42 points to inspect before your next leasing tour, property takeover, or quarterly review.
How to use this checklist: Print or save this PDF. Bring it with you on your next walkthrough of any property with a pool table or game room. Check each item, note any issues, and use the summary at the end to prioritize repairs. The whole audit takes 20–30 minutes per property and gives you documentation you can use in asset management reports, vendor RFPs, or insurance claims.
Property Information
1
Visual Inspection
What your prospective residents see on tours
Felt condition — no tears, rips, or open seamsCriticalA single visible tear kills first impressions on any tour. Look at the playing bed AND the rail cushions.
Felt color is uniform, not faded or stainedHighCompare the center of the bed to the edges near the rails. Dramatic fading = 5+ year old cloth.
No visible burn marks, chalk stains, or marker damageDeep stains require refelt. Surface chalk can be brushed out.
Wood rails and cabinet show no major scratches or chipsMediumCosmetic but visible during tours. Minor nicks can be touched up; deep gouges require refinishing.
Cabinet finish is consistent (no peeling or water damage)Water damage near the floor often means the table has been mopped or had liquid spilled under it.
No loose veneer, delaminated wood, or visible hardwareHighLoose veneer catches clothing. Visible hardware (bolts, brackets) means the apron is damaged or missing.
Table surface is clean of debris, dust, and food residueDocument date of last cleaning. Frequent cleaning indicates active use (positive). Heavy grime indicates neglect.
2
Play Surface & Leveling
What affects how the table actually plays
Level test — place a ball in the center, does it stay still?CriticalA level table holds a ball stationary. If the ball drifts in any direction, the slate is out of level. Requires professional re-leveling.
Level test — 9-foot roll from one end to the otherCriticalRoll a ball slowly from the foot rail to the head rail. It should travel straight without drifting left or right.
No visible slate seam cracks or raised ridgesHighRun your hand across the seams where slate pieces meet. You should feel nothing. Any ridge means the beeswax filler is cracked.
Felt is tight, no wrinkles or slack zonesPress firmly on different areas of the bed. Cloth should feel evenly taut. Soft or wrinkled zones slow the ball down.
No dead spots (ball slows abruptly)Roll a ball across the entire surface at medium speed. It should decelerate evenly. Sudden slowdowns indicate felt or slate issues.
Ball marks or indentations in the felt (from dropped balls)MediumDents from balls being dropped onto the bed. Minor = cosmetic. Severe = felt and slate damage.
3
Rails & Cushions
Does the table still play "alive"?
Cushion rebound test — does a ball return cleanly?CriticalStrike a ball firmly into each rail. Good cushions rebound 3+ rails on a firm shot. Dead cushions return 1 rail or less.
Rails are tight — no movement when pressed firmlyHighPush down on each rail corner. Any give means loose rail bolts. Fixable same-visit by a pro.
Cushion rubber shows no cracks, splits, or dry rotVisible cracks in the rubber mean cushion replacement is needed. Typical K-66 rubber dies at 15–20 years.
No "clack" or dull thud from rail impactsA healthy cushion makes a crisp "tock" sound. A dull thud means the rubber is dead or the rail is loose.
Rail felt is intact and doesn't separate from the woodThe cloth wrapping the rails should be seamless with no tears or separation at the rail-to-bed junction.
4
Pockets & Ball Return
Can residents actually play a game?
All 6 pockets are present and properly seatedCount them. Missing or tilted pockets are common and usually a quick fix.
Leather or plastic pocket liners are intact, not tornTorn pockets let balls snag or fall through the liner instead of into the return.
Pocket rims and brass (if applicable) are secureLoose rims cause rattling and can scratch the slate edges.
Ball return system works (if installed)HighCommercial tables often have ball returns. Drop each of 16 balls into each pocket and verify they all reach the return tray.
No balls stuck in the pocket or return pathShine a flashlight down each pocket. Stuck balls indicate a mechanical issue in the return.
5
Cabinet & Structural Integrity
Will the table still be here in 5 years?
All 4 legs are solid and show no cracks or splittingHighPress each corner firmly down. Legs should not creak or flex. Cracked legs are a safety hazard and require immediate service.
Leg leveling feet are adjusted and in good conditionCheck the adjustable feet at the bottom of each leg. They should be fully engaged and not stripped.
Frame and apron are solid (no visible cracks or gaps)The apron (the skirt under the rails) should be tight to the cabinet. Gaps = structural issue.
No sagging, bowing, or uneven gaps under the slateLook under the table from floor level. The frame should be dead straight.
Hardware (bolts, brackets) is present, not rusted, not missingMissing hardware is a warranty issue and means the table has been serviced unprofessionally in the past.
Serial number and manufacturer plate are visibleUsually on the underside of the rail or inside a leg. Document for warranty and insurance records.
6
Accessories & Room Environment
The stuff residents actually use
Cues — count, condition, and straightnessRoll each cue on the table. A straight cue rolls smoothly. A warped cue wobbles. Count how many usable cues remain. Minimum 4 for residential, 6 for hotels.
Cue tips are present and not mushroomed or splitA good cue tip is a small round dome. Split or mushroomed tips make the cue unusable.
Chalk is available and within reach of the tableResidents can't play without chalk. At least 2 cubes, ideally 4-6.
Ball set is complete (15 numbered + 1 cue ball)HighCount to 16 exactly. Missing balls are the #1 resident complaint we see.
Triangle (rack) is present and not brokenPlastic or wood. Cracked triangles can't rack tight. $15 to replace.
Cue rack or wall-mounted holder is in good conditionPrevents damaged cues from being leaned against walls. Missing rack = damaged cues within 6 months.
Room lighting is adequate (min 500 lumens over table)MediumDim rooms make the table unplayable and feel unsafe at night.
Minimum 5-foot clearance on all sides of the tableHighStandard cue is 58". Less than 5 feet of clearance and players can't take a full swing. This is the #1 cause of bent cues and wall damage.
Floor is level, protected from spills (rug or hard surface)Sloped floors cause the slate to shift over time. Unprotected hardwood near a game room invites spill damage.
No food, drinks, or smoking signage visible near tableObvious but frequently overlooked. Protects the felt from the most common causes of damage.
Table cover is available for non-use periodsKeeps dust and UV off the felt. Extends cloth life by 30–50%.
Inspection Summary
Use this block to summarize findings and prioritize repair decisions. Take photos of any critical issues for documentation.
Want an Expert Audit Instead?
If this checklist revealed more than you bargained for — or you'd rather have a licensed technician do it — Billiard Home provides a free 30-minute on-site audit at every property in our 5-state service area (CA, TX, AZ, FL, CO). You receive a branded condition report with photos, serial numbers, replacement cost estimates, and insurance-grade documentation. $250 value, no obligation.
