The best slate for your pool table depends partly on how and where you plan to use the pool table. Many agree that Italian slate is the most popular slate for quality pool tables but Brazilian slate may be better if the pool table is going to get lots of hard use outdoors. Slate also comes from Vermont, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Arkansas, Wales, Spain, China, and Korea.
Italian Slate
You are unlikely to find a good article about pool table construction that doesn't praise the outstanding properties of Italian slate for the table top. Italian slate comes from the Liguarian region of northern Italy. It has long been believed that Italian slate absorbs water better than other kinds of slate. This is important because it keeps the felt fabric cover dry and easy to play on. However, if you are going to use your pool table outdoors, you might do better choosing Brazilian slate.
Slate Research
Pool table designers Mary Southall & Brian Swift say they have questioned pool table manufacturers in many countries and have never been able to obtain results of physical tests that would prove Italian slate is more water absorbent than any other slate. They do state, "Italian slate is plentiful and proven. In our opinion, there is none better." However, they add, "proper table assembly is more important than the origin of your slate." They used Pennsylvania slate in their pool table and report that "it plays beautifully."
Brazilian Slate
Brazilian slate is open pit-mined and is harder than Italian slate. This makes it more difficult to work with. However, it also means that it is very durable, won't bend and is almost impossible to break. It also is an extremely flat surface. Long's Billiards recommends choosing Brazilian slate for an outdoor pool table, although it allows that, "properly processed, both Italian slate and Brazilian slate are well suited for use in billiards."
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