How thick should slate be on a billiards table?

Answer 1

1 inch minimum. Most poolplayers will agree that the thicker the slate, the more consistent the table will be. That is why experienced poolplayers that can both afford it and have a room to support it, will have a table with 1.5 inch, and even 2 inch slate. However, most tables are 1 inch slate and most poolplayers would agree that they cannot tell the difference from 1 inch to 1.5 inch. Thinner tables are made, and most will argue that you can tell the difference.