Ever wonder how a pool table is put together and what all the parts of a pool table are? It’s obviously not just a regular table. There’s the intricate, multi-layered table top, surface, railing, ball tunnels and legs.
We decided to dissect the pool table graphically and set out those graphics in a post which you can see below. Check out these 5 custom illustrations showing the exterior and interior parts as well as parts of a pool cue.
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Parts of a Pool Table (Diagram)
Corner Pocket: Holes at the corners of the pool table where the balls fall.
Cushion: Cloth-covered bumpers found inside the rails where the balls bounce off of.
Top Rail: The rail at the head of the pool table.
Side Pocket: One of the two holes on either side of the pool table and midway the long rails.
Slate: The bed of the pool table and is made up of heavy, finely milled rock.
Play Field: The playing surface of the pool table.
Short or Foot Rail: The short rail found at the bottom or foot of the pool table.
Short or Head Rail: The short rail found at the top or head of the pool table.
Opening for Retrieving Balls: A hole on the side of the pool table for retrieving balls that fell into the pockets.
Pocket Liner: The hard part of the pockets where balls hit against before rolling down the gulley boot.
Leg: The foot of the pool table.
Cabinet: The large wooden rectangular frame usually made of thick planks of hardwood.
Long or Side Rail: The rails encompassing the length of the pool table.
Diamond or Sight: The markings above the rail cushions used as reference points.
Center String: The line that starts from the second diamond on either of the side pockets and runs across the center of the pool table.
Foot String: The imaginary line that runs horizontally from the second diamond of both long rails.
“The Kitchen”: The area on the pool table directly behind the head string.
Rail: The wooden part outside the cushion.
Head String: The line that starts from the second diamonds from on either of the side pockets from the head rail that runs horizontally across the center of the pool table and sometimes drawn on the cloth.
Apex of Triangle: The top part of the triangle rack.
Foot Spot: Where the center ball is placed in the triangle rack.
Nose of Cushion: The protruding part of the cushion.
Pool Table Frame and Interior Anatomy Diagram
Top Rail Member: The frame for the top rail.
Particle Board Bed: The particle board underneath the slate that forms the bed.
Top Rail Side Member: The frame for the side rail.
Bed Shelf: The framework the supports the pool bed.
Support Slat: The slat attached to the bed shelf and found underneath the particle board bed.
Side Rail: The rails encompassing the length of the pool table.
Center Brace: The brace that runs lengthwise in the center of the bed shelf.
Glue Block: The piece of wood that supports the corner joints.
Opening for Retrieving Balls: A hole on the side of the pool table for retrieving balls that fell into the pockets.
End Rail: The shorter rail of the pool table.
3D Cross-Section Diagram of a Billiards Table
Top Rail: The shorter rail at the top of the pool table.
Cushion: Cloth-covered bumpers found inside the rails where the balls bounce off of.
Slate: The bed of the pool table and is made up of heavy, finely milled rock.
Diamond: The markings above the rail cushions used as reference points.
Pocket Liner: The hard part of the pockets where balls hit against before rolling down the gulley boot.
Corner Pocket: Holes at the corners of the pool table where the balls fall.
Cloth: The green-coloured baize that covers the table.
Short or Foot Rail: The short rail found at the bottom or foot of the pool table.
Slate Support: The wooden member that supports the slate.
Leg: The foot of the pool table.
Center Beam: The beam that supports the center of the table.
Base Support: The slab of wood at the base of the pool table.
Cross-Support Beam: The beam that faces opposite the center beam.
Pool Table Rail Assembly
Rail Hardwood: Hardwood used for the upper section of the rail.
Rail Softwood: Usually pine or poplar used for the lower section of the rail.
Rubber Cushion: Vulcanized rubber used for making the pool cushion.
Nose: The protruding part of the cushion.
Table Cloth: The green-coloured baize that covers the table.
Rail Apron: A piece of horizontal timber used for support.
Parts of a Pool Cue
Butt: The tail of the cue stick where most of the weight is distributed.
Joints: Connects the butt and shaft together.
Shaft: The upper part of the cue stick.
Ferrule: The cuff that holds the cue tip together and reduces the impact on the shaft once the ball is hit.
Tip: The topmost part of the cue stick used for hitting the balls.
Pinterest Version
Here’s the full graphic (perfect for Pinterest or you can put it on your site with attribution).
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