The Tournament Cloth That's Been on the World Stage Since 1992
Simonis 860 Tournament Blue has been the official cloth of the World 9-Ball Championships without interruption since 1992. That's over 30 years of unbroken tournament use, a record no other billiard cloth comes close to matching.
Behind that record stands Iwan Simonis, the oldest company in the billiard industry. Founded in 1680 in Verviers, Belgium, Simonis brings over 345 years of textile manufacturing heritage and remains the only mill in the world dedicated solely to producing billiard cloth.
The brand carries official endorsements from the WPBA, the USBA National Championship, and the ESPN International Tournament of Champions, with cloth sold in more than 50 countries. If you want the same surface the pros compete on, fitted to your 8-foot home or club table, this guide covers everything you need to know.
What Makes Simonis 860 Different From Standard Pool Table Felt
The most important distinction to understand is worsted wool versus napped felt. Standard pool table felt uses a napped (fuzzy) surface that pills, sheds fibers, and wears unevenly over time. Simonis 860 is a nap-free worsted cloth composed of 90% wool and 10% nylon. It will not pill, fluff, or shed.
That nap-free surface delivers consistent ball roll across the entire playing field. There's no directional tracking, meaning the ball doesn't drift based on the cloth's grain. Spin response is true and predictable, which is exactly why competitive players insist on worsted cloth.
Every bolt of Simonis 860 goes through a rigorous 13-step manufacturing process. The company holds ISO 9001 certification, and each production run undergoes dynamometric testing for extension, elasticity, thickness, and abrasion tolerance. Nothing leaves the factory without passing these checks.
The manufacturing location itself is a genuine differentiator. Verviers, Belgium sits along the Vesdre River, whose uniquely low-lime water is ideal for washing and processing wool. This natural advantage has been central to Simonis cloth quality for centuries.
In commercial settings such as pool halls, bars, and clubs, Simonis 860 routinely lasts 5 to 8 years. Standard napped cloth under the same conditions typically needs replacement after just 2 to 3 years. When you factor in the cost of repeated re-clothings, Simonis 860 often proves to be the more economical choice over time.
Exact Specs: What's Included in the 8 ft Pre-Cut Package
Precision matters when you're replacing cloth, so here are the exact dimensions of this package:
- Bed cloth: 54 in. x 100 in.
- 4 short rail pieces: 5.5 in. x 50 in. each
- 2 long rail pieces: 6 in. x 62 in. each
Here's the detail most buyers overlook: the majority of Simonis 860 listings from other dealers include rail cloth, but it is not pre-cut. That means you either pay for a separate cutting service or attempt to cut the rails yourself, risking expensive mistakes on premium cloth.
This exact 8 ft Simonis 860 Tournament Blue™ configuration with all 6 rails pre-cut is available exclusively on the billiard.city store. You won't find this specific setup through other authorized dealers.
The pre-cut format is ideal for DIY installers, table technicians, and billiard club owners who want a clean, professional result without extra steps or added costs. Because we publish the precise dimensions, you can confirm the fit for your table before ordering, removing the guesswork that plagues so many competitor listings.
Simonis 860 vs. 760: Which Speed Is Right for Your Game?
Simonis produces two primary pool cloth options: the 860 and the 760. The 860 is slightly slower than the 760 blend, which translates to more controlled ball speed and better spin response on every shot.
For most home players, league competitors, and club owners, the 860 is the right choice. It delivers a tournament-standard feel without the ultra-fast pace that can make the 760 challenging to control. The 760 tends to suit advanced carom or speed-game players who prioritize maximum glide above all else.
There's a reason the 860 was selected for the World 9-Ball Championships and major televised events: its balanced speed rewards skilled play without punishing small errors. If you're upgrading an 8-foot table for serious recreational or competitive use, the 860 is the right call.
How to Verify You're Getting Authentic Simonis Cloth
Simonis is the most copied billiard cloth in the industry. Counterfeits are a real problem, which makes knowing how to verify authenticity essential before you buy.
Every genuine bolt of Simonis cloth features a 3-point authenticity marking system along the selvedge (the finished edge), repeating approximately every 60 cm:
- The Simonis signature logo
- The Simonis name printed in block letters
- A unique serial number
Counterfeit cloth often replicates only one or two of these markers. Always check for all three.
The simplest way to guarantee authenticity is to purchase from an authorized dealer. Billiard City sources genuine Simonis stock directly from Iwan Simonis. We're a highly rated authorized dealer with a 4.7-star rating from over 108 reviews, and our customer service team is happy to answer any authenticity questions you have.
Installation Tips for a Professional Result
The single most important installation tip: install the cloth with the marked side facing up. The smooth side is the playing surface. Getting this wrong is more common than you'd think, and it affects both ball roll and cloth longevity.
Because this package includes 6 pre-cut rail pieces, you've already eliminated the most error-prone step in DIY cloth installation. No measuring, no cutting, no second-guessing, making this package especially approachable for home installers tackling the job for the first time.
When stretching the bed cloth, work from the center outward in all directions. This ensures even tension and prevents wrinkles or bubbles from forming under the playing surface.
One practical note specific to Tournament Blue: it's a lighter color, so use clean, dry hands and tools throughout the process to avoid staining. If you run into questions during installation, our customer service team at Billiard City is available to walk you through it.
Why Tournament Blue? Color, Contrast, and Game Room Style
Tournament Blue wasn't chosen for major televised events by accident. It provides superior contrast for the cue ball and colored balls under broadcast lighting, making the game easier to follow on screen and easier to read at the table.
Tournament Blue is a specific, calibrated shade, distinct from Royal Blue or Electric Blue. It was developed for consistent visibility both on camera and under standard game room lighting.
There's also a clear design trend at play. More players are moving away from traditional green cloth as they build dedicated game rooms with a modern, professional look. Pool table sales rose 6.8% in 2025, driven largely by home entertainment investment, and Tournament Blue fits squarely into the premium home game room upgrade that today's buyers are after.
Choosing Tournament Blue is both a functional and aesthetic decision. You get the contrast advantages the pros rely on, paired with a clean, contemporary look that transforms any game room.
Upgrade Your 8-Footer With the Cloth the Pros Trust
Over 345 years of manufacturing heritage. More than 30 years of unbroken World 9-Ball Championship use. A pre-cut configuration that makes installation straightforward for first-time DIYers and seasoned table technicians alike.
This exact 8 ft Simonis 860 Tournament Blue™ with 6 pre-cut rails is available only at billiard.city. As an authorized Simonis dealer, we ship genuine stock directly from our Boca Raton, FL warehouse, with free shipping on all US orders over $99.
Give your 8-foot table the same cloth that's graced the world's biggest stages for over three decades. It's ready for your game room now.