Pool Table Felt Guide: Types, Colors, and How to Choose the Best Cloth

# Pool Table Felt Guide: Types, Colors, and How to Choose the Best Cloth

Pool table felt—more accurately called “cloth”—is one of the most important factors affecting how your table plays. The right cloth provides consistent ball roll, accurate banking, and professional-level performance. The wrong cloth can make even an expensive table feel cheap.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about pool table felt: types, materials, brands, colors, and how to choose the perfect cloth for your table and playing style.

Pool Table Felt vs. Pool Table Cloth: What’s the Difference?

First, let’s clear up terminology:

“Felt” is the common term, but it’s technically incorrect. True felt is made from matted, compressed fibers (like on a craft project or hat).

“Cloth” is the correct term. Pool table cloth is a woven textile, not matted felt.

That said, everyone calls it “felt,” so we’ll use both terms interchangeably in this guide. Just know that quality pool table covering is woven cloth, not traditional felt.

The Two Main Types of Pool Table Cloth

All pool table cloth falls into two categories based on construction:

1. Woolen Cloth (Napped)

Construction: Fuzzy surface with visible fibers (the “nap”)

Characteristics:
– Slower ball speed
– More friction and grip
– Visible texture
– “Brushes” in one direction
– Requires regular brushing and maintenance

Best for:
– Casual recreational play
– Home tables with mixed skill levels
– Bar tables and coin-operated tables
– Budget-conscious buyers
– Players who prefer slower, more controllable games

Popular brands: Championship, Proline, Centennial

Typical price range: $150-$300 for 8-foot table

2. Worsted Cloth (Napless)

Construction: Tightly woven with no nap; smooth, flat surface

Characteristics:
– Faster ball speed
– Minimal friction
– Smooth, flat texture
– No directional nap
– Requires less maintenance
– More durable

Best for:
– Tournament play
– Serious players and competitors
– Professional pool halls
– Players who value speed and precision
– Long-term investment (lasts 2-3× longer than woolen)

Popular brands: Simonis, Championship Tour Edition, Gorina

Typical price range: $300-$500+ for 8-foot table

The key difference: Worsted cloth is combed during manufacturing to remove all loose fibers, creating a perfectly smooth surface. Woolen cloth retains those fibers, creating the fuzzy texture.

Pool Table Cloth Brands: The Complete Guide

Simonis (The Gold Standard)

Country of origin: Belgium
Type: Worsted
Used by: Professional tournaments worldwide

Simonis is to pool cloth what Aramith is to pool balls—the undisputed professional standard.

Popular Simonis cloths:

Simonis 860:
– Most popular championship cloth
– 90% wool, 10% nylon
– Fast, true roll
– Extremely durable (5-10 years of regular play)
– Used in U.S. Open, World Pool Championship
– Available in 30+ colors

Simonis 860HR (High Resistance):
– Even more durable than standard 860
– Ideal for high-traffic commercial tables
– Slightly heavier fabric
– Best longevity of any cloth

Simonis 760:
– Slightly slower than 860
– Preferred by some straight pool players
– More controlled ball action
– Still tournament-quality

Simonis 920:
– Fastest Simonis cloth
– Preferred for snooker and carom billiards
– Very smooth, minimal friction

Why Simonis dominates: Consistency. Every Simonis table plays the same, whether you’re at your local pool hall or the World Championship. This consistency is invaluable for competitive players.

Price: $400-$600 for 8-foot table (worth every penny)

Championship (Most Popular for Home Tables)

Country of origin: USA
Types: Both woolen (standard) and worsted (Tour Edition)

Championship offers options for every budget and skill level.

Championship Invitational (woolen):
– Most popular home table cloth
– Good quality for casual play
– Available in many colors
– Affordable ($150-$250)
– Lasts 2-4 years with proper care

Championship Tour Edition (worsted):
– Premium worsted cloth
– Excellent alternative to Simonis
– Used in many regional tournaments
– 70% wool, 30% nylon blend
– Good durability at lower price than Simonis

Gorina

Country of origin: Spain
Type: Worsted
Used by: European tournaments, snooker

Gorina is highly respected in Europe and increasingly popular in the U.S.

