It’s a fact that no two pool tables are created the same way, it’s also true that as the price rises so will the overall quality. Have you ever wondered if the expense of a high quality pool table is really worth it? It’s our opinion that the answer to that question is YES, if you want a table that is going to last a lifetime you want the best quality possible – pretty similar to natural remedies for acne. Typically speaking substitutes re rarely of good quality. This article will explore relevant information about pool tables for your consideration. Thin plastic covers are usually included with clearance sales. Most tables don’t require any protection beyond this. If, however, you want to make sure your table stays in top condition, you may want to invest in a better cover. The cover you get should be solid and not clear, as sunlight can be a factor in wearing out the table’s surface. But if your table does not come with a cover, then it is imperative that you do get one and use it. Always keep your pool table covered when you are not using it. Otherwise, the surface will wear out from dust, moisture and other factors -not to mention if you have a cat, which, aside from shedding hairs, can scratch up your table in minutes! Slate makes for the best table beds, though you can find them made from other materials as well. Pool tables with slate beds of a thickness of at least 1″ are the requirements set by the WPA for official tournaments. Of course there are defined specifications for the degree of bed flatness; these are expressed in terms of tolerances. You can often find non-tournament pool tables that have slate beds less than one inch thick. Cheaper pool tables may use wood or another material for the table bed rather than slate. If you’re a traveler and a pool player, you may notice that there are several standards for pool tables, such as British, American and International. British standard pool tables are designed for only one type of pool game, British or UK version 8 ball. The dimensions for British pool tables are 6 x 3 feet or 7 x 4 feet. Pub pool league tables are of the latter size. The pockets used in British Standard pool tables for UK 8 ball are smaller.