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What You Should Know When Buying a Game Table
What Man Cave is complete without something to entertain the lads? You have all the boys over to watch the game on the big screen TV, but what about during half time or an intermission? Why not gather around a new foosball or pool table and have the ultimate face off.
It’s easy to make your rec room more enjoyable than a lounge at the bar. You have control over the remote, music, beverages, appies, and you can support your favorite team without prejudice. One way you can support your team is by adding a game table and other accessories with their logo and colors to your game room.
There are several choices for game tables, some of which are: billiard, air hockey, shuffleboard, foosball, and tables for sit-down games such as poker and chess. But before you order a game table for the ultimate game showdown, there are a few things you need to consider such as space and maintenance.
Consider Your Space and Need For Each Type of Game Table
When putting a pool or billiard table into a room, not only do you have to measure space for the table but account for space to play the game in. A standard pool cue is 58” long (4.8’). You need at least that much space on every side to play properly. The American Pool Players Association recommends having an absolute minimum of 4’ on each side, but even that is cutting it close. With a large pool table of 9’ long or more, longer shots are needed, and a space of 5’ or more is ideal to prevent wall damage. Playing in a cramped room will compromise the draw on your shots and but unless your hosting the League Championship, a shorter cue will do in some of those tight spots.
Foosball, also known as table soccer, still requires a larger space of about 4’ on either side of the table. This space is recommended to allow for the bars to be extended all the way without smacking an elbow into a wall or object. One crucial element for making a great game of foosball is the levelness of both your floor and the table’s legs. If the table or floor is the slightest bit uneven, it could spoil the game. Take extra care when assembling your foosball table and measure the levelness of your floor to help ensure the best game possible. Some tables do come with levelers on the legs, and in some cases, you can always purchase furniture feet pads at your local hardware store to level the table.
Air hockey tables use a cushion of air and a smooth, flat surface to glide pucks into the opposing player’s goal. A fan and machinery pushes air through tiny holes in the surface to reduce friction making for a fast, intense game. Air hockey tables require less room to be played properly, but a concern is placing a table in a room where objects are not likely to be broken by a flying puck. Air hockey tables do require a source of electricity to operate the machinery so be sure to account for an electrical outlet nearby when creating your air hockey room.
Table shuffleboard is played on a long, smooth wooden table with each player gently gliding weighted pucks into a scoring area. Shuffleboard tables vary in length ranging from 9’ to 22’, but most recreational tables stay 14’ or below. Shuffleboard is a slower paced game so there’s little need to worry about accidental flying pucks, but its length can be an issue for some rooms. Make sure to measure your space before making a purchase to ensure players have a comfortable amount of space on the playing ends. Most tables do not require electricity but some do have an electronic score board if that suits you.
If you’re looking forward to creating a designated table for a rousing game of poker, there are tons of options out there for every space and budget. On a small budget, you can find folding poker tables that fit over a dining table with a nice felt playing surface. They can be easily set up and stored away nicely. If you’re thinking a grandiose poker table will impress your buddies, you can find wooden poker tables that fit 4 to 10 people with extras such as padded arm rests and drink holders. Some folding poker tables also come with drink holders since most games involve a few beverages. It might be worth the extra money to order a table with cup holders to help prevent careless spills.
How to Keep Your Table in Pristine Condition
Speaking of careless spills, there are measures you can take to prevent your new game table from being ruined. Look for matching table pads that create a secure cover over your table when it’s not in use. This will help prevent against spills, dust, and makes for an extra large flat surface when needed. If your specific game table does not have a cover, many companies, such as Ohio Table Pad Company, make custom covers. All that is needed is the dimensions and a tracing of one of the corners to ensure a perfect match. Since air holes in an air hockey table can be easily plugged by dust and particles and felt on a pool table is subject to beer and salsa spills, an extra $249 for a table pad won’t seem so bad compared to the cost of repairing or replacing your game table.
How you decorate your man cave or rec room is up to you. If your game room is in the theme of your favorite sports team, you can find accessories such as pool table lights, bar stools, neon signs, and even bar fridges with your team’s logo and colors. Browse online for an endless selection for all your game room needs.
Always be sure when you’re buying a game table that you know if all the accessories come with it. A pool table may seem like a great price until you realise it’s only the table you’re getting. Shopping online is a great way to read customer reviews for real life input on which products are good and find helpful advice for setting them up and using your game tables. Plus, many sites offer free shipping and other bonuses when buying. Good luck and most of all, have fun!
Contributing Expert Alaina Young is a content writer for Wholesale Furniture Brokers, an online retailer of beds, mattresses, game room furniture, and dining tables. Alaina writes and edits product descriptions, blog posts, reviews, and articles. |
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