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Instructions for Setting up a Pool Table

Owning your own pool table brings another means of entertainment for friends and family in your home. Before you purchase one or set it up, decide where and how to place your table, so you do not run into problems once you are playing. You'll need to consider a few important factors before you can start inviting guests over to play.

Initial Setup
- The most important factor to consider is the size of your table and the space you have available. While pool tables come in one shape, they do come in a variety of sizes, so you will need to assess the room in which you plan to place your table and the space available. Measure the length and width of your pool table. You want to set up the table in a room where you have at least 5 feet between each side of the table and the walls. You need at least this much room to move back and forth and take shots. You don't want anyone bumping into the walls; that will mess up your game. Ideally, each player should be able to rest his hand on the edge of the pool table, take a shot and not hit anything behind him.
  
  Another important consideration is the location. Do not set up your pool table in an area that needs to stay relatively quiet. When you break, it is loud. So you don't want your table next to bedrooms, particularly ones where children and babies sleep. In addition, your table needs to be at least 5 feet away from windows. Some people have a tendency to jump the cue ball off the table, especially during a break. Someone might jump the ball a foot or so off the table.
  
  Once your location is established, make sure your table is level; if it isn't, it will affect your game. If you do find that your table is not level, many pool tables come with adjustable plates or legs that you can simply twist to get the perfect angle. If your table does not have adjustable plates, you may need to call in a professional to resurface or level your table.
Last Touches Before a Game
- Brush off the pool table with your table brush (or any soft-bristle brush). Rack the balls, with each stripe touching a solid, every other ball on the left side the same (stripe or solid) as the top center ball, and the eight ball in the middle. Before lifting the triangle (or diamond if you are playing eight-ball), tighten the space between the balls; if they are loose, that will make for a "sloppy" break. Finally, make sure that the person doing the break is not a novice, since that is a skilled shot.

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