Spencer American Pool Tables refers to pool tables commonly used in the United States, characterized by specific dimensions, materials, and design features. Here's an overview:
Dimensions
- Standard Sizes : American pool tables come in various sizes, with the most common being 7-foot, 8-foot, and 9-foot tables.
- 7-foot table: 78 inches by 39 inches (playfield)
- 8-foot table : 88 inches by 44 inches (playfield)
- 9-foot table : 100 inches by 50 inches (playfield)
Construction
- Slate Bed : High-quality American pool tables typically feature a slate bed, which is a piece of rock slate that is leveled to provide a smooth playing surface. The slate can come in one piece or multiple pieces (usually three).
- Frame and Legs : The frame is often constructed from solid wood or high-quality MDF. Legs are designed to support the heavy slate bed and can be decorative or simple, depending on the style.
Cloth
- Material : The playing surface is covered with a billiard cloth, commonly made from wool or a wool-nylon blend. Wiraka and Championship are popular brands.
- Speed : American tables often have faster cloth compared to British tables, allowing for quicker gameplay.
Pockets
- Size : American pool tables have larger pockets than British tables, facilitating a different style of play. The pocket openings are generally around 4.5 to 5 inches wide.
- Shape: The pockets are usually rounded, which can affect how balls are pocketed compared to the more square-shaped pockets on British tables.
Balls
- Size: American pool balls are larger than those used in British pool, typically measuring 2.25 inches in diameter.
- Weight : The balls are heavier, usually around 5.5 to 6 ounces.
Games Played
- 8-Ball : One of the most popular games played on American pool tables, where players aim to pocket either the solid or striped balls and then the 8-ball.
- 9-Ball : Another common game, which involves pocketing balls in numerical order, with the objective being to pocket the 9-ball.
- Straight Pool : Also known as 14.1 continuous, where players score points by pocketing any ball on the table.
Differences from British Pool Tables
- Size : British pool tables are often smaller, with 6-foot and 7-foot tables being common.
- Pockets : British tables have smaller, more squared pockets.
- Balls : British pool uses smaller balls, typically 2 inches in diameter.
- Cloth : The cloth on British tables is often thicker and slower.
In summary, Spencer American pool tables are distinct for their larger size, faster cloth, larger pockets, and different gameplay dynamics compared to their British counterparts. They are designed to support a range of pool games that are popular in the United States and other overseas countries.