Is it worth my while purchasing a Pool table..?

[tralalala]

Heres what is on offer at this online store which represents a proper store in Tel-Aviv: for 800$, I can buy a fold-up, 8-foot pool table with balls, 2 cues, 2 chalks, a brush for the carpet, and a rest-cue.

Here is a pic of the table: http://www.billiard.co.il/vault/prods/super.JPG


Here are the details of the table as mentioned on the website (translated):

"Home fold up pool table.
Made of full wood.
The tables' legs are connected with a special "plate", giving maximal stability, while connected to metal angles allowing you to fold it up and give stability while open.
The table has wooden supports that keep the table stable.
The table itself is made of one plate of thick wood.
The table has 6 tracks for the balls (after potted), nets, and corners coated with leather.
The cloth is made of 100% English wool."


Sounds good, should I go for it..?


NOTE: I reposted this in the Drawing Room to get seriouse answers.. doubt I'll be getting that in the Lounge..

[Skiz]

I'm not sure what's available to you, but here in the USA, I would find a much better table $800.

[manker]

Looks like a kid's table.

See if any second hand slate bed ones are going. Pubs often get rid of ones that are only a year or so old. I had one like this when I lived with my parents.

http://events.clowningaround.com/images/gaming/pool%20table%20bar%208ft.jpeg

I think they paid under a hundred quid for it - mind, this was like 15 or so years ago.

[Skillian]

You got somewhere to put it?

I've no idea about prices, but your own pool table is a beautiful thing. Do it.

[j2k4]

Rafi-

If you bought that table, I'd have to come to Israel and thrash you soundly about the head and shoulders.

As manker says, look for something slate and otherwise well-constructed; if a used coin-op bar table can be had for a price that won't bankrupt you, buy that.

Playing on junk will make you hate the game, I promise you.

Actually, you should begin by figuring out what you've got room for...they make 6', 7', 8', and 9' tables, and snooker and billiard tables can go 10'.

Ideally, you'll need about 5 1/2'-6' clearance to the rail all the way around to ensure no obstruction.

Get the biggest thing you can afford that'll fit.

It's the only way to be happy. :)

[Barbarossa]

Rafi-

If you bought that table, I'd have to come to Israel and thrash you soundly about the head and shoulders.

As manker says, look for something slate and otherwise well-constructed; if a used coin-op bar table can be had for a price that won't bankrupt you, buy that.

Playing on junk will make you hate the game, I promise you.

Actually, you should begin by figuring out what you've got room for...they make 6', 7', 8', and 9' tables, and snooker and billiard tables can go 10'.

Ideally, you'll need about 5 1/2'-6' clearance to the rail all the way around to ensure no obstruction.

Get the biggest thing you can afford that'll fit.

It's the only way to be happy. :)

Actually, snooker tables are 12' long :)

[j2k4]

Rafi-

If you bought that table, I'd have to come to Israel and thrash you soundly about the head and shoulders.

As manker says, look for something slate and otherwise well-constructed; if a used coin-op bar table can be had for a price that won't bankrupt you, buy that.

Playing on junk will make you hate the game, I promise you.

Actually, you should begin by figuring out what you've got room for...they make 6', 7', 8', and 9' tables, and snooker and billiard tables can go 10'.

Ideally, you'll need about 5 1/2'-6' clearance to the rail all the way around to ensure no obstruction.

Get the biggest thing you can afford that'll fit.

It's the only way to be happy. :)

Actually, snooker tables are 12' long :)

Actually, you're right.

I plead brain fart. :)

[tralalala]

well, they do sell 12' tables, but well expensive..

what do you mean by "something slate and otherwise well constructed"?

are there any of the types of tables you would by available anywhere that would ship to Israel for a reasonable price of up to 800$ tops..?


I have a garden that has room round it.. the reason i considered the foldup one was because you could fold it up and bring it in when done...

hope ya'll can find me something good for a reasonable price.. and about bars/pubs - i wouldn't even know where to start looking, as i do not atted pubs (yet).. :lol:

[Skillian]

You'd have to buy it in Israel. I'd imagine it'd cost nearly $800 just to ship a slate-based table, those things weigh a ton.

