Pool waist aprons

3RAILKICK · Jan 3, 2011

I was just watching a Jimmy Reid instructional 8-ball VHS tape. He was wearing a tie-at-the waist 'apron' (I don't know what else to call it). It looked like it might have a couple of pockets in front.

What's the story on these? Still used? What was/is their function?

I have seen only one guy wearing one at a pool hall-about 15 years ago-He was out of New York complete with a 'wtf are you looking at' attitude.

Were these from times past-where a rackguy might keep his money?

I looks like keeping chalk in the front pockets would be uncomfortable.

What's the deal? An old school memorabilia item?

Just curious.

Thanks

btoneill · Jan 3, 2011

I thought their use was so that you don't get chalk around your waist area when you lean over the table... Keep your suit nice and clean... I think the pockets were just there because they were used by people whom the 'apron's' were designed for and were just purchased by pool players to keep clean.

Brian

Jude Rosenstock · Jan 3, 2011

3RAILKICK said:
I was just watching a Jimmy Reid instructional 8-ball VHS tape. He was wearing a tie-at-the waist 'apron' (I don't know what else to call it). It looked like it might have a couple of pockets in front.

What's the story on these? Still used? What was/is their function?

I have seen only one guy wearing one at a pool hall-about 15 years ago-He was out of New York complete with a 'wtf are you looking at' attitude.

Were these from times past-where a rackguy might keep his money?

I looks like keeping chalk in the front pockets would be uncomfortable.

What's the deal? An old school memorabilia item?

Just curious.

Thanks

The only time I ever see them used now is at 14.1 tournaments. They're simply kitchen aprons with large pockets in the front. Players used them to hold chalk and to keep chalk dust off their pants.

dardusm · Jan 3, 2011

3RAILKICK said:
I was just watching a Jimmy Reid instructional 8-ball VHS tape. He was wearing a tie-at-the waist 'apron' (I don't know what else to call it). It looked like it might have a couple of pockets in front.

What's the story on these? Still used? What was/is their function?

I have seen only one guy wearing one at a pool hall-about 15 years ago-He was out of New York complete with a 'wtf are you looking at' attitude.

Were these from times past-where a rackguy might keep his money?

I looks like keeping chalk in the front pockets would be uncomfortable.

What's the deal? An old school memorabilia item?

Just curious.

Thanks

My understanding was that they were used to keep the pants from creasing (bending over the table) and clean from chalk, etc. I haven't seen anyone use one for over 20 years.

rorywayne · Jan 3, 2011

Its really a great idea.

Why do all the Vegas dealers wear one, because when you keep leaning and rubbing against a table, soon you get a wear line in your pants. Waiters wear one to guard against spilt food. Why do so many players wear jeans, because they are table proof. I have had a lot of nice slacks get ruined because an older table had part of the pocket sticking out like a dagger and caught my pants as I came around. This is a problem with a lot of the old Brunswick Sportsmans and Gandy big G's.
And holmes, check out my picuture, these pantalones I wear, cost me mucho pesos. One time the pocket caught my pistolo and it went off and almost shot off my big toe..........

Naw, just kidding you on that one. When I go into the gringo places, I take the pistola off.

Mr Hoppe · Jan 3, 2011

rorywayne said:
Why do all the Vegas dealers wear one, because when you keep leaning and rubbing against a table, soon you get a wear line in your pants. Snip...

Casino dealers wear them to prevent them from dropping the occasional $500 chip in their front pocket . . . accidentally of course. What I don't get is since they're wearing casino provided uniforms, why doesn't the casino just not put front pockets in the pants? :shrug:

ctyhntr · Jan 3, 2011

There is an old timer around here that fashioned an apron out of a towel for precisely that reason. He doesn't want to get his suit pants dirty.

Jude Rosenstock said:
The only time I ever see them used now is at 14.1 tournaments. They're simply kitchen aprons with large pockets in the front. Players used them to hold chalk and to keep chalk dust off their pants.

SpiderWebComm · Jan 3, 2011

They wear them all the time in the pool hall I frequent.

Black-Balled · Jan 3, 2011

And you can put your weeeeed in it.

cigardave · Jan 3, 2011

Richie "the Hat" Gieler wears one here in the Seattle area.

cuesblues · Jan 3, 2011

I still have one from the 70's with The Pool Hall (Denver) logo on it.
Can't believe I actually wore that thing.

I still see people wearing the same apron's nowdays.
It's vintage apparel

btoneill · Jan 3, 2011

cuesblues said:
I still have one from the 70's with The Pool Hall (Denver) logo on it.
Can't believe I actually wore that thing.

Had to protect your polyester bell bottoms!

pooltchr · Jan 3, 2011

Home Depot has them. Great to keep nails and small tools handy when you are working...very durable as they are made out of canvas.
They work great around a pool table.

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hard...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

At less than a buck, even a pool player can afford one!

Steve

cuesblues · Jan 3, 2011

btoneill said:
Had to protect your polyester bell bottoms!

Yeah, those white patent leather belt's look funny with blue chalk stains.

Luxury · Jan 3, 2011

I've seen guys where them regulrly and I think to myself how I would rather where clothes I don't care about that wear an apron.

When it's my turn to play in league I wipe all the chalk off the rails from the ignorant upside down chalk slammers to protect my clothes.

ctyhntr · Jan 3, 2011

Thats where tan chalk comes in, hides the chalk stains on the cue shaft as well as on the clothes, or without clothes.

cuesblues said:
Yeah, those white patent leather belt's look funny with blue chalk stains.

btoneill · Jan 3, 2011

ctyhntr said:
Thats where tan chalk comes in, hides the chalk stains on the cue shaft as well as on the clothes, or without clothes.

But it's TAN! Blue is the only way to go

ridewiththewind · Jan 3, 2011

Mr Hoppe said:
Casino dealers wear them to prevent them from dropping the occasional $500 chip in their front pocket . . . accidentally of course. What I don't get is since they're wearing casino provided uniforms, why doesn't the casino just not put front pockets in the pants? :shrug:

Thank you for clarifying that Mr Hoppe! That is exactly the reason why they are worn...to cover not only the pockets, but the waistband as well. Back when I was a casino dealer, the aprons had no pockets on them whatsoever.

Lisa

jgpool · Jan 3, 2011

Like these?

Here is what we wore in the 1980's when we played in the Colorado Springs Pool League. I saw Angel Garcia wearing one when he played in Colorado Springs for Sportsmans Lounge in the old Bowlmore Bowling Alley (I think he was from the Denver area) and so I went out and had these made for our team. They are numbered 1 - 6 and made out of felt, the best average would wear #1 and the worst average would wear #6. That sure was a fun time. BRAG: I wore #1 more often than not. They did keep your pants clean.

abbassi · Jan 3, 2011

Actually, they were to keep chalk from getting on slacks, especially light color pants.
I had a bunch of aprons custom made, length, height, pockets and tie in the front tie.
I used to embroider logos and names on them. I still have some blanks available somewhere.

Pool waist aprons

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