How to Level a Billiard Table Like a Pro

Why Leveling Matters for Perfect Play

Few things are more frustrating than watching a ball drift off course because your billiard table isn’t level. Even a slight tilt can distort gameplay, making accurate shots nearly impossible and undermining the skill involved.

Whether you own a slate or non-slate model, proper leveling is an essential part of billiard table setup. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn exactly how to level a billiard table like a professional, ensuring consistent, accurate play every time.

Tools You’ll Need (Billiard Table Setup)

Before you dive into adjustments, let’s talk gear. Having the right tools makes the difference between a frustrating afternoon and a smooth, professional-grade billiard table setup. The good news? Most of these items are easy to find at hardware stores, and a few may already be sitting in your toolbox.

Here’s what I recommend:

• Spirit level (carpenter’s level) – This is your go-to tool. Place it across different points on the table to check balance. A standard 24-inch level works fine, but if you can get a 48-inch version, even better! The longer length gives you more accuracy over larger spans.

• Adjustable wrench – Think of this as your helper for tightening or loosening the bolts and leg levelers. You don’t need anything fancy—just a sturdy one that feels comfortable in your hand.

• Shims (plastic, hardwood, or even composite) – These thin wedges slide under the table’s legs for micro-adjustments. Personally, I prefer plastic because they don’t compress as easily over time, but hardwood works too if you want something traditional.

• Carpenter’s level – While the spirit level handles the table surface, this one is handy for checking the frame and making sure everything underneath is structurally sound.

And if you’re the type who loves precision (I know I am when it comes to smooth billiard play!), consider these extras:

• Digital level – Instead of just reading a bubble, this tool gives you exact numerical feedback, often down to a fraction of a degree. Great for those who want laser-sharp accuracy.

• Laser level – This is the big leagues! A laser level projects a perfectly straight beam of light across your table. If you’re serious about your game or have invested in a high-end slate table, it’s worth it.

Pro tip: Keep a soft cloth handy. Why? Because dust and grit under your level can throw off your readings. A quick wipe before you measure ensures nothing tiny messes up your results.

Do You Really Need All These Tools?

Not necessarily! If you’re leveling a casual family table, the basics—a spirit level, shims, and a wrench—will get the job done just fine. But if you’re setting up a table for league nights or you’re the type who notices every little drift in the cue ball, those optional tools are a worthy investment.

Step-by-Step Guide to Leveling a Billiard Table (How to Level a Billiard Table)

Leveling a billiard table can feel intimidating at first, but don’t worry—you don’t need to be a pro installer to get it right. With a little patience and the right approach, you can transform a frustratingly uneven table into a smooth, fair playing surface. Let’s walk through it step by step.

Step 1 – Prepare the Area

Before you even touch the table, look at what’s underneath it! The floor is your foundation, and if that’s not stable, nothing else will work.

• Sweep or vacuum the space to remove grit, dust, and small pebbles. Even something as tiny as a bottle cap under a leg can throw your table off balance.
• Check the flooring itself. Is it concrete, hardwood, or carpet? Concrete and hardwood are stable, but carpet compresses over time, which means you may need to re-level more often.
• Make sure the floor doesn’t slope. You can quickly test this by putting your level directly on the ground before moving to the table.

Think of this step like prepping a canvas before painting. If the base isn’t ready, the final product won’t come out right.

Step 2 – Check the Current Level

Now that the floor is ready, let’s see what you’re working with. This is where your spirit level becomes your best friend.

• Lay the level across the table’s playing surface from side to side, then front to back, then diagonally. Don’t just test one spot—move it around.
• Watch carefully for bubble movement. A tiny shift left or right means the surface is off.
• I like to jot down which areas lean low or high. It helps me keep track as I make adjustments.

Pro tip: Don’t just rely on one test. Move the level to several areas of the table bed, including near the rails. Tables can be uneven in surprising ways!

Step 3 – Adjust the Legs or Frame

Here’s where things get hands-on! Depending on your table type, the adjustment process looks a little different.

• Slate tables: These often have built-in leg levelers or bolts under the frame. Loosening or tightening them slightly will raise or lower each side. Go slowly—big adjustments can make things worse instead of better.
• Non-slate tables: These are usually lighter and don’t always have fancy adjustment mechanisms. Instead, you’ll rely more on shims or adjusting the legs manually if they’re threaded.

⚠️ Don’t rush here! Turn adjustments just a little at a time, then check with your level again. It’s tempting to crank one leg all the way up, but you’ll end up chasing the problem back and forth.

Step 4 – Fine-Tune With Shims

This is the finesse stage, where small tweaks make a big difference.

