This guide contains:

Background on pool tables
Important features of pool tables
How to find the best pool table for you

This short guide was created to help you understand the basics of pool tables and to help you choose the right pool table for you. We do not sell any pool tables ourselves, so you can be confident that all of the information in this guide is unbiased and independent.

Background on Pool Tables
There are several reasons why playing pool remains a very popular pastime across America. A game of billiards is a combination of skill and chance, it allows players to improve their skill with practice, does not require strenuous activity, and can be played easily by the young, old, and everyone in between. Pool games can be played both individually or at the center of social gatherings. They can be played at anytime and without anything other than the pool table and proper lighting. Because they offer so much diverse entertainment, pool tables are finding their way into more and more homes annually.

Whether you're searching for a small toy pool table for your kids to play on (and probably beat up!) or a custom pool table made from exotic zebrawood- or anything in between- you will be able to find the right pool table for you online. Today's makers and sellers of pool tables use the Internet as a primary way of distributing their pool tables, and shopping for a pool table online is a great way to research and compare several types, models and brands of pool tables to make sure you find a table that will work for you based on your desired budget and features.

Important features and functions of pool tables
As mentioned before, pool tables come in a wide range of styles and prices. There are two main categories of pool tables, which we will call 'entertainment' and 'traditional'. The primary difference between entertainment and traditional pool tables is the playing surface- this is the material base that is used under the felt. Entertainment pool tables usually use wood as the playing surface, while traditional pool tables use slate as the playing surface. Due to the fact that entertainment pool tables use wood as the playing surface, they are smaller (5' to 8' long), lighter, cheaper, and less durable than traditional pool tables. Entertainment pool tables are generally in the $150.00- $500.00 price range (although you can pay upwards of $800.00 for specialty entertainment pool tables that have such features as an anti-warping surface) and can usually be found at large sporting good and other retailers as well as online. Entertainment pool tables are typically light enough and small enough to take home in an SUV or mini-van and do not require professional installation. Finally, entertainment pool tables will sometimes come as part of a multi-game package that allows you to convert the pool table into an air hockey table, table tennis, foosball, or other games.