I've been running a mid-size pool hall in the Midwest for about six years now. I've ordered enough Simonis cloth to cover a small aircraft carrier. You'd think I'd have it down to a science. You'd be wrong.
My first order was a disaster. Second one? Better, but still cost me a weekend of rework. Third one, I thought I was a genius. The installer called me at 7 PM on a Friday. The blue didn't match. I'd ordered 760, not 860. The Tournament Blue I was looking for? Totally different shade. That fiasco cost about $900 in restocking fees and lost revenue over a long weekend.
So yeah. I'm a pitfall documenter now. Here's the 5-step checklist I use before clicking 'buy'. It's saved me thousands.
Who This Checklist Is For
This is for anyone who owns, manages, or does the purchasing for a commercial pool hall. Specifically, the person who has bought Simonis before, maybe got it right, but knows there are landmines. The person who doesn't want to explain to their boss why the new cloth looks like a faded denim jacket.
The 5-Step Simonis Ordering Checklist
Step 1: Confirm Your Table Make and Model (It’s Not Obvious)
You probably think you know what table you have. Is it a Brunswick Gold Crown? A Diamond? A Valley? Good start. But the exact model matters. A slate from a 1990s Gold Crown IV has different dimensions than a 1970s Gold Crown I. Simonis cuts are sold in specific sizes. Get this wrong, and you're ordering a custom piece at 2x the price.
Check: Look for a manufacturer's plate, usually under the rail or on the frame. Take a picture on your phone. If it's an older table, Google the model number. Don't guess. I guessed once. Ended up with a piece that was 2 inches too short on the length. The table had a unique 'toy' size for a bar league. Not standard.
Step 2: Distinguish 860 vs. 760 vs. Other Grades
This is where I choked. Simonis 860 is the industry standard for tournaments. It's a worsted cloth, the 'Tournament Blue' everyone talks about is 860. Simonis 760 is a different beast—it's a slower cloth, often used for bar tables or leagues where you want more control. They both come in 'Tournament Blue', but the color saturation is subtly different. The 760 is a touch more 'greenish-blue' under fluorescent lights.
Check: Look at the product code on the box. It will say '860' or '760' clearly. Don't rely on the color name alone. A vendor I once used had a bad batch of 760 labeled as 'Tournament Blue' but it was a different dye lot. The blue was off. With 860, you're getting the exact Pantone-matched shade used in pro events. Seriously, the difference is noticeable after a few weeks of play. The 860 stays true, the 760 can fade slightly. A league player called it out on a Thursday night. Couldn't argue.
Step 3: Verify the Cut Dimensions Against Your Rails
Simonis cloth is sold in 'cuts' that are pre-measured for specific tables. But here's the thing: 'Bar size' and 'Tournament size' are general categories. A '7-foot' cut might be for a Valley bar box, but not for a Diamond 7-foot. The rail pockets are different shapes, affecting the cloth's drape.
Check: Measure the rail length and width at the widest point, not just the playing surface. A standard 9-foot table needs a cut that's about 108 inches x 63 inches. But a 9-foot table with oversized rails might need 110 inches. Measure twice. I ordered a '9-foot' cut for a table that was actually a '9-foot with extended apron'. The cloth didn't reach the edge. We had to use a patch. Don't be that guy.
Step 4: Check the Batch Number for Color Consistency
This is the pro tip no one tells you. Simonis rolls come from dye lots. If you're buying multiple rolls for multiple tables (or even one big table that needs two pieces), make sure the batch numbers match. If they don't, you'll have a visible seam line where the colors don't perfectly blend. Under daylight, it's a ghost line. Under a bright halogen light, it's a distracting shadow.
Check: The batch number is usually printed on the end of the roll or on the inner tube. Match them. If the vendor sends you two rolls from different lots, don't accept it. Insist on the same batch. I learned this after ordering 4 rolls for a 8-table layout. The head tables had a noticeable difference. A serious tournament player pointed it out. Couldn't deny it. Redid two tables on my dime.
Step 5: Understand the Maintenance Commitment (X1 Cleaner)
You bought the good cloth. Now you have to maintain it. Simonis 860 needs regular brushing and vacuuming. It's a worsted cloth, meaning it has a nap. Brushing in the correct direction (usually from the head string to the foot string) is crucial. Ignore this, and it gets matted down, losing speed.
Check: Simonis specifically recommends their X1 cleaner for spot cleaning. It's a water-based cleaner that doesn't leave residue. Using generic table cleaner can soften the wool. I had a night manager use a spray-on cleaner from the hardware store. It left a sticky residue that attracted chalk dust. The cloth looked dirty within a week. A replacement of that one table cost $350. Don't cheap out on the cleaner. Seriously, the X1 is like $20 a bottle. A few spills, a few dabs with a damp cloth. It's no-brainer maintenance.
Common Mistakes I Still See (From Experience)
- Assuming 'Tournament Blue' is universal. It's not. It's a Simonis trademark color. Other brands have their own 'Tournament Blue'. Make sure the box says Simonis.
- Ordering on a Friday afternoon. Something gets messed up, you can't fix it until Monday. The table will be sitting half-stripped all weekend. I've done it. Not again.
- Not checking the tension. Cloth that's too loose will wrinkle. Too tight and you risk tearing the pocket facings. The installer should have a tension gauge. If they don't, find a new installer.
Bottom line: Simonis cloth is a game-changer for your pool hall. It's the industry standard for a reason. But it's also an investment. This 12-point checklist (well, the core 5 I listed) I created after my third mistake has saved me an estimated $8,000 in potential rework over the past 18 months. That's real money. And it's way cheaper than the alternative—a disappointed customer who knows their cloth doesn't match the pro tables.
Trust me on this one. Check the batch numbers, measure the rails, and buy the X1. You'll thank yourself later.