About Matchtable

We specialise in the high-end of the pool and snooker domestic market working in collaboration with 4 other specialist providers and installers. A complete choice of slate bed tables is offered as follows:

The Snooker and Pool Workshop of Maidstone (Kent)  is a main distributor for the world famous Brunswick Billiards collection of American pool tables, and is a fully licensed installer (required under the Brunswick Lifetime Guarantee). They are also distributors for the SAM range of American pool tables, perhaps the most popular American pool table made outside of the US. In addition, the company specialises in removals, storage and the installation of all makes of pool tables and snooker tables, plus the restoration and sale of antique snooker tables.

Alan Phillips Snooker of Kingston upon Hull (Yorkshire)  are makers of fine bespoke snooker tables, American pool tables and English pool tables - in all sizes - and in a complete choice of woods. Alan has been making tables for over 30 years and has been associated with the principals of Matchtable for over 20 years. He is one of the few remaining special manufacturers who do not rely on imported table parts: all the parts are machined and hand assembled in his own workshop. Each table is an individual commission, allowing clients the opportunity to create their own unique snooker or pool table All styles of commissions are undertaken. He also specialises in the removal, storage and installation of tables - and in the renovation of antique snooker tables.

Luxury Pool and Leisure of Warwick (West Midlands) are the sole importers for the exclusive range of  American pool tables and pool dining tables by Longoni of Italy. The company has a production expertise renowned throughout Europe for only using the best materials (be it wood, metals or solid formica).

Martin Rabbets of Bournemouth (Hampshire) provides a comprehensive repair, restoration and maintenance service plus the transportation and installation of all sizes of slate bed pool & snooker tables.  Established in 1989, Martin has travelled the world extensively and has a truly global knowledge of all the billiard disciplines. He is also a certificated BRUNSWICK table fitter/repairer and he applies his skills to all makes of tables, including antique and rare models. He only uses the best materials possible to enable me to work to a very high standard. Martin has also been associated with the principals of Matchtable for over 20 years. 

Corporata Ltd of Eastleigh (Hampshire) acts as the co-ordinator for the Matchtable collaborative project. The principal directors, Mike and Denise Allott, have been involved in snooker and pool for 23 years and were the original owners of Pool Snooker Supplies of Bournemouth. They are also licensed importers of the Billiards Plaisance range of pool dining tables from France. In addition, and they are currently developing their own unique range of solid pine pool and snooker tables for indoor and outdoor use.

Details on Corporata Ltd:

Administration office: Tansy Meadow ● Chandler’s Ford ● Eastleigh ● Hampshire ● UK ● SO53 4LH ● Phone (023) 80276806
Registered Office: Barbican House ● 26-34 Old Street ● London ● EC1V 9QQ
Company registration number : 03007054 ● VAT registration number: 887 4237 78 

   back to top    

                                                                                                  

Choosing a luxury pool or snooker table:

First choose your preferred billiards game . There are many cue sports games with varied histories, although for simplicity we present a choice of 5 disciplines: English pool, English snooker, American pool, French pool (Carom) and Russian Billiards (Pyramid). It is also possible to order tables that will play a combination of these disciplines.

Second, decide on the level of competitiveness: all of the pool and snooker disciples have international standards determining table  specifications. So if you wish to play at competition level, the crucial elements are table size, ball size, cushion response and playing surface, cloth, and cues.

Table size:
English pool 7ft x 3ft 6" | Snooker 12ft x 6ft | American pool 9ft x 4ft 6" | French Billiards 10ft x 5ft | Russian Billiards 12ft x 6ft         

Ball size:

Cushion response
Cushion rubbers are set within the table at a height compatible with the ball-sizes. Rubbers on English snooker and English pool tables are "L" shaped in section. Rubbers on American pool tables, French pool tables and Russian pool tables are "V" shaped in section and provide a faster response

Playing surface
A competition pool or snooker table will always have a slate bed playing surface of either a single slab of slate or in sections (3 or 5). Quarried slate is a tried and tested material which provides the level and solidity necessary for serious play. Generally speaking English pool tables use single piece slates, American pool and Carom tables use 3 piece slates, and Snooker and Pyramid tables use 5 piece slates

Cloth
Competition snooker tables are wool with an agreed weight and thickness and with directional nap (affects the run of the ball on slower shots). Most modern variations of pool use a nap-less speed cloth. Green is the traditional cloth colour for all cue sports although in recent years cloth manufacturers have introduced a wide range of colour choices, included overprints for TV promotions. 

