Casino materials

The fabric on your casino table plays a crucial role in creating the perfect gaming experience. In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of casino fabrics used in table layouts and covers. Learn the essentials to help you choose casino fabric for your next craps, roulette, poker, blackjack, or other game table layout.

Polyester/Cotton Microfiber

Polyester/cotton microfiber is one of the most common fabrics used in modern casino table layouts.

It has been gaining significant popularity since about 2010. One main advantage of this fabric is that it can be sublimation dyed. This process offers a blank canvas for creating vibrant and multi-colored designs.

Within this category, pay close attention to variations in fabric composition. Synthetic microfiber with higher polyester content is considered of lower quality. Microfiber with a higher cotton content superior quality.

For personal or professional use, we carry and recommend the higher quality microfiber fabric for your layout. This is the same fabric in use by most casinos today.

Speed Cloth Polyester Fabric

Speed cloth polyester fabric provides a smooth and fast surface for poker tables.

Known for its durability, this fabric often features woven patterns, with diamond suited patterns being a popular choice. Suited speed cloth comes in single colors or two-tone options, allowing you to customize the look of your game room.

Speed cloth can also be printed for a personalized touch, but it is less commonly chosen for professional use compared to microfiber.

Poker Plush Polyester

Poker plush polyester fabric refers to a soft plush fabric with a slight nap. It also comes in a two-sided cloth with one side of the soft plush texture and the other in stiffer, unpatterned speed cloth.

This fabric provides great versatility and comes in many classic colors. This can be an economical choice to get started but it will not be as durable as other options.

Nylon

Nylon is a relatively newer fabric used for poker tables in casinos and tournaments. Like modern microfiber, it offers versatility in design options. It is also very durable and offers a super high-speed slide. This is often a pricier option compared to microfiber, so it is usually chosen only by casinos or for other high-traffic tables.

Felt

Although less commonly used in modern casino table layouts, felt fabric holds its traditional charm. In the past, casinos and home users frequently used felt with surface printing. While it remains a great choice for occasional home use, portable and foldable felt layouts are available for various games. Additionally, felt is commonly found on billiard and pool tables.

As a confusing sidenote, the term “felt” is often used instead of or in conjunction with “layout.” So you may come across phrases like “blackjack felt” or “craps layout felt” in reference to a layout made of any fabric. Your provider can clarify the actual fabric.

Casino Fabric Care

Proper care and maintenance are crucial to the longevity of your casino table layout. There are three fundamental steps to follow: prevention, brush/vacuum, and spot treatment. Sublimation-dyed microfiber and nylon fabrics are often machine washable. Learn about casino fabric care in our full article, How to Clean Casino Table Game Layouts.

Underlayment

Once you have chosen your desired layout, it’s time to install it on your table. It is common to use a softer underlay like vinyl or foam. Some of this is personal preference, some depends on the game. Also depending on the game, you may require different levels of softness and springiness. For more information about bounce, read our full article, What goes under a craps table layout.

Updated June 7, 2023