Billiards tables can be divided into three main categories; carom billiard, pool, and snooker. All three types refer to rectangular tables with a slate bed and a cloth top on which cue based ball games are played. Billiard and pool tables are often mistaken for a snooker table, but these tables have a very specific design. A full size table measures twelve feet five inches long by five feet ten inches wide. Some smaller tables are occasionally used in tournaments measuring nine feet five inches long by four feet ten inches across. A snooker table has six pockets; four at the corners and two on opposing sides half way down the table on the cushions. Standard tournament measurements are three and a half inches across for each pocket, however, some tournaments use smaller pockets as a test of ultimate skill as it is far more difficult to pot the balls in play. The pockets are normally rounded which is a quick give-away as to whether the table is a pool table or not; pool tables typically have more angular pockets. Finally, there is a baulk line (a white line) twenty nine inches from the top cushion. From this line runs a semi-circle with a radius of eleven and a half inches on which the cue ball and others rest.

Snooker tables also carry with them a variety of paraphernalia. Most high quality tables have racks and holders for these items running along the underside of the table, making access easy for players during a frame. The first item, and most important, is obviously the cue; however, this is normally found on a separate cue rack along with chalk for ensuring proper grip when striking the cue ball. Several types of rest are normally housed on the underside of the table including the standard rest, nest, hook, spider, and swan rest. Together with these a triangle (also known as a rack) can be found to line up the red balls, with various cue extenders and a ball marker for the referee when he or she has to clean the cue ball also present. For the completistother paraphernalia such as player gloves, referee gloves, chalk pouches, table lights, table canopy, referee ruler, baulk markers, table iron, and table brushes are also available for storage with a table.

As well as understanding the features and accessories of a snooker table, it is important to recognise a quality table against one that may become problematic. The biggest issue with a table is to make sure that the slate is not warped or uneven in any way. It has to be remembered that the cheaper tables will often use cheap or imprecise slate; worse than this the tables that should be completely avoided are those which use slates substitutes such as wood. Overall the heavier a table the better its construction. This is not a hard fast rule, but it does tend to be the case; this a long with making sure the table has the correct dimensions and accessories should ensure a player has the appropriate tools at hand to develop their skills.