Gorina Granito:
– Fast, smooth play
– Comparable to Simonis 860
– Excellent durability
– Slightly lower price point than Simonis

Proline and Centennial (Budget Options)

These woolen cloths are fine for casual play but won’t deliver professional performance:

• Proline: Common on entry-level tables
• Centennial: Similar quality to Proline
• Both: Affordable but wear faster, play slower

Pool Table Felt Colors: Beyond Basic Green

While “pool table green” is classic, modern cloth comes in dozens of colors.

Traditional Colors

Tournament Green (Electric Blue/Tournament Blue):
– The classic “billiards green”
– Most common in pool halls
– Easy on the eyes during long sessions
– Hides chalk dust and minor stains

Camel (Tan):
– Popular alternative to green
– Warmer, more neutral appearance
– Shows less wear over time
– Growing popularity in home game rooms

Navy Blue:
– Classic choice for bars
– Hides stains well
– Professional appearance
– Less common than green but equally traditional

Modern Designer Colors

Simonis offers 30+ colors including:

• Burgundy / Wine
• Purple / Plum
• Red (various shades)
• Gray / Silver
• Black
• Orange / Burnt Orange
• Yellow / Gold

Choosing a color:

✅ Choose green, camel, or blue if:
– You play competitively (practice on tournament colors)
– You want classic, timeless appearance
– You plan to resell the table

✅ Choose designer colors if:
– The table is primarily decorative
– You want to match room décor
– Personal preference trumps resale value
– The table is a showpiece

Pro tip: Darker colors (navy, burgundy, black) show chalk dust more obviously than lighter colors (camel, light blue).

Avoid: Extremely bright colors (hot pink, lime green) that may cause eye strain during long play sessions.

How to Choose the Right Pool Table Cloth

Follow this decision tree:

Step 1: Determine Your Primary Use

Competitive/serious play → Worsted cloth (Simonis 860 or Tour Edition)
Casual/family play → Woolen cloth (Championship Invitational)
Mixed use → Worsted cloth (best of both worlds)

Step 2: Set Your Budget

Budget: $150-$250 → Championship woolen
Mid-range: $250-$400 → Championship Tour Edition
Premium: $400-$600 → Simonis 860
Commercial/Heavy use: $500+ → Simonis 860HR

Step 3: Consider Longevity

Woolen cloth lifespan: 2-4 years of regular play
Worsted cloth lifespan: 5-10+ years of regular play

Cost per year:
– Woolen at $200 / 3 years = $67/year
– Simonis at $500 / 8 years = $63/year

Worsted cloth actually costs LESS over time due to superior durability.

Step 4: Choose Your Color

Tournament players: Stick with tournament green or camel
Home game rooms: Any color that fits your space
Resale concerns: Classic colors (green, camel, navy)

Step 5: Factor in Speed Preference

Prefer slower, controlled games: Woolen or Simonis 760
Prefer fast, professional speed: Simonis 860 or 920
Middle ground: Championship Tour Edition

Pool Table Felt Weight and Thickness

Cloth weight is measured in ounces per linear yard.

Typical weights:
– Woolen: 19-23 oz
– Worsted: 22-25 oz

Heavier = more durable (generally)

Simonis 860 = 22 oz (medium weight, excellent durability)
Simonis 860HR = 24 oz (heavy weight, maximum durability)

Thicker isn’t always better: The weave quality matters more than raw weight. A well-constructed 22 oz worsted cloth outperforms a poorly-made 25 oz woolen cloth.

Installation: DIY vs. Professional

DIY Installation

Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Time: 4-8 hours for first-timers
Savings: $200-$400 in labor

What you’ll need:
– Staple gun or tack strips
– Sharp utility knife
– Straight edge
– Spray adhesive (for rails)
– Helper (highly recommended)

Challenges:
– Getting cloth perfectly smooth (no wrinkles)
– Stretching evenly
– Cutting pocket openings precisely
– Reattaching rails without gaps

Best for: Experienced DIYers with patience and tools

Professional Installation

Cost: $200-$500 depending on table size and location
Time: 2-3 hours
Benefits: Perfect stretch, proper seaming, warranty protection

Best for: Most people, especially with expensive cloth

Pro tip: If you’re installing premium cloth like Simonis, pay for professional installation. The cloth cost is high enough that you don’t want to risk mistakes.

Maintaining Your Pool Table Cloth

Proper maintenance extends cloth life significantly.

Daily/After Each Session

✅ Brush woolen cloth: Use a proper pool table brush, brushing from head to foot in long, straight strokes
✅ Wipe down with dry cloth: Remove chalk dust from rails
❌ Don’t use circular motions: Always brush in straight lines

Weekly

✅ Vacuum gently (woolen cloth only): Use upholstery attachment, low suction
✅ Check for loose threads: Trim carefully with sharp scissors (don’t pull)

Monthly

✅ Deep clean: Professional table brush or vacuum (low suction)
✅ Inspect pockets: Check for tears or wear around openings

What NOT To Do

❌ Never vacuum worsted cloth: Can damage the tight weave
❌ Never use water or cleaning solutions: Causes staining and damage
❌ Never brush against the nap: Always brush from head to foot
❌ Never iron or apply heat: Ruins the cloth permanently
❌ Never allow drinks on the table: Spills = permanent stains

Chalk dust is the enemy: It grinds into the cloth and accelerates wear. Brush regularly.

When to Replace Your Pool Table Cloth

Signs it’s time for new cloth:

🚨 Visible wear patterns where balls travel frequently
🚨 Pills or fuzzballs forming on surface
🚨 Tears or snags that affect ball roll
🚨 Stains that can’t be removed
🚨 Inconsistent ball roll (dead spots or slow areas)
🚨 Seams separating or coming loose
🚨 Cloth feels rough or sticky

Average replacement timeline:
– Woolen: 2-4 years (heavy use) / 4-6 years (light use)
– Worsted: 5-8 years (heavy use) / 10+ years (light use)

Pool Table Felt FAQs

Q: Can I install new cloth over old cloth?
A: No. Always remove old cloth completely before installing new cloth.

Q: What’s the best pool table felt for a home table?
A: For serious players: Simonis 860. For casual play: Championship Invitational.

Q: Does pool table felt color affect gameplay?
A: Not directly, but very dark or very bright colors can cause eye strain.

Q: How long does pool table felt last?
A: Woolen: 2-6 years. Worsted: 5-10+ years (depending on use and maintenance).

Q: Can I clean pool table felt?
A: Only with a proper brush (woolen) or dry cloth (worsted). Never use water or cleaners.

Q: Why is Simonis so expensive?
A: Premium materials, Belgian manufacturing, superior durability, and consistent quality. It lasts 2-3× longer than cheaper cloth, making it cost-effective long-term.

Q: Should I get the same color as my old cloth?
A: Only if you loved that color. Replacement is a great time to try something new.

Final Recommendations

For tournament/competitive players:
– Simonis 860 in tournament green or camel
– Professional installation
– Budget $400-$600 total

For serious recreational players:
– Championship Tour Edition (worsted) or Simonis 760
– DIY installation if experienced, professional if not
– Budget $250-$400

For casual/family play:
– Championship Invitational (woolen)
– DIY installation is fine
– Budget $150-$250

For commercial tables (high traffic):
– Simonis 860HR
– Professional installation essential
– Budget $500-$700

The Bottom Line

Pool table felt is not where you want to cut corners. The cloth directly affects every shot you take, every game you play. Invest in quality cloth matched to your skill level and playing frequency.

Remember: Premium worsted cloth costs more upfront but lasts 2-3× longer than woolen cloth, making it actually more cost-effective over the table’s lifetime.

Choose wisely, maintain properly, and your table will reward you with decades of consistent, professional-quality play.

Great cloth makes a good table play great. Poor cloth makes a great table play poorly.

Looking to upgrade your entire setup? Browse our complete selection of ball sets, cue sticks, and table accessories to match your premium cloth.