If you’re new to pool, you may be confused by the term "English" that’s commonly used among pool enthusiasts. Meanwhile, when talking about pool, it’s often seen as the same game as billiards, but pool is more known outside the United States, including Australia. In a variety of the game called three-cushion billiards, the cue ball must also touch a cushion or cushions three or more times to complete a carom. The same goes for an object ball that fails to touch either a cushion or a pocket. In some cases, these soft shadows can "blend" with the darkness of the pockets, creating the illusion that a given pocket is larger than it is - a surefire recipe for missed shots. It involves two players or two teams, each aiming to pocket their designated balls (stripes or solids) and then sink the 8-ball to win. For one thing, what is billiards the balls in the playfield will not stand out as starkly as they would on a brighter felt - especially the 8-ball. The last thing anyone wants is to blow the game-winning shotbecause the final ball was camouflaged! The skill involved consists of developing one scoring stroke after another. Of course, not everyone will be bothered by this, and some people may not play long enough at one time for it to be an issue.

This is mostly an issue with dark colors like black, charcoal, burgundy, and navy blue. This is usually achieved with the traditional green felt, dark browns, brick reds, and warm lighting. But even outside the world of professional tournaments, many players prefer classic green or Tournament Blue because they don’t strain the eyes and provide great visibility in both bright or dim lighting. Green and blue are by far the most popular felt colors used today - specifically, Tournament Green (aka Classic Green) and Tournament Blue (aka Electric Blue). The classic green has been the reigning champ for many years - after all, it was the original pool table cloth color - but Tournament Blue has become more popular in recent years, especially in televised tournaments. Tournament / Arcade: To emulate the feel of a pro tournament, you can use Electric Blue felt combined with shades of black, grey, and dark brown. Maroon or burgundy go well with dark woods, while tan and camel are great for lighter wood shades.

Tan and camel, though not quite as good, are also gentle on the eyes and provide good contrast and visibility. In general, however, brighter colors do better with less light, darker colors need a little more to help visibility, and colors like green, blue, and tan tend to look good in just about any lighting. When shopping online, it’s a little more of a guessing game, so it’s a good idea to look through pictures of other people’s setups on Pinterest or Google Images to get a sense of how certain colors look in different spaces and lighting configurations. This is why it’s a good idea to combine this tactic with testing the weight of the table, which I discuss below. But for those who do want their felt to match the color scheme and overall aesthetic of the surrounding space, it’s a good idea to compare color samples (physical swatches from a showroom, if possible) with the intended room.

If you’re shopping for tables in a showroom, make sure you observe the lighting to see how it compares with your lighting scheme at home. The two most important reasons are eye comfort and playability - some colors are easier on the eyes than others and make the balls and pockets easier to see clearly. For pool tables and snooker tables, you will see six pockets. If you’ve stepped into a billiards showroom or even done some online browsing for pool tables, you’ve probably noticed that there are an overwhelming number of felt colors to choose from. Contact us for all types of Antique Bar Billiard Tables, Custom Bar Billiard Tables & Bespoke Bar Billiard Tables. Slate bed tables usually feature sturdier frame construction that can hold up better to both the elements that sneak into the garage and the normal wear-and-tear that comes from playing. For some, a specific hue might resonate with their identity or hold sentimental value. On the contrary, darker shades might foster concentration and focus, as they reduce external stimuli. If you want to add a pop of color or make a statement, opt for bold patterns or vibrant shades that reflect your personality.