Billiard cloths for American Pool are mostly made from combed, non-directional worsted nylon-wool blend (e.g., Simonis), which makes them fast and durable. Snooker cloths (traditionally Strachan West of England) are made from directional, napped cloth with a nap direction, which requires more precise play and the ability to "draw" the cue ball.
Simonis is considered the best pool cloth due to its speed, precision, and durability; it is the industry standard for tournaments.
Strachan West of England is the world's leading snooker cloth due to its uniform fiber structure and optimal performance, often used in World Championships.