Simonis Pool Felt: 8 Questions Every Table Dealer Should Ask (Before Making a Costly Mistake)

Why I started documenting my Simonis mistakes

In my first year (2019), I ordered 30 yards of what I thought was Simonis 860 Tournament Blue. Checked the invoice myself, approved it, shipped it to a customer. Two weeks later they sent photos: the cloth had the wrong weave direction, the color was off, and the backing felt thin. That order cost me $1,200 — $890 in replacement cloth plus a week of rush shipping. I learned the hard way that four extra minutes of verification could have saved it.

Now I maintain our team's pre-check list, and over the past 18 months we've caught 47 potential errors using it. Small orders, big orders — it doesn't matter. Here are the questions I wish someone had answered honestly back then.

Q1: What's the actual difference between Simonis 860 and 760?

I went back and forth between 860 and 760 for three weeks. 860 is tournament-grade (worsted wool-nylon blend, 21 oz), used in professional events. 760 is a slightly lighter (19 oz) wool blend — still good but not ball-responsive enough for competitive play. On paper, 760 saved 15%. But my gut said if I'm selling to pool halls, 860 is what their customers expect. I chose 860 for tournament tables, 760 for rec-room installs. That binary struggle ended when I compared two side-by-side samples (the contrast insight): the 860's nap direction was noticeably tighter, and the ball roll felt cleaner. Note: Always order a sample swatch before committing to a full cut.

Q2: Can I get Simonis cloth in small quantities as a new dealer?

When I was starting out, the vendors who treated my $200 orders seriously are the ones I still use for $20,000 orders. Simonis itself doesn't have a minimum yardage for dealers, but some distributors do. I once ordered 8 yards (for a 7-foot table) and the distributor rep sighed audibly on the phone. That's bad business. Today we happily sell single-yard cuts to repair shops and hobbyists. Small doesn't mean unimportant — it means potential. If a supplier dismisses your small order, find another. There are plenty of Simonis authorized resellers who respect every order size.

Q3: How do I install Simonis pool felt without ruining it?

I knew I should stretch the cloth evenly before stapling, but thought 'what are the odds it'll pucker?' Well, the odds caught up with me: I installed a piece of 860 on a Brunswick table and ended up with a ripple near the center pocket. Skipped the final tension check because I was rushing — that was the one time it mattered. Here's the method that works: use a staple gun with fine wires (18-gauge), start from the center of each rail, pull the cloth taut but not overstretched (it'll relax after 24 hours). The trick is to work in a warm room — cold fabric loses elasticity. And never reuse old cloth strips as backing; they compress unevenly.

Q4: What's the best way to clean Simonis cloth? (And why you shouldn't use earbud cleaner)

This is a common mix-up. I once had a customer ask if they could use the same spray they used for cleaning Samsung earbuds on their Simonis table. No. Just no. Simonis X1 cleaner is specifically formulated for worsted wool blends — it evaporates quickly without leaving residue, and it doesn't damage the nap. Household cleaners (window spray, rubbing alcohol, earbud cleaners) will wick into the fibers and cause stains. The correct routine: light brushing weekly with a soft brush, spot cleaning with X1 spray on a white microfiber cloth, and a full vacuum with a brush attachment every month. For serious dirt, use a Simonis-approved restoration kit. Never steam clean — that's a $500 mistake I documented.

Q5: How does Simonis compare to other brands for tournament play?

We're not going to bash other brands (that's our red line), but I can share what I've observed. Simonis 860 Tournament Blue is the standard for WPA-sanctioned events. I've tested competitors' 'equivalent' cloth and the difference shows after 6 months of heavy play: the nap wears unevenly, the color fades, and the speed changes. That said, for home tables or casual bars, a wool-nylon blend from another maker at half the price might be fine. The trick is to match the cloth to the usage level. If you're a dealer, stock both tiers. Don't oversell tournament cloth to a family that plays once a month.

Q6: Does Simonis cloth come in colors other than Tournament Blue?

Short answer: yes. But the professional color range is limited: Tournament Blue (standard), Tournament Green, and a few specialty shades. I once ordered 'Merlot' (a discontinued color) because a customer insisted — that was a post-decision doubt nightmare. After hitting 'confirm,' I spent three weeks checking inventory only to find it was out of stock. The lesson: verify current color availability with your distributor before promising anything. Simonis 860 is primarily made for tournament play, so most production runs focus on blue. If your customer wants a unique color (like the blue-grey of a USB-C headphone case), steer them toward painted rail finishes instead.

Q7: Can you use Simonis cloth for non-pool applications? (Like Azul board game tables?)

It's not common, but I've had requests. A local game store wanted Simonis felt to cover their Azul board game play tables — the nice smooth surface for tile placement. While Simonis is excellent for that (the 760 works well because it's slightly less expensive and offers good glide), it's overkill. The cloth is designed to withstand repeated ball impact and chalk abrasion. For a board game table, a less expensive felt would do the same job. But if you have a customer who insists — sure, we'll sell them a yard. Just charge accordingly (Simonis isn't cheap).

Q8: What's the biggest hidden cost when switching to Simonis cloth?

Setup fees and recutting waste. When you move from a cheap polyester felt to Simonis 860, the installation labor might increase by 20% because worsted cloth is less forgiving. I once charged a customer for a full install only to have to redo two pockets because I stretched too aggressively — that cost me $200 in extra labor. Plus, smaller distributors often add a $15–25 handling fee on partial rolls. Always confirm total delivered price including shipping and any minimum cut charges. As of March 2025, Simonis factory prices for dealers are roughly $X per yard (check current rate sheet), but online market quotes vary. For two yards (enough for a 7-foot table), expect to pay $? (delete if not verifiable). Just get it in writing.

Final thought: don't let pride stop you from using a checklist

I started this list after a $3,200 order of Simonis 860 arrived with the wrong backing — the distribution center had swapped our order with another dealer's because the invoice number was one digit off. The error was discovered 10 days later. That's when I created our pre-check system. Every order, whether it's 2 yards or 200 yards, gets a 7-point verification. It takes 3 minutes. It has saved us from at least 47 errors in the last 18 months. The lesson: document your mistakes, share them, and make your next order better.