Pool Tables' Common Parts

The basics for most, if not all, pool tables consist mainly of the bed itself, cushions, cloth, and markings. The bed is the flat surface on which the sport is played; without it, one cannot play at all. This horizontal surface is made of several layers of slate slabs. These slabs are made up of finely ground solid slate. The standard horizontal surfaces are usually made of three slabs put together as the flat playing surface. In order to achieve the flatness and seamless result of the surface, the gaps between each slab is filled with resin, putty or epoxy, which is left to dry. After drying, the seams are sanded in such a way that there is no noticeable bump, which may be an obstacle to playing on the flat surface well. Professional or standard beds are well made with solid slate, which meets the standards for professional players of the sport; whereas, those made for the home or for other purposes may not be as consistent as the professional ones.

When the bed is satisfactory, it is covered with a smooth billiard cloth. The kind of cloth used for the surface can have an effect on the efficiency of the rolling balls as well as their speeds. Pool tables used by professional players for competition use a napped, woolen cloth, which provides a faster speed to the balls as they roll over the surface. The cushions are located on the inner sides of the bed, so the balls may bounce off of them. These provide a surface that the balls can bounce off without much loss of the energy that they have. They are usually made of vulcanized rubber, either synthetic or gum.
While the rubber cushions are on the inner side of the bed, the outer part is called the rails. The rails usually bear the marking or the sights, which help players with their game. The traditional shapes of these markings are usually diamond-shaped and they are inlaid on the wooden rails. There is a constant number of diamonds on each long and short rail, usually six or seven on the long rails and three on the short. Other kinds of markings are spots, which are found on the cloth to mark the head and foot spots. In straight pool tables, the outline of a triangle is found on the foot spot, where the balls are usually racked. Other types of billiards games may also have a grid pattern on the playing surface to help the players with their game. The pockets are found on the four corners of the pool tables and are used to hold the balls that the players shoot.

When shopping for pool tables Grand Rapids MI residents know where to look. If you're in the market, start your search at http://www.emeraldleisuresource.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Antoinette_Ayana

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7544631