Help needed for choosing the right cloth

T

tomx

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I arranged the moving of an old table to my house in a couple of days. I need to decide if I want a new cloth for it or not (the original one is OK, but I really want a new one for my first table). Here are some questions,

1. The regular cloth for home use is about $90 and the Simonis cloth is about $160. Which one do you guys think I should get? BTW, I'm still new to pool, not an experienced player.

2. I heard Simonis has 760 and 860, which one should I get?

3. Or should I use the old one for while before I upgrade it? They told me the price might be higher if I replace it later (not during moving).

Any input is welcome! Thanks!

Tom
 
I wouldn't consider myself an authority on cloths or tables, but I only play on Simonis. You are buying a table with a slate bed (1"?) which is the only way to go...it's not a BS table, so don't half-@ss the rest of the equipment! ;)

I'm a speed-nut, I'd go 760, but 860 is recommended for 9-ball, I think (check their website). You won't be dissapointed with 860...

Also, make sure you pick up a good set of balls. I'd go with Brunswick Centenials, they're my favorite...they roll really fast and the sound they make when they hit each other is awesome (quieter). Super Arimith Pro balls and a Pro Cup Cue ball would be my next choice. NO SUBSTITUTES for the balls, they are worth the money.
 
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yep 760 is faster, its intended for snooker and 3 cushion billiards where the balls must travel farther. 860 is recommended for 9ball, 8ball etc. Im in the same boat, new table to be set up soon, and im going 860. I love a fast table, but i dont want my home table abnormally fast, only to get out into poolhalls and find myself always coming up a couple feet short because of their slower cloth. Seems ive read the gorina is a pretty good cloth for a home table too, might wanna do a search......im simonis all the way though.
 
Thanks guys for the quick replies. Glen replied too in another thread and he thinks Championship Titan cloth is better for beginners. I'm a little confused :(

Tom
 
tomx said:
Thanks guys for the quick replies. Glen replied too in another thread and he thinks Championship Titan cloth is better for beginners. I'm a little confused :(

Tom
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Well, it's your budget.. The best equipment won't hurt the worst pool player, but the worst equipment will hurt the best pool player...let's just say it like that.

If you want to venture out to pool halls and feel at home on their equipment, get their equipment at home.

Also, don't forget that you can always change it in the future...
 
tomx said:
1. The regular cloth for home use is about $90 and the Simonis cloth is about $160.
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When I bought my (new) Brunswick table, the dealer installed the "regular" cloth (I didn't know any better at the time). I don't know what brand it was, but it was pretty cheap crap, and it wore out (burns, etc) in short order (maybe 1 1/2 years). I replaced it with Simonis cloth, and never looked back. The Simonis has now been on my table for about 5 years, and it still plays well.

I think you will be money ahead in the long run, by going with a quality cloth now.

Good luck.
 
Get the Simonis 860 if you can afford it. The cheap stuff will wear out quickly and don't think it will help you develop your game. New 860 is still fast and will take some getting used to but if you can control the cueball on that or 760, you should have very good control when you go to other tables. Plus, many pool halls cover their tables with 860 so playing else where will feel natural to you. 860 with triple shimmed pockets and new rails. Ohhhh now that is to envy. :)
ez
 
tomx said:
Thanks guys for the quick replies. Glen replied too in another thread and he thinks Championship Titan cloth is better for beginners. I'm a little confused :(

Tom
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I'll explain my answer to that statement. First of all, beginner players are going to make a lot of beginner shots. For the most part, they have no idea what "speed" is, nor english. They're going to try jump shots, masse shots and off the wall shots. The Championship Titan cloth is the best non worsted wool cloth on the market in my opinion, it has real good speed to it, and it's easy to draw the ball playing on it. I think people should look at what's in the best interest of the question, and not their own best interest when giving advice about Simonis Cloth to beginner players. This goes for balls as well, Belgium Standards, or Premiers balls play real good for beginners, not the Brunswick Centennial balls, nor the Super Pro balls. There needs to be a beginning to pool at home somewhere for the beginners...without all the expenses of having to inflate the cost of beginning to learn the game of pool.

"Keep in mind, it's always easier to spend someone elses money, than it is to spend you own"

I'd say that if as a beginner, you're going to spend extra money on pool, good equipment will do just fine, take that extra money you don't need to spend getting started playing pool at home...and go get a good quality cue with it as that is a better investment for the dollar than paying the higher cost of cloth by having Simonis cloth installed, as well as Brunswick balls.

Glen
 
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I'll put this way. You may be a beginner now, but the balls last nearly a lifetime and a good quality cloth like Simonis will last for at least three years for home use. Therefore, the money spent on those items should be based on your long-term needs and goals, not on where your're at right now.

