Looking to buy table

[rah91]

Hi all,

I'm a long time non-league bar billiards enthusiast, playing in various pubs here and there. I've recently moved to a new house where I have space set aside for a table of my own.

If anyone is looking to sell a table please do get in touch. I'm looking for a standard three-pin table with a clockwork timer  - preferably Sams or Jelkes. I've missed out on a few lots on eBay over the last couple of months, so I know there are at least a few tables like that still circulating, but I thought I'd cast the net a bit wider and see if there is anyone on here who might be looking to sell any time soon.

Thanks!

[tommo III]

Greetings Rah and welcome to the Forum.
Unfortunately prices of tables have risen as they have become rarer and whereas eBay once offered rich pickings it is now difficult to source one for less than a grand.

If ever one of our Forum members have one for sale it is usually snapped up by an associate, or installed in a pub/club on a rental/profit share basis.

You have not mentioned where you have seen the game played, or even you are based, and if you were to do so maybe someone in your vicinity might be better placed to advise you.

tommo
  
 

[rah91]

Hi Tommo, thanks for the reply and the welcome.

I first started playing casually at a pub in Cambridge, and later I moved to London and played casually in a pub in Hackney.

Nowadays I live in Essex. The bar billiards map shows that there are pubs with tables about half an hour's drive from me, which is fine for every now and then, but I'd rather not have an hour's round trip every time I want a game, and am lucky enough to have space at home that I can set aside for a table.

I'm aware the cost will likely be a grand or thereabouts and I'd be willing to pay that for the right table.

If there's nothing around at the moment, then it is what it is, but I figured there was no harm in asking!

[tommo III]

Pembury Tavern in Hackney ?
Just about the most well-known venue for (non-league) bar billiards in London, along with the Dog & Bell, Deptford, the Ship in Kennington, the Glasshouse Stores in Soho and the one I visited last year in Arnos Grove.

As you go east, the game changes to the Four-Pin variant and there is a strong league on the Suffolk/Essex border (Sudbury) and also the relatively new Norwich League.

Even Cambridgeshire has now converted to Four-Pin, the long-standing Cambs (3-Pin) Association folded and one of our members (Taffy) has started up a brand-new Cambridge and Newmarket League. He holds a stock of tables and may be able to help you or at least point you in the right direction.

Good luck in your quest.
tommo

[rah91]

Yes! Pembury Tavern in Hackney and before that it was the King's Street Run in Cambridge (they still have their table but it's fair to say that it's starting to show its age...).

That's really interesting to know about the move to four-pin, thanks! Both the tables I played on were three-pin, so that's what I feel familiar with, but it is interesting that the move in this part of the country seems to be towards four-pin.

Thanks for the steer, much appreciated : )

[taffy]

Rah91 you were very polite about the King Street Run's table.



It has truly had it and the landlord won't put a penny in to it. He does it to annoy me as I'm the only one that can repair it and I wanted real money and not a pat on my back.

I don't know which part of Essex but try and get up to Sawston and the White Lion sometime? The table takes £45 per week meaning it is in use all night. They just had a K-O comp and had 55 entrants.

As for buying tables, watch for narrow Sams, even the owners don't know they have a narrow!

broken slates...watch out.

mostly, the private owners have no timer cover to drop a coin through as they are set to free play. Likewise they have no money box underneath. some don't have the timer either and therefore no bar as a time limiter.

There are no timers around so if you want one with a timer, you HAVE to have it with the table.

Like cars, they can all be done up but if threadbare and chipped and banged make sure the price is right.

The better deals are on Facebook.

Taffy

[tommo III]

Hi again, Rah91,

This is the best I can do for you as a recommendation:
www.bar-billiards.com/

Rgds,
tommo

[rah91]

Thanks Tommo and Taffy!

I am really happy to say that someone from the board messaged me a few days ago and today I went and picked up a table from them. I have it all set up at home and played my first game on it this evening. Really pleased with it. Thanks for all your help and advice :)