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Testing methodology
Every recommendation on GameRoomTested follows the same process, so you can compare pages with confidence.
Room size first
Every guide lists the floor space and clearances the equipment needs before anything else.
A clear verdict
Each guide says who the equipment suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to check before you buy.
No paid placements
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Kept current
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product, standard or rule changes.
Where our facts come from
We use manufacturer specs and assembly manuals, equipment rules from the World Pool-Billiard Association and Billiard Congress of America, the World Darts Federation and US darts organizations, and table soccer and shuffleboard association rules.
What we check, by product type
| Pool tables | Playing surface size, slate thickness and pieces, cushion type, cloth, frame and leveling. |
|---|---|
| Cues | Weight, shaft material and taper, tip diameter and hardness, joint and wrap. |
| Darts and boards | Board type (bristle or electronic), wire system, dart weight and tungsten percentage. |
| Table games | Dimensions, cabinet and rod or blower build, playing surface, weight and leveling. |
| Arcade and pinball | Cabinet size, game library or licensing, controls, power and service access. |
Hands-on testing versus research
A review carries a "Hands-on tested" badge only when our team has used the product, and it lists the date and what we did. Every other page is built from published specs, governing-body rules, the brand's own documentation and owner feedback, and says so. Comparisons are research-based unless marked otherwise.
Prices and codes
Prices come from each brand's own store and are dated on every review. Reader codes come directly from the brands we partner with. When a brand changes an offer, we update the code everywhere it appears on the site at once.
Corrections
If you spot something out of date, email [email protected] and we'll check it and fix it.