Best house model(s) for home Billiard Table

[Patents111]

I’m starting the Renting/buying process. I want to have a 14’x18’ space for a quality 9’ at-home billiard table for practice and social playing. I’m willing to sacrifice some traditional dining or other space for this use- maybe sticking out into the main television watching area a bit. I’m looking for advice on which mid-sized model(s) might accommodate this desire. Thanks.

[villagetinker]

IMHO, I would contact a villages sales agent (maybe lyle grant on this site) to get a list of the larger homes. You can then determine if these are in your budget, and concentrate on the ones that appear to be the better fit. The villages website (I think) will let you search for types of homes, and then Zillow and other sources (MLS, etc) should get you resale info. I am not familiar with all the really large homes, but I was in a Washington(?) model, and it was quite large and may fit your needs.

[Patents111]

All great suggestions, thank you. I’m hoping that using space in a creative, non-traditional manner might do the trick. Thanks again.

[retiredguy123]

To accomodate a regulation 9 foot by 4.5 foot pool table, you need a larger space than 14 by 18. You really need a minimum of 16 by 19 feet, and preferably, 17 by 20. In most houses, the 19 foot dimension is easy to find, but many houses do not have a room that is 16 feet wide. Pool cues are about 58 inches long, and you need about 8 inches of additional space on each side of the table to make a shot. I think the Iris and Lantana, and possibly the Gardenia models will accomodate the pool table. If you settle for a 14 foot width, you will need to use shorter pool cues.

[villagetinker]

OK, then look for a house with a large lanai, ours is 13 by 31 on a Gardenia, which might work, but 8 ft ceiling... Also, you might (need to check with ARC) look into expanding a lanai to get a suitable size, if you can get away with 8 ft ceiling.

[Dan9871]

Check our About Our Homes | The Villages (https://www.thevillages.com/our-homes/) . It has basic floor plans for all home models in The Villages. Some of these plans are stretched when they are built so actual houses could be bigger or if you build a house you can stretch it. A quick check shows there are some Designer and Premiere models that meet your spec's.

The amount of space you are looking for is about right. The playing surface of a 4.5x9 pool table is less than 4.5x9.

[retiredguy123]

Check our About Our Homes | The Villages (https://www.thevillages.com/our-homes/) . It has basic floor plans for all home models in The Villages. Some of these plans are stretched when they are built so actual houses could be bigger or if you build a house you can stretch it. A quick check shows there are some Designer and Premiere models that meet your spec's.

The amount of space you are looking for is about right. The playing surface of a 4.5x9 pool table is less than 4.5x9.
Just to clarify. If your room is 14 feet wide, that is 168 inches. The playing surface is 50 inches wide and a standard pool cue is 58 inches long. 50 + 58 + 58 = 166 inches. So, that means, to make a shot from the side rails, you will only have one inch of space on each side of the table to move the cue back and forth. That is not enough. Yes, you can put a regulation table in a 14 foot wide room, and companies that make and sell tables will cite the minimum room width as 14 feet. But, there will be compromises. There is a Seinfeld episode where Cramer buys a pool table and puts it in a room that is way too small.

[villagetinker]

Patents111, I forgot to mention many of the rec centers have multiple pool tables, the reason we have 2 pool cues, and no table at our house.

[BK001]

There is a Seinfeld episode where Cramer buys a pool table and puts it in a room that is way too small.

Yes -- hysterical:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex_BuaxZ3v0

[Patents111]

Got it- get a bigger room or use a conductor’s baton for a stick. I’ve been reading about the rec pool tables being of dubious quality. Maybe that’s been overstated. And at my beginner level of play, maybe it doesn’t matter anyway. But everyone’s input is most appreciated as I align dreams with reality.

[patfla06]

OK, then look for a house with a large lanai, ours is 13 by 31 on a Gardenia, which might work, but 8 ft ceiling... Also, you might (need to check with ARC) look into expanding a lanai to get a suitable size, if you can get away with 8 ft ceiling.

We live in an Ivy with same lanai dimensions (13x31)
But have a lanai ceiling of 10’8”.
You can always build a house with a wider lanai. ?

[Topspinmo]

I’m starting the Renting/buying process. I want to have a 14’x18’ space for a quality 9’ at-home billiard table for practice and social playing. I’m willing to sacrifice some traditional dining or other space for this use- maybe sticking out into the main television watching area a bit. I’m looking for advice on which mid-sized model(s) might accommodate this desire. Thanks.

You need 5 1/2 foot clearance around the table to be able to shoot cue ball off the rails. 6 foot at the ends for breaking would be better.

[Topspinmo]

Got it- get a bigger room or use a conductor’s baton for a stick. I’ve been reading about the rec pool tables being of dubious quality. Maybe that’s been overstated. And at my beginner level of play, maybe it doesn’t matter anyway. But everyone’s input is most appreciated as I align dreams with reality.

Why 9 foot? Plenty of quality 8 foot and 7 foot tables out there for residential use. Quality 9 foot table like diamond or Brunswick gold crown run around 10 grand.

For learning how to play 8 foot or 7 foot fine. You can learn just as good how to drawn, stun, follow, and spin the cue ball. The only thing 9 foot table get you is long shots. Which if you’re aiming is correct don’t matter if it’s 6 foot or 12 foot table.

[retiredguy123]

Why 9 foot? Plenty of quality 8 foot and 7 foot tables out there for residential use. Quality 9 foot table like diamond or Brunswick gold crown run around 10 grand.

For learning how to play 8 foot or 7 foot fine. You can learn just as good how to drawn, stun, follow, and spin the cue ball. The only thing 9 foot table get you is long shots. Which if you’re aiming is correct don’t matter if it’s 6 foot or 12 foot table.
Whoa! Find a house with the right size room, buy a 9 foot Diamond pool table, preferably with one-piece slate and "Tournament Blue" Simonis cloth. You will have more Villages pool player friends than you ever wanted. Yes, you will need to spend about 10 grand or so.

