Determining the size of your table, and recommended

Room Dimensions for Pool Tables

This chart shows the playing surface dimensions of standard size pool tables, and also

how much room you need to in order to play comfortably. A good rule of thumb is to give

yourself five feet around the edge of the table. The standard length of a cue is 57".

When measuring your table, measure from the point of the cushion on each side

and/or from the point of the cushion at each end.  Actually, just measuring the width is sufficient.

See the diagram below the chart.

Question
How far should the pool table light be from the pool table.
Answer
About 30 inches is the average distance. Another rule of thumb is to lower the light so that the edge of the light meets the edge of the table.

BCA Equipment Specifications

Table Sizes:
Pocket billiard Tables..............................................4 by 8 and 4 1/2 by 9
Carom Billiard Tables..............................................4 1/2 by 9 and 5 by 10
American Snooker Tables........................................4 1/2 by 9 and 5 by 10
 

Playing Area: Measured from the cloth covered nose of cushion rubber to the opposite cushion rubber, both width and length:
4 by 8 table...................................playing area 44" width by 88" length
4 by 8 oversize table........................playing area of 46" width by 92" length
4 1/2 by 9 table.............................playing area of 50" width by 100" length
5 by 10 table.................................playing area of 56" width by 112" length
 

The BCA will sanction Tournament Play on Home and Coin-operated tables produced in sizes other than those recognized above, if the playing area width is one half the length, measured cushion to opposite cushion.

Table Bed height: The table bed playing surface, when measured from the bottom of the table leg, will be 29 1/4 minimum to 30 1/4 maximum.

Pocket Openings and Measurements:
Pocket billiard tables: pocket openings are measured at two points - the first being measured between opposing cushion noses where the direction changes into the pocket (tip to tip). This is called the mouth. The second point of measurement is at the narrowest point at the back of the facing. This is called the throat.

Corner Pocket:
Mouth...................................................4 7/8" minimum to 5 1/8" maximum
Throat...................................................4" minimum to 4 1/4" maximum

Side Pocket:
Mouth..................................................5 3/8" minimum to 5 5/8" maximum
Throat..................................................4 3/8" minimum to 4 7/8" maximum

Vertical Pocket Angle 12 +,or - 1 degree

Shelf: The shelf is measured from the center of the imaginary line that goes from one side of the mouth to the other where the nose of the cushion changes direction to the center of the vertical cut of the slate pocket radius.

Corner Pocket........................................1 5/8" minimum to 1 7/8" maximum
 

Side Pocket............................................0" minimum to 3/8" maximum
 

Drop Point Slate Radius: The pocket radius measured from the vertical cut of the slate to the playing surface.

Drop Point Slate Radius...................1/8" r. Minimum to 1/4" r. Maximum
 

Playing Bed: The playing surface must be capable, either by its own strength or a combination of its strength and that of the table baseframe, of maintaining an overall flatness within a tolerance of .020" lengthwise and .010" across the width. Further, this surface should have an additional deflection not to exceed .030" when loaded with a concentrated static force of 200 pounds at its center. If more than one slab is employed, the slab joints must be in the same plane within .005" after leveling and shimming. The bed must be covered with a fabric, the major portion of which is made of wool, with proper tension to avoid unwanted ball roll-off. Commercial tables must have a 1" - 3 piece set of slate with a wooden frame minimum 3/4" attached to slate. All playing surfaces must be secured to base frame with screws or bolts.
 

Cushion: Rubber cushions should be triangular in shape and molded with the conventional K-66 profile with a base of 1 3/16" and a nose height of 1", with control fabric molded to the top and base area of the cushion. On carom billiard tables, the triangular k-55 profile cushion is to be maintained, with the control fabric on the underside of the cushion to effect a slower rebound action. On snooker tables, the triangular k66 profile or L-shaped snooker cushion is to be used. The balance of the rail section to which the rubber cushion is glued should be of hardwood construction and attached to the slate bed with a minimum of three (3) heavy duty, threaded rail bolts per rail.
 

Billiard Balls: Molded and finished in a perfect sphere, with both dynamic and static balance, in the following weights and diameters and used in the following games:

Pocket Billiard Balls:
Weight: 5 1/2 to 6 oz. / *Diameter: 2 1/4"

Carom Balls:
Weight: 7 to 7 1/2 oz. / * Diameter: 2 27/64", 2 3/8", 2 7/16"

Snooker Balls:
Weight: 5 to 5 1/2 oz. / * Diameter: 2 1/8", 2 1/16" *Diameter tolerance of .005"
 

Pocket Billiard Cues:

Tip Width: 9mm minimum - 14 mm maximum

Weight: No mimimum - 25 oz. maximum

Length: 40 inches minimum - no maximum

Ferrule: If of a metal material, may not be more than 1 inch in length.

Tip: The cue tip on any stick used to perform a legal jump shot must be composed of either a leather or synthetic leather material.