• Place thin shims under the table legs that are sitting too low. Plastic shims are ideal because they don’t compress easily, but hardwood works in a pinch.
• Add them gradually. Slip in one shim, check the level, then decide if you need another.
• If you’re leveling on carpet, be extra patient! Carpet settles over time, so check the level a few hours after shimming to see if it’s shifted.

Personally, I think of shims as “mini life-savers.” They don’t look like much, but they can completely transform your table’s balance.

Step 5 – Test for Accuracy

Here’s the fun part—you get to play a little!

• Take a cue ball and gently roll it across the table in several directions.
• Watch carefully: does it travel straight, or does it slowly drift to one side?
• Try rolling the ball both short distances and long ones. Sometimes a table looks level in one corner but not the other.

If the ball keeps veering off course, don’t get frustrated. Go back, make another small adjustment, and test again. It’s completely normal to repeat the process a few times before you nail it.

When the ball finally rolls true in every direction, congratulations! You’ve leveled your billiard table like a pro.

Special Considerations for Slate vs Non-Slate Tables

Not all billiard tables are built the same, and that matters a lot when it comes to leveling! The material under the felt determines how often you’ll need to check balance, how you make adjustments, and even how long those adjustments last. Let’s break it down so you know exactly what to expect.

Slate Tables – The Gold Standard

If you’ve ever played on a slate table, you already know why players rave about them. Slate is heavy, dense, and naturally stable. That’s exactly what you want in a billiard table. Once leveled, it tends to stay that way for years.

But there’s a flip side. Because slate tables often use multi-piece slate beds (commonly two or three sections joined together), getting them perfectly aligned can be tricky. If one piece is even slightly off, you’ll feel it in the roll of the ball.

Here’s what to keep in mind if you own a slate table:

• Longevity of leveling: Once done right, it stays put for a long time.

• Professional touch: Major adjustments, especially on multi-piece models, are best handled by an expert installer. They’ll use beeswax or special filler to smooth seams so the table feels seamless.

• Weight factor: These tables can weigh anywhere from 600 to 1,000 pounds! That means moving one even an inch can undo all your careful leveling.

Think of a slate table like a grand piano—it’s built for performance, but sometimes it takes a professional’s hand to get it tuned perfectly.

Non-Slate Tables – Lightweight and Practical

Non-slate tables, on the other hand, are designed for convenience and affordability. They’re lighter, easier to move, and typically less expensive. If you’re setting up a casual game room or have younger players in the house, they can be a great choice.

But because they’re built with wood, MDF (medium-density fiberboard), or other composites, they’re more sensitive to environmental changes. Humidity, heat, and even the weight of players leaning against the rails can cause slight warping over time.

Here’s what you should know about non-slate tables:

• Frequent checks: Expect to re-level every few months, especially if the table sits on carpet or in a basement.

• Easy adjustments: On the plus side, you can usually handle all adjustments yourself with basic tools and shims.

• Durability factor: They’re not as resistant to long-term wear. If you’re playing daily, you may notice leveling issues creep up sooner.

Non-slate tables are a bit like compact cars—they’re easy to handle, budget-friendly, and fun, but they need more regular tune-ups to keep running smoothly.

Which One Is Right for You?

It really depends on what you’re after. If billiards is your passion and you want the most authentic, consistent playing experience, slate is the way to go. But if you’re just looking for a table to enjoy with family and friends without breaking the bank, a non-slate model can still deliver plenty of fun.

For a deeper dive into the pros and cons, check out this detailed comparison from our in-house guide on Slate vs Non-Slate Billiard Tables, which does a great job breaking down the differences.

Common Leveling Mistakes to Avoid

Leveling a billiard table isn’t rocket science, but there are a few traps that almost everyone falls into the first time. Trust me, I’ve been there—thinking I nailed it, only to roll the cue ball and watch it wander like it had a mind of its own! Here are the big mistakes you’ll want to dodge:

1. Over-Tightening Bolts

It’s tempting to crank down on those bolts until everything feels rock solid. But here’s the thing: too much pressure can warp the frame, strip the threads, or even crack parts of the structure. A billiard table doesn’t need brute force—it needs balance.

Think of it like tuning a guitar: tighten just enough to hold, but stop before you snap a string.

2. Leveling in Only One Direction

This is a classic beginner mistake. People place the level across the width of the table, get a perfect bubble, and call it a day. The problem? The length of the table could still be off, and you won’t notice until your cue ball makes a slow, sneaky curve halfway across the felt.

• Always check side-to-side, end-to-end, and diagonally.

• Don’t rush—each angle tells you something different about the surface.

3. Skipping the Re-Check

Here’s a painful lesson I learned the hard way: every adjustment you make changes something else. Slip a shim under one leg, and suddenly another corner may rise or dip. If you don’t re-check, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

• Test with your spirit level after every change.

