If you are remodeling or building a game room in your basement or home, you are probably thinking about all the cool games you want once it is finished. I know I was. I've always wanted a pool table, and I had just moved into my first house. My husband and I decided to make the basement our game room, or as some people say, our rec room.

Ok, so I first started with the standard pool table sizes.

• 7 Feet - 39" x 78" Playing Surface
• 8 Feet - 44" x 88" Playing Surface
• 8 Feet Oversized - 46" x 92" Playing Surface
• 9 Feet - 50" x 100" Playing Surface

Then I measured each one of those sizes in my game room. It looked to me like the 8 feet oversized would fit nicely. Then I realized something. The players would need somewhere to stand, and they needed space to move the cue. None of those charts ever mentioned functionality, which is unfortunate. I can't imagine how many people used one of those charts, bought a table, paid for shipping, etc only to find out that it didn't fit.

In terms of play...a whole lot. You will usually find seven foot pool tables in bars, coin-op billiard halls, and in smaller residences. They are a great size for learning the game, and getting used to angled shots. The pros like to play on nine foot tables because with the increased size comes increased difficulty. Lining up angles for shots becomes more difficult when you have that extra length to the table. Professional billiards supplies are relatively easy to find online.

Most people opt for the eight foot size table, if they have the space. It provides a nice, happy medium between novice and pro sizes that allows them to practice and continue to learn without taking out all the fun. I personally like the eight foot size for just that reason. Not to mention the fact that the nine foot table would never ever fit in my game room. Even if hubby got rid of the air hockey table.