Pool Table Measurements

Pool table measurements are important when you are purchasing one of America's most beloved recreational items: the pool table. You can walk into most bars in the U.S. and find a pool table tucked away in a side room or over in the corner. Pool is a way of passing time and celebrating friendships. This game has many variations and has been around since around the 1600’s. Some enthusiasts even have pool tables in their homes.

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Pool table measurements define the area of the table that is used for play, not the dimensions of the overall table. There are four distinct pool table sizes used today in businesses or homes. These are seven-foot, eight-foot, eight-foot oversize and nine-foot tables. Each size has a slightly different feel and you may have to adjust your stroke length and how hard you strike the cue ball depending on the size of the table.

While you must make sure to leave enough room around the table to allow the players to make their shots without being cramped, most homes have at least one room that will provide the amount of space necessary to incorporate a pool table in your home.

Pool table measurements range from seven feet long to nine feet long. The playing areas of these tables are not exactly on the foot mark but they are referred to in this way. The seven-foot table playing area measures 39” by 78”. As you move up in size, the eight-foot table’s playing area is 44” by 88”. The oversize eight-foot tables are only slightly larger than the standard eight-foot, at 46” by 92”. The largest tables are the nine-foot and they have playing areas of 50” by 100”.

Allowing for the width of the rails and the wooden enclosure, several additional inches should be included in determining the size of the room and the free space allowed around the table for players to shoot.

The general floor dimensions for the seven-foot, eight-foot, the eight-foot oversize and the nine-foot tables are, respectively: 12'11" x 16'2", 13'4" x 17' and 13'6" x 17'4. These room sizes are the minimum sizes you should have when selecting a room to keep your pool table in. Generally, it is preferred to allow additional room for players to shoot and for observers to undertake other activities while the players shoot.

Most league and tournament play is done on 9 foot tables. There are six pockets placed around the table at the corners and at the mid-point of each of the long sides of the table. A league match is a maximum set of seven games.

Virtually every town has a pool league that is affiliated with one of the two main organizations for pool players. The American Poolplayers Association (APA) and the Billiards Congress of America (BCA) have chapters across the country and organize tournaments every year for the top players in each region. These tournaments are held regionally three or four times a year and culminate in an annual tournament of the best players, both individuals and teams, held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Eight-ball, nine-bill and cut throat are three of the most popular games played today, regardless of the pool table size. Eight-ball and nine-ball are the games played in leagues and tournaments, with eight-ball played more often.

As with many other sports, pool players are graded on their ability through a system of handicaps. Using this system, less experienced players can play experts and still have an equal chance of winning a match.

Playing the game of pool will increase your thinking power and your ability to analyze complex problems. It is a game that shows, in practice, the principles of geometry and solid body physics. The only requirement for an enjoyable experience is making sure that the pool table measurements are to your liking and that the size of the room is appropriate for the table.

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