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If you have decided that you want a professional snooker table, then you may be wondering just how much one of them costs. That is what our experts want to talk to you about on this page. This way, you will know whether the table you are purchasing is of a high quality.
So, how much does a professional snooker table cost? Well, a lot of it is going to be dependent on the brand and the hardware. At the minimum, a quality table is going to cost around $3,000. Anything cheaper than this wouldn’t really be a professional level. The best tables can be in excess of $10,000.
It is all well and good telling us how much a professional snooker table costs, but do you know what makes a snooker table professional? Let our experts explain everything in a little bit of depth for you.
How Much Does a Professional Snooker Table Cost?
The way we see it, a professional snooker table is one that probably wouldn’t look out of place in a tournament. This means a table that a professional player would be more than happy to play on because they believe their skills will shine and that the quality of the table won’t be working against them.
At the very minimum, you should expect to be paying $3,000 for an actual professional snooker table. The costs can go up from there. Many of the better tables on the market will be in the $7,000-$10,000 range. Beyond that, the quality of the playing surface won’t change, but you will end up with a better-looking table with better hardware.
It is important to remember that there will be additional costs for the snooker table. You should factor these into your budget.
For example, the cost of a professional snooker table will likely involve delivery to your home. However, it won’t cover the cost of moving and setting up the table. It will be a slate snooker table, so you can’t do this yourself. Instead, you will need to hire a professional that may be able to do it for a few hundred dollars.
On top of this, you have your accessories such as cleaning products (vital for a professional table), top-quality balls, cues, racking triangles, chalk, and scoreboards. Expect this to add a couple of hundred dollars to the price.
What Specifications Should a Professional Snooker Table Have?
There are a variety of different factors that will influence whether a snooker table is regarded as a professional snooker table. We assume that when you ask for a professional snooker table, you want the ‘best of the best’. You also want it to be suited to American billiards sports as opposed to billiards played elsewhere in the world, which will use slightly larger tables, often up to 12-feet in length.
The Size of the Table
A professional snooker table in the United States should be at least 9-feet long and 4.5-feet wide.
Of course, smaller snooker tables are going to be a bit cheaper, but you have to bear in mind that many of the skills that you pick up on a smaller table will not necessarily translate well to the larger ones, mostly because some of the smaller tables will require that you use slightly different sized balls.
The Playing Surface
The playing surface should always be slate. For the best playing experience, this should be a one-piece slate.
A slate playing surface will be completely level. A slate playing surface will also last ‘forever’, assuming that you treat the table with care. A ball traveling on a slate playing surface will move in a predictable way. You will never see a high-level billiards competition using anything other than a slate table.
MDF table surfaces do exist. They are also cheaper. However, MDF playing surfaces will last for a decade or so at the most. Over time, they will warp. This means that the ball will not be rolling over a completely flat surface.
See Also: Slate Pool Tables VS Non-Slate Pool Tables
Build Quality
Outside of the slate playing surface, the main thing that you are paying for when it comes to a slate playing table will be the build-quality. Professional pool tables, for instance, will be made from solid wood as opposed to laminate. The pockets and cushions on the table will be robust and responsive. The design will look superb. Obviously, there are cheaper professional snooker tables without all the ‘bells and whistles’ on the design front, but if you are spending this amount of money already, why not spend a bit more and get something that looks brilliant?
Related Questions
Which company offers the best professional snooker tables in the United States?
Riley is one of the best companies for professional snooker tables. Handmade in England, it is Riley tables that are used in professional snooker and pool competitions around the world. If you have ever watched live snooker or pool on the table, then the chances are high that they are playing on a Riley table. These tables can be expensive, but you won’t get anything better.
Is it worth purchasing a brand name snooker table?
Absolutely. While purchasing a brand-name snooker table like Riley, Brunswick and Olhausen can add a few hundred dollars to the price, you know that you will be purchasing from a reputable business. They have proven their worth in the industry. If anything goes wrong with the table, then you will also know that you have somebody there to help to deal with those issues.
How long can you expect a professional snooker table to last?
Assuming that the cloth of the table is changed frequently, and a small amount of work is carried out to the pockets to ensure that they are not too stiff, then you can expect a professional snooker table to last for life.
This is the sort of thing that once you have purchased it, then you have something that you will always have with you. Even professional snooker tables made centuries ago are still being played on.
See Also:
25 Snooker Tricks And Tips For Beginner
Can You Use a Snooker Cue for Pool
What Is A Snooker In 8 Ball Pool?
How to Add Weight to a Snooker Cue
How Are Snooker Balls Made
