Billiards Table Lighting
Information & Resources You Need to Know About Billiards Table Lighting
History Of Billiards Table Lighting
Lighting for pool tables has been around since the invention of the game of billiards. The sources for lighting naturally have changed. Very earliest in the game, candles were the main source of light. Those folks lucky enough to have the resources to have a billiard table, would often place the pool table on the top floor so as to take advantage of the natural light from the sunset. In the late 1840’s, kerosene lamps came along, this was the primary source of light until the light bulb was invented.
Three Important Functions of Pool and Billiards Table Lighting
Lights the pool table evenly
Eliminates shadows created by the pool balls
Illumination minimizes eye fatigue
How Much Lighting Is Required for your Pool Table?
9ft Table requires 400 watts
8ft Table requires 310 watts
What Kind of Lighting Is Best for a Pool Table?
Lights Should Be Diffused,not Spot or Flood Lights
Halogen Lights Are Not A Good Choice as they create too much eye Strain
Where is the Best place to hang a Light Above a Pool Table?
A Pool Table light should be centered exactly over the table.
A Light Can Be hung from 33"-36” (your own personal preference) above the slate of the table.
To easily figure this, the standard height of a BCA spec table is 31” from the floor. Add 31” + 33”-36” and you will have where the bottom of the light should be.
Word of Caution About The Installation of Pool Table Lights
Preferably install the light before your installer puts the table in. It is not advisable to stand on the table after installation, because, the slates can end up with a popped seam. This can be expensive to fix.
Resources
There are many resources out there for billiard lamps, from the inexpensive to very custom and costly. A wide variety of decor is available.