[Chatbrat]

Just a cautionary point , once you tailor a house for you're personal needs, be prepared to bite the bullet in resale down the road--

[Carla B]

Although not a mid-level home, you might look at a Sanibel premiere - it has a generous-sized open room that flows into the family room.

[Topspinmo]

Whoa! Find a house with the right size room, buy a 9 foot Diamond pool table, preferably with one-piece slate and "Tournament Blue" Simonis cloth. You will have more Villages pool player friends than you ever wanted. Yes, you will need to spend about 10 grand or so.

Only hustlers :ohdear::clap2: I think 7 foot the biggest size for one piece slate?

[eweissenbach]

If you want your own pool table good luck. Otherwise there are several Rec Centers that have billiard/pool rooms with many tables and equipment. I have been in many of them and have never seen all the tables in use - more often than not, one or two. FWIW if you are, as you say, a beginner you might want to rethink buying a home to accommodate a full size table that may soon become a large conversation piece.

[retiredguy123]

Only hustlers :ohdear::clap2: I think 7 foot the biggest size for one piece slate?
No. Diamond has been making 9 foot tables using a single piece of slate for several years. You can buy their tables with either one piece or three piece slate beds. I have owned two Brunswick Gold Crown 9 foot tables, but, today, I would definitely prefer a Diamond table.

[dhsmith]

Remax has a crt yard villa for sale at 2077 Jasper way with a 16 by 15 Florida room with a 8 ft sliding door at the end of the room. Call Lynn Bartlett at 352-817-4023.
Bob

[Topspinmo]

No. Diamond has been making 9 foot tables using a single piece of slate for several years. You can buy their tables with either one piece or three piece slate beds. I have owned two Brunswick Gold Crown 9 foot tables, but, today, I would definitely prefer a Diamond table.

Wow, how do they get it in the house? That’s one heavy piece of slate. One piece would naturally be the best don’t have the crack or splits to deal with. My 8 foot years ago the splits away swells after few years. Now they use beeswax and supposedly the splits don’t swell?

[retiredguy123]

Wow, how do they get it in the house? That’s one heavy piece of slate. One piece would naturally be the best don’t have the crack or splits to deal with. My 8 foot years ago the splits away swells after few years. Now they use beeswax and supposedly the splits don’t swell?
I don't know, but that's what I would go for, if possible. My last Gold Crown IV in Virginia had beeswax joints, but one of them did settle a little and needed to be repaired. Now, I may need to start looking for a bigger house, so I can buy another pool table.

[Patents111]

Thank you to everyone who has been kind enough to reply. You’ve given me a lot of great input to consider.
I agree that skills can be learned on a shorter table. I play on a 9 foot table at the local hall. What length are the tables in the rec centers? There may be a good reason I haven’t heard from anyone with a table in their house.
It looks like the path forward should be to rent before purchase, with visits to rec centers to see the tables, their size, quality and usage and listen, listen, listen- then see houses with a tape measure in hand.
Family obligations will keep me from realizing this plan for a while, but your replies feel like a warm welcome that I look forward to some day return.

[retiredguy123]

There are about 20 Village rec centers that each have about 6 pool tables. The tables are 9 foot regulation size, made by Olhausen or Proline. They are well built, but not as good a quality as most commercial pool halls would have. Many experienced players who are used to playing on a Brunswick Gold Crown will often complain about the tables. I don't think it would be a good idea to install a pool table in a rental house, but, if you buy a house, you can find one that will accommodate a 9 foot table, if you want. There are people who have pool tables in their house, but most players use the rec centers. Good luck.

[Patents111]

Thanks retiredguy and everyone. I’m certainly open for more input, but I believe I now have a good starting point for this aspect of my discovery. The TOTV discussions are as fun as they are educational. This Detroit born Virginia resident can’t wait to experience the joys and challenges of TV and meet the fine people living there.

[PaulDenise]

We were playing poker at one of the rec centers last night. The pool table room was completely empty. It had about 20 pool tables.

[retiredguy123]

We were playing poker at one of the rec centers last night. The pool table room was completely empty. It had about 20 pool tables.
What rec center was that? As far as I know, most rec centers have 6 tables, and I think there are two centers that have 8 tables.

[PaulDenise]

Retiredguy.. I overstated the number, but there sure seemed to be at least 10 at Big Cypress. Two rows of at least 5.

Still...none being used.

[retiredguy123]

Retiredguy.. I overstated the number, but there sure seemed to be at least 10 at Big Cypress. Two rows of at least 5.

Still...none being used.
Paul, I hate to tell you, but Big Cypress has only 6 pool tables. Don't worry, I tend to over estimate some things myself.

[starflyte1]

I went to an open house yesterday that may have the space you need. I know you aren’t ready to buy, but you might be interested. It is on Pamona lane, Hacienda East. Listed by the villages. They have added 2 extra sitting rooms so the entire lining room could be for your table. And the view of a lake is nice. Plus great location.

[Patents111]

Thanks-I’ll give it a look

[Altavia]

Here's the pool room at Riverbend, many homes and some lots available within a 5-10 min walk.

[Patents111]

I grew up with a table in the basement and have, after many decades, recently returned to the sport. If I can do my practicing at rec centers without hogging a table and hindering players’ games, that may be the way to go. I’d like to get into a league with some minimal level of skill. I don’t necessarily want the upkeep of a McMansion just to fulfill my pool table fantasy. Then again, living in TV is about fulfilling fantasies. So I guess we’ll see. Again, many thanks to all for their kind replies.