The Complete Pool Table Buying Guide for Kentucky Homeowners

I've sold pool tables in Lexington for 50 years, and I've watched hundreds of families bring one home. Some of them knew what they were doing. Most didn't. So I'm going to walk you through everything you need to know before you spend $1,500 to $8,000 on a pool table.

This isn't theory. This is what I've learned from actually listening to customers, from watching what works and what doesn't, and from fixing tables that people bought the wrong way.

Step 1: Figure Out Your Space

This is where most people get it wrong. They find a table they love, then realize it doesn't fit in their room the way they hoped.

A standard 8-foot pool table is 8 feet long and 4 feet wide. But you don't play pool on just the table. You need cue clearance. You need space to step back, to move around, to actually play the game.

For an 8-foot table, you need a room that's at least 13 feet by 18 feet to have proper clearance on all sides. In Central Kentucky basements and rec rooms, that usually means a room about 14 by 18 feet is comfortable. Anything smaller, and you're going to be frustrated every time you try to shoot from certain angles.

We deliver within 50 miles of Lexington, and I've been in hundreds of Lexington and Central Kentucky homes. The basements here are often perfect. They're concrete, they're dry once sealed, and there's usually good ceiling height.

Step 2: Slate vs. Non-Slate (This Is Non-Negotiable)

You need slate under the cloth. Period. I don't care what anyone told you at a furniture store.

A real pool table has a slate bed, typically 1 inch thick. The slate is leveled by professionals. Once it's flat, it stays flat. The balls roll true. The game plays right.

Non-slate tables use plywood or MDF board. They're cheaper, maybe $500 to $1,200 vs. $1,500 and up for slate. But within two years, the board warps or sags. The balls don't roll straight. You stop using it.

Buy slate. It costs more because it's better. The table will still be playable in 20 years.

Step 3: Choose Your Brand

We carry seven brands, and they all serve different buyers:

• C.L. Bailey ($1,500-$3,000): Our most popular. Solid hardwood, quality slate, great value. The right choice for most families.
• Imperial ($1,500-$3,000): Great entry point, especially if you want licensed sports team designs.
• Olhausen ($3,000-$5,000): Premium play quality with the Accu-Fast cushion system. Made in Tennessee.
• A.E. Schmidt ($3,000-$5,000): Heirloom quality from America's oldest manufacturer. St. Louis craftsmanship since 1850.
• Connelly ($3,000-$6,000): Hand-built in Arizona with premium hardwoods and Italian slate.
• American Heritage ($3,000-$6,000): Furniture-grade design that doubles as stunning room centerpieces.
• Brunswick ($3,000-$8,000+): The gold standard since 1845. Tournament engineering for your home.

For most Kentucky homeowners on a reasonable budget, a C.L. Bailey or Imperial in the $1,500 to $3,000 range is the sweet spot. You get durability, good play, and a table that will be reliable for decades.

Step 4: Understand What's Included

When you buy from Lexington Billiards, the price includes:

• Free delivery within 50 miles of Lexington
• Professional installation by our own crew (not a subcontractor)
• Leveling on any surface
• Your choice of 29 cloth colors from Championship and Simonis
• A complete accessory kit: two cues, balls, rack, brush, chalk, and cover

Everything you need to play the same day we install it. Compare that to buying online, where delivery ($300-$500), installation ($300-$400), and accessories ($150+) are all extra. That "cheap" internet table isn't so cheap anymore.

Step 5: Pick Your Cloth

We stock 29 colors in Championship and Simonis. Championship is slightly more affordable with a traditional feel. Simonis is premium, faster, and more durable. For most home players, Championship is excellent. Come to the showroom and see the colors in person. Bring photos of your room.

Step 6: Consider Financing

A pool table is a big purchase, but it's not as expensive as you might think when you break it down. Most families use their table for 20 years. That works out to less than the cost of a couple good dinners out per year.

We offer financing options to make quality tables accessible. Not everyone has $2,000 or $5,000 sitting around, and that's fine. We'd rather help you buy the right table on a payment plan than watch you settle for a bad one.

Step 7: Installation Day

On installation day, we show up and handle everything. The table is delivered on a truck, brought into your room, assembled, leveled, and clothed. We'll spend a couple of hours, maybe more for complex spaces.

My advice for installation day:

• Clear the room the day before
• Make sure there's a clear path from the driveway to the game room
• If it's a basement, confirm the stairway or door is wide enough (we'll discuss this beforehand)
• The table will be ready to play that afternoon

Step 8: The Ongoing Reality

A pool table needs minimal maintenance:

• Brush the cloth after you play
• Keep the cover on when you're not using it
• Don't eat or drink directly over the table

Every 5 to 10 years, depending on usage, the cloth needs replacing ($400-$800). The cushions might need re-surfacing in 10 to 15 years. Cues need re-tipping if you play hard. These are normal costs of owning something that gets real use.

The Bottom Line

Buy a real table from someone local who will back it up. The price difference between us and some internet retailer isn't as big as you think once you factor in delivery, installation, and service. And you'll have a table that plays well and lasts generations.

Come see us at 1431 Leestown Rd, Lexington, KY. Walk into the showroom, feel a few different tables, and ask questions. We're open Monday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm. No pressure, just honest conversation about what makes sense for your space. Call (859) 255-7639 if you want to talk through your room dimensions first.