There is no single 'best Simonis cloth.' I know that's not the answer people want when they type 'simonis pool cloth' into a search bar. But it's the honest one. I'm a quality and brand compliance manager for a billiard supply company. I review every roll before it goes to a dealer, an installer, or a homeowner—roughly 200 rolls a year. In Q1 2024, I rejected about 6% of first deliveries because of width variance or weave defects. So when I say 'it depends on your situation,' I'm speaking from the receiving dock, not from a marketing meeting.
When someone asks for 'pool table felt simonis,' they usually mean Simonis worsted cloth. It's not a loose fuzzy felt. It's a dense, tightly woven worsted cloth. That distinction matters later, because it changes how the cloth plays and how you clean it.
One caveat before we go further: my experience is based on dealer orders, repair shops, and home installs in the mid-to-upper table market. If you're building custom furniture or running a high-end showroom, your experience might differ. I'll call that out when it becomes relevant. I'll break this down into three situations: the home room, the dealer or repair shop, and the tournament room.
Why Your Search Terms Are Not As Random As They Look
I don't usually talk about search behavior. But I see order notes, and I know that 'simonis' often appears in the same purchasing session as 'olympic barbell' and 'ps5 earbuds.' That looks random. It isn't. A lot of people are outfitting one multi-use room: a pool table, a small gym corner, a gaming sofa, maybe a bar cart. That room plan changes which cloth I would recommend. If you came here because you're building a rec room, stay with me.
Three Scenarios I See on the Receiving Dock
I use a simple decision tree when someone asks me to choose a Simonis cloth. It's not about brand loyalty. It's about what will look right and play right after six months.
Scenario A: The Home Multifunction Room
If your table shares the room with a squat rack, a gaming corner, or a place where people eat and drink, you are in the dust-and-spill zone. Chalk dust, barbell chalk, drink condensation, and snack crumbs all end up on the cloth. For this situation, I install Simonis 860 Tournament Blue in most cases. The worsted weave is dense enough that it brushes clean without turning fuzzy. It also plays fast, which makes the table more enjoyable for people who aren't serious about the game.
I have mixed feelings about putting a pool table in a room with an olympic barbell. Part of me says it's a bad idea—weight plates and cloth don't mix. Another part knows that most homes don't have separate rooms for every hobby. If you do it, cover the table when it's not in use. And buy the cover before you buy the cloth. That's not an upsell; it's common sense.
If you're here because you searched for 'ps5 earbuds' and 'olympic barbell,' the table cloth might feel like a small detail. It isn't. A room with a barbell creates airborne dust. Dust settles in the cloth. A dense worsted cloth will usually handle that better than a loose fuzzy felt. Use Simonis X1 pool table cleaner, not a carpet spray. It's designed for worsted cloth, and it extends the time between replacements.
Scenario B: The Dealer or Repair Shop
If you're a dealer, a table repair service, or a billiard contractor, you're not picking cloth for yourself. You're giving the customer something you can stand behind. That changes everything. I've learned never to assume 'same specifications' means the same results across vendors. It doesn't.
In 2023, I switched our dealer spec sheets from vague terms like 'premium cloth' to exact Simonis product names and numbers. That small process change cut order errors by about a third. It also made it easier to reject bad batches: if it doesn't match the spec, it doesn't ship. Efficiency isn't glamorous, but it wins.
For a high-turnover bar table, I would lean Simonis 760. I'm not going to recite the full spec sheet from memory—check the current data sheet. What I can tell you from a quality standpoint is that 760 is the workhorse. It handles more abuse in commercial settings. For tournament nights, league tables, or any customer who expects a fast, consistent roll, stock Simonis 860 Tournament Blue. Tournament Blue is not a color fad. It's a consistent reference point that players recognize.
Scenario C: The Tournament Room or Serious Player
This is the closest thing to a universal answer in this article: use Simonis 860 Tournament Blue. I can't guarantee it will make anyone play better. But it reduces variable roll, and players trust it. That trust matters in a tournament room.
I'm not a table installer, so I can't speak to cushion rubber or leveling. What I can tell you from a quality perspective is that even the best cloth will play badly on a table that isn't level. If you're installing on a 9-foot table for league play, make sure the installer knows what they're doing. The cloth is only one part of the assembly.
What Is a Standard Pool Table Size?
Now let's address the question behind a lot of search traffic: 'what is a standard pool table size?' It's not a silly question, because 'standard' changes meaning depending on who you ask. According to the Billiard Congress of America, the typical playing surface dimensions are:
- 7-foot 'bar box' table: 39 x 78 inches
- 8-foot table: 44 x 88 inches
- 9-foot 'regulation' table: 50 x 100 inches
These are playing surface measurements, from cushion to cushion, not the outer frame. This is where I've seen real pain. I once approved a dealer order for a 'standard 8-foot' table. The installer heard 'standard 8-foot' too. We didn't realize until the cloth arrived that the table's playing surface was 45 x 90. That mistake cost time and money.
The most frustrating part of this job isn't the customer—it's the inconsistency in how manufacturers label tables. You'd think 'standard' would be standard. It isn't. If someone tells you they have an 8-foot table, ask for the playing surface dimensions in inches. If they don't know, that's a red flag.
How to Tell Which Scenario You're In
Not sure which scenario applies? Answer these questions:
- Who uses the table? If it's you and your friends, start with Scenario A. If it's paying customers, start with Scenario B. If it's league players, start with Scenario C.
- What else is in the room? An olympic barbell, a gaming setup, or a busy walkway changes the dust and traffic load. If the room is shared, cover the table.
- What size is the table? Measure between the cushions, not the rail or the outer frame. If you're ordering Simonis cloth, the cut is based on the playing surface.
- Who does the installation? A quality cloth on a poorly prepared table is a waste. If the installer doesn't ask about the Simonis cloth spec, find another installer.
One more thing: if someone tells you a cloth will 'last forever' or 'never need replacement,' that's a red flag. Per FTC advertising guidelines, claims need to be substantiated. 'Forever' is a hard claim to back up. In my experience, a well-maintained Simonis 860 Tournament Blue on a home table can last many years, but 'many years' is not 'forever.' Use the right cleaner, keep it covered, and replace it when it starts to look worn.