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Billards Plaisance have manufactured
pool dining tables for more than 25 years. The company was established
in Plaisance in the south of France by the FITAN family. They were the
first company in the world to develop domestic billiard tables as, first
and foremost, items of quality dining furniture. The company combined
the furniture design with billiards engineering to a level that is now
copied throughout Europe and beyond.
This spirit of enterprise has led to
Billards Plaisance leading the way in pool dining table design. Since
the first model was developed, the concept of a domestic pool diner
table is constantly being improved upon. Creativity has guaranteed
success. Focussing on the home as an alternative Billiards venue is
introducing the game to a new generation and broadening its appeal. The
Billards Plaisance product brochure tells a more graphic story of the
company, its products and their history. Here is an translated extract:
Pool Dining Tables by Billards Plaisance (Text by Philippe Fitan,
owner)
Patented design
All our designs are registered and
subjected to a patent. Choose the original Billards Plaisance! A pool
table is an assembly of numerous parts which all have a specific name.
The diagram (in the brochure) will help you visualize the
different components of a pool table and familiarize yourself with the
vocabulary, hence allowing you to communicate better with your Billards
Plaisance adviser:
1. The legs
Always in solid wood (in the Prestige and Fitan-London range) with built-in leg levellers to make your table level whatever
your floor. Stained and veneered, the oak and cherry hardwoods obtain a beautiful sheen with time.
2. The frame
The frame acts as a support for the game top. In order to prevent any bending, the
frame is very tough. It can be made of either wood or metal.
3. The slate
The slate comes exclusively from quarries in Italy, well known for its top quality and
density for billiard slate. In each and every part, the slate is precisely adjusted and meticulously polished to the finest level.
4. The rubber cushions
The rubber determines the quality of the rebound:
*American game: triangular-shaped cushions for 57 or 52 mm balls depending on the models.
*French game: conversion accessories for French 57 mm balls or quadrangular cushions for French 61.5 mm balls.
*English game: L-shaped cushions for pool 50.8 mm balls.
5. The cushion frame
The upper frame is firmly
attached to the cushions and must be perfectly fixed onto the slate in
order to transmit the rebound. It is manufactured on a numeric control
machine to allow for extreme precision.
6. The cloth
The pool table cloth is draped on the slate,
stapled and glued onto the cushions; the cloth comes from renowned
professional suppliers: Gorina and
Simonis, registered by the Fédération
Francaise du Billard. The cloth is manually fixed, following a rigorous
and meticulous technique, which can only be achieved by the finest
craftsmen.
7. The ball return system
There are 3 systems according to the models.
a. The ball-drawers : soundproofed and padded, the balls return to the
centre of the table behind the drawer fronts on either side of the
table.
b. The pool pockets: extremely thick rubber is placed on top of each
pool pocket which can contain up to 4 balls.
c. The box: with 2 openings on one side of the pool table, its design is
very simple.
8. Storage
Two panels are fixed to
accommodate the accessories. The reliability of your pool table will not
only be determined by the quality of the various components’ assembly,
but also by the quality of the materials used. Only the know-how,
experience and professionalism of a manufacturer can guarantee you a
good pool table.
9. Choosing your pool diner table
A beautiful pool diner table is a successful blend between your home
decoration and the space you give it: A choice of style: our experts
will endeavour to help you choose the pool table best suited to your
needs, taking into account your taste and budget. Billards Plaisance
offers all the contemporary, modern, rustic, classic and timeless
designs… more than 30 models with more than 10 standard finishes, not to
mention the personalised options, the 3 sizes (1.90 m; 2.10 m; 2.40 m)
and the 3 games, American, French and English. We offer a very wide
selection.
10. Space
These diagrams (section 4 above) show how much space is required around your pool table.
11. Interchangeable cushions (patent) for French billiards (Carom)
● We are the only one to guide the cushion on its entire length
● We are the only one to tighten the cushions against the cushions’ frame which guarantees no vibrations.
● We offer 3 sets of cushions in conformity with each game (American, French or English)
General information about the game of billiards
1. Billiards
Since when? Billiards was
developed in France in the 18th century. All the Kings of France, from
Henri II to Louis XIV, devoted themselves to billiards and Napoleon was
also an enthusiast player.
2. French pool, American pool, English pool
What are the differences? Three very different games. French pool is
played with 3 balls: 2 white and 1 red. The player must, with his/her
ball (one of the white ones), hit one of the other two. For the American
pool, there is 1 white ball plus 15 coloured numbered balls. The aim
is to push, with the same white, all the other balls in the pool pockets.
English pool (7 yellow balls – 7 red balls – 1 black ball – 1 white
ball) and English snooker (10 red balls – 1 yellow - 1 black
– 1 brown – 1 green – 1 pink – 1 blue and 1 white) are both developing
and becoming very popular (sic).
3. French pool, American pool and English billiards, which one to choose?
French pool is without any
doubt the most rigorous game (sic): this is probably due to the contrast
between the great simplicity of the rule and the nonetheless difficulty
of the shot. However, the American pool appears to be merrier, therefore
more appealing because easier at first glance. Most people choose the
American pool, which can then be complemented by subsidiary rules: 8
pool, English billiards (see rule of the games) hence creating a spirit
of competition between the players (sic).
