What Is Simonis 760? The Original Worsted Blend
Simonis 760 is known as "The Original Worsted Blend," and it holds a specific distinction: it is the fastest pool table cloth in the entire Simonis lineup. First, a common misconception needs clearing up. Simonis 760 is not a felt. It is a precisely woven and sheared worsted fabric, a fundamentally different product from the cheap woolen felt that ships with most US pool tables.
The cloth is made from a 70% wool / 30% nylon blend. That higher nylon content (compared to the 860's 10% nylon) produces a faster, slicker playing surface. Simonis 760 weighs approximately 355 g/m², or about 21 oz per linear yard. That's lighter than the 860HR (24 oz) and the 860 (23–27 oz), and that reduced weight directly contributes to its speed advantage.
How much faster? Simonis 760 is approximately 10% faster than Simonis 860, putting it at the top of the Simonis speed range. If you've only ever played on the woolen felt that came with your table, Simonis 760 is a completely different experience.
Over 345 Years of Belgian Craftsmanship Behind Every Yard
Iwan Simonis was founded in 1680 in Verviers, Belgium by Guillaume Henri Simon Simonis, making it the oldest company in the billiard industry with over 345 years of continuous cloth production. Verviers wasn't chosen randomly. The city sits along the Vesdre River, whose naturally low-lime water was ideal for washing wool. That practical advantage helped establish a textile tradition that continues today.
Iwan Simonis is the only textile mill in the world dedicated solely to producing billiard cloth. Every yard of Simonis cloth goes through a rigorous 13-step manufacturing process before it reaches the market. The company holds ISO 9001:2000 certification for the production and sale of billiard cloths, a quality credential that competitors rarely match.
In 2012, Iwan Simonis merged with Aramith (Saluc) under parent company Peltzer & Fils, uniting the world's leading billiard cloth and ball manufacturers under one roof. To serve growing US demand, Iwan Simonis established its North American subsidiary in 2000, headquartered in Libertyville, Illinois.
Simonis cloth is now exported to more than 90 countries and serves as the official cloth supplier for most major championships worldwide. That kind of global reach doesn't happen without consistently delivering on quality.
Why Simonis 760 Outperforms Cheap Woolen Felt
The difference between Simonis 760 and cheap woolen felt is not subtle. Woolen felts are pressed, not woven. Over time, they pill, fluff, shed, and slow down noticeably. That degradation distorts ball roll and reduces shot accuracy, sometimes within just a few months of regular play.
Simonis 760 is nap-free. Because it is woven and sheared rather than pressed, it will not pill, fluff, or shed under normal playing conditions. The cloth maintains approximately 127 threads per inch, producing a dense, consistent weave that supports accurate ball roll from rail to rail.
Speed consistency over time is one of the defining advantages of Simonis 760. The cloth plays essentially the same at month twelve as it does at month one. Woolen felts simply can't make that claim. As they wear, they develop slow spots, dead zones, and uneven surfaces that force you to compensate with your stroke.
On a worsted surface like the 760, balls glide rather than drag. That difference directly impacts cue ball control, shot speed, and positional play. Many US buyers receive cheap felt with their table and never realize there's a meaningful performance alternative. Simonis 760 is that alternative.
Which Games and Players Is Simonis 760 Best For?
Simonis 760 is especially well-suited for Bank Pool, Straight Pool, and One-Pocket. These are disciplines where precise ball speed and consistent roll are critical to strategy. On a slower, inconsistent cloth, the subtle speed control these games demand becomes unreliable.
The cloth also performs well for traditional 8-ball and 9-ball, particularly for intermediate to advanced players looking to sharpen cue ball control. The faster surface rewards players who have developed their stroke mechanics. Complete beginners may need a short acclimation period, but most players adjust within a few sessions.
For billiard club owners and commercial hall operators, Simonis 760 is explicitly recommended for high-traffic tables. The cloth's durability and consistent speed profile reduce the frequency of re-covering, which lowers long-term operating costs significantly compared to cheaper alternatives that need replacing every few months.
Home players who want tournament-like conditions in their game room will find Simonis 760 delivers exactly that. One tip worth noting: pair Simonis 760 with Aramith phenolic balls for maximum cloth longevity and optimal playing performance. Since Iwan Simonis and Aramith now operate under the same parent company, this combination is a natural, well-tested pairing.
Sizes, Colors, and What to Know Before You Order
Simonis 760 is available in 6 table sizes: 7ft, 8ft, 8ft oversize, 9ft, 10ft, and 12ft. Each set comes pre-cut with bed cloth and rail cloths included, so you get everything you need in one order.
