If you’re fairly new to the world of pool, or simply haven’t paid much attention to the tables you’ve played on, it can be hard to tell what material a pool table’s surface is. After all, it’s covered in cloth (or felt, as some call it), so you can’t get a good look at it. But there are other easy ways to tell what type of material is used on any given pool table.
In short, it comes down to the feel of play and the table’s construction, weight, along with cost. On many tables, you can also reach into a pocket or look under the table to see if it’s slate or wood.Slate vs Wood
Before we get into details, it’s good to know exactly what you’re dealing with when it comes to pool tables. Slate is the most widely-used material for pool table playing surfaces. This is because it’s a type of rock, cut with precision to be flat and smooth. It’s usually ¾” or 1” thick, depending on the size and age of the table. Most tables today are made with 3 pieces of slate cut from the same large piece.
The most common wood playing surface available in pool tables is MDF or Medium-Density Fiberboard. It is made up of small, compressed wood fibers that are sealed into a flat piece for use as pool table playing surfaces.
Telling the Difference Between Slate and Wood By Sight and Touch
If you don’t feel like getting down on all fours to check the table, you may be able to feel inside a pocket. Some pool tables are constructed so you can reach inside any of the pockets and feel past the edge of the cloth on the playing surface. If yours is one such table, you should be able to feel whether your fingers are touching cool, hard stone or dense wood.
If you’re still not sure which it is, grab something metal like a coin, tack, or nail. Tap it gently on the exposed underside. The sound it makes should tell you whether it’s MDF or slate. It will be the sound of metal on rock for slate and metal on wood for MDF.
However, be careful with this method because some tables are made with an MDF backing under the slate. So, you could be feeling MDF on the underside while there is slate above it that you can’t see because it’s covered in felt. This is why it’s a good idea to combine this tactic with testing the weight of the table, which I discuss below.
Weight and Construction
As you can probably imagine, slate tables are very heavy. Not only does the slate weigh a lot (450 pounds, on average), but the rest of the table weighs a lot, too. This is because a slate table must be constructed to support the weight of the heavy slate bed. This is typically done with a heavy-duty wood frame and large legs. Then you have to think about the cushions, sides, pockets, along with any decorative additions that make the table look nice. Slate pool tables usually weigh between 650 and 1,000 pounds.
MDF tables, on the other hand, weigh significantly less. The wood board of the playing surface is nowhere near as heavy as that of a slate table. Therefore, the rest of the table, including the frame, doesn’t have to be made to support a lot of weight. MDF tables generally weigh between 100 and 300 pounds.
So, if you’re not sure whether a table is slate or wood, try to lift it up — carefully. If you can get it off the ground easily, it’s MDF. If it seems very heavy, it’s probably a slate bed table.
MDF tables, on the other hand, range from $700 to $1500 for a quality table. You can find them for under $500 if you’re willing to sacrifice a little quality.
Portability and Maintenance
Portability is another factor that has to do with the weight of the table. You will never see a slate bed table that is portable. MDF bed pool tables often have foldable legs and are easy to move since they don’t weigh a ton. Finding out if the table is portable or not will give you a clue to its construction.
Slate tables cost more to refelt ($300-$600) but need it less often, while MDF tables need cheaper refelts ($150-$300) more frequently.
The Feel of Play
If you talk to anyone who has been playing pool for a while, they’ll tell you that they can feel the difference between a slate and an MDF table when they play on it. The reason this isn’t at the top of the list is that it’s hard to explain and not everyone can simply feel the difference. But, I’ll do my best to explain how play differs on these two types of tables.
Slate tables are the standard because the balls seem to roll smoothly on their surface. The field of play is more_true_than on a wood table. If you were to place a slate and a wood table side by side and make the exact same shot on each, you’d likely see the difference. It would be small, but noticeable. The amount of power you put into a shot on a slate table seems to make the ball go further than the same amount on a wood table.
In Conclusion
In short, playing on a slate table just seems to make everything smoother. I don’t have any scientific evidence to back this up, but if you play pool enough on different tables, you’ll know what I mean.
Now that we’ve discussed the big ones, here are a few other ways to tell if a pool table is slate or wood. These methods should be combined with one or more of the main tactics outlined above.
Worth checking out: If you’re shopping for a solid home table, take a look at the Barrington Billiards 7.5ft Table on Amazon.
FAQ
How much does a slate pool table weigh compared to a wood one?
Slate tables typically weigh 650-1,000 pounds due to the heavy slate bed and sturdy frame needed to support it. Wood (MDF) tables weigh only 100-300 pounds, making them much lighter.
What’s the difference in playing feel between slate and wood tables?
Slate provides a smoother, more true roll with consistent ball speed and predictable play. Wood tables feel rougher and balls don’t travel as far with the same amount of power, making slate the preferred surface for serious players.
Can I move a slate pool table easily?
No. Slate tables are too heavy and fragile to move without professional help. Wood (MDF) tables are portable and often have foldable legs, making them easy to transport.
How can I tell what material my table has by feel?
Reach into a pocket and feel the playing surface if possible. Slate feels cool and hard like stone. MDF feels like dense, compressed wood. You can also tap the underside with a coin to hear the difference.
Why is slate more expensive than wood for pool tables?
Slate is a natural stone that requires precision cutting and doesn’t warp like wood. It’s more durable, provides superior play quality, and the sturdy frame needed to support it adds to the cost. These factors make slate tables last decades.
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