Q:

Pool table sizes and minimum play area

I'm looking to install a pool table but I'm not sure if it is possible in the space I have. 
The area is 8.5' by 17'.
Would this be enough room to play any sized table without play being hindered? 

A:

TL;DR: Your room is too small to allow you to easily play pool.

These are the table dimensions and their respective recommended room dimensions:
Biliards and table bowls

260cm x 130cm table requires a 540cm x 410cm room
270cm x 135cm table requires a 550cm x 415cm room
280cm x 140cm table requires a 560cm x 420cm room

Russian Pyramid

284cm x 142cm table requires a 564cm x 522cm room
314cm x 157cm table requires a 594cm x 437cm room
346cm x 173cm table requires a 626cm x 460cm room
360cm x 180cm table requires a 640cm x 460cm room

International model without pockets

284cm x 142cm table requires a 564cm x 422cm room

Smaller size tables

250cm x 125cm table requires a 530cm x 405cm room
240cm x 120cm table requires a 520cm x 400cm room
230cm x 115cm table requires a 510cm x 395cm room

American Pool

254cm x 127cm table requires a 534cm x 407cm room
224cm x 112cm table requires a 504cm x 392cm room

The minimum for the short side of the room is around 13".
The basic rule is that you need 4.5" all around the table to allow a player to "enter" the cue.

A:

A standard pool table is 5 feet by 10 feet, leaving 1.5 feet at each side of it, if installed in your room.
The average person would struggle to walk around your table, let alone play on it.
There are smaller sizes of table, but given the standard cue of 4 to 5 feet and the need for at least half that distance in making a stroke from the cushion, you would barely get 1 foot of playing surface across. Suffice it to say, you do not have enough space for playing pool.

