Billiard Table Buying Guide
Buying a billiard table is a significant investment — and the right choice depends on your room size, playing goals, and budget. This guide helps you cut through the noise and make a confident decision. More articles are on the way.
How To Choose the Right Table
A few core factors determine whether a table is right for you. Here are the three that matter most.
Size and Room Fit
Most home buyers choose between a 7-foot and an 8-foot table, while 9-foot tables are the professional and competition standard. Your room has to accommodate the table footprint plus cueing space on all sides, so measure before you commit. Predator's modern, contemporary ARC comes in 9FT or 8FT, the APEX 9FT is our professional tournament table, and the APEX 7FT Coin-Op is built for commercial venues.
Slate and Frame Construction
A tournament-grade table is built on precision-ground slate over a rigid, stable frame — that's what delivers a true, level roll shot after shot. Heavier, well-engineered construction holds its accuracy over years of play and is the foundation of a serious table.
Cloth and Cushions
The playing cloth sets the surface's speed and consistency. Predator tables are made from Arcadia cloth, available in Select Worsted and Reserve Performance options across a range of colors, while accurate, responsive cushions ensure a predictable rebound off every rail.
Commercial or Residential?
Not every Predator table is built for the same room. The APEX 7ft Coin-Op is purpose-built for commercial use — bars, leagues, and venues — with a coin-operated system, a 30-minute recloth process, and construction designed to hold up under nightly, heavy-traffic play. The APEX 9ft Professional and ARC are built to the same tournament-grade standard but are equally at home in a residential game room, with finish options — including the ARC's four signature looks — designed to be a centerpiece rather than just equipment. Outfitting a commercial space? Start with the APEX 7ft Coin-Op or contact us about a commercial order. Building a home game room? The APEX 9ft Professional or ARC give you the same slate and construction quality in a residential-friendly footprint and finish.
What's In This Guide
This guide currently covers the most common questions every table buyer asks first. More articles will be added as this guide grows.
