How to Get Simonis 860 Tournament Blue Right: A Checklist from Someone Who’s Wasted $890 on Mistakes

Who This Checklist Is For

If you order Simonis cloth for resale, install it on client tables, or manage inventory for a billiard shop, this is for you. I’ve been handling Simonis orders since 2017, and in that time I’ve personally made over a dozen mistakes that collectively cost about $3,200 in wasted materials, redo labor, and angry customer calls.

Here are the 5 steps I now use to avoid every one of those errors. Follow them, and you’ll save money, time, and your reputation.

Step 1: Confirm the Correct Product Code – Not Just the Name

Simonis cloth comes in several variants: 860 Tournament Blue, 760 cloth, and others like 860HR, 860S, etc. The color “Tournament Blue” is a specific Pantone shade (roughly Pantone 286 C, but don’t quote me on that – I’m not a color specialist).

My first big mistake: In September 2020, I ordered 5 pieces of “860 Tournament Blue” for a commercial client. I typed the product name from memory, didn’t check the SKU. What arrived was 860HR – a high-resistance variant with a slightly different texture. I didn’t notice until install day. The client felt the difference immediately (note to self: always open and inspect upon receipt). $890 wasted, plus a 1-week delay.

Checklist item: Match both the product name and the Simonis part number (e.g., 860-25 for a 25-yard roll of 860 Tournament Blue). Keep a current Simonis catalog or PDF on your phone.

Beware of Similar Names

Simonis 760 cloth is a thinner, less expensive option often used for home tables. 860 is tournament-grade. If a customer asks for “Simonis cloth” but doesn’t specify a model, confirm which one. I once quoted 860, delivered 760, and the installer refused to install it. That was a $450 mistake (including expedited shipping for the correct order).

Step 2: Verify Inventory Before Promising a Date

Nothing erodes trust like promising a 3-day delivery and then realizing you’re out of stock. I learned this in 2018 when I quoted a rush order for a tournament venue, only to find our warehouse had only 10 yards of 860 Tournament Blue when we needed 22. We had to buy from a distributor at a premium – margin gone, credibility damaged.

Most Simonis distributors maintain real-time inventory on their portals. I now check every product code, width, and color before I generate a quote. (Surprise, surprise – the extra 5 minutes saves me hours of panic later.)

Step 3: Measure the Table – Twice, With the Right Tape

This sounds obvious, but I’ve personally trimmed cloth to a table that was 3/8 inch narrower than my measurement because I used a worn-out tape measure. The result: a gap along one rail. We had to reorder a full piece, adding $300 to the job.

How I do it now: Use a metal tape measure, not a fabric one. Measure the playing surface length and width, then add 6 inches per side for stretch and stapling. For a standard 8-foot table, that’s roughly 44” × 88” playing surface, so you need at least 50” × 94” of cloth. Simonis 860 rolls are 56” wide, which works for most tables. But always confirm.

a common pitfall: installing cloth on a table with beveled slate edges. The cloth must wrap around the bevel, which requires extra material. I once ordered exactly to the playing surface dimensions and had to stretch the last corner – it looked terrible. That error cost me a re-staple session and a client who complained “the cloth isn’t flat.”

Step 4: Install with Proper Tension – Not “Good Enough”

Simonis 860 Tournament Blue needs consistent tension across the table to perform at tournament level. I used to think “tight enough that it doesn’t wrinkle” was fine. Then I saw a pro installer pull a 150 lb tension on his stapler – and the ball rolled like glass.

My own disaster: In early 2021, I installed a piece of 760 cloth with too little tension. After a week of play, it sagged. The client demanded a replacement – $200 material, $150 labor, plus the embarrassment of explaining to the owner that “I should have stapled tighter.”

Checklist item: Use a pneumatic stapler with a consistent setting. Start by pulling the cloth taut at the center of one rail (two staples), then move to the opposite rail, then sides. Each pull should be firm but not distort the weave. For 860 cloth, you can pull a bit more – it’s designed for it.

Don’t Forget the Bed Cloth Direction

Simonis cloth has a nap direction – the fibers lean one way. If you join two pieces (e.g., for a 9-foot table), the nap must run the same direction. I learned this the hard way when my first 9-foot installation had a line where the two pieces met – you could see a slight color difference in the reflection. The client said it looked “amateur.” It was. I had to rip it out and redo it.

Step 5: Finish with Proper Cleaning and Maintenance

Once the cloth is installed, the first impression is everything. I recommend using Simonis X1 Cleaner to remove any surface dust or fingerprints before the customer sees it. I used to think “just brush it” was enough, but X1 removes residue that makes the cloth look dull. (Note to self: always include X1 in the final kit for the client – it reinforces the professional image.)

A client once told me: “This table looks better than any we’ve received from other installers.” That was after I used X1 and a new bristle brush. The $15 bottle earned me a repeat customer.

Common Mistakes (and How I Prevent Them)

• Wrong shade of blue. Simonis Tournament Blue is distinct from their “Royal Blue” or “Sapphire.” Check the color chip, not the monitor. I’ve caught two mismatches by comparing to a physical Simonis color card before cutting.
• Skipping the seam check. For oversized tables, the seam must be centered and perfectly aligned. A 1 mm offset will cause a visible line after a month of play.
• Using old staples. Reusing staples from a previous job can bend and damage the cloth. Always use fresh, sharp staples designed for billiard table installation.
• Not testing cleaner compatibility. Some generic cleaners can discolor Simonis cloth. I always use X1 – Simonis guarantees it for their fabrics.

Bottom Line

The quality of the cloth and installation directly reflects on your business. A well-installed Tournament Blue 860 set conveys professionalism; a sagging, poorly cleaned one screams “budget job.” My $890 mistake taught me to never skip the steps above. Follow this checklist, and you’ll save money, build trust, and get referrals.

Prices as of March 2025: 860 Tournament Blue 56” roll ~$200–$250 per 10-yard roll (verify with your distributor). X1 Cleaner ~$15 per bottle.