Slate Beds

Slate beds are the heart of a billiard table — how flat the slate is decides whether the ball rolls straight. Tables with MDF or lacquered plywood beds will never play like one with a real slate bed, and that is the first thing to check when buying a used table.

The standard is 19–30 mm slate; the thicker it is, the more stable and the heavier. A 7ft table usually has a one-piece bed, while 9ft and full-size snooker tables use three or five sections so they can be carried in at all. When buying, inspect the joint edges and corners — a crack at a corner disqualifies the slate, as it can no longer be levelled. One section weighs 60–150 kg, so plan transport for two or three people. See also table parts, cushions and assembly tools.