What's a good pool table for home use?

Question

my budget is 200-300 bucks. i'm looking for something that the casual player can use. the pool tables that i saw are thousands of dollars. is there anything out there that is within my budget but not a table that's too small

thanks for any advice that u can give me

Answer 1

Who ever said Olhausen is best for the money must work for them, there are a lot of quality tables out there but nothing in that price range.  About the only place you'll find something in that range will be BJs, or Costco, maybe even Sports Authority and the like, needless to say it will be junk.  Once you hit around 1000 you'll start to find ones with real slate tops.  some even cheaper, but I don't necessarily recommend those, you might see some out there that use masonite or something similar, it's more or less Junk too, they play ok (and I mean just ok) but they don't hold up.  Since you're budget concious, I don't think you want something that's going to be disposable.

Best bet keep saving up, get something that will last, once you break the $1000, look around, there are some decent brunswicks with a 3/4" slate low budget, some Olhausen 7/8" slate (all their tables are 7/8" which is why I wouldn't touch them), personally I'd save up a little more and find something with a 1" slate, you can get them low budget in Brunswick, Legacy is putting out some decent tables, they used to make the American Heritage tables, American Heritage changed and is putting out some real junk now though, even though a lot of them are slate, just not going to hold up, especially in a basement where it may be damp.  Or you can save up more and get one of the better brunswicks or even a Connelly for around $2500, then you'll have a table that should last your lifetime, and play well.

Also when you're looking I'd recommend staying away from any table with a glue down cloth.  get a slate with a wood backing.

Answer 2

Try a police auction or some other type of auction and you might luck out.   Other than that, it would be better to save up for a quality table.   Also, the tables used in large tournaments like Las Vegas are sold off afterwards...that might save a few bucks.

Answer 3

A flat one

Answer 4

Sailor, I'd take an Olhausen over a Brunswick any day of the week. Every piece on them is of superior quality, especially the rails. But you're right about one thing: you're not going to find anything worth a c**p in that price range unless it's stolen.

Answer 5

Check with Olhausen Billards.  They're the best for the money.

Answer 6

not that will last more then year.  honestly if your looking at a table save for a good one it will be worth it and last lot longer.  bout all you can get is old used table for that price range. that would barely get a table refurbished.