The Only Pool Cloth Buyer's Guide You’ll Need

Buying a pool tablecloth seems simple until you start looking at the options. With so many materials, styles, and colors available, the choice becomes harder than you'd expect.

This guide breaks down everything you need to consider: how the cloth feels during play, what materials work best underneath, which colors suit your space, and how much care different cloths need. We'll help you find the perfect match for your playing style and needs.

How to Buy a Pool Cloth in 3 Steps

Realistically speaking, there's no one pool cloth that we'll point at and determine that it's the best for everyone. Accordingly, the next best thing is listing and explaining the parameters to look for so you can get the pool tablecloth that works best for you.

1. How Does the Cloth Feel?

Pool tablecloth makes a huge difference in how the balls roll and how the game feels overall. When you play pool, the cloth under the balls creates friction that affects their speed and motion. That's why picking the right cloth really matters.

Pool table felt comes in two main types: English and American. Each type gives players a different experience, and you'll want to choose based on how you plan to use your pool table.

The best pool table felt contains a mix of wool (or worsted wool) and nylon, with a Teflon coating on top. This combination makes the cloth last longer and helps the balls roll smoothly.

When you're shopping, look for clothes that weigh at least 22 ounces per yard. Lighter cloth might feel nice at first, but it won't hold up as well over time.

English Cloth

English cloth feels fuzzy when you touch it, almost like velvet. The fibers in the cloth point in one direction, which makes English tables play a bit slower, especially when the cloth is new.

Many people who buy a new pool table with English cloth notice this at first. But after some regular playing, the cloth wears down slightly, and the game speeds up.

Two main companies make standard English cloth: Hainsworth and Strachan. These companies stand out due to their tighter weaves and premium materials. They offer basic colors like green, blue, red, and burgundy. 

If you want more color options, you might want to look at Seybert's Premium Collection.

American Cloth

American cloth feels smoother and has no fuzzy texture. You can actually see the pattern of the weave if you look closely.

This smooth surface lets the balls roll faster, making it best for speed-oriented games. Most professional tournaments use American cloth because it provides consistent speed across the whole table.

Many companies make American-style cloth since this type of table is popular worldwide. Simonis stands out as the top choice for tournament tables, and brands like Syebert's Billiards often use their cloth.

The cloth you pick will change how your pool table plays for years. Take time to feel different samples if you can.

A cloth that's too slow might frustrate you, while one that's too fast might make precise shots harder. The right choice depends on your playing style and what feels most natural to you.

Related: 10 Best Pool Cues Brands: Highest Review 2025

2. How Does It Look?

Picking your pool tablecloth color involves more than finding a shade you like. The color affects both how your table looks and how comfortable you feel while playing.

Traditional Colors 

Green has been the standard pool tablecloth color for generations and for good reason. Green cloth creates a neutral background that makes it easy to see the cue ball and other balls clearly.

It also reduces eye strain during long games. Blue offers similar benefits and has become more popular in recent years.

Matching Your Space

Your pool table takes up significant space in your room, so its color should match your decor. Modern cloth makers like Strachan offer a huge range of colors beyond just green and blue.

You can find everything from deep burgundy to soft gray, letting you match your table to your room's style.

Note: The color of your cloth doesn't affect how the table plays. Higher quality cloth, like worsted wool blends, will perform the same no matter what color you choose. This means you can focus on style without worrying about compromising gameplay.

Making Colors Work for You

When choosing a color, consider:

• Your room's lighting

• Your wall colors

• The wood finish of your table

• How often you'll use the table

Dark rooms might benefit from lighter cloth colors, while bright rooms can handle deeper shades. The size of your pool table also matters. Darker colors can make a large table feel smaller, while lighter colors can make a small table appear bigger.

Related: How Much Space Do You Need for a Pool Table?

3. Check Maintenance Requirements

Different pool tablecloths come with different maintenance needs. If you play casually at home, you'll want easy-care cloth that don't demand much attention.

Some only need basic brushing and occasional cleaning. More specialized competition cloths might need strict temperature control, specific cleaning products, and regular professional maintenance.

Ask these questions before buying:

• How often will you need to brush the cloth?

• Does it need special cleaning products?

• How sensitive is it to temperature changes?

• Will you need professional help with maintenance?

Some manufacturers make cloth with special coatings that resist stains and make cleaning easier. These options cost more upfront but save time and effort in the long run.

If you want a low-maintenance table, look for cloth marketed as "easy care" or "home use." These cloths might not match professional standards, but they'll give you good games without demanding constant attention.

Related: Pool Cue Restoration Tips: A Step-by-Step Guide

Prioritize Slate Over Other Materials

A pool table needs more than good cloth to play well. The material under that cloth plays a huge role in how your table performs, and slate stands out as the clear winner.

What Is Slate?

Slate is a type of rock made from volcanic ash and clay that turned into stone over time. Most pool table manufacturers use slate in sections: either one big piece or split into three or four parts.

Three-piece slate works best because it makes the table easier to move and has fewer gaps between sections.

Slate Thickness

The thickness of your slate matters. Tournament-grade tables certified by the Billiard Congress of America must use a one-inch thick slate.

Some pool table makers say they use one-inch slate but actually use slightly thinner pieces at ⅞ of an inch. Make sure to ask about the exact thickness when you shop.

Common Alternatives to Slate

Many cheaper tables skip slate and use other materials instead. You might see options like:

• MDF

• Plywood

• Slatron

• Permaslate

Pool table makers use these materials to cut costs, but they can create some issues. These materials can bend over time, making the playing surface uneven. They react more to temperature and humidity changes, which causes the balls to roll in unpredictable ways.

Why Slate Makes a Difference

The price difference between slate and other materials might seem significant. But if you care about playing pool, slate proves its worth every time you play. It stays flat, holds up against time and weather, and gives you the reliable surface you need for accurate shots.

A table built with slate will maintain its perfect level surface for years. You can put the best billiard cloth and solid wood frame on a table, but without slate underneath, you won't get the quality of play you want.

Get Premium Pool Supplies

Ready to upgrade your pool tablecloth? At Seybert's, we stock the best cloth options from trusted brands like Simonis, Predator, and our own Premium Collection.

Our team knows pool inside and out, and we're here to help you choose. Visit Seybert's today and give your table the quality it deserves.