Editing Baize (section)

==Applications==
Baize is often used on [[billiard tables]] to cover the {{cuegloss|slate}} and {{cuegloss|cushions}}, and is also used on different kinds of gaming tables (usually gambling) such as those for [[blackjack]], [[baccarat]], [[craps]] and other [[casino]] games. It is also found as a writing surface, particularly on 19th century [[pedestal desk]]s.

The surface finish of baize is coarse, thus increasing rolling resistance and perceptibly slowing [[billiard ball]]s. Baize is available with and without a perceptible [[Nap (fabric)|nap]]. [[Snooker]], in which understanding nap effects is part of the game, uses the nappy variety, while [[Pool (cue sports)|pool]] and [[carom billiards]] use the napless type.

For gaming use, baize is traditionally [[dye]]d green, in mimicry of a lawn ''(see [[Cue sport#History|Cue sport, "History"]])'', though wide variety of table colours have become accepted. [[Bay (cloth)|Bay]] was similar material to baize, but lighter in weight and with a shorter nap.<ref>{{cite book |title=Textiles in America 1650–1870 |last=Montgomery |first=Florence M. |date=1984 |location=New York / London |publisher=Norton |page=152 |isbn=978-0-393-01703-8 |quote=Heaton distinguished between bay and baize: 'the bay was light, baise is heavy and with a long nap' (''Letter Books of Joseph Holroyd'', p. 11n). |url= https://archive.org/details/textilesinameric00mont/page/152/mode/2up?q=Bay+and+say |via=Internet Archive}}</ref>

{{Gallery
|title=Baize
|width=295
|height=295
|File:Baize closeup.jpg|alt1=Baize closeup|A closeup of the weave of [[worsted]] baize. This particular sample is Simonis 760, a high-end [[pool (cue sports)|pool]] cloth; it is [[Nap (textile)|napless]], unlike [[snooker]] cloth.
|File:Baize and ball.jpg|alt2=Baize and ball|A similar cloth sample as in the previous image, from further away and with a [[w:Billiard ball|pool ball]] for scale.
}}