Traditionally, a billiards table is made of flat, heavy slate, covered with felt, surrounded by rubber bumpers. There are several purchasing considerations to make when selecting a table, so it is important to pay close attention while shopping. First, it is important that you do not purchase an inexpensive table, as cheap tables may not be made of slate and can impact your ability to play. Make sure the table you are considering is made of quarried slate, and try to shoot a few rounds in the store to get a feel for the table’s quality. A second consideration is the cushions, the rubber material surrounding the playing surface that permits balls to bounce without too much loss of energy. The American standard for cushions is the "K-66 profile," which is a standard defined by the Billiards Congress of America. The purpose of this standard is to ensure that rebound is somewhat predictable from table to table. The third, and often overlooked, consideration is the table’s felt. Many tables use cheaper and inferior 19oz felt, which is to be avoided. 21-24oz felt is preferred. Additionally, be aware that many bars use thicker, woolen felt that better withstands heavy usage with a loss of ball speed and accuracy. Be sure to discuss these options with the salesperson before committing to a table.