When you hear or read the cloth that covers the slate and cushions of a Snooker (Billiard) table described as BAIZE you can almost hear the sharp intake of breath in Stroud (West of England - Strachan) and Pudsey (Hainsworth) where the last mills in the UK that produce Billiard / Snooker cloth are based. Why the intake of breath - well baize is a wool /cotton mix material used for covering card tables and notice boards, whereas the cloth used on Snooker tables is a specialist quality pure wool material with a raised nap and is a much more costly engineered product. A far superior material than baize!
The surface of the Baize is not smooth but has a NAP, wherein the 'hairs' of the Wool stick up on top.
The Baize is always laid on the table so that the Nap runs from the Bottom (Baulk-end) of the table to the Top (Black end).
Since the same Baize is used on the cushions, it follows that the cushions should have a Nap as well, and it does.
When at the Bottom of the table, the Nap goes from Right to Left.
When at the Sides of the table, the Nap goes from Bottom to Top.
When at the Top of the table, the Nap goes from Right to Left.
If you rub your hand gently on the table, you will feel it smooth going from Bottom to Top, and rough going from Top to Bottom.
The surface of the Baize is not smooth but has a NAP, wherein the 'hairs' of the Wool stick up on top.
The Baize is always laid on the table so that the Nap runs from the Bottom (Baulk-end) of the table to the Top (Black end).
Since the same Baize is used on the cushions, it follows that the cushions should have a Nap as well, and it does.
When at the Bottom of the table, the Nap goes from Right to Left.
When at the Sides of the table, the Nap goes from Bottom to Top.
When at the Top of the table, the Nap goes from Right to Left.
If you rub your hand gently on the table, you will feel it smooth going from Bottom to Top, and rough going from Top to Bottom.
The Nap is an important part of the game of Snooker and is not there to make the game more difficult. It is used by the better players to curve the cue ball, much like the 'pebbles' on the ice are used by Curling players.
The terms "Double Shaved" and "Triple Shaved" are thrown around these days referring to the amount of Nap, but they are obsolete terms. In older times, not so long ago, the Baize was woven and then the cloth was literally shaved once or many times until the Nap was of a consistent length required by the table owner.
Nowadays, the loom is computer controlled and the weaver simply dials in whatever Nap he wants and it is produced.
Snooker players prefer a short Nap/fast cloth because it helps them position the cue ball better. Billiards players prefer a heavy Nap/slower cloth because it helps them with soft cannons and curved cue ball deliveries, such as Jennies.
The Table is ALWAYS Brushed, Blocked, and Ironed WITH the Nap i.e. in the SMOOTH direction.
The table is NEVER Vacuumed, as this not only stretches the cloth, it pulls the Nap straight up, destroying your efforts to lay it down properly with your Brushing, Blocking and Ironing.
Use a pure bristle brush, since nylon bristles will cause a Static discharge to build up on the Baize.
Blocking is nothing more that wrapping Baize around an upside-down brush and 'brushing' it. Always Block after Brushing.
Table Irons are made by tiscali.co.uk and are sold in many places. Domestic irons are a poor substitute. The iron should be hot, but not hot enough to burn the Baize. A good rule of thumb is that if it is hot enough to turn newsprint brown, then it is too hot.
This image is from the Starchan and Stroud website
The terms "Double Shaved" and "Triple Shaved" are thrown around these days referring to the amount of Nap, but they are obsolete terms. In older times, not so long ago, the Baize was woven and then the cloth was literally shaved once or many times until the Nap was of a consistent length required by the table owner.
Nowadays, the loom is computer controlled and the weaver simply dials in whatever Nap he wants and it is produced.
Snooker players prefer a short Nap/fast cloth because it helps them position the cue ball better. Billiards players prefer a heavy Nap/slower cloth because it helps them with soft cannons and curved cue ball deliveries, such as Jennies.
The Table is ALWAYS Brushed, Blocked, and Ironed WITH the Nap i.e. in the SMOOTH direction.
The table is NEVER Vacuumed, as this not only stretches the cloth, it pulls the Nap straight up, destroying your efforts to lay it down properly with your Brushing, Blocking and Ironing.
Use a pure bristle brush, since nylon bristles will cause a Static discharge to build up on the Baize.
Blocking is nothing more that wrapping Baize around an upside-down brush and 'brushing' it. Always Block after Brushing.
Table Irons are made by tiscali.co.uk and are sold in many places. Domestic irons are a poor substitute. The iron should be hot, but not hot enough to burn the Baize. A good rule of thumb is that if it is hot enough to turn newsprint brown, then it is too hot.
This image is from the Starchan and Stroud website
