on another one of your vids you prefer Diamonds to Gold Crowns.. Two questions.. 1. Does that extend to Gold Crown Ones?.. Cause IMO, there's never been a better table made.. 2. Could you explain your preference to Diamonds, please?.. Cause, personally, I think they are pieces of junk..

[@Supperesed]

how to fix sloppy rails?

[@musicalsailor]

Hi I have a very good quality used Minnesota Fats slate pool table. I am moving- would like to sell it- The table is over 20 years old. How and where would I go about selling it and what would be a good price? please reply to Mary

[@BilliardsDirect]

Honestly, every Minnesota Fats pool table I've seen has been of relatively low quality. Without actually seeing it in person, I can't tell you how much money it is actually worth.

[@truhunk1]

Is a 3 piece slate better than a 1 piece slate. 4x8. ?

[@deerock2374]

1 piece is better

[@shmeaty5123]

I’m only 16 and I’ve played so much pool at my friends house and I really want one for myself but every pool table I see and find is $500 or more

[@MitsuoRLCoach]

honestly you should save, a good reliable and one that will last is easily 2000 or more

[@shawnali8845]

I don't know about wood surfaces that's new for me

[@polynikes5631]

thank you

[@allanlols1518]

Hello , are sale pool table ?

[@stumpbumpers]

Is sale pool table, yes.

[@gc6854]

Pool table bumpers should be quiet.

[@snip7327]

thx

[@nic2154572]

Across't

[@mooosestang]

I'm trying to decide if it's even worth the trouble of buying a used table. I can get a new one for $2k setup. There are lots of used tables near me on craigslist, some old, some newer, but all will have to be disassembled and reassembled. gainesville.craigslist.org/spo/4214686792.html

[@terrybutler818]

The table I get for $2,000 used versus a table I get for 2000 new big difference

[@MrRomanse1]

ummm i master the 10 foot table on snooker and the 8 foot for the 8pool but i do master both is that normal ?

[@juanitocardosojr]

Man sounded like Jon Gruden

[@jayr122001]

I wanna buy a pool table i saw 7 feet pool table on walmart.com for $400-900 is it a normal pool table size

[@EarlTravis-x5j]

Looking for used pool table😂

[@hansschweikert9153]

Bounces well, not good! Your English teacher wants her passing grade back! lol

[@abhijitchitransh556]

I need Poole chiyellllywr 8

[@brianandrew7265]

This was great, thanks, been searching for "open a pool hall business opportunities" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you heard people talk about - Fensaiah Conavid Review - (search on google ) ? Ive heard some pretty good things about it and my work buddy got great results with it.

[@XIxBULLSEYExIX]

lol

[@medicoencentenario118]

do you have any ghost? there is a laughning in1:51 min. p.s i like you tips ;)

[@cruz936]

If you been playing pool for more than. 5 years. You should already know these NO BRAINERS!

[@princekaos7265]

this guy is drunk! lmfao

[@BilliardsDirect]

+Prince Kaos Nope, just tired.

[@yasyasamoun8901]

How about the price of use pool table?