Cues
There are 5- main variables: cue length, cue weight, cue-tip size, and how the cue is constructed

• Cue length: for all disciplines, preferred length is the one that best suits the individual's stature and cueing arm

• Cue weight: weight will vary according to the material used, and extra weight can be contained in the cue but. Again, this is usually a matter of personal preference, although in general a larger ball (eg Russian Billiards) will need a heavier cue.

• Cue tip size: at competition level a snooker cue would normally have the narrowest cue-tip, then UK pool, then American pool and beyond. For quality cues,  cue-tips are usually glued on to the shaft, although screw on tips or sleeve-tips can be used.

• Cue material: most cues are made from a variety of natural woods, and usually spliced with a contrasting wood to mitigate against warping. Modern cues also often come with a 2-piece screw in connection, again to reduce warping, but also for carrying convenience. Additional extensions can be added/subtracted to alter the cue length.

For those purchasing a domestic table for the first time and are unsure about cue-selection it is recommended that Club cues are purchased

Pockets

There are 5 types of billiard pockets (and ball-drop system)

• Bag-nets, where he ball drops into a net (normally a nylon net but occasionally made of plastic ribbon. The balls are stored within the net and retrieved when necessary

• Bag-nets with ball rails, where the ball drops through a hole in the bottom of the net and collects in a wire channel in a row

• Ball-return, where balls drop into internal channels flowing into a central collection point at the end or sides of the table

 back to top

 

Important information

Warranty:
All pool tables and snooker tables bought or commissioned directly or indirectly from this website are subject to our own warranty of satisfaction and those warranties of satisfaction given by the manufacturer. In particular, we also recognise our obligations under the Sale of Goods Act, and comply with our obligations under the Distance Selling Regulations 2000, not least in enabling customers the right of a cooling-off period within 7-days of placing an order, plus the added right of rejection and cancellation (with no financial penalty) should they be dissatisfied with the table upon installation.

Ordering and payment:
The tick-box enquiry forms on the website are there to to enable the many table options to be presented, and to simplify customer enquiries. They are not part of any formal ordering process. Orders are always arranged through personal contact by telephone, fax or email.  Except for special bespoke orders a deposit of 35% is payable at the time of order by cheque, bank transfer or by debit card. Settlement of the balance is after the table has been installed, and to the customers satisfaction. Settlement, upon presentation of a sales invoice, is by bankers draft or pre-arranged money transfer. Our card payments (for deposits against tables, or for settlement against playing accessories) are processed by Barclaycard Business and can be made by mail fax or phone.

Contract:
The main products of pool tables and snooker tables purchased through this Matchtable website are sold by Corporata Ltd, and it is Corporata Ltd that enters into contract with those seeking to buy pool tables and snooker tables unless it has been agreed otherwise, or that Corporata is specifically acting as agent for another seller. We enter into all agreements in good faith and under our warranty indicated above.

Privacy:
We do not accept payments directly through this website therefore there is no Internet Privacy issue concerning financial data. However we observe the conditions of our card-processor, Barclaycard Business, in the handling of "non-present" or telephone orders. We also observe the conditions of our Bankers, Cater Allen Ltd, in the administration of cheque payments and Inter-bank transfers. We collect customer details in our response to customer enquiries and in our response to brochure requests. We observe our obligations under the Data Protection Act. We do not release this information to third parties other than that is necessary in the fulfilment of customer orders.

Trading overseas:
We do not export our pool tables or snooker tables. All tables are priced in sterling and include VAT at the prevailing rate.

Phone us on 02380 276806 or email us  if you have any queries on these terms.

back to top