The bottom line? Get Simonis 860 and a good set of balls like Brunswick Centennials or Aramith Super Pro.
 
Thank you all for the input. I think I'll go with the Titan for now. If pool becomes part of my life in the future, definitely I will consider 860 as my second cloth.

Again, thanks a lot to everybody!

Tom
 
IMHO the coolest cloth out there is Artscape. They have custom pictured cloth or already designed fabric. Here's a link make sure you hit the More Results link at the bottom of the page.

http://search.store.yahoo.com/cgi-b...&.autodone=http://www.cuesight.com/index.html


It plays as well as any other brand of cloth I have ever hit a pocket billiard ball on.

To be totally honest, the best playing cloth is up to each person. Not everyone is going to like the same cloth. For instance, I like the slowest, thickest cloth you can find. I like cloth that has been on a table for thirty years and never been cleaned properly.

What I am trying to say is, like anything else you will have your brand but, not unless you shop around.
Jamison
 
Tomx,

Never go cheap on felt! either get the Championship or 860 cloth. Either way they play about the same. I've also heard excellent things about the Gorina Basalt felt.

And same goes when you get a set of billiard balls, either get the Centennials or the Aramith TV set.

Either way, you'll be set to play at home for a long time, and shouldnt have a problem going to a new pool hall and adjusting.
 
VIProfessor said:
The bottom line? Get Simonis 860 and a good set of balls like Brunswick Centennials or Aramith Super Pro.
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Absolutely. Without them it's not even the same game...
 
scottycoyote said:
yep 760 is faster, its intended for snooker and 3 cushion billiards where the balls must travel farther. 860 is recommended for 9ball, 8ball etc.
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I just wanted to point out that they make 300 for 3-cushion billards tables...760 is too slow for that, those tables play fffaasssstttt!!


Oh, and on another note, don't get red cloth... :)
 
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Brunswick Centennial, Super Arimith, Simonis Cloth...the best of the best...of the best of the best!!! Just wondering how many of you free advice givers...have the best of the best....on a Diamond 9ft Professional, or a Diamond 9ft ProAm table that you OWN? Because all you "POOL" players that would give such advice as to only buy the "best of the best" certainly would only own the "best of the best" pool table to install that cloth on, and to play with them balls...right? Because, if you don't own a Diamond...then that kind of makes you all a little short....don't it? Regardless of what anyone might say, there is "NO" substitute for a Diamond 9ft Professional/ProAm pool table as it is the "best of the best", but if you don't happen to have one, then I take it that the reason for that is because then you'd have to spend your own money to own one...instead of someone else's, so take that into consideration when giving someone free advice on a beginner pool table, for beginner players that don't have the same addictions that you players do, at least the subscriber NOW has a pool table...right?

Glen
 
realkingcobra said:
Brunswick Centennial, Super Arimith, Simonis Cloth...the best of the best...of the best of the best!!! Just wondering how many of you free advice givers...have the best of the best....on a Diamond 9ft Professional, or a Diamond 9ft ProAm table that you OWN? Because all you "POOL" players that would give such advice as to only buy the "best of the best" certainly would only own the "best of the best" pool table to install that cloth on, and to play with them balls...right? Because, if you don't own a Diamond...then that kind of makes you all a little short....don't it? Regardless of what anyone might say, there is "NO" substitute for a Diamond 9ft Professional/ProAm pool table as it is the "best of the best", but if you don't happen to have one, then I take it that the reason for that is because then you'd have to spend your own money to own one...instead of someone else's, so take that into consideration when giving someone free advice on a beginner pool table, for beginner players that don't have the same addictions that you players do, at least the subscriber NOW has a pool table...right?

Glen
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I have a Diamond Pro in my basement, it has Simonis 860 and I have Aramith Super Pros. I always recommend this set up for for serious players. Yes it was expensive but it was worth every penny. For beginners it really depends on their budget and how they plan to use the table. It never hurts to invest in good cloth and balls. I would say that Simonis is not the most durable cloth for people who abuse their tables or are trying to learn jump and masse shots.
 
I don't have a pool table.

But I only play with Centenials or Super Aramiths on Simonis.

I hate it when someone says, "You like pool? We should play sometime, I have a table in my basement!" ...great, red cloth that's thicker than a beach towel on a table that you can't even lean on with plastic-feeling balls with red chalk and beat wal-mart cues (with the exception of metal5d, his setup rules!). If the bad equipment isn't enough of a deterrent, then there's always the fact that they suck more than a freshman cheerleader.
 
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