Anatomy of a Billiard Table

Play Field – The surface of the table on which the game is played.

Cabinet – Main body of a billiard table. May be provided from manufacturer with assembled (Unibody construction) or in individual components (Knocked Down, or KD construction)

Cushion – The cloth-covered rubber which borders the inside of the rails on carom and pocket billiard tables; together the cushions form the outer perimeter of the basic playing surface.

Top Rails – The top surface of the table, no covered by cloth, from which the cushions protrude toward the playing surface. The head and foot rails are the short rails on those ends of the table; the right and the left rails are the long rails, dictated by standing at the head of the table and facing the foot end.

Blinds – Vertical piece of wood coming down from the rails to “hide” where the slate attaches to the rail and the cabinet. Also called an apron.

Slate – higher quality billiard tables always have slate as the basis for the play field. Slate is chosen because of its ability to maintain a flat, consistent playing surface.