Play billiards with your children
In Maine, winter pushes families indoors — and pool tables become one of the few activities that entertain teens, adults, and grandparents at the same time.But we’re hearing a growing misconception from shoppers:“We just want something inexpensive for the kids. They don’t need the real thing.”It sounds reasonable. But after more than 45 years installing tables across Maine and NH, we’ve seen something different:Kids actually need slate more than adults do.
When a table isn’t level, doesn’t roll true, or deadens shots, children think they’re the problem — not the equipment. And eventually, they stop playing. This is the quiet cost of “good enough” equipment.
How Kids Experience a Table That Isn’t Really Level
On non-slate or MDF tables, kids often experience:
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Balls drifting even on straight shots
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Bounces that don’t match their aim
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Slow cloth that kills momentum
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Rails that don’t teach angles or strategy
Adults can compensate. Kids can’t — and they assume lack of skill instead of lack of equipment.
On a real slate table, kids experience:
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Predictable, repeatable shots
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The joy of genuine improvement
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“I can actually do this!” confidence
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A game that rewards curiosity and practice
This is why families who invest in a proper billiards table almost always tell us:
“We ended up playing more than we ever expected.”
A pool table isn’t a toy. It’s a skill environment.
Slate vs. Modern “Composites” — The Physics Behind the Difference
Slate is not fancy — slate is stable.
Slate:
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Stays level for decades
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Creates a true-rolling surface
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Lets kids learn real physics
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Can be re-clothed and renewed
MDF or “composite” tables:
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Warp with humidity
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Sag under their own weight
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Bounce inconsistently
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Cannot be permanently leveled
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Eventually become disposable
This is why we sell Olhausen and Brunswick — the last American-made tables built to last through every season in Maine.
Thinking About Cost Over Time
Most families buy a pool table thinking about the next few years. But a real slate table lasts 20–30+ years and can be repaired, recovered, moved, and passed down.
Spread over time, a slate table often becomes one of the lowest-cost-per-year investments in your home — especially compared to screens and electronics with short lifespans. And unlike screens, the pool table asks nothing of your kids except presence and curiosity.
Maine Winters Reward Good Equipment
In Maine, we don’t give kids “good enough” winter boots. If the equipment can’t handle the conditions, the kids don’t enjoy the activity.
A pool table is surprisingly similar:
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Kids stay engaged longer
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They enjoy themselves more
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They develop real skill
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They keep coming back
A slate table is not about luxury — it’s about making home a place where kids want to be.
Try It Yourself — Bring the Kids
If you’re curious, come try an Olhausen or Brunswick table in our Portland showroom.
Within seconds, you’ll feel:
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The difference in roll
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The accuracy
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The sound
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The craftsmanship
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The sheer enjoyment of playing on something real
You don’t need to buy — you just need to feel the difference.
FAQ
Do kids really need a slate pool table?
Yes. Slate tables provide a stable, level surface that allows kids to learn real skills and stay interested. MDF tables often warp or roll incorrectly, causing frustration.
Are slate pool tables worth the price?
For most families, yes — especially over 10–30 years of use. Slate tables can be repaired, recovered, and kept level for decades.
Is slate too “serious” for casual play?
Not at all. In fact, slate makes casual play more fun because the table behaves predictably.
Learn why Skillful Chooses Olhausen and Brunswick
