A Brief History
Quality was the first word that came to mind for Craig Connelly when he opened the doors of Connelly Billiards in 1980. He was on a mission to build custom billiard tables that weren’t cheap or garish.
Connelly spoke to billiards experts to aid in his search for the finest table parts. Connelly then went to work and made a name for himself, turning his company into one of the top billiards table makers in the United States.
But hard times came for Connelly, like many companies during the Great Recession of 2008. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December of that year. The once multi-million dollar company was on the ropes, but a buyout by Valley-Dynamo threw it a lifeline.
Valley-Dynamo combines several amusement game companies into a large conglomerate, including Champion Shuffleboard, Dynamo, Valley, Tornado, and Connelly.
Connelly’s manufacturing facility is now based in Dallas, Texas, giving the company a chance to stretch itself internationally.
Connelly remains one of the premier table manufacturers based on their name alone and one to look out for if you’re looking to get started with a high-quality table.
Connelly Billiards Products
With 16 tables listed on their website, Connelly tables vary in style with contemporary, classic, and competition style tables available.
Classic-Style Tables
Of the classic-style tables, you’re looking at several options. The Catalina, Cochise, Scottsdale, San Carlos, and Prescott all look like they belong in a billiards room.
These classic-style tables give an aura of sophistication thanks to their hardwood construction and dark stain. Even the ornate legs on these tables look like they belong on your boss’ dark cherry desk or in an attorney’s office.
Connelly’s classic tables also take design cues straight from the company’s Southwestern origins. The Scottsdale, in particular, was designed to resemble pool tables from Old West taverns and saloons. Even the table names are a subtle wink and nudge to the Southwest.
Customization
What makes Connelly unique among its peers is the level of customization with its tables. A Connelly table allows customers to customize every aspect of their product.
Imagine a beautiful 8-foot oak table with espresso stain, navy blue felt, and black pockets. That table is possible with Connelly’s customization options. Hundreds of thousands of designs await your fingertips if you choose to seek a custom look.
Connelly goes deeper with four size options, too. You can go smaller with a 7-foot option, extend it to 8-foot or 9-foot, or select a standard pro size.
Competition-Style Slate Tables
Connelly has two competition-style slate tables: the Competition Elite and the Competition Pro. Connelly claims the tables come built with the seasoned professional billiards player in mind.
The Elite has a four-leg design, while the Pro opts for two wider legs. Both look like tables built for any pool hall or competitive billiards tournaments. Connelly boasts that both tables are “crowning achievements” in the pool table business.
Accessories
The company also sells accessories to help round out the billiards experience, such as cue holders housing up to eight cue sticks.
Want to class it up a bit? Get a classic eight-holder with a mirror. Looking to keep it simple? Get a traditional six-holder.
Regardless of your choice, you’re getting the chance to bring pool hall-style quality to your billiards room or basement.
Conclusion
Connelly is a safe bet for a premium billiards table. Each table costs several thousand dollars for the base model, and adding customization options can push the final price to above five figures. But with Connelly, you are paying more for a brand name and a superior product.
That superior product, along with 40 years of a solid reputation, gives Connelly a leg-up on even the most established billiards companies. You might do well with a Brunswick, but a Connelly billiards table lets you go crazy with customization options.