Pool Table Accessories: What's Worth Buying and What Isn't

Most pool tables come with a basic starter kit. What AMAHC includes as standard: 2 maple cues, a full set of 16 balls, a triangle rack, chalk, and a table brush. That is enough to play straight out of the box. But once you start playing regularly, you will want to know what is worth adding and what is a waste of money.

What Comes Standard

AMAHC pool tables ship with everything you need to start playing immediately. The included kit covers two players at a basic level. The step up comes when you have regular guests, want to play more seriously, or need better maintenance equipment.

Cues: When to Upgrade and What to Look For

The included cues are 57-inch maple, which is the standard playing length. They are fine for casual play. If you are playing 3-4 times per week or you have guests who take the game seriously, upgrading makes a difference.

The key specs to understand:

• 1-piece vs 2-piece: 1-piece cues are more rigid and better for consistency. 2-piece cues break down for storage and are more practical for wall racks. For a home table, 2-piece is the right call.
• Weight: Most players prefer 18-21oz. Lighter cues give more speed. Heavier cues give more control on break shots. Try both and find what suits your stroke.
• Tip hardness: Soft tips give more spin (English) at the cost of durability. Hard tips last longer but give less ball control. Medium tips are the standard starting point for most players.
• Shaft material: Maple is the industry standard. Carbon fibre shafts exist but at $300+ they are overkill for a home table.

A decent upgrade cue sits in the $80-$200 range. Anything above that is for competitive players.

Balls: American Pool vs Snooker vs Billiard Sets

Most Australian home tables use American pool balls (also called pool or billiard balls): 1-7 solids, 9-15 stripes, and the 8-ball. The balls are 57.15mm in diameter and are what 8-ball and 9-ball are played with.

Snooker balls are smaller at 52.5mm and are used for the snooker variant of the game. If your table has snooker pockets (tight rounded pockets), you need snooker balls. Standard Australian pub pool tables use American-spec pockets and balls.

A quality set of phenolic resin balls (Aramith is the standard brand) costs around $100-$250. They last 5x longer than cheap polyester balls and roll truer. Worth it if you play regularly.

Triangle vs Diamond Rack

• Triangle rack: For 8-ball. 15 balls in a triangle formation, 8-ball in the centre. Standard for Australian pub rules.
• Diamond rack: For 9-ball. 9 balls in a diamond formation, 1-ball at the front, 9-ball in the centre. If you play 9-ball, you need this rack.

Most starter kits include a triangle. If you play 9-ball at all, pick up a diamond rack. They cost about $15-$25.

Chalk: Yes You Need It, No You Cannot Skip It

Chalk creates friction between the cue tip and cue ball. Without it, the tip slides off centre shots (called a miscue). Chalk before every shot on any shot that is not a centre ball hit. Especially before break shots and any spin-heavy shot.

The chalk cubes included with most tables are fine. Master chalk is the standard upgrade, around $3 per cube and it lasts longer. Blue chalk is the most common colour. Green is available if you prefer not to mark a light-coloured cloth.

Table Cover: Worth It

A table cover protects the cloth from dust, pet hair, drink spills, and UV fading. If the table is in a garage or rumpus room that is not climate controlled, a cover is worth having. Cloth replacement costs $300-$600. A cover costs $50-$100. The maths is straightforward.

Look for a fitted cover that sits snugly rather than draping over the rails. Draped covers get knocked off. Fitted covers stay put.

Cue Rack: Wall-Mounted vs Floor Standing

• Wall-mounted: Saves floor space, keeps cues vertical so they do not warp, and looks cleaner. The right choice for most rooms. Install at around 1.8m height.
• Floor standing: No drilling required, easy to reposition. The cues lean at an angle, which over years can cause slight warping in cheap cues. Fine for short-term use.

If you are setting up a permanent room, mount a wall rack. A 6-slot wall rack costs around $40-$80.

Ball Return Tray vs Manual Retrieval

Most home pool tables do not have ball-return mechanisms (that is a coin-op pub table feature). Balls are retrieved manually from the pockets or from a simple under-pocket tray. Ball return systems for home tables exist but add cost and complexity without much practical benefit for casual play.

A simple felt-lined ball tray that sits on the table rail keeps balls off the floor and accessible between games. They cost around $30-$50. Worth having.

Table Brush: Use It Right

Brush the cloth before every session and after heavy use. Always brush from the baulk end (the end with the brown semi-circle) toward the black spot end. Brush in straight lines, not circular motions. Circular brushing disrupts the cloth nap and affects how the ball rolls over time.

A quality horsehair or nylon table brush costs $20-$40. Do not use household brushes on pool table cloth.

What NOT to Waste Money On

• Cheap ball sets under $40: They go out of round quickly and start rolling inconsistently. Buy Aramith or nothing.
• Novelty cues: Anything under $30 with flashy decals is usually poorly weighted and will frustrate your guests.
• Mechanical bridges you will never use: A spider and a mechanical bridge rest are genuinely useful for hard-to-reach shots. But most casual players never pick one up. Buy only if you play regularly.
• Training balls and aim trainers: These work but are specialist tools. Get comfortable with the basics first.

Explore our range of ball return pool tables if you want a built-in retrieval system from the start. Our 20,000+ customers have helped us understand exactly what accessories matter and what does not.

Common Questions

What accessories does an AMAHC pool table come with?

Every AMAHC pool table includes 2 maple cues, a full 16-ball set, a triangle rack, chalk cubes, and a table brush. You can start playing immediately after installation without buying anything extra.

How often should I chalk my cue?

Chalk before every shot that is not a direct centre ball hit. For most players that means chalking every second or third shot. Overchalking is fine, underchalking causes miscues.

When should I replace the pool table cloth?

Standard cloth lasts 3-5 years with regular home use. Signs it needs replacing: visible wear patches, small tears, ball roll deviation on a level table, or a rough texture that grabs the ball. Using a table cover extends cloth life significantly.

Do I need different accessories for snooker vs pool?

Yes. Snooker uses smaller balls (52.5mm vs 57.15mm), a different rack configuration, and different pockets. If you want to play both, check whether your table has adjustable pocket inserts. Most Australian home tables are set up for pool.