4. Is there a statutory size?
The official competitions are played on 3.10m pool tables (for the French
game) while lower category competitions are played on 2.80 m pool tables (French and
American). All sizes are statutory as long as the ratio is respected: length is twice the width.
Consequently, the change from a big to a small pool table is not a
problem: the angles, the effects and the strikes are the same and a few
minutes are sufficient for the eye to get used to the new size (note
from editor: not all English pool tables conform to this 2:1 ratio,
although English snooker slates do conform.
5. What is the right age to play billiards?
You can play billiards at any age. Considered
as an educational game, it is both interesting and entertaining and children
love it (let them play and do not worry about the cloth!). It helps to
develop many qualities such as resistance, observation, skill and
patience. Billiards is very popular with the 30 – 40 years old: many
young French people choose to have a pool table convertible into a
dining table in their homes. As for the retired people, they consider
billiards to be a very pleasant hobby.
6. How do you learn to play billiards?
With a good instruction book, recommendations from skilful players,
practice and…a pool table! And contrary to what you might fear, you
will very quickly reach a satisfactory level even if you have never
played before. Especially since the pool tables you have at home are
relatively small, making it easier to hit the balls.
7. A new pool table or second-hand pool table?
It is difficult to find a good second-hand pool table.
Of course, the attraction of discovering one is undeniable, but it must
be in perfect condition which is far from easy to find. You have to be
very cautious as the maintenance work can be very expensive! Only a new
pool table, for often the same cost, can give you the maximum
guarantee as regards performance and reliability.
8. Which dimensions to choose?
You can choose to dedicate one room for the table: conservatory,
mezzanine, attic, basement. Alternatively, you can have it installed in
your living room or dining room. A pool table convertible into a dining
room table would then be more suitable. You are bound to find one that
would fit smoothly in your home. Bear in mind that wherever you install
it, it will be fine. The tables’ reasonable weight allows installation
on the second floor or on old parquet floors. To calculate the required
space for the game, you must add twice the length of a cue to each side
of the table and take away 20 cm to the final result. 1 m – 1.10 m –
1.20 m and 1.40 m cues are available.
9. What is a pool table convertible into a dining room table?
In refining the pool table’s design, Billards
Plaisance was able to make it aesthetically more pleasing without
affecting its results. The clever addition of a dining top adapted to
each model allows to convert the pool table to a dining table very
easily. It will take a clever man to guess there is a pool table underneath the
dining table…
10. How do you recognize a good pool table?
There are basically three criteria:
* the cloth’s bearing
* the cushions’ rebound
* the table’s levelness
Insofar as the table
is concerned, all the Plaisance pool tables are equipped with a slate.
The slate bed is fixed to the frame, giving a very accurate result. As
for the cloth, a study with a microscope clearly showed the ball being
carried by the cloth’s hairs (sic). Finally, the cushions on the Plaisance
pool tables are always made of natural rubber ensuring an optimal
result.
11. Do you have to fear the tear?
The easily ripped cloths made of felt are over. They are now in wool
and nylon and are nearly impossible to tear. So you can play as much as you like! After using the pool table, you will notice that the cloth is
covered with small white specks. Do not worry, it is normal. When you hit the ball, it is subjected to an acceleration from 0 to 30 km/h in a
split second. The temperature due to the rubbing between the ball and the cloth can easily reach 250° C at the friction point resulting in these white specks.
12. How much does a pool table cost?
Is a pool table expensive? The answer is NO. A pool table is not
more expensive than a good quality household equipment: sofa, big screen television or beautiful dining room table (sic).
13. Is the pool table’s installation a problem?
The Plaisance pool tables can be dismantled and are easy
to install. If it is a second floor installation, the one piece slate
bed will get through the stairs or the window. It is however advisable
to take prior measurements to ensure that all the components can go through.
14. Can the pool table be moved to another location?
With a weight between 160 and 320 kg, the
Plaisance pool tables can easily be moved around. Whether it is to make
space for one evening or to move it to another room, do not hesitate:
only a few minutes are required to make your pool table level, the
built-in leg levellers being easy to use.
15. Why billiards lights?
The quality of the lighting is vital for a good game. It must be straight
and homogeneous. For an incandescent lighting, the light must be placed between 0.85 and 0.90 m above the cloth.
16. Why are there landmarks on a 2.40m pool table?
From an aesthetic point of view, these landmarks bring a
finishing touch to your pool table. However, this is not their primary
goal. These marks, sometimes used for classic “cannons”, are
indispensable for the game in “three cushions” in order to calculate the
“front cushion” shot.
17. Tips and recommendations
In order to preserve the
original colour of you table’s cloth, we recommend you avoid leaving it
for prolonged exposure to the sun. To remove the chalks’
residue and the dust on the cloth, you just need to brush it with the
brush which can be included with the table, devised to go under the cushions.
Alternatively, you can use your vacuum cleaner, equipped with its brush
nozzle, on its slowest speed. The Plaisance pool tables must be looked
after like a beautiful piece of furniture. For the waxed tables
(“Athenes”, “Florence”) dust them regularly and polish them with a wool
cloth. For the varnished tables (all other tables apart from “Paris”),
dust them following the wood thread and clean them occasionally with a
soft dry cloth. Polish them softly with bee’s wax – with time their
sheen will be even more beautiful. For the “Everest” table: clean the
legs with soapy water. Do not use any alcohol based products or solvents.
End of text
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