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Budget: $5,000-$6,000

There is a lot you can do with a budget this large, including adding more games and upgrading essentials. Make sure you have a good-sized space for your gameroom, though, or your budget may be too big (the last thing you want is an overcrowded gameroom with pieces right on top of each other). Think about a room 20-by-30-feet or larger.

TABLE: Again, you're sticking with the 50 percent of overall budget rule. Look for tables in the $2,500-$3,000 range. "I'd never take someone who says they have that budget directly to a $4,995 table," says Graven. "I'd start him at the $2,500 table and let him upgrade if he wants to. I'd rather he had three items in his gameroom with my logo than just the one." Graven also reminds us that once you go higher than $2,500 for a table, the upgrades are mostly cosmetic.

ESSENTIALS: Since you have the larger room, it's a sharp statement to really showcase your table as the centerpiece (no matter where in the room you place it). And nothing draws emphasis to your table like an eye-catching and appealing billiards light. A nicely decorated glass light will be in the $400-$500 range, going up the more ornate or higher-end glass.

For seating, Graven recommends spending $300-$400 per chair, "something a little better, with wider arm tops and drink holders," he says. Again, you need a minimum of two, but three or even four might be appropriate, depending on the type of entertaining you plan to do. More seating can also be taken care of with add-ons like a pub table or three-in-one poker table.

With your rack, the sky's the limit and your choice will depend on your personal taste. Spending $300-$600 for a nice wall rack wouldn't be out of the question.

ADD-ONS: Air Hockey, Foosball, dartboards, ping pong tops - they've all been mentioned as potential additions. Much of what you select obviously depends on what you and your guests plan to do and play. Kids generally gravitate toward air hockey and ping pong, teens will be more apt to give foosball and darts a try, adults will play most anything.

Another add-on to consider with this budget (and more space) is the three-in-one poker table, which converts from a table top to a poker top to a bumper top. "Not only is it a versatile piece to have and you can host poker parties, but it serves as additional seating since it comes with four chairs," says Graven, who adds the cost range is anywhere between $1,300 and $3,000.

If poker isn't your game, an alternative might be a pub table or two. They'll generally sell for between $200-$300 and you'll need to buy matching bar chairs for them.


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