Adding a pool table to your home recreation centre or business can lead to hours of enjoyment and even more serious tournament play. You will need to spot the pool table for play if its felt arrives unmarked. You must define the baulk line, centre point and apex to mark your table properly. All of these marks require specific but discernible measurements. Professional help is not necessary provided you have access to chalkboard chalk and a tape measure.

  • Adding a pool table to your home recreation centre or business can lead to hours of enjoyment and even more serious tournament play.
  • Professional help is not necessary provided you have access to chalkboard chalk and a tape measure.

Find the pool table's centre line. Use the tape measure to determine the width of the table. Use a piece of chalkboard chalk to mark the centre point with a dot.

Measure the baulk line. The baulk line runs along the width of the pool table at approximately one-fifth its height away from the tip of the rail at the table's top head -- or, the end from which you break. Pool tables measuring 1.2 by 2.4 m (4 feet by 8 feet) have a baulk line 48 cm (19 3/8 inches) away from the top head rail. Tables that are 1.35 by 2.7 m (4 1/2 feet by 9 feet) have 54 cm (21 3/4 inch) baulk lines. Tables that are 1.5 by 3 m (5 feet by 10 feet) have 60 cm (24 1/4 inch) baulk lines, and 1.8 by 3.6 m (6 foot by 12 foot) tables have 72 cm (29 inch) baulk lines.

  • The baulk line runs along the width of the pool table at approximately one-fifth its height away from the tip of the rail at the table's top head -- or, the end from which you break.
  • Pool tables measuring 1.2 by 2.4 m (4 feet by 8 feet) have a baulk line 48 cm (19 3/8 inches) away from the top head rail.

Use chalk to mark a dot at the centre of the baulk line for easy reference. Place a 3.1 cm (1 1/4 inch) black spot sticker with a white dot centre on top of the chalk dot so it is a concentric circle. This is the point from which you will break to start your games.

Measure the centre point of the table. Run your tape measure lengthwise from the tip of the pool table's top head to the tip of the bottom head through the established baulk line centre point. Use chalk to mark a dot at the centre of the table. This will fall directly between the side pockets.

  • Measure the centre point of the table.
  • Use chalk to mark a dot at the centre of the table.

Measure the halfway point between the centre of the table and the tip of the pool table's bottom head. Use chalk to mark a dot at the halfway point.

Place another black spot sticker on top of the marked halfway point between the centre of the table and tip of the bottom head. Make sure the circles are concentric. This is the apex, or the point from which you will rack your pool balls.