[manker]

Play pool on a table set up in the garden. Good luck getting that true.

Seems a bit of a waste spending $800 on something that you won't be able to use as it was intended - ie with the balls running directly toward the place you aim them.

[tralalala]

not on grass, manker.. on a tiled surface in the garden... not windy either..

[tralalala]

and by the way.. heres what this shop in israel offers as home talbes: http://www.billiard.co.il/main/home/products.main.asp?mCatID=1019

and pro tables: http://www.billiard.co.il/main/home/products.main.asp?mCatID=1026 (pool), http://www.billiard.co.il/main/home/products.main.asp?mCatID=1025 (snooker)

[Skillian]

Introducing a slant or roll on one part of the table is an excellent way to create a home advantage. :happy:

[manker]

not on grass, manker.. on a tiled surface in the garden... not windy either..Oh, in that case you'll have absolutely no problems whatsoever.

Tiles are fantastic for putting pool tables on.

[tralalala]

ummm.. are you being seriouse..? :nusure: its just im not used to getting seriouse answers from you :lol:


so what should i go for?

[manker]

In all honesty, joking aside, and given all the information you've provided thus far - I think you should probably go for a Swingball set.

[j2k4]

what do you mean by "something slate and otherwise well constructed"?


Just that; a table with a slate bed and maple/oak frame and lay-in.

Okay, you don't go to bars yet, but where would anyone go in Israel to shoot some stick?

Ask someone who does, and find out where these establishments get their tables.

Start there.

I'm guessing, but even if you luck into a deal, I doubt you'll find anything decent for less than $1500/US.

That's not to say better deals don't exist; if you make some contacts and have a bit of patience, who can say?

[100%]

I have 2 friends who have pool tables in their home, one is always covered with cloth and has books and stuff all over it,
the other guys is in his cellar collecting dust.
yes they are pretty good at playing pool, but i remember they played alot in the begining (a month or so) but then it died.
go to a local pub and play there -it is alot more efficient & social
800$ is worth allot of games & beer included

[tralalala]

@j2k4 - we go to a billiards club to play.. but in the past few weeks ive been hearing dodgy stuff about that place.. my mate said his brother, who is a policeman, told hhim the owner is an arab chap from one of the villages surrounding the area i live in, who sat inside for 25 years for dealing with cocaine or something, and is simply a dodgy bloke..

so apart from that place, there is another club, but that's where loads of drunks hang out.. so i am kind of "snookered" :lol: about what to do next.....

[manker]

Feck, Arabs can't go walk into an Israeli shopping mall without being strip searched but they can deal cocaine in pool halls for twenty five years with full police knowledge.

What a strange country.

[clocker]

Just that; a table with a slate bed and maple/oak frame and lay-in.


Last time I was visiting my brother in MI. I helped assemble such a table.
We spent the entire weekend leveling the slate and sealing the gap between the two slates with beeswax before the "felter" came.
It was quite an experience.

Too bad I'm still crap at the game.

[j2k4]

Just that; a table with a slate bed and maple/oak frame and lay-in.


Last time I was visiting my brother in MI. I helped assemble such a table.
We spent the entire weekend leveling the slate and sealing the gap between the two slates with beeswax before the "felter" came.
It was quite an experience.

Too bad I'm still crap at the game.

If you ever find time for another visit, we can work on that. :)

[j2k4]

Feck, Arabs can't go walk into an Israeli shopping mall without being strip searched but they can deal cocaine in pool halls for twenty five years with full police knowledge.

What a strange country.

That would be a better rod if it was clear you hadn't misinterpreted Rafi's post.

I, for one, will wonder until you clear things up.

[j2k4]

@j2k4 - we go to a billiards club to play.. but in the past few weeks ive been hearing dodgy stuff about that place..

