Pool Table lighting

[Timmos1974]

Hi Guys

Any ideas on what lighting is best for Pool tables? I dont really fancy the suspended old snooker club lights. And was wandering if LED spotlights would work?

Thanks

[SpeckledJim]

You'll get off-putting shadows if the lights aren't fairly central over the table, but spots will work ok.

[Simpo Two]

Timmos1974 said:

Hi Guys

Any ideas on what lighting is best for Pool tables? I dont really fancy the suspended old snooker club lights. And was wandering if LED spotlights would work?

Thanks

There's a reason they use what they do - soft shadowless lighting because the light source is big. This is lighting for function not prettiness. Using little spotlights will give every ball lots of highlights on the top and little sharp shadows around it.

[Timmos1974]

Thanks guys!!

Cant find any modern looking lighting for pool tables, the only one I have found is about 900 euros!!

[kambites]

If you put a lot of spots liberally spread over the table to create nice diffuse light, it should be OK. You'll need a LOT of light if the're going to be at ceiling height, though. There's a good reason proper snooker table lights are only about 3 feet above the surface of the table.

Edited by kambites on Monday 19th October 16:51

[bristolbaron]

I suggested these for the dining room the other day and the Mrs replied “it’s not a pool hall”... might work for you?

[Timmos1974]

Cheers mate

[Simpo Two]

As a photographer my other suggestion is bounce lighting. In other words you point ruddy great spots from about shoulder level onto the (white) ceiling, so the whole ceiling becomes the light source. No physical lighting over the table at all.