Whether
you are in your friend's basement, the
local bar, pool hall, or an upscale
billiard room, there's a code of
behavior that you can follow that will
make you a welcome and respected guest
or customer.
1.
Respect the
equipment
Pool tables,
billiard balls, and cues are not
inexpensive toys. It is costly,
specialized equipment that calls for
professional handling and care.
·
Don't lay
the cue across your shoulders and wrap
your arms around it. Did you ever wonder
how all those warped cues got that way?
When you're not shooting, hold the cue
vertically.
·
Don't turn
the chalk upside down on the rails. It
makes a mess and can even stain wood
rails.
·
Don't bring
drinks or food to the pool room. Food
crumbs make a mess and spilled drinks
can damage wood and cloth. Drinks on
rails leave stains and could easily be
knocked over onto the table bed.
·
When
racking, don't slide the rack all over
the table. This puts extra wear on the
cloth. You can lift the rack slightly
off the table and still move the balls
into position over the foot spot.
·
Don't sit on
the edge of the table to make a shot. A
balanced table enhances the game, so why
chance screwing it up? Use the
mechanical bridge if you can't reach a
shot from a standing position. Also,
rivets from jean pockets can scratch a
table's finish.
·
Don't use
hand powder. It makes a big mess. A pool
glove serves the same purpose, is clean,
and you can take it with you wherever
you play.
2.
Respect
other players
Pool is a
competition, but it is also a social
activity. The other players want the
same opportunity you do to plan and
execute shots without rude
interruptions.
·
Don't shark.
If what you are doing would distract you
while shooting, it probably distracts
other players, too. Here are some common
sharks. Avoid them!
-
Doing
anything vocal while your opponent
shoot(talking, coughing, clearing
your throat, humming, whistling,
etc.)
-
Making noise while your opponent
shoots (dropping stuff, chewing
loudly, cracking gum, tinkling ice
cubes, tapping fingers, etc.)
-
Moving deliberately within the
shooter's field of view (chalking
your cue, walking near the table,
making sweeping hand or arm
movements, etc.)
-
Standing at the table, especially
behind the target pocket.
-
Don't coach other players unless
they ask for advice.
Unsolicited coaching is also a shark
-
Don't
turn lights on or off while someone
is shooting
-
Don't
criticize someone's game and don't
make excuses for your own misses.
-
Don't
hustle.
3.
Respect the
room
It's nice to
find things where you expect them to be
in a pool room. It's also nice not to be
greeted by trash littering the floors.
·
When
finished playing, return all equipment
to where you got it. This includes cues,
mechanical bridge, racks, balls, and
chalk. Recover tables with their dust
cloths