Well, that can't be the only place in all of Israel to find out what you need to know, can it? :huh:

[manker]

Feck, Arabs can't go walk into an Israeli shopping mall without being strip searched but they can deal cocaine in pool halls for twenty five years with full police knowledge.

What a strange country.

That would be a better rod if it was clear you hadn't misinterpreted Rafi's post.

I, for one, will wonder until you clear things up.That makes no sense. If I hadn't 'misinterpreted' then it wouldn't be a rod :huh:

That's if it was a rod.

Hmm ... do I still fill you with wonder.

[j2k4]

That would be a better rod if it was clear you hadn't misinterpreted Rafi's post.

I, for one, will wonder until you clear things up.That makes no sense. If I hadn't 'misinterpreted' then it wouldn't be a rod :huh:

That's if it was a rod.

Hmm ... do I still fill you with wonder.

I don't think he meant the fellow sat inside the pool hall for twenty years selling cocaine, manker. :P

And no, you don't fill me with wonder; doesn't keep me from wondering about you, however...:huh:

[manker]

I don't think he meant the fellow sat inside the pool hall for twenty years selling cocaine, manker. :P Zomfg :o :lol:
And no, you don't fill me with wonder; doesn't keep me from wondering about you, however... :huh:There you go with the no sense thing again :no2:

[j2k4]

Zomfg :o :lol:
And no, you don't fill me with wonder; doesn't keep me from wondering about you, however... :huh:There you go with the no sense thing again :no2:

Have you been parting your hair ear-to-ear again? :huh:

[Barbarossa]

Feck, Arabs can't go walk into an Israeli shopping mall without being strip searched but they can deal cocaine in pool halls for twenty five years with full police knowledge.

What a strange country.

:lol: :earl:

[tralalala]

manker, arabs walk into malls where i live and get scanned by a metal detector just like me, or any other Jew in Israel...

in fact, the old mall in my town (there's been a newer one built about 8 years ago), is basically packed with arabs and russians most of the time....

[manker]

Well, you and j2 have me bang to rights.

Whoda thunk that that Arabs living in Israel don't get strip searched while buying groceries and aren't allowed to sell cocaine in pool halls.

Not me, no siree bob.

[tralalala]

:lol:.. you have to see it to believe it.. everyone gets scanned here nowadays, and still, no one is allowed to deal cocaine... (anywhere.. :lol:)

[lynx]

From what you've shown I guess this (http://www.snookerbilliardspool.co.uk/item.asp?ItemId=112) is the sort of table you are looking at.

For outdoor use that's a lot of money. Instead you should probably look at something like this (http://www.snookerbilliardspool.co.uk/item.asp?ItemId=192).

They are exactly the same size, and unless you spend an impossible amount of time levelling the table (by which time you won't get chance to play) you probably won't notice the difference in quality.

However, looking at the pics on the site you showed us I suspect you are paying the price of the expensive one but ending up with one of the quality of the cheaper one. For the price you've mentioned, you could get it delivered from the UK and still save a lot of money.

[j2k4]

Well, you and j2 have me bang to rights.


Well, we believe in rights, and we're gonna bang you to 'em, 'cuz that's the way we are. :angry:

Don't make us get all unilateral on you, man...

[truetejas]

A pool table is a lot like exercise equipment; they turn into a coat rack or a shelf at some point when you're not looking. A small number of people will get consistant use and enjoyment from them, but for most of us they loose their luster after a short period of time and you have to invent new uses for them.

But, if you still feel the need to get one, buy a real pool table, not the one you are contemplating. Pool is all about physics and geometry and needs to be played on a quality table to be enjoyed.

[j2k4]

A pool table is a lot like exercise equipment; they turn into a coat rack or a shelf at some point when you're not looking. A small number of people will get consistant use and enjoyment from them, but for most of us they loose their luster after a short period of time and you have to invent new uses for them.

But, if you still feel the need to get one, buy a real pool table, not the one you are contemplating. Pool is all about physics and geometry and needs to be played on a quality table to be enjoyed.

Just so-

As Jack Nicholson said, in the movie, Batman: "Better be sure..."