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Topic: Space between tables?

As editor here I often get enquiries from a variety of sources, sometimes it's youngsters wanting advice on how to become World Champion, or advice on products, how to get sponsorship, it varies.

I always try to give an respectful reply, even to the more fanciful queries, you never know who it might be, and I remember how chuffed I was when I received a written reply from the editor of Amateur Photographer when I was a young lad.

Anyhoo, I'm comfortable answering many questions, but sometimes I'm stumped and need some help... And here's one where I know some of you will be able to give a more informed reply due to your experience in this field, so please help if you can...

"We are currently designing a sports building that requires an 8-table American Pool Hall. Our contact has requested these laid out in a ‘4x2 arrangement’ (which I understand) but I am struggling to find any guidance on how big a competition sized American pool table is and how much space I should leave clear around each of the tables.

Now obviously we all know that the table size is 9ft by 4.5ft (assuming they're not Metro's) tip to tip, and conventionally a five foot gap is a comfortable minimum around a single table, but multiple tables could be a bit closer than 10 feet apart can't they... But how close?


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On 2010-10-05 10:04 , BigDave Wrote:

Hey Dave.

2 tables should be no less than 6ft apart on the outter edges, (Either from side by side or length ways) which is something that too many pool clubs don't consider because it's mostly abbout squeezing the extra 1 or 2 tables in to try and make more money.

The reason I've said that 6ft is most ideal is because the ideal shooting space of 5ft, doesn't allow for players shooting shots when the snowball is frozen to the rail and usual this results in the irritating problems of a player either leaning against or practically sitting on the rail of the next table, whilst shooting his/her shot and so the extra 1ft of distance will take away that problem.

The same distance rule also applies to any seating or drinks tables, etc, for each table

I hope this helps in some way or another buddy

Willie


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If ya got 'em, smoke 'em

I guess more is always going to be better if possible, and I suppose the minimum is always going to be the same... I just thought it might be different when tables were placed side-by-side as opposed to a table next to a wall. I guess not though.

Anyone else got any more useful info?

I forgot to mention Dave that Carpeted flooring is better for a pool room, than wood flooring

Firstly because it's more comfortable to walk/stand on and is less fatiguing when playing over a lengthy period of time and so it would encourage players to play for that little bit longer.

Second, it's good for insulation of the room and helps to make the room a little warmer, which is better for helping to save that little bit extra money on heating bills

Again I hope this helps

Willie

Good point, anyone got any other tips like this?

I heard carpet tiles would be better than carpet, as the weight of the tables could and probably will damage the carpet unerneath the legs. With tiles you can replace these without the need to replace the whole carpet.

That's true buddy

The only snag with carpet tiles is that they would need to be properly secured with a medium strength adhesive, because if carpet tiles aren't laid down without any gaps or any adhesive, they can and will move around, which can lead to a slight risk in someomen having a personal injury, which can lead to someone putting in a claim against the owners.

And so it's because of this that I recommend regular carpet, but something that is comfortable and hardwearing

Willie

Yeah, I've had that feeling of a carpet tile firing out from underneath my foot on an unglued floor before.

So do they not spread out the tables a bit more than the bare minimum in clubs then?

I don't know about all clubs Dave, but I have been to quite a few and a majority of them have had 1 or 2 tables too many for the available room space they had, which is more of an annoyance for players who are there to enjoy a game of pool without anything making the task of shooting a shot more awkward than it needs to be

In other words, non-pool savvy interior designers will easily mess up the layout of a potentially top class pool room because they simply don't know anything or enough about compensating for the correct space requirements to play, e.g. space between neighbouring pool tables, interior walls, and any seating/side tables, etc

A little research and consideration can go a very long way towards creating a top class pool room

Willie


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If ya got 'em, smoke 'em