We are reader supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Also, as an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
The typical American pool table size will sit at either 8ft or 9ft. However, you may see smaller 6ft options on the market. The big question is whether it is worth buying a smaller table. Let our experts explain everything that you need to know!
So, is a 6-foot pool table worth it? It depends. If it is all that you can fit inside of your home, then yes! It is worth purchasing a 6-foot pool table. After all, playing pool is better than not playing pool. However, if you can fit a larger pool table into your home, then it would be better to play on that. Smaller pool tables often require smaller balls, and this means that you aren’t really going to be learning how to play pool properly on them.
Our experts want to go into a little bit of depth on this for you. They want to go over the pros and cons of owning a 6-foot table. This way you can decide whether this is the correct route to go down for your needs.
Is it a 6-Foot Pool Table Worth It?
If you are taking your pool seriously, then it is tough to recommend a 6-foot pool table. These tables will play a little bit different from their larger counterparts. This means that a few of the skills that you learn on a 6-foot pool table wouldn’t really be applicable to a larger table. There will be some overlap, but a lot less than you may think.
A 6-foot pool table is probably going to be worth it to those that:
- Do not have a huge amount of space available in their home
- Still want to play pool regularly
If you can fit a larger pool table in your home, then go for that. If you have enough space for an 8-foot or 9-foot table, then never opt for a 6-foot table. We think that as we go through the pros and cons of owning a 6-foot pool table, you will start to get a feel for whether it is going to be worth it for you.
What Are the Pros of Playing on a 6-Foot Pool Table?
As we have stated several times, these pool tables are brilliant when you do not have a lot of space available in your home. If it means that you are going to be able to play pool, then it is completely fine in our books!
A lot of the 6-foot pool tables on the market have been designed to be portable too. Sure, there will still be some tables that you can just leave set-up in a room, but this is going to be a lot rarer at this end of the market. This is because the manufacturers seem to know that players opting for 6-foot tables want something a little bit more portable.
In terms of playing the game, there are some advantages to a 6-foot pool table that will build your skill if you ever head on over to a full-size table.
Some people claim that because smaller pool tables have smaller pockets and balls, you learn to become a bit more accurate with your shots towards a pocket. You are really going to be working on the minute details of your game. This can translate well to larger pool tables.
If you have never played pool before, or haven’t played it all that much, then playing on a 6-foot pool table will be brilliant if you want to learn the basics of the game. This is why you will find many children get started on 6-foot pool tables. It allows them to learn the sport on something a bit smaller.
What Are the Cons of Playing on a 6-Foot Pool Table?
There are several downsides to playing at a 6-foot pool table.
Firstly, you do have the issue with the fact that balls and pockets are much smaller. They are fractionally smaller, but when you jump onto a larger pool table, you will find that the larger balls react in a slightly different way.
The biggest concern that many people have when they move to a larger pool table after playing on a 6-foot one is the fact that the balls are heavier. You now have more space on the table. This means that you need to strike the balls harder. If you have been practicing a lot on a 6-foot table, then you are going to find this incredibly difficult to do.
You will also struggle to learn positioning on smaller pool tables. This is because everything is so close together on the table, and thus you do not really have the opportunity to build up the skills that you need to snooker your opponent, or how to get into a position so you can pot ball after ball on a single visit to the table.
As we said, most 6-foot pool tables are designed to be portable. This means that the playing surface is not going to be that flat. The ball will react differently in comparison to if you were playing on a slate surface.
Remember; all of these pros and cons are assuming that you will be moving over to a larger pool table at some point. If you aren’t, then a 6-foot pool table is completely worth it. It isn’t going to be hampering your skills on larger tables because you are never going to be playing there!
Related Questions
How much space do you need for a 6-foot pool table?
Assuming that you are using a normal size cue, for a 6-foot pool table to fit into a room, you will need the room to measure 16-feet by 13-feet. This is the absolute minimum to feel comfortable when playing the game. Of course, the more space there is available, the better.
See Also: 6 Best Folding Pool Tables
Is a 6-foot pool table fine for children?
Yes. It is the recommended size for children if you cannot fit an 8-foot pool table in your home. We wouldn’t recommend going smaller than 6-foot for a table if your child is starting to learn how to play the sport. It wouldn’t really teach them much about the game, and most of them are nothing more than toys.
See Also:
How To Level A 3 Piece Slate Pool Table
Can Kids Play Billiards? Read This First!
11 Best Pool Game On PC or Smartphone
Can You Leave Pool Balls On The Table
