Advice needed on buying a Pool Table

[FionnMac]

Ok guys, i need some general advice on buying a cheap-ish pool table for a student house.

1. Where is the best (for value, and reliability) place for buying a table? Online @ ebay/amazon, specialist online shops, or a local store?

2. Would you reccomend getting a new or 2nd-hand table?

3. How important is a slate bed?

4. What are the other good quality features/materials to look out for?

5. My budget is about £600-800 btw, and i probably want an American pool table (rather than english) even though i'm from the uk.

Cheers

[FionnMac]

anyone?

[FionnMac]

bump

[blackize]

I don't know too much about it, but I'll give you insight on what I do know.

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2. Would you reccomend getting a new or 2nd-hand table?

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Both are good. A lot of the time you can find a good deal on a 2nd hand table though. Lots of people sell them because they're moving and don't have room or marrying and the wife doesn't want it around or whatever. It has happened to several of my family members.

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3. How important is a slate bed?

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Very. Other materials will tend to warp and make the surface unplayable.

[FionnMac]

thanks blackize, i'll definitely be looking for a slate-bed table. anyone else had experience with pool tables?

[Predator314]

These are the best tables I've ever played on:

http://www.diamondbilliardproducts.com/