For at least 130 years, the standard English billiard table has stayed the same size, 6 x 12 ft, whilst on the European Continent, the match Carom Table is 5 x 10 ft - as in America.
Conditions on the English table have changed only because the profile of the cushion rubbers has altered, and because ivory balls are, thankfully, no longer used. With regard to height, a standard of between 2 feet nine-and-a-half inches and 2 feet ten-and-a-half inches is usual. Sometimes one comes across a table that is slightly higher; increase in height is easier to accommodate than the decreased height favoured on continental carom tables. (But it may be recalled that Fred Davis once found increased height a problem in one World Snooker Championship.)
It is the table's superficial dimensions that are of most interest to us. The 6 x 12 ft size seems to be only an approximation. The exact playing area dimensions definitely vary from one table to another, a fact confirmed by the late Mr Norman Clare (Of Clare Liverpool - now Thurstons). However, measuring the Karnehm and Hillman tables at the Camden Snooker Club, we find that they measure, between cushion noses, 70 x 140 inches. This is a ratio of one to two. But on referring to some old B&SCC rule books we find that this dimension is not mentioned at all.
Table manufacturers seem to be aware of this geometrical convenience, but, not in the past at any rate, to have paid much attention to it. Some manufacturers applied the principle to the bed rather than the cushion nose-to nose distances. Bennett's, "Billiards," (1873) gives the slate width at 6 ft one-and-a-half inches by 12 ft, and the cushion overlap at one-and-a-half inches. This does give the correct two to one ration, but as mentioned before, these dimensions were by no means universal.
It may be asked whether the two-to-one ratio mentioned is correct. Does the ball, "see" this feature? The short answer is that it does not because the centre of the ball is unable to come any nearer to the cushion nose than one half-ball diameter. This means that if nose-to-nose dimensions are 72 x 144 inches, and the ball diameter is taken as two inches approximately, then what the ball "sees" is a playing surface having dimensions 70 x 142 inches as there is a space of one inch in width all round the surface of the table and which is not accessible to the ball centre.
Thus, to get the two-to-one ratio in reality, it is necessary to have nose-to-nose dimensions of 73 x 144 inches, since taking 2 inches from each dimension leads to 71 x 142.
Well, it doesn't matter too much. But only a few owners of old tables will have the exact dimension built in. Not to worry, but if you do want it absolutely right then take very careful measurement before reaching for the masonry saw!
Thanks Ivan. There is no doubt that experienced players sometimes have an instinctive feeling that some full-sized tables seem larger, or smaller, than others. What I would like to know, and have never found anyone who had much idea about the matter, is how the 6 x 12 ft dimensions came about in the first place. Or for that matter, why the Continental table came to be 10 x 5 ft.
BQR sends best wishes to Brendan Carroll who, owing to pressure of work, has been unable to contribute recently. Also, Brendan's children managed to wipe out his hard disc (Computer literate readers will know what a disaster that is). His partner in crime, Ivan IV, writes that he is trying to get some reminiscences from Alf Nolan. That would be interesting and we hope he is successful. The redoubtable Alf replied to Ivan saying that in 1955 he beat Cliff Wilson and he mentioned that Cliff has died. I expect most readers are aware of Wilson's early death. Keep at it Ivan, I think Alf should have much to tell about the game.