In this article I will discuss the differences between the two types of coin operation on pub type slate-bed pool tables: Mechanical and Electronic and the advantages and disadvantages of them both.

With the mechanical type, you place coins in the coin slots usually either a £1, £1.50 or nowadays more likely two £1 coins, then push the mechanism in to release the balls.

With the electronic mechanisms, you drop coins into a slot which either releases the balls or you press a button to do so. The benefit of this type of mechanism is that you can put a variety of coins in until the price of play is met – this can mean they take more money over a period of time, usually around 10%.

However, neither are perfect. The electronic ones can suffer from electrical gremlins with circuit boards fuses and motor faults, you also need to replace the battery packs every few months, and repairs can be expensive and time consuming.

The mechanical mechanisms are more reliable but can suffer from wear over time, also they need setting up properly, for instance if the adjustment is wrong it can be possible to retain the coins in the mechanism so giving free games. Once this happens all the players will know but not the owners of the table, reducing valuable income which goes towards running the pub or club or maintaining the table.

Having said all this the next generation is already here with card readers connected to the internet. At the moment these are expensive with many manufacturers taking a percentage of the money. Card readers can only be fitted to the electronic mechanisms. Prices will come down over time.

We are experts in all types of coin mechs our advice is free.

Billiards
Snooker
Pool
Snooker plus
Golf
Find the Lady
Bowls

This is by no means a full list nor have I included all the different games of Pool Nine Ball, Eight Ball etc.

In this article we will concentrate on Snooker and Pool as these are by far the most popular games.

Now without wishing to offend pool players, snooker is the more difficult game to learn, partly due to the larger size of the table. A good snooker player will always play a decent game of pool but not necessarily the other way round. Pool was designed from the off on coin operation for a fast game, unlike on a full size table where you pay for time not individual games.

Pool is generally more rewarding for the first time player. Snooker can seem a little daunting but patience here brings its own rewards. All cue sports games require the correct stance. It is important to study other players and a few lessons can help improve your game no end. However the most important thing is to enjoy playing no matter what your standard. There will be days when you can’t pot a ball, other days when you can’t miss! Don’t get frustrated it’s part of the game. 

Brian

The first time I ever played snooker I was about 14.

I took to it like a duck to water, though only initially allowed to play on the three quarter table at the local Billiard Hall, within a few months I’d progressed to the full size tables and was knocking in regular 50 breaks and continued to improve quickly. My dad was a good player and it does seem to run in families.

Over the next couple of years I began to earn money by hustling, so what’s the secret? Put simply you find a guy prepared to play for, let’s say a £1 a game (bear in mind this is nearly 50 years ago when I was earning £12 a week). You lose the first five games then offer to play one game for 10 or 20 quid – win it and clear off with a nice profit.👍

I was earning £100 a week or more, there were plenty of Billiard Halls and Clubs about back then so always somewhere fresh to try your luck at. Now it’s not that easy to lose on purpose – you couldn’t make it too obvious so I learned to play right handed then switched to my normal left hand for the final frame. Amazingly, few players ever clocked on. Though it did backfire on occasion – I’ve been chased out of several Billiard Halls, barred from others and even got stabbed in the back with a broken snooker cue!!

Exciting times – Billiard Halls were spit and sawdust places back then, you couldn’t see the end of the hall for cigarette smoke, all sorts of criminal activities took place, often had police raids when everyone piled out the fire escape when the sound of heavy boots came running up the stairs! Perhaps it is rose tinted specs but times seemed simpler then and I have very fond memories.

It’s amazing how that first game of snooker opened up everything that followed👍👍

Customer expected to have to purchase new Pool table but we renovated the table at a fraction of the cost of a new one. See the work in progress pictures below.

Full size snooker tables require regular brushing and ironing in order to play at their best, indeed this really applies to any size table with a napped directional finish. Using a snooker table brush go from the “D” end of the table to the black spot end of the table, short strokes keeping the brush straight – do not use a scrubbing action. The edges of the brush can be used to brush underneath the cushions (see pic), after brushing wrap a piece of lint free cloth or better still, a piece of billiard cloth. Walk down the table in straight lines, again from the D end to the spot end of the table.

This helps to remove any loose dust and to lay the nap of the cloth down. Ironing should also be done in straight lines from the D to the spot end again, DO NOT iron the cushions. Use only the correct thermostat type snooker table iron. If it is not controlled by a thermostat it is possible to burn the cloth and damage it permanently.

Always ensure the base of the iron is free from dirt or rust etc. before applying the iron to the table.

We can retip cues with quality tips for around £12, we do however need the cues leaving with us for a day for the adhesive we use to cure.

Though we may be able to do same day so long as the cues are here for 10.30am, We can also fit new brass ferrules and repair damaged or broken cues, we can also straighten cues depending how badly bent they actually are.

We normally use Elkmaster or Blue Diamond cue tips, as they are consistent quality, however these are made from leather and as this varies from hide to hide they need playing in for several games before deciding if you are happy with how it’s playing.

There are now many other cue tips available, some very expensive ones, personally I am not sure they offer any advantage over well proven tips. Whilst we don’t hold stock we can fit them for you if you supply the tips.

As always, please ring before calling as we are not always here due to working off-site.

We have recently been made aware of a scam on Facebook Marketplace where a number of very cheap pool tables are being advertised along with other items like leather sofas, high end sofas, fridges, marble tables etc.

The actual scam is in the delivery charges. The scammers offer to deliver for between £50-£200, but ask you to pay the courier by bank transfer first.

The item you are purchasing can be paid for by cash or bank transfer ON DELIVERY. All very believable as that’s how most courier companies operate. The odds are you will never receive any goods and will have lost the delivery money. Our advice is either to try to collect in person or arrange your own collection/delivery to be certain the item exists and is legitimate and do not pay until you have received the item in satisfactory condition!

The bank are unlikely to give you the money back. It is however important to ensure you have ticked the box saying for goods and services if paying by bank transfer to have any chance of getting your money back.

It’s also important to report it to www.actionfraud.police.uk. If in doubt contact us first – our advice is free.