When you step up to a table, the surface beneath the balls has more influence than most players realize. The cloth (often called “felt”) doesn’t just cover the slate—it dictates speed, spin, consistency, and even strategy. A player who understands cloth types and conditions has a serious edge over someone who just blames a “fast” or “slow” table.

Worsted vs. Napped Cloth

Worsted Cloth (Tournament Blue / Simonis style)

• Feel: Smooth, fast, no nap.
• Performance: Balls travel farther with less effort. Spin holds longer; cue-ball reactions stay crisp.
• Usage: Standard for pro tournaments and high-end rooms.
• Pros: Extremely consistent, durable, less prone to tracks/burn.
• Cons: Mistakes are magnified—overhit and it sails.

Napped Cloth (Traditional Green)

• Feel: Brushed surface with directional fibers (like velvet).
• Performance: Slower; spin burns off quicker; balls “dig in.”
• Usage: Common on bar boxes/pub tables.
• Pros: More forgiving on touch shots; beginner-friendly.
• Cons: Grooves develop quickly; wears faster; consistency drops.

How Cloth Condition Changes Play

• Brand-new cloth: Lightning quick. More slide before friction; spin carries farther.
• Broken-in cloth: Slightly slower but predictable—many prefer this sweet spot.
• Worn cloth: Bald patches and grooves; slight wobbles; draw/follow need more effort.
• Dirty cloth: Chalk/grime cause random skids, “kicks,” and lost position.

Two tables with the same brand can play very differently depending on age, maintenance and environment.

Speed and the Player’s Adjustment

• On fast cloth: Shorter, softer strokes; minimize cue-ball travel; be cautious with draw—it’ll come back more.
• On slow cloth: Hit firmer; commit to spin; expect shorter travel and plan extra power in routes.
• Testing tip: Before a set, hit stop, follow and draw the full length once or twice—instant read on the day’s speed.

Other Factors Affecting Cloth Speed

• Ball condition: Clean/polished runs faster; chalk-caked slows a lot.
• Humidity: Moist air softens fibers → slower table (basements feel heavier than climate-controlled rooms).
• Lighting heat: Old hot fixtures can dry cloth and speed it up; LEDs avoid this.

Maintenance Tips

• Brushing/Vacuuming: Light one-direction brushing or soft-hose vacuum keeps fibers aligned and dust-free.
• Covering: Use a table cover to block dust, sunlight and spills.
• Humidity control: Keep the room around 40–50% for consistency.
• Ball cleaning: Clean balls regularly to prevent chalk grinding into cloth.

Choosing the Right Cloth