What Table Is This?
There has been a trend online where someone posts a photo of a pool table asking,
“What brand of table is this?”
A lot of pool tables look similar at first glance. Most of the time, the answer isn’t obvious. Not because it’s rare, but because the important details weren’t photographed.
The key to identifying one isn’t the felt color or overall shape, it’s the small construction details many people overlook.
If you’re trying to identify a used or inherited table, here’s what to look for:
Look for a Manufacturer Plate or Logo
This is the fastest way to identify a table.
Check:
- The cabinet end panels
- The apron (the side panel under the rail)
- Near the coin door (if it has one)
- Under the table frame
Many tables have a small metal badge or plate with the manufacturer name. Even a partial logo can be enough to trace the brand.
If you find one, take a clear, close-up photo straight on.
Check for a Coin Door
If the table has a coin mechanism, that narrows things down quickly.
Photograph:
- The full coin door
- Any branding stamped on the door
- The style of lock and plate
Coin-operated tables are built differently than most home tables. The cabinet structure, ball return system, and weight distribution often point toward specific commercial manufacturers.
Examine the Cabinet and Leg Style
The body of the table tells a story.
Look at:
- Are the legs solid block, carved, pedestal, or metal?
- Is the cabinet thick and boxy (commercial style)?
- Are there metal corner castings?
Home tables usually have decorative legs and thinner cabinets. Commercial tables are heavier, box-built, and more industrial.
Take one full side shot of the table and one close-up of a leg.
Inspect the Rail Sights
The small white circles or diamond markers on the rails are called sights. Take note of their:
- Shape
- Material
- Spacing
- Inlay style
They can sometimes help narrow down the era or manufacturer.
Take a clear close-up of one rail section showing two or three sights.
Measure the Playing Surface (Not the Outside)
This is important.
Measure the actual playing surface from cushion edge to cushion edge.
Standard sizes:
- 7 ft table: 39″ x 78″
- 8 ft table: 44″ x 88″
- 9 ft table: 50″ x 100″
Do not measure the full outside cabinet length; outside measures will throw off identification.
Size alone won’t tell you the brand, but it eliminates a lot of possibilities.
Why Most Identification Attempts Fail
When trying to determine the identity of a pool table, whether you succeed or not can be based on the information gathered. If there are no logo identifiers, then next best thing is to take photographs of the table. Even so, here are some reasons why you cannot identify the table:
- Only one photo is provided
- No badge or logo is shown
- No table size is listed
- No close-up details are included
With the right photos, identification becomes much easier and more accurate.
Still Not Sure?
If you want help with identifying your pool table, click to link below:
Final thoughts about this guide
Whether it’s you are buying your first table, upgrading or inheriting a pool table can feel overwhelming. There are many tables to choose from, and most of those are dependent upon your space availability and your budget. This is true especially for those of you who are new to the game and not sure how to choose the best table for you.
The good news is most tables can be identified once you know what details to look for when selecting a table. This guide will walk you through the key points that help narrow things down, so you can get the pool table you want without any regrets.
Do you already own a pool table?
If so, write a comment below and share your experience buying your first table.