When I first started sourcing pool table felt for our shop back in 2019, I made the classic mistake: I chased the lowest price. I figured felt is felt—just a piece of wool woven together, right? Wrong. That first $180 roll of generic cloth cost me $720 in re-dos, customer complaints, and lost referrals. Three years and eight supplier swaps later, I now maintain our team's pre-purchase checklist. This isn't theory—it's what I learned by losing roughly $4,500 chasing bargains.
This checklist is for billiard table manufacturers, dealers, and repair services who buy cloth in volume. If you're evaluating pool table felt simonis vs. cheaper alternatives, or deciding between Simonis 860 Tournament Blue and 760, these steps will help you avoid the traps I fell into. (And yes, I'll include the cleaning side—because simonis x1 pool table cleaner turned out to be the secret to making good cloth last twice as long.)
Step 1: Know Your Specs—Don't Assume All Felt Is Equal
The first mistake I made was ordering based on weight alone. I saw "21 oz." and thought that meant quality. It doesn't. The weave density, thread composition, and finishing treatment matter more. Simonis 860 is tournament-grade—70/30 wool-nylon blend with a specific nap direction. 760 is a slightly lighter version for home use. I once ordered 850 (thinking it was close enough) and ended up with cloth that frayed after three months.
Here's the checklist item: Confirm the exact product code with your supplier before ordering. For Simonis, that means verifying "860" or "760" on the label—not just the brand name. I also recommend requesting a sample swatch (which, honestly, isn't always available from distributors—but Simonis dealers usually provide them). If you're buying for a tournament client, stick with 860 Tournament Blue. For a home table, 760 is fine, but the cost difference is only about $25–40 per roll (prices as of early 2025; verify current rates). That small premium for 860 often prevents future complaints about ball roll speed—especially when customers compare notes on forums.
Step 2: Verify the Supplier—Authenticity Is a Real Problem
In 2021, I ordered what I thought was Simonis 860 from an online wholesaler at 30% below the standard price. It came in a box that looked similar, but the cloth had a rough texture and the color was slightly off. (Surprise, surprise—it was counterfeit.) I didn't catch it until after installation. The customer noticed within a week: the balls didn't roll straight, and the chalk marks wouldn't come off. That mistake cost me $890 in replacement cloth plus a new installation fee—and the customer never came back.
Always verify the distributor is an authorized Simonis dealer. Simonis has a list on their official site (simonis.com). I now call the distributor and ask for their reseller ID before placing any order. Additionally, check the packaging: genuine Simonis cloth comes in sealed polybags with a holographic sticker and a serial number. I've seen counterfeiters copy the logo but rarely the sticker. If the price sounds too good (more than 20% below the typical market price), it likely is.
One more thing about billiards vs pool table terminology: some suppliers try to confuse you with language—saying "billiard cloth" when they mean a heavier weave for carom tables. For pool tables (8ft, 9ft), you want the standard Simonis 860 or 760. If you're unsure, just ask: "Is this Simonis 860 designed for pool tables?" If they hesitate, walk away.
Step 3: Calculate Total Cost—Not Just the Roll Price
I used to think the cheapest cloth was the most economical. Then I added up the hidden costs:
- Installation time: Cheap cloth often has stretch inconsistencies. On my first counterfeited batch, installation took 2x longer because I had to re-stretch three times. That extra labor ate $150.
- Cleaning products: Lower-quality cloth absorbs chalk and stains faster, requiring more frequent replacement. With genuine Simonis 860, using simonis x1 pool table cleaner once a month keeps the cloth playable for 5-7 years. With the cheap stuff, I was replacing every 2 years.
- Customer satisfaction: Each complaint forces me to send my technician for adjustments or replacements. One redo lowers my profit margin by 40% on that job.
From experience, the true cost of a cheap roll (say $180) ends up around $540 when you factor in installation, rework, and lost repeat business. Genuine Simonis 860 at $360 nets out lower. I'd argue that paying for quality is actually the cheaper choice in the long run—even though it feels counterintuitive.
Step 4: Inspect Before Installation—Catch Flaws Early
This is the step I missed three times. After unwrapping the cloth (but before cutting), check for:
- Nap direction: Run your hand across the cloth—it should feel smooth one way, rough the other. Simonis 860 has a defined nap. If the nap is inconsistent or missing, it's either counterfeit or a manufacturing defect.
- Edge weaves: Look at the cut edges. Loose threads indicate poor finishing. I once cut a full-length strip before noticing the edge was unravelling—$220 of cloth went to scrap.
- Color consistency: Hold the cloth under natural light. Simonis Tournament Blue is deep and uniform. Variations suggest dye problems.
While inspecting, don't wear headphones—you'll miss the subtle sound of the cloth when you brush it. A good fabric makes a soft, even swish. A bad one sounds scratchy or has dead spots.
Also, consider the customer's leg press foot placement analogy: just like uneven foot placement on a leg press machine will throw off your workout, an uneven cloth tension (from using low-quality felt) will throw off a player's game. The cloth must have uniform tension across the entire slate. By checking the quality before installation, you prevent those uneven spots.
Common Mistakes & Final Tips
I've seen others—and made myself—the following errors. Skip them:
- Buying a 3-piece set without verifying the rail cloth. Simonis 860 is usually sold as cloth for the playing surface, but you also need rail cloth (different spec). Some suppliers try to sell you a combined kit with generic rail cloth. I had to replace rail cloth twice on one table because it didn't match the play surface's speed.
- Forgetting to order cleaner with the cloth. A bottle of Simonis X1 added to the sale gives your customer the right maintenance from day one. It also protects your reputation when the cloth stays pristine longer.
- Assuming all wool-nylon blends are similar. The ratio matters. Simonis uses a precise 70/30 blend. I've tested competitor blends claiming the same—they stretched differently. Stick with known spec sheets.
In summary, the checklist:
- Confirm exact product code (860 or 760).
- Verify authorized dealer by calling Simonis or checking their website.
- Calculate total cost including installation, maintenance, and customer retention.
- Inspect cloth physically for nap, edges, and color before cutting.
- Include Simonis X1 cleaner in your offering.
I've caught 14 potential disasters using this cycle in the past 18 months. It's not flashy—just practical. If you follow these steps, you'll probably save yourself the pain of a $3,200 redo like the one I had in Q1 2024. Trust me, once you've lost that much, you learn to check everything twice.