• Roll the ball, too—it’s the most honest test you’ll get.

4. Forgetting About the Floor

Sometimes it’s not your table at all—it’s the ground beneath it. Uneven flooring, especially in basements or older homes, can throw off your entire setup. Always check the floor with a level before blaming the table.

5. Rushing the Process

Leveling is a “slow and steady wins the race” kind of job. If you rush through it, you’ll end up chasing problems in circles. Take your time, make small adjustments, and double-check before moving on.

Pro tip: Treat the process like a puzzle. Each shim or adjustment is just one piece. You don’t throw a puzzle together in a minute, and the same goes here!

Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Table Level

Leveling your billiard table isn’t a one-and-done deal. Floors shift, carpets settle, and even small changes in your home’s temperature and humidity can throw things off. The good news? With a little regular care, you can keep your table in top playing condition without constant headaches.

Perform Periodic Checks

Don’t wait until your game feels “off” to realize your table has gone uneven. I recommend checking your table at least every 3–6 months. If you play often or the table is in a room with carpet or heavy foot traffic, check even more frequently.

• Keep a spirit level nearby—it takes less than five minutes to do a quick scan across the surface.
• If you’ve invested in a digital level, even better. It gives you precise readings, so you’ll know whether you’re off by just a fraction of an inch.

Think of it like checking the oil in your car. A little routine check saves you from big problems later!

Watch for Early Signs

Your table often gives you clues before things get bad—you just need to know what to look for.

• A ball that should roll straight but drifts ever so slightly.
• Cushions that feel uneven or don’t bounce the same on each side.
• A faint “wobble” when you lean against the edge of the table.

The moment you notice these signs, take action. The earlier you fix it, the less work it takes.

Use the Right Accessories

A few small investments can make maintenance a breeze:

• Digital level: Not just for the first setup, but for quick monthly checks.
• Quality shims: Keep a few extras on hand so you don’t have to scramble if you need to make adjustments.
• Furniture coasters: If your table sits on carpet, these can help distribute the weight evenly and reduce sinking.

Bonus Tip – Keep an Eye on the Environment

Believe it or not, your billiard table reacts to your room! Humidity can cause wood frames or non-slate beds to swell or shrink. Dry air can do the opposite. If your table is in a basement or garage, consider using a dehumidifier or humidifier (depending on your climate) to keep the space balanced. 

Game Room Shop’s Final Thoughts:

Leveling for Long-Lasting, Accurate Play

At the end of the day, a perfectly level billiard table isn’t just about the table itself—it’s about the experience. A smooth roll makes every shot feel satisfying, every game more competitive, and every victory truly earned. If you’ve ever played on an uneven table, you already know how frustrating it can be. The ball doesn’t lie. It drifts, it wobbles, and it robs you of the joy of the game. Leveling fixes that!

The good news? You don’t need to be a professional installer to make it happen. With a spirit level, a few shims, and a little patience, you can bring your table up to pro standards right at home. And once you’ve done it, you’ll notice the difference immediately—shots feel sharper, your strategy makes sense again, and the table becomes what it was meant to be: the centerpiece of the game.

Here’s what I’d love for you to take away:

• Leveling is maintenance, not a one-time job. Floors shift, carpets compress, and humidity plays tricks. Stay on top of it with regular checks.
• Small changes go a long way. One shim, one twist of a bolt—it doesn’t take much to restore balance.
• Your investment deserves care. A billiard table isn’t cheap, and keeping it level is one of the easiest ways to extend its life and preserve play quality.

Personally, I see leveling as part of the ritual of owning a billiard table. It’s like cleaning the felt, chalking your cue, or racking up a new game—it’s part of the craft!

📌 Ready to take the next step? If you’re thinking about upgrading or buying your first table, don’t miss our Ultimate Guide to Buying a Billiard Table. It’s packed with expert insights to help you choose the right model for your space, your style, and your level of play.

Want to skip the research and find the perfect table today? 

Explore our full selection of billiard tables and bring home a model that matches your style, space, and skill level. Level it right, care for it well, and you’ll have a game room centerpiece that delivers years of enjoyment!

Meryam Shakoor

Meryam is the Sales & Service Manager of Game Room Shop. She isn't just passionate about happy customers & game rooms – she's an expert at transforming visions into reality. Her deep knowledge of game tables & arcade machines allows her to recommend the best selections for our residential and commercial customers. Meryam helps craft unique and engaging experiences tailored to each client’s vision.

Want to discuss your dream game room? For a limited time, Meryam is offering Free 30-Minute Game Room Consultations. Book yours today!