Every pool player knows the sound: that crisp click of perfection when the cue ball nails its target. It’s addictive. But what most people miss? The secret to that silky smooth moment isn’t just your aim; it’s the cloth under your cue.
Many players overlook the importance of the felt. They don’t realize that this specialized fabric directly controls the speed, accuracy, and overall feel of their pool table. It’s the difference between a game that feels sluggish and unpredictable, and one that feels smooth, fast, and fair.
This article is your ultimate guide to the world of pool table cloth. We’re going to break down the different types of felt, explain exactly how they affect your shots, and help you choose the perfect one for your home setup. Let’s get you playing on the best surface possible.
Table of Contents | Understanding Different Pool Table Felt Types and Their Impact on Gameplay
Without a doubt, it’s the felt. The cloth, technically called billiard cloth in the industry, is one of the most critical components influencing how the balls behave on a pool table. It affects everything from ball speed and roll to how much spin, or “English,” you can effectively apply to the cue ball. Other factors like slate flatness, cushion quality, and humidity also influence ball roll, but felt remains a major determinant.
Think of it like the tires on a race car. You can have the most powerful engine in the world, but without the right tires gripping the track, you’ll never perform at your best. Upgrading your felt is one of the most effective ways to dramatically enhance your gameplay experience. It can breathe new life into an older table and unlock the full potential of a new one.
When you start looking at felt options for pool, you’ll quickly notice two main categories: worsted and napped. At first glance, they just look like different fabrics, but the difference runs much deeper. It all comes down to the weaving process and the materials used, which create two completely distinct playing surfaces.
If you’ve ever watched a professional pool tournament, you’ve seen worsted felt in action. It’s often called “speed cloth,” and for good reason.
What It Is: Worsted felt is a tightly woven fabric made from long, combed wool fibres. This process removes short, fuzzy fibres, resulting in a smooth, flat surface that feels more like a fine suit than a fuzzy blanket. It has no nap or directional grain. Worsted cloths are generally durable and resist pilling.
Impact on Gameplay: The ultra-smooth surface creates very little friction. Balls roll farther, faster, and with exceptional consistency. It’s ideal for skilled players who rely on precise control over cue-ball spin and positioning.
Who It’s For: This is the cloth for serious players, aspiring professionals, and anyone who wants tournament-level performance from their home table.
This is the type of felt most people are familiar with from playing at a friend’s house or a local bar. It’s the traditional standard for recreational pool play.
What It Is: Napped felt is woven with shorter wool fibres that aren’t combed as thoroughly. After weaving, the cloth is sheared to create a noticeable fuzzy texture, or “nap.” If you run your hand over it, you can feel the direction of the fibres.
Impact on Gameplay: That fuzzy nap creates more friction, which slows the balls down and makes gameplay slightly more forgiving for beginners. However, it offers less precision for advanced shots involving spin, which is the controlled rotation of the cue ball that players use to curve its path, change angles after contact, or position it for the next shot.
Who It’s For: This felt is best for casual or recreational play. It’s more budget-friendly and durable under general use, making it an excellent choice for family game rooms or bar environments.
Choosing between worsted and napped felt isn’t just about feel; it directly influences how you play the game and the strategies you use.
The physics are simple: less friction equals a faster table (as with worsted cloth). More friction from the nap on woolen cloth equals a slower table. A faster surface demands more precise cue-ball control, as a small difference in force can send the ball much farther. But it also rewards that precision with accurate, predictable rolls.
While worsted cloth costs more upfront, it typically resists pilling and wear longer while maintaining consistent performance. Napped cloth can develop visible wear or “tracks” over time. For either type, regular maintenance, such as brushing to remove chalk dust (always in the same direction for napped cloth) and gentle vacuuming, helps extend the life of the felt.
The quality of your felt is crucial across all pool table sizes. Whether you’re playing on a cozy 7-foot bar table or a regulation 9-foot table, the cloth determines how the balls move. A high-quality felt ensures consistent physics and an enjoyable experience, regardless of table dimensions.
Your ideal felt comes down to three key factors:
Installing or replacing pool table felt (called “refelting”) requires precision to ensure a perfectly smooth, even surface. The cloth is stretched tightly over the slate bed and rails, then secured using either staples or contact adhesive, depending on the table design.
While skilled DIYers can refelt a table with the right tools and patience, most players prefer professional installation to guarantee proper tension, seam alignment, and consistent ball roll across the entire surface.
Choosing your pool table felt is about more than just picking a colour. It’s about matching the playing surface to your goals, your style, and your space. By understanding the core differences between fast, precise worsted cloth and traditional, forgiving napped felt, you’re no longer just buying a piece of fabric; you’re investing in the experience.
The right felt makes every shot more satisfying and every victory feel that much more earned.
Ready to transform your game? When you purchase our high-quality pool tables for sale, you can rest assured that we offer full-service support for all the products we sell. So whenever you need guidance with refelting services, you can just talk to our experts.
If you’ve been searching for the perfect “pool table near me,” visit one of our SML Entertainment showrooms to feel the difference for yourself!
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