Billiards Table (Pool) Wood vs Slate?

Question

I recently found a great deal on an 8' pool table at Sams Club. The only catch is that it is a Wood Top instead of a Slate Top. I've never known anyone that has owned a Wood Top Table, and I want to make sure that it isn't going to warp. If anyone has any experiences with Wood Tables, or Both and a good comparison, It would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Go ahead and buy the wood top table, practice on it for about a year and then come find me and play for a hundred a rack.

Really, do what Johnny said and find a used bar box.

Answer 2

A few reasons why slate is infinitely better:

Wood warps, twists, flexes, etc. Slate does not, at least to a much much smaller degree.

Slate also is influenced much less by humidity and other factors, so it will always play the same.



Also if you are going to be doing any jump shots, it is necessary to have a slate table to do them properly.

Answer 3

slate table top only wood will not last long

Answer 4

You would definitely want to go with slate as wood tables will warp.  Buying a used 6' bar table is a really good way to get into the game.  Buying a wood table is nothing but trouble because there is nothing more frustrating than trying to play precision pool on a warped table.

Answer 5

For real they are pure junk,not even worth setting up

For a few dollars more you could buy a used bar table that at least you can play on

Did you see their fine $8 cue sticks while you were there?

Answer 6

Slate! Slate! Slate!! No wood! NO WOOD!! 1 1/2 in. slate. It's slate or nil. Slate doesn't warp.

Answer 7

Obviously the degree of player you are.  Woods fine if you keep a humidifier and are just playing for pleasue.  The problem with the table is that the wood that frames the wood top is junk.  The same as a new cheap slate top.  Even new slate tables warp and twist due to the cheap plywood framing. The trick is solidly framing up your table. More expensive clothes will help the slow "dead" wood top speed up the action. Good shooting!

Answer 8

Besides the things dj mentioned, the overall quality of a table made with a wood top is bad. The cushions are bad and won't react properly, the table with not stay level, and all of the parts holding it together will gradually come apart. From day 1 it will not play like a pool table is supposed to, and if you get a year of playing before you have to throw the thing in the trash you'll be lucky.

If you want to spend a couple hundred bucks on a toy it's fine, but if you want a pool table that plays like a pool table, get something with real slate.

(And yes, the top will DEFINITELY warp)