I know in advance that you’re looking for knowledgable advice for your particular situation – something very difinitive – and here I am not doing that. Your best bet is some inexpensive legal consultation, not hiring at attorney, but just short consultation.

And I’m going to take a stab at saying that I don’t believe the law will support your desire to withhold his pool table in exchange for the unpaid debt. You should take him to small claims court. The two events are separate.

I’ll try (just because I’m interested) research more later, because you can probably find what you’re looking for on the internet by researching Florida law on landlords and tenants, since the same thing happens with them. Landlords want to hold on to property in lieu of rent due, and you can expect to find some Florida legal references on the internet I’m sure. Cheaper than an attorney too, in the sense that youre just looking right now for a little practical guidance.