Ping Pong Vs. Pool Table: Which Should You Pick?

Ah, yes. Two basement classics. But what do you do if you only have the budget for one and not both? Well, that is just one consideration. Where you plan to put this tabletop game is another. Do you have the room required to comfortably fit either a ping pong table or a pool table and permit regular play without obstacles? Let’s help you figure this out by breaking down the pros and cons of both of these classic and social games.

Pool

Believe it or not, a pool table in your rec room is much more than a table intended for the game of pool. Think about it for a moment. A pool table is going to eat up a lot of space in a room. In the right sized space, that pool table will serve as an entertainment center as well as dress up that room. When you consider that many are finished in top quality wood, a high-end pool table is also a valuable piece of furniture.

What About Size – Does It Really Matter?

With pool tables, you have many sizes to choose from which essentially means that you can fit one into smaller spaces if you don’t have a lot of room. There are also children’s sizes that are the smallest and have been constructed from hard plastic framing. For professional gameplay, there are larger sizes with various types of wood finishes. The most common pool table sizes happen to be 9 feet by 4.5 feet and 8 feet by 4 feet.

Cost

Hmmm. A pool table can cost a little or a lot. We know that may sound a bit vague but the reality is that you could get a good quality second-hand table for a few hundred dollars or less. The other end of the scale can go as high as $10,000 or more. One thing to keep in mind regarding price is that if you are buying brand new, the more you spend will have an impact on the quality of the product. More $$$ = Better quality.

Pool Table Mechanics

A pool table with an ornate finish adds a touch of class and character to the room it resides. A standard size model has a total of six pockets – one in each of four corners and two facing each other in the middle of the longest table length. The middle pockets are called mid-pockets and cushions line the walls between each pocket which provide the rebound of balls that come in contact with it. The cloth playing surface is usually green and the type of material used will impact ball movement.

Care And Maintenance

Pool tables require special care. Applying lemon oil to the lacquer and hard finishes with a soft cloth will help to keep them preserved. A special brush can be purchased to ‘sweep’ the cloth and walls to remove dust and debris. Most pool tables do not include accessories which mean balls, cues and additional items required for gameplay must be purchased separately. This provides you the opportunity to personalize your equipment. Store your pool table in a cool environment as this will prevent the wood from warping and damaging the structure.

Ping Pong

Ping Pong tables are quite simply the less formal of the two tabletop games. That is if you are looking at adding a table to your possessions. One of the most interesting things about this game is that it can be played indoors or outdoors making it a truly social game that can fit into a house party as well as a backyard barbeque. Plus, there are specific table designs for either indoor or outdoor gameplay.

Cost

There is a wide range of ping pong table options available which covers the spectrum from budget designs up to premium, state-of-the-art tables. However, the average cost for a basic indoor table is in the hundreds of dollars. Outdoor tables will cost more than indoor models while conversion tops – a top that turns a pool table or any other table into a ping pong table – can cost a few hundred dollars. High-end styles are in the thousands of dollars.

Mechanics

A high-quality ping pong table will have a wood top that has a thickness of close to one inch. Most tables fold in the middle and have wheels on extended legs that permit easy storage in small spaces. One interesting advantage of ping pong is that you can even play alone with the table folded at a 90-degree angle. You will have to purchase accessories such as paddles, balls, and nets which all will wear over time requiring replacement.

Care

The adhesive surface on the top of the ping pong table will eventually lose its properties to where gameplay will see balls skidding across the surface more than bouncing from the adhesive. This will require a re-covering of the surface or a complete replacement. Wiping clean with a soft cloth after play will keep the tabletop in good condition. Storing paddles away from the playing surface will help extend the life of the table as well. As you would with a pool table, your ping pong table should be stored in a cool location. This will keep the wood of the table from warping.

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In Conclusion

There you have it. A short list of the good, bad and the not-so-bad about pool tables and ping pong tables. Regardless of the one that you choose that best fits your home, lifestyle, and budget, your health is going to see an improvement with either choice. Getting a little more active spending quality social time with friends and family in a games room is always good for you mentally and physically. Hopefully, our review of pool tables and ping pong tables cleared up some doubts and has inspired you to explore your options a little closer. Game nights bring people together and nothing aids that better than a pool table or a ping pong table in the proper setting.