Personally, from playing on a laminated desk which wore through, to a big cloth pad, I think the biggest thing is a very low ratio between the amount of force needed to start the mouse moving relative the force to keep it moving (static friction vs. dynamic friction (or takes 5 newtons to start moving, and 3 to keep moving). If it has a high static friction, you're going to try moving the mouse, and basically have to move it a minimum distance or not at all. High static friction also means there is a minimum speed you can move at before the mouse starts sticking.
I think cloth pads are the best because downward pressure on the mouse is never really constant from lifting and landing the mouse, clicking also modulates downward pressure, etc, and since the pad gives a bit, the mouse is never really static, so it doesn't have near the ratio of static:dynamic friction that hard surfaces do.
Also, a nice thick cushy pad will let you play longer without getting carpal tunnel.