Championship vs. Simonis Cloth: Which Pool Table Felt Is Better?

When it comes time to re-cloth your table, you've got a choice. Championship or Simonis. Both are quality cloth. Both will last you years. But they're different in ways that matter.

I've installed hundreds of tables with both cloths. I've got customers who swear by one or the other. After 50 years of this, here's what you actually need to know about each one so you can pick the right cloth for how you play.

Championship: The Classic Choice

Championship cloth has been around forever. It's what most tables come with when they're new. It's a proven product that works great.

Championship has a slightly looser weave than Simonis. The nap is more pronounced, which means you can see and feel the grain more clearly. For a lot of players, this is exactly what they want. It feels traditional. It feels like pool.

The playing speed is moderate. Not super fast, not slow. Balls roll true. The cloth wears evenly with proper care. It's forgiving if you're not perfect with your brushing technique.

Price: Championship is the more affordable option. When we re-cloth a table, it's going to save you roughly $100 to $200 compared to Simonis.

Durability: With regular brushing and a table cover, Championship cloth lasts 5 to 10 years for casual home players.

Simonis: The Tournament Standard

Simonis is a Belgian cloth that's been the choice of serious players and tournament venues for decades. Walk into a high-end billiards room and you're probably looking at Simonis.

The weave is tighter. The nap is less pronounced. The cloth feels smoother under the cue. For players who like to read the table carefully and control the cue ball with precision, this is the cloth.

Simonis plays faster than Championship. The balls glide more smoothly. The cue ball has more consistent roll. If you practice position play, play One Pocket or Bank Pool, or compete in leagues, you'll notice the difference immediately.

Price: Simonis is the premium option. Slightly higher upfront cost, but the per-year cost often works out similar to Championship because it lasts longer.

Durability: Simonis resists wear and staining better than Championship thanks to the tighter weave. It'll typically last longer before showing visible wear.

The Speed Difference

This matters to serious players and barely matters to casual players.

If you're shooting 8-ball with friends on a Saturday night, the speed difference won't change your game. You'll adjust in one session and forget about it.

If you're competitive, the difference is real. Simonis plays about 5 to 10 percent faster. That changes how far the cue ball travels after contact, how shots break, and how you play angles. Players who switch from Championship to Simonis notice it on the first shot.

Feel and Player Preference

This is subjective. Some players love Championship because it feels traditional. Some players love Simonis because it feels precise and premium. Neither one is objectively better. It depends on what you enjoy.

If you learned to play on Championship, you might prefer it because it's what you're used to. If you play in billiards rooms with Simonis, you might prefer that.

The only real way to decide is to feel them both. Come to the showroom and run your hand across each one. Take a few shots on different cloths. Your hands will tell you what you prefer.

Stain Resistance

Simonis has a slight edge here. The tighter weave means spills don't soak in as quickly. You still need to blot immediately, but you've got a little more margin for error.

Championship absorbs slightly faster, so speed matters more when handling spills. Both cloths will stain permanently if liquid sits too long.

Color Options

We carry 29 colors in both Championship and Simonis. The range is the same: forest green, slate blue, navy, burgundy, charcoal, black, red, and many more.

Some players use a re-cloth as an opportunity to change their color. Going from traditional green to charcoal or burgundy can completely transform how your game room looks.

Which One Should You Pick?

Choose Championship if: You're a casual player, you're happy with how your table plays, and you want good quality cloth at a fair price. Championship is proven, reliable, and plays great.

Choose Simonis if: You play several times a week, you want the fastest and most durable cloth available, or you want a cloth that resists wear and staining longer. The extra cost is worth it over the life of the cloth.

When It's Time to Re-Cloth

After 5 to 10 years of regular play, you'll notice:

• The cloth plays slower than it used to
• Worn spots near the pockets and along the rails
• Pilling that won't brush out
• Permanent stains from chalk or spills

That's when it's time. A professional re-cloth takes about an hour and transforms your table. You get to pick a fresh color and start with a surface that plays like new.

Come see us at 1431 Leestown Rd. We've got samples of both cloths in all 29 colors, and we can answer any questions about what makes sense for your table. We handle the full re-cloth process, from removal to installation to cleanup.

Call (859) 255-7639. We're open Monday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm.