6 things that can ruin felt on pool tables

6 Things to Avoid to Protect Your Pool Table Felt

6 things that can ruin felt of pool tables and billiards

There are few things more enjoyable than having a pool table in your home. The hours spent entertaining and relaxing, enjoying the company of those closest to you. While the game may not put a lot of wear and tear on your body, all those hours add up on even the highest quality table felts.

All those breaks, angles, and leans wear down the worsted cloth - commonly referred to as pool table felt- on your table. The good news is that the pool table felt can be changed and replaced. Now depending on how much you play, replacing it becomes inevitable. Here are six things to look for in keeping your table in great condition.

Causes of Wear & Tear

#1 - Friction

The primary function of the pool table felt is to protect the balls and table from friction. It acts as a barrier between the balls and the table. Over time, friction will wear the felt. This is the most common reason the felt will wear out and the most inevitable. Thankfully, if you’ve taken care of the rest, you’ll get years of routine play before you need to consider replacing it.

#2 - Chalk

Chalk is critical in pool, improving both the player’s grip on their cue and contact with the cue ball. However, one should be sure to keep the chalk away from the playing surface.

Players use chalk to improve their grip and make shooting balls on the pool table easier. It's easy for chalk to get stuck to the pool table felt, which is bad news for its longevity. Chalk is abrasive and will wear down the felt quickly.

#3 - Scratches

Pool tables tend to get scratched and damaged due to the pool balls bouncing off the sides or when the cue ball is too powerful or hit off-center. This often happens, especially when a player is a bit careless. The best guard against this is playing in control of your body and the power you use in your shot.

#4 - Ball Burns

This is another unpleasant side effect of playing pool. Although this is more likely to happen in tournaments or other official matches, it can still occur for amateurs. It occurs when a ball rolls over the felt too hard or when two balls collide. This will happen over time, but being mindful of how you play will be your best protection against it.

#5 - Tracking Marks

These are the physical marks left from the friction of the balls moving across the table. It starts to leave your table looking shabby and is your cue to replace the felt.

#6 - Moisture

Now it may be obvious, but keep beverages away from your pool table. We all love a tasty beverage while shooting a round, but a stain on your felt will greatly affect play. A whole portion of your table may play completely differently from how it should.

Also, be sure to consider sweat and ambient room moisture. These will affect the table felt over time, so be sure the space is well-ventilated to avoid mold and mildew.

What You Can Do About It

Can You Replace the Felt Yourself?

Although it's not hard to replace the felt of a pool table, it's still a better idea to leave it to the professionals. You should have the right tools and know-how, but you also don't want to damage the pool table.

Furthermore, it's still time-consuming. After all, the felt of a pool table is pretty big, so you'll have a lot of work if you attempt to do it yourself. This is why it's not recommended for home pool tables.

Tips to Protect Pool Table Felt

Just because you can replace a pool table's felt doesn't mean you should take it for granted. You should still take measures to protect it, and here are some practical tips to help you:

Keep the Room Well-Ventilated

Cloth-covered pool tables are generally easier to clean than those with felt since the cloth is easier to get rid of dirt. However, you should still ensure that the room is well-ventilated so that the felt won't become damaged due to moisture.

Use Covers

When you aren't playing pool, it's important to slide a cover on the table. This will keep the felt safe from dust and grime and any water that may fall from the ceiling. It's also good to leave the cover on during the night so that moisture won't accumulate.

Keep the Table Clean

Keeping the pool table's felt in great condition is to keep it clean. This means cleaning it regularly with a damp cloth and brushing it down. If you use it frequently, it's good to clean it after every match.

Conclusion

Although a pool table’s felt is durable, it doesn't last forever. It's essential to take measures to avoid wearing it out, but that doesn't mean you should ignore it when it becomes too old. What matters is staying vigilant and making sure you catch the problem before it gets worse.

If you’re looking for the best arcade game rentals Denver offers, Game Exchange has your back! We also offer other rentable games, such as arcade games, dartboards, and air hockey, all for affordable prices to ensure that a party is never dull. Reach out today to get a quote!

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Denver, CO 80204

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