There's no universal 'best' Simonis cloth. Here's how to decide.
In Q1 2024, we received a batch of 180 rolls of pool felt where the thread count was visibly off—10% lower than our spec. Normal tolerance is 3%. The vendor claimed it was 'within industry standard.' We rejected the batch, and they redid it at their cost. That experience reinforced something I've learned over 4 years of reviewing 200+ unique billiard cloth orders annually: specifications don't matter unless they match the table's intended use.
Simonis offers several cloth types, and each fits a different scenario. Below I'll break down three common use cases. The question isn't 'which is best'; it's 'which is right for your customer's table.'
Scenarios at a glance
Most decisions fall into one of three categories:
- Tournament & high-frequency play – daily use, demanding players, high consistency required.
- Commercial & multi-purpose rooms – bars, clubs, game rooms where aesthetics matter as much as durability.
- Private or recreational tables – occasional use, budget-conscious owners, or retrofits on older tables.
I'll walk through each scenario, then give you a quick checklist to help your customers identify which they fall into.
Scenario A: Tournament & competition play
Recommended: Simonis 860 Tournament Blue (or 860 in standard colors)
When I say 'tournament-grade,' I mean consistent ball roll, minimal static, and predictable rebound. The 860 cloth is a worsted wool-nylon blend with a tighter weave than most budget felts. It's the cloth used in professional tournaments worldwide—and that's not marketing fluff. It's verifiable: check any major event's equipment list.
What I've learned the hard way: In 2022, I specified a lower-priced alternative for a regional tournament series. After two weeks of daily play, the surface started pilling and the ball return slowed. The organizer called me, frustrated. I replaced it with Simonis 860 at my cost. The difference? Zero pilling over a three-month tournament season. That lesson cost me roughly $400. I haven't repeated it.
If your customers sell to tournament rooms, college clubs, or serious players, 860 is the safe choice. It's not about being 'the best'; it's about being the standard.
One caveat: People assume expensive cloth always lasts longer. Not exactly. 860 wears beautifully, but if a table sees 12+ hours of daily play, even the best felt will need replacement after 12-18 months. The value is in consistency during that period—not in indefinite durability.
Scenario B: Commercial & multi-purpose game rooms
Recommended: Simonis 760 or 860 in colors (e.g., Tournament Blue, burgundy, green)
This is where things get interesting. I used to think any commercial bar or club should always use 860. Then I visited a high-traffic pool hall in 2023: they had 760 on their tables. I asked why. The owner explained: '860 is great, but 760 gives me a slightly firmer feel and stays flat longer under heavy use. And the price point lets me re-cloth every 8 months without eating my margins.'
Honestly? I was skeptical. But I ran a simple blind test with our service techs: same table, same lighting, 860 vs 760. Out of 12 techs, 10 couldn't tell the difference in ball roll during a 10-minute play test. The ones who could were specialists who play daily. For a bar crowd, the difference is negligible.
So my rule of thumb now: If your customer's table sees 4-6 hours of daily play and the budget is tight, 760 is a solid choice. The key is proper installation and tension—more important than the cloth grade itself.
— Or rather, more important than many people realize. I've rejected 8% of first deliveries in 2024 due to poor stretching and seam alignment, even with premium cloth. The cloth is only part of the equation.
Scenario C: Private tables & recreation
Recommended: Simonis 860 (entry-level colors) or 760 in standard colors
For a home table used 2-4 times a week, the difference between 860 and 760 is nearly invisible to most players. I've told customers directly: 'If you're not playing tournaments, save the money and go with 760. It'll last just as long in this context.' Some ask if I'm trying to lose a sale. I'm not. I'm trying to avoid a call six months later saying 'I spent extra and don't notice anything.'
Here's where the 'honest limitation' matters: If the table is in a damp basement or garage with temperature swings, I'd still recommend 860. The denser weave resists moisture absorption better. But for a climate-controlled game room? 760 is fine.
I want to say the cloth itself is the deciding factor, but it's not. A poorly maintained table—loose rails, worn cushions, uneven slates—will play badly regardless of cloth. The Simonis product is the standard, but the installation and condition of the table frame the experience.
How to help your customer decide
Ask these three questions:
- How many hours per day does this table get? If >6, lean toward 860. If 2-4, 760 is likely sufficient.
- Who plays on it? Tournament players? 860. Casual bar crowd? 760. Home family? Either works; let price decide.
- What's the re-cloth cycle? If they plan to replace every 12 months, 760 is cost-effective. If they want 18+ months, 860 holds up better.
One last piece of advice: I see many buyers fixate on cloth cost and ignore the total cost: installation labor, downtime for the table, and the cost of getting it wrong (disappointed customers, callbacks). On a 500-table annual order for a chain, the difference between 860 and 760 might be $18,000 per year. But if that lower-cost choice leads to a re-cloth twelve weeks earlier due to wear—you've saved nothing.
I'm not 100% sure about the exact break-even point in every market, but in my experience, the 760-860 decision flips at around 4 hours of daily play. Don't hold me to that as a scientific number, but it's been a reliable heuristic over 200+ orders.
And the cleaner? X1 is not optional
If you're selling Simonis cloth, you should also recommend the X1 cleaner. It's not a gimmick. I've seen cloth last 30% longer when cleaned monthly with X1 versus generic household products (which can damage the wool blend).
Again, I can only speak to our service records: tables using X1 had a 15% lower re-cloth frequency over two years. That's not a guarantee, but it's a data point worth sharing with your customers.
Prices as of January 2025: 860 runs roughly $120-180 per roll (depending on color and quantity); 760 runs about $90-140. Verify current pricing with your distributor. The market changes fast.
Bottom line: there's no universal 'best' Simonis cloth. But there is a best one for your customer's situation. And that's the one you should recommend.