The 7-Point Checklist for Buying an Olhausen Pool Table (From an Admin Buyer Who Vetted the Process)

When our company decided to upgrade the employee break room and add a premium game space, I was the one handed the vendor list. I'm an office administrator for a mid-sized firm (about 150 people). My job isn't to know the difference between slate and MDF—it's to make sure whatever we buy is going to last, arrives on time, and doesn't cause headaches for accounting.

So when the request came in for an Olhausen pool table, I had to figure out a process fast. I'm not a billiards expert. I'm a purchasing professional who needed to vet a high-ticket item for a commercial space. Over the course of a few weeks, I developed a checklist. Here it is—seven steps that helped me avoid a costly mistake. This is the exact process I used.

Step 1: Verify the Venue's Floor Load Capacity (The One Step Everyone Forgets)

This was the first surprise. Olhausen pool tables are heavy. I knew that in theory. But when I saw the shipping weight for a 7-foot Americana model—which is around 650 to 700 pounds—I realized I had to check our building's floor. The venue was a converted warehouse space, and I had no idea if the floor could handle that concentrated load.

The weight of an Olhausen table isn't just about moving it. It's about where it sits. A standard 8-foot model can push 850 to 900 pounds. A 9-footer is easily over 1,000 pounds. If you're putting it on a second floor or a raised platform, you need to check the load rating. I called our facilities manager. We had to reinforce a section of the floor.

Your checklist item: before you even think about the model, verify that the floor can handle the weight. Get it in writing from someone who knows the building. This is not a 'we'll figure it out later' kind of thing.

Step 2: Separate the Table Weight from the Accessories Weight

This is a distinction that almost got me. When a dealer quotes you a table weight, they are usually talking about the table. But the accessories—slate, legs, rails—are often shipped separately. The 'shipping weight' on the quote might be the total of three different boxes.

I had one vendor quote an Olhausen York table at 800 pounds. But that was the assembled weight. The actual shipping weight was broken into three components: the slate (which was about 250 pounds alone), the frame and legs, and the rail set. I needed to know this for two reasons: logistics (can our freight elevator take a 250-pound slate?) and installation (the installers need to assemble it, not just place it).

Ask your dealer for a detailed weight breakdown by component. If they can't provide it, that's a yellow flag. A good Olhausen dealer should be able to tell you exactly how much the slate weighs versus the frame.

Step 3: Know the Difference Between an Olhausen Pool Table Cover and a 'Universal' Cover

You need a cover. Full stop. For a commercial space—or even a high-traffic home game room—a cover protects the felt from dust, spills, and accidental scratches. But not all covers are created equal.

I almost bought a cheap 'universal' cover online. It was $40. It was also thin, single-layer, and looked like a fitted sheet. I'm glad I didn't. An authentic Olhausen pool table cover is a specific product. It's tailored to the table's dimensions and shape (some Olhausen models have rounded corners, which a universal cover won't fit properly). It's usually a heavier, three-layer material—often with a waterproof outer layer and a soft inner lining.

When I sourced from an authorized dealer, the cover cost more (around $80-$120, depending on the size and material), but it was worth it. It fit perfectly, stayed on in a drafty room, and actually protected the felt. The cheap universal cover would have been a waste of money.

Step 4: Install the Cover the Right Way (A Minor Detail that Matters)

This sounds silly, but I've seen it messed up. The cover isn't just draped over the table like a tablecloth. You have to pull it taut, ensure the corner pockets are aligned with the corner pockets of the table, and then tuck it under the rail if the cover has a drawstring or elastic band.

If you don't install it correctly, the cover will sag, collect dust on the playing surface, and even scratch the rail's finish if it shifts. The installers for our table showed me the trick: you start at one corner, pull it tight to the opposite corner, and then adjust the sides. It takes 2 minutes. Doing it wrong can cost you a re-cover.

Step 5: Vet the Dealer on 'Accu-Fast' and Leveling (Don't Assume It's Standard)

Olhausen's key advantage is their 'Accu-Fast' cushion system. It's a rubber system that provides consistent bounce. It's a selling point, and it's part of what makes the table play well. But the installation of the table is just as important. A premium table with a poor leveling job will play worse than a cheap table leveled perfectly.

When I vetted dealers, I asked them directly: 'How do you level the table? Do you use a digital level? Do you shim the slate?' If they looked confused, I moved on. A dealer who can't explain their leveling process isn't a dealer I trust with a $5,000+ purchase. I found a dealer who used a digital level and took a full hour just to level the slate. That gave me confidence.

Your checklist: don't just ask about the price. Ask about the installation process. Get a written guarantee that the table will be properly leveled. If they say 'it's standard,' ask them to describe what 'standard' means.

Step 6: Budget for the Hidden Costs (This is Where I Almost Made a Mistake)

The price of the table is just the headline. The real cost includes delivery, installation, and accessories. I was quoted $4,200 for a specific Olhausen model. The total out-the-door cost was $5,100 because of:

• Delivery: $250 for curbside delivery (not inside).
• Inside delivery: An additional $150 to get it to the third floor.
• Installation: $350 for leveling and assembly.
• Accessories: $200 for a cover, cue rack, and a basic set of balls.

I almost went with a cheaper dealer who had a lower list price. But when I calculated the total cost of ownership—including their hidden shipping fees—the difference disappeared. The more expensive dealer had all-inclusive pricing. I paid more upfront, but there were no surprises.

Always get a quote that breaks down every single line item. Don't accept 'delivery included' unless it says 'delivery to the room of choice.' If they say 'standard delivery,' ask: does that include bringing it up stairs?

Step 7: Ask the 'Not My Job' Question

As an admin buyer, I don't know everything. And that's okay. One question I've learned to ask every vendor: 'What is the one thing people often forget to ask you about this table?' The answers were revealing.

One dealer said: 'People forget to measure their doorways. An 8-foot table is 8 feet long, but it needs to fit through a 30-inch door when it's in pieces. Measure your path.' Another said: 'They forget to budget for a qualified mover who has insurance. If the installer drops the slate, you're on the hook for a new one.'

That second piece of advice saved me. The table arrived at the loading dock. The dealer's crew was insured. When one of the movers slipped, the table was damaged. The dealer's insurance covered a complete replacement. If I had gone with a cheaper, uninsured mover, that would have been a $4,000 loss.

Final Considerations: When to Walk Away

If a dealer won't give you a detailed weight breakdown, pushes a universal cover instead of an Olhausen-specific one, or can't articulate their leveling process, walk away. The checklist works both ways: it helps you buy the right table, and it helps you identify the vendors who aren't worth your time.

I've bought a lot of things for this company—office furniture, IT equipment, catering. The Olhausen purchase was one of the most rewarding, but also one of the most detail-oriented. This checklist saved me from two specific mistakes: an unlevel table that would have played terribly, and a damaged slate that would have cost us thousands.

Use it. Modify it for your own venue. But don't skip Step 1. That's the one that almost got me.