Why the sources disagree
All the sources start from the same rule: room length equals the playing surface's length plus two cue lengths, and room width the same way. They differ mainly in how much extra backswing room they add. Dr. Dave Alciatore, for example, adds about 6 inches per side on top of a 58-inch cue, so his figures are larger than Brunswick's. For a 9-foot table with standard cues, Brunswick lists 14 x 18 feet while Diamond lists 15.5 x 19 feet for its Smart table.
If your room passes for some sources and fails for others, the difference is mostly backswing allowance: the larger figures leave more room behind the cue on shots from the rail. If it fails for every source, try the 52-inch or 48-inch cue setting, or a smaller table.
Other things to measure
- Obstacles. Pillars, mantels, shelves and doors that swing into the room all count. Trick Shot Tim says to plan for them.
- Tournament clearance. WPA specifications ask for at least 6 feet from the outside of the rail to any obstacle.
- Metric figures. Liberty Games and Masters of Games publish snooker room sizes in centimeters; the feet and inches shown here are our conversions.
See the room size page for every source's figures in one table.
Sources
- Brunswick, room size requirements
- Triangle Billiards, pool table dimensions and sizes
- Sawyer Twain, pool table size guide
- Dr. Dave Alciatore, table and room sizes
- Diamond, Smart pool table
- Trick Shot Tim, pool table room size
- Liberty Games, snooker table room size
- Masters of Games
- WPA tournament table specifications (poolroom.com copy)