1. Home
  2. Sports
  3. Pool / Billiards

A Word on "Regulation" Tables

Heart and Soul

By , About.com Guide

The grand game

Photo (c) MicroMachines 2007
The table is the blood and body of good pool. The best shooter, equipped with the world’s best stick, would fare poorly on a table with broken pockets or on one too small to present a challenge.

Pool tables are typically rectangular with a 2:1 ratio play surface, length to width (in a variety of sizes). The best sized-table to play on is nine by four-and-a-half feet. Warning: Beware rip-offs due to the deregulated nature of pool competition worldwide! Table ads that guarantee "regulation size" mean nothing in particular, except that they have a 2:1 ratio. Even a tiny 4' x 2' table could be legally advertised as "regulation"!

Explore Pool / Billiards

About.com Special Features

Holiday Central

What to eat, where to go, fun things to do and how to save money on the perfect gifts. More >

Introduction to Pilates

Learning Pilates fundamentals can help you get the most out of your exercise regime. More >

  1. Home
  2. Sports
  3. Pool / Billiards
  4. Equipment
  5. Pool Table Sizes
  6. Pool & Billiards - Pool Table Sizes – Regulation Tables>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.