Important note for Diamond table owners: Diamond Brand 7ft tables require a specific "Diamond size" cut. If you own a Diamond table, confirm the correct size before ordering to avoid fitting issues. This is a detail that trips up buyers more often than you'd expect.
The cloth is available in 15 colors: Simonis Green, Electric Blue, Red, Burgundy, Gold, Camel, Wine, Spruce, Blue Green, Dark Green, Black, Grey, Tournament Blue, Marine Blue, and Purple. For competitive and club settings, Simonis Green and Tournament Blue are the standard choices. Bolder options like Electric Blue, Red, and Purple work well in home game rooms where personal style matters.
One practical consideration: darker colors like Black and Dark Green tend to show chalk dust more visibly, which is worth keeping in mind for high-traffic commercial tables where constant brushing isn't always feasible.
All sizes and colors of Simonis 760 are available at Billiard City, an authorized US dealer of Iwan Simonis cloth, with free shipping on orders over $99.
Installation Tips for Simonis 760
Getting the installation right matters. The marked/smooth side of Simonis 760 must always face up. The back of the cloth is slightly fuzzy and is not the playing surface. Installing it upside down is a common and costly mistake that ruins the cloth's performance characteristics.
Simonis 760 must be installed tightly over the slate. Loose installation creates dead spots and can cause ball burns on the cloth surface. For glue-down installations, use an approved adhesive such as 3M Fast-Bond 10. Generic or unapproved adhesives can damage both the cloth and the slate underneath.
Do not chemically treat Simonis 760. Products marketed as "cloth conditioners" or "speed enhancers" can actually reduce the accuracy and quality of the playing surface. The cloth is engineered to perform at its best without any aftermarket treatments.
If you're not experienced with cloth installation, professional installation is strongly recommended. Protecting your investment in quality cloth starts with getting it on the table correctly.
Caring for Your Simonis 760 Cloth
Regular maintenance keeps Simonis 760 performing at its best. Brush the cloth with a Simonis X-1 brush, always brushing in one direction (from the head of the table toward the foot) to remove chalk dust without disturbing the weave.
You can vacuum the cloth gently using a low-suction setting or a dedicated billiard cloth vacuum. Avoid aggressive vacuuming that can pull at the woven fibers. Never use chemical treatments, sprays, or conditioners on Simonis 760, as these products can compromise the cloth's surface accuracy.
Keep the table covered when not in use to protect the cloth from dust, sunlight fading, and accidental spills. Avoid placing objects on the table surface. Even light pressure from sitting on the rail can stretch or distort the cloth over time.
With proper care, Simonis 760 maintains its speed and performance profile consistently, making a few minutes of regular maintenance a worthwhile investment in long-term playability.
Why Buy Simonis 760 from an Authorized Dealer?
Counterfeit and gray-market Simonis cloth is a real concern in the US market. Unauthorized sellers may offer imitation products that look similar but lack the quality, consistency, and ISO-certified manufacturing of genuine Simonis cloth. The difference shows up on the table, and it shows up quickly.
Buying from an authorized dealer ensures you receive authentic Simonis 760 with the correct manufacturing specifications and full quality assurance. Billiard City is an authorized dealer of Iwan Simonis cloth, offering Simonis 760 in all sizes and colors with free US shipping on orders over $99.
Billiard City carries over 2,000 billiard products from 40+ trusted brands and holds a 4.7-star rating across 78 verified customer reviews. For billiard club owners and dealers seeking bulk or recurring orders, a wholesale and dealer program is available.
When you shop at Billiard City, you're buying from a dedicated, authorized US billiard retailer that stands behind every product it sells.
Is Simonis 760 the Right Cloth for Your Table?
Simonis 760 is the fastest pool table cloth in the Simonis lineup, built with nap-free worsted construction, a 70/30 wool-nylon blend, and ISO-certified manufacturing. It delivers consistent speed over time, comes in 15 colors and 6 sizes, and is backed by over 345 years of Belgian craftsmanship.
Simonis 760 is the right choice for serious recreational players, competitive players, billiard club owners, and anyone upgrading from cheap woolen felt. Complete beginners may need a brief adjustment period on the faster surface, but the long-term performance and durability benefits far outweigh that short learning curve.
Browse Simonis 760 at Billiard City to find the right size and color for your table. As an authorized Iwan Simonis dealer with free shipping on US orders over $99, we're here to help you get the best cloth on your table and keep it playing its best for years to come.
