Billiards cloth, also known as Felt has a lot to do with determining the speed of your table.

Billiards Cloth Found HERE.

Most players like fast cloth on their pool table.

Would you rather have fast cloth or slow cloth?

I will pick the fast cloth every time. It's easier to slow the ball down with a soft touch with your stroke that to have to power the ball around the table on slow cloth.

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Billiards Cloth can be found on line.

My favorite cloth would have to be Simonis 860. Champion also makes some quality cloth. The simonis is fast rolling and the cue ball takes some nice English on Simonis.

The cloth itself is not usually the most expensive part of covering your table. The labor us usually most of the cost.

The big 9 foot tables with 3 piece slate take some effort to cover. This is a timely process and if you don't know hat you are doing and you want your table to play good, I would recommend getting a professional to cover it.

Bar tables are easier because the slate is one piece and you do not need to worry about the joints being smooth and level. Either table should be covered by someone who knows what they are doing.

Once your table is covered with nice new felt, it is important to keep it clean and free of foreign particles such as dirt and rocks. A good table cover is recommended when the pool table is not in use.

You will have several hundred dollars invested in the new cloth. Beware of rookies shooting pool and digging the tip of a cue into the cloth. A torn cloth sucks especially when the felt is new.

How to Clean and Care for Billiards Cloth

New billiards cloth plays great. Keeping it that way takes a few minutes now and then. Here is what I do.

Brush the table often. Use a soft table brush and brush in straight lines from the head of the table to the foot. Do not scrub in circles. Circles can rub the dirt and chalk into the cloth.

Some people use a small vacuum with a soft brush on it. If you do, keep it on low so you do not stretch the cloth.

Keep food and drinks off the rails. One spilled drink can stain the cloth for good.

Put a cover on the table when you are not playing. A cover keeps dust, pet hair and sunlight off the cloth.

Watch out for jump shots and masse shots by new players. A cue tip can rip the cloth fast. Tears like that are hard to fix.

Billiards Cloth Colors and Types

Billiards cloth comes in two main types. One is a worsted wool cloth. It is smooth and fast. This is what most good tables and pool rooms use. My Simonis 860 is this kind.

The other type is a woolen cloth, or felt. It is thicker and a bit fuzzy. It plays slower and pills over time. It costs less, so you see it on a lot of home tables.

Cloth comes in lots of colors. Green and blue are the most common. Many players like blue because it is easy on the eyes. You can also find red, black, tan and many more. Pick a color you like, but keep in mind that very dark or very bright cloth can make it a bit harder to see the balls.

Remember to match your chalk to your cloth if you can. Blue chalk on blue cloth hides the marks.

Billiards Cloth Replacement: When Is It Time?

How do you know when it is time for new cloth? Here are signs to look for.

The balls roll slow, or they roll off line on a level table.

You can see bald spots, thin spots or lines where the balls run the most, like the spot where you break.

There are rips, burns or stains.

The cloth is loose and has wrinkles or bumps.

If you see these, think about new billiards cloth. As I said above, have someone who knows what they are doing put it on. A good install with the cloth pulled tight makes the table play true.

Billiards cloth FAQ

What is the difference between billiards cloth and felt?

People use the words for the same thing. Many players say felt for the thick, slower woolen cloth and cloth for the smooth, fast worsted kind.

How often should billiards cloth be replaced?

It depends on how much the table is used. Replace it when it gets thin, bald, torn or starts to play slow and off line.

What color billiards cloth is best?

Green and blue are the most common. Pick a color that is easy for you to see the balls on.

Can I clean billiards cloth with water?

Brush it first. For a small spill, blot it with a damp cloth. Do not soak the cloth or scrub it hard.

Fast cloth rewards good speed control. If you want to learn how to plan your pattern and move the cue ball where you want it, check out my book, 8 Ball Winning Strategies.

Check Out My Book, 8 Ball Winning Strategies, with the Link Below.

Check Out My Book, 8 Ball Winning Strategies, Here.

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