The Table Bed
A table is not just a table. It may look suitable on the outside, but you should know that there are many factors involved in manufacturing a table. You may find yourself playing on a table where the balls don't roll smoothly or the surface doesn't seem quite level — maybe the cloth is worn and the cushions have lost their bounce. This usually has to do with the way the table is made and how well it is maintained.
The best table beds are made of slate. That's right … the great game of billiards is really played on a smooth, flat piece of rock! Slate-bed tables are made with precision equipment in a factory, and are without doubt, the best surfaces to play on. Some table beds are made of plastic or plywood, and they actually do quite a good job of it for the most part, but nothing gives you smoother play than the slate bed.
Alert
Be very careful not to drop any heavy objects on the surface of a slate table — it might chip or crack the bed. It might be made of rock, but it's not indestructible.
All slate-bed tables are made of slate that varies in thickness from fl to 1∕ inches. As long as the frame of the table is solid, the thicker the slate the more steady the table will be. The steadier the table, the more consistent your game will be.
With a thicker slate, the table will also be heavier (so if you buy one, be sure you know what room you want your table to be in because it won't be very easy to move it without the help of a professional). The thicker slates are a little bit more expensive than thin ones. Experts say you won't have a problem with a thinner slate — it's a reliable material at any thickness.
Fact
A table can weigh at least half a ton and if you chip the slate bed, the minimum cost to repair it is about $200.
Be careful when you move your table. It's best to hire professionals especially if you need to move it to another house, because in all likelihood it will have to be taken apart and reassembled. If you're moving it from one room to another, you should enlist the help of friends, and remember to lift the table from both of the long side rails. If you lift the table from the short rails, you run the risk of cracking the slate.
There are several manufacturers that use a heavy-duty cardboard covered with a thick layer of plastic, which makes for quite a strong product. In conjunction these two materials create an artificial stonelike bed, but it's still not quite up to par with regular slate. A slate bed will last a very long time as long as you maintain the rest of the table. Once you've played a few different tables you'll be able to recognize the difference by the quality of your shots.
