Why do people put chalk...

SteveMarklePool said:
This is funny. Actually a lot of my friends do this when playing also. My idea to why this is done is because they are thinking about their next shot and not about the placement of the chalk. If you notice most of the time when players put the chalk down they are not staring at where they are putting it because their eyes are on the playing field and focused only on that.
Click to expand...

I agree. I've tried to kindly explain to players just like it was explained to me. Well I got more of a scolding when I entered my first pool hall from the owner.
I've even wiped down the table and placed the chalk blue side up every turn at the table.
Ya can't change the world.
 
Cornerman said:
I think you confirmed what I said. "One little spin" is more than no little spin. Again, I"m just answering your question as to why people do it. The easiest, ergonomically, efficiently, and yes, the laziest way to put the chalk down is exactly the way it's in your hand when you chalk. That would mean without spinning or manipulating, it would go chalk down.

It's also the messiest.

Freddie <~~~ we've all done it
Click to expand...

It is the messiest.
 
Did you ever mention to him that you prefered the chalk right side up?
I have played with a guy who doesn't even want the chalk on the rails. He doesn't say anything to you when you play him , he just rants about it to whoever will listen later on.
Seems to me he is setting himself up for failure and enjoys getting lathered up over it.
 
Powder!

3RAILKICK said:
If we start another thread-in addition to chalk courtesy/instructional advice-please consider one about fkn POWDER. POWDER all over EVERY rail and EVERY cushion.

POWDER smudges, skidmarks, snowangels, cavewall art and of course the full size POWDER HAND PRINTS on the cloth which apparently is how they remove that little bit of EXCESS POWDER so it doesn't get all over---them.

Plus-every ball on the table gets coated. It's a mess. Balls skid. It's a fkn mess.

We're not playing on a pommel horse or the parallel bars or the giant rings-please people-dial down the powder useage.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Powder is much more a problem. I know several people who absolutely destroy the table. In ONE game! I could bake a cake on the table with less mess. They justify this with sweaty hands. My brother bought a new Brunswick for his house and not being much of a player asked me if he needed one of those huge chalk things. I said hell no. People (non players) will think they need chalk. Much of my early pool was in bars, so the whole chalk etiquette thing and all other pool etiquette was pretty much a moot point. There are too many problems in this world for me to worry about proper chalk etiquette! I place it correctly if anyone cares. I grew up in a snooker hall and the manager had a hardon for us kids doing every thing properly. It stuck!
 
I think the problem is largely caused by tip-drillers who chalk with the cue horizontal or even with the tip down. The chalk dust stays in the freshly drilled well until it gets placed face down, and gravity takes it to the rail.

If you chalk your cue properly (cue near-vertical,stroke across the tip, don't drill it, chalk cube opening facing down), you won't have this problem.
 
metallicane said:
...on the rail upside down or on its side? It leaves chalk EVERYWHERE. I played a friend of mine yesterday at my house and I leave IPT chalk on the rails for him to use. I have a cube of Kamui in a holder I use. Anyway, there is chalk all over the place. Is he clueless, does he just not care, how do you tell someone that they are making a mess without offending?

This may seem petty and for those that think so, I am sorry. It is one of my pet peeves.
Click to expand...

Someone did a poll on here a while back about pool pet peeves and chalk upside down on the rail was like # 1 I think. I think this is also very irritating. The things that irk me most generally have these qualities:

1) serve no particular benefit to anyone
2) are easy to avoid
3) are perpetrated consistently, as if the person *decided* to do it that way

Those three qualities *for me* make for some irritating stuff! And the upside down chalk satisfies them all!

KMRUNOUT
 
I have brought the upside down chalk issue up to a few different people and their reactions were pathetic.

Some were even in denial. I'd wipe the rails and point out that they Just did it again and they denied it again!
 
9BallPaul said:
If I can throw you off your game by simply violating your chalking etiquette, I'll do it every time.
Click to expand...

Way to focus on the game...nothing like honor and integrity...

If you are serious, you are one of those people that lowers the overall quality of humanity just a little...


KMRUNOUT
 
There was a study done at UCLA. It concluded that people who leave chalk upside down have an 83% higher propensity to leave their skid-marked underwear on their bedroom floor and eat their boogers.
 
berko said:
Its just ignorance.

Just tell them nicely, and it will stop.
Click to expand...

You think its ignorance? It could be, but I notice that people that do this do it *every* time. Maybe they are just ignorant of the fact that "the way they do it" is annoying and causes issues for everyone?

Definitely curious about this...

KMRUNOUT
 
Maniac said:
As it is for many on AZB. No need for apologies. It is one of my pet peeves too (of the MANY I have). It falls right into the category between the players that chalk their cues OVER the table and the ones that pick up the chalk (you know, the one piece that YOU need) and chalk their cue as they're leaving the table. But.....that's another thread in itself :sorry:.

Maniac
Click to expand...



THAT IS THE WORST. The guy who grabs the only piece of chalk on the table when its your turn or even worse the guy who brings it to his table. Those people can burn in hell for all I care.

Ok I take it back. They shouldnt burn but something bad should happen to them.
 
Mr. Wiggles said:
Powder is much more a problem. I know several people who absolutely destroy the table. In ONE game! I could bake a cake on the table with less mess. They justify this with sweaty hands. My brother bought a new Brunswick for his house and not being much of a player asked me if he needed one of those huge chalk things. I said hell no. People (non players) will think they need chalk. Much of my early pool was in bars, so the whole chalk etiquette thing and all other pool etiquette was pretty much a moot point. There are too many problems in this world for me to worry about proper chalk etiquette! I place it correctly if anyone cares. I grew up in a snooker hall and the manager had a hardon for us kids doing every thing properly. It stuck!
Click to expand...

Crappy bridge technique is often the cause of the "need" for powder. If you notice many beginners (or some veterans!) bridging, they somehow rest the cue on the parts of the hand with the most flesh and thickest skin. I have worn a slight spot on my middle finger, not quite a callous, but smooth. Likewise, my cue touches my index finger right at the side of the knuckle where there is almost nothing covering the bone. I was *taught* to bridge this way, and it works great. Its just the classic straight end joint of the index finger type of bridge, like the Philipinos use.

It kinda makes sense that people who have no aversion to powder are also people not especially regular about washing their hands...It is amazing how much a quick rinse with soap and water helps. You can train your body. I used to have sweaty hands, not so much anymore.

KMRUNOUT
 
I think a lot of people think that is the way the chalk should go on the table. Just had my daughter and son-in-law over (both have played leagues). Both of them sits the chalk hole down. I thought they would get