Most inexpensive pool tables cut corners precisely where you least want them cut: the construction. Instead of solid cabinetry, they evidence shoddy workmanship with nails and glues that aren't likely to last more than a couple years. Instead of quality cushions, you get composite materials that will crack and harden quickly.

The truth is that pool tables need a little more care if they are to be expected to last for generations. The best smaller builders back up their products with five-year warranties and the kind of expert detail work that rarely needs retouching. You can even design the table of your dreams and speak directly to the chief engineer when you work with a manufacturer of more humble size.

The Right Way to Cut Costs

Instead of skimping on the construction, these are the companies that save money the right way. They generally forego advertising, do not maintain retail outlets, and do not sponsor major pool events such as those of the UPA and WPBA. Instead they rely on word-of-mouth and the endorsement of countless pros who come to their shops in California and Texas for a closer look at the process.

Many top-flight tables from such places tend to cost a considerable amount less than what you might pay for an Olhausen or Brunswick table. If you don't want to compromise at all on quality, but don't feel the need to drop an extra thousand for a well-known brand, you can usually get an exceptional table at a reasonable price. A little research on the Web should yield some promising names in this elite field.