English Billiards Standard Table

Unlike pool and snooker tables, an English billiards table has a specific size measuring 11ft 8.5 inches long and 5 ft. 10 inches wide. Height of the table is fixed at 2 ft 9.5 to 10 inches measured from the ground level to the top of the cushion rail. There are six pockets in all: four at the corners and two at the longer sides of the table. The angle of opening and dimensions conform to World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association specifications. The baulk line is a straight line drawn parallel to the bottom cushion at a distance of 29 inches and the space in between is the Baulk. A "D" is inscribed at the middle of the baulk line, having a radius of 11.5 inches, facing outwards. A central longitudinal line is marked on the table and it has four spots. The Spot is 12.75 inches from the face of the top cushion. The Centre spot is placed between the top and bottom cushion faces. The Pyramid Spot occupies a position between the center spot and the top cushion's face and the final spot is located at the middle of the Baulk line.

While tables for amateurs and home use may have wooden planks, most regulation tables have a slate base covered with a regulation cloth chosen specifically for this purpose. Woolen felt was used at one time and then a special cotton cloth became the standard for billiards tables till the Second World War. Today's tables use worsted fabric or felt mainly comprising wool with Teflon coating for better performance and stain resistance.