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Baize is a coarsewoollen (or in cheaper variantscotton)cloth, similar in texture tofelt, but more durable.
A mid-17th-century Englishditty – much quoted in histories of ale and beer brewing in England – refers to 1525:
Hops, heresies, bays, and beer;
Came into England all in one year.
Heresies refers to the ProtestantReformation, whilebays is theElizabethan spelling forbaize[1] (thoughbay andbaize eventually came to describe two similar but distinguishable types of cloth, as described below).
Baize is often used onbilliard tables to cover theslate andcushions, and is also used on different kinds of gaming tables (usually gambling) such as those forblackjack,baccarat,craps and othercasino games. It is also found as a writing surface, particularly on 19th centurypedestal desks.
The surface finish of baize is coarse, thus increasing rolling resistance and perceptibly slowingbilliard balls. Baize is available with and without a perceptiblenap.Snooker, in which understanding nap effects is part of the game, uses the nappy variety, whilepool andcarom billiards use the napless type.
For gaming use, baize is traditionallydyed green, in mimicry of a lawn(seeCue sport, "History"), though wide variety of table colours have become accepted.Bay was similar material to baize, but lighter in weight and with a shorter nap.[2]
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).
