HOMEPAGE FOR POOL AND SNOOKER 

Matchtable information summary  ↓

This page is the main information source for pool tables and snooker tables and contains 3 sections below:

Information about Matchtable pool tables | Choosing a pool table | Delivery info on pool tables
 

1. Information about Matchtable Pool Tables

The Matchtable Pool & Snooker website is owned by the holding company, Corporata Ltd, of Eastleigh, Hampshire, England.

Our prime aim is to showcase pool tables and snooker tables on a clutter-free site, with extra large images. For those seeking to research on further information we provide a simple tick-box enquiry form for each featured table (we also have a sister site at Poolrooms UK which promotes the full range of French pool dining tables by Billards Plaisance).

We deal in the high-end of domestic "billiards" (a generic term for pool tables and snooker tables) and specialise in the niche markets of luxury American pool tables, pool dining tables, outdoor pool tables and bespoke snooker tables. In all, there are 20 parent-pages summarising all pool table and snooker product categories contained in the site. However there are 6-key categories of billiard tables in particular that we promote, and which are featured in the image panels at the head of this home page. These key-pages will vary over time, depending on season and availability. Our main specialist categories are American pool tables, bespoke snooker tables, pool dining tables, bespoke pool tables in solid pine

American pool tables

We are agents  for the main global brands of American pool. First, the best known global brand,  Brunswick Billiards pool tables distributed by the American Billiard Company of Leeds in Yorkshire. Second, Sam pool tables of Spain, the premier European maker of American pool tables, distributed by Sam Leisure of Coventry. Third, Longoni pool tables of Italy, the world leader in design-inspired luxury tables, distributed by Luxury Pool and Leisure of Birmingham

Snooker Tables

We have been associated with A J Philips of Hull, makers of bespoke full size snooker tables, for nearly 25 years. The make and present table collections of the finest tournament-quality, full-size snooker tables. We are also able to offer snooker tables from Riley and BCE, and SAM Billiards

Pool Dining Tables

We are the premier importers for by Billards Plaisance, offering an extensive collection of classic French Plaisance pool dining tables. We also offer fully bespoke pool diners through our associate A J Philips. In addition we are currently promoting a new range of exclusive luxury pool diners from Longoni of Italy

Outdoor Pool Tables

In our own small workshop we accept commissions for bespoke outdoor pine pool tables. These table are also ideal for indoor use particularly in a modern kitchen area

Other pool tables

● UK pub-type pool tables from the important English pool table makers of Supreme (Winner), Gatley and Superleague (Hazelgrove)

▲top to pool and snooker table gallery

2. Choosing a pool or snooker table

A billiard table? A snooker table? Or a pool table?

Prior to televised snooker, the 3-ball game of billiards was the most popular game within the UK. But the game of English billiards is now rarely played. In Europe, the term Billiards - in its narrowest meaning - also refers to a 3-ball game (known as Carom). It is played on a table without pockets. However, in American and the rest of the world, the term billiards refers essentially to the game we would refer to as American pool (Americans would not use the term American pool). It perhaps should also be noted that the main European and Global table-brands incorporate the term Billiards in their signature. So, throughout the world, we now have the word "billiards" as the overarching term, and readily understood in association with table games requiring cue-sticks and balls. In Britain though, because of the popularity of televised snooker, the term "snooker" and "snooker-tables" would ordinarily be used by most people, unless they were serious English or American pool players.

Resolving the ambiguity over choosing a pool table

The Oxford English Dictionary is a useful arbiter on linguistic meaning and their references are as follows:

● Billiards: a game for two people played on a billiard table using three balls
● Billiard table: a rectangular cloth-covered table used for billiards, snooker and some forms of pool with six pockets at the corners and sides into which balls are struck with cues
● Snooker: a game played with cues on a billiard table in which the players use a white cue ball to pocket the other balls in a set order
● Pool: a game played on a billiard table using two sets of seven balls together with one black ball and a white cue ball.

Therefore to linguistic purists all games using cues and balls are played on billiard tables. For those familiar with the various games more information on billiards disambiguation is available by reference to Billiards on Wikipedia .

Choose from 5 International games

First, 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 disciplines 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, playing-surface, cloth, and cues. The key specifications are as follows:

(a) table sizes:

UK pool 7ft x 4ft | Snooker 12ft x 6ft | US pool 9ft x 4ft 6" | French Billiards 10ft x 5ft | Russian Billiards 12ft x 6ft

These dimensions are approximate. If you are at the room-planning stage please contact us for verification, or refer to the appropriate governing body of your selected cue-sport discipline

(b) ball sizes:

c) cushion response:

Cushion rubbers are set within the table at a depth 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

(d) playing surface:

A competition billiards 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. Snooker and Russian Pyramid tables use 5 piece slates

(e) cloth:

Competition snooker table cloths 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, including overprints for TV promotions.

(f) cues:

There are 5-main cue 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-butt. Again, this is usually a matter of personal preference, although in general a larger ball (e.g. 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.
● 2-piece cues: modern cues 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

(g) pockets:

There are 3 broad types of snooker and pool pockets (and ball-drop system)

● Bag-nets and buckets: where he ball drops into a net (normally a nylon net but occasionally made of plastic ribbon) or a plastic bucket. The balls are stored within the net / bucket and retrieved when necessary (for American pool competition play the pocket or bucket must be able to contain up to 6-balls
● 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 (normally seen on snooker tables)
● Ball-return: where balls drop into internal channels flowing into a central collection point at the end or sides of the table (normally seen on UK pool tables

▲top to pool and snooker table gallery

3. Delivery charges for pool tables and snooker tables

Prices are based on full-cost allocation and based on a 2-man dedicated installation team and an exclusive us-to-you delivery, at a mutually agreed time and date (prices are calculated at worst). Prices ex-Hull refer to bespoke snooker and pool tables installed by Alan Phillips Snooker. Prices ex-Maidstone refer to Billards Plaisance pool diners, Brunswick American pool tables and Sam American pool tables installed by The Snooker and Pool Workshop. Prices ex-Southampton refer to Outdoor pool tables and Longoni American pool tables installed by Martin Rabbets. These prices also apply to the removal, re-delivery and installation of tables already in situ. All pool and snooker tables ordered for delivery from Hull, Southampton or Maidstone can ALSO be purchased on a self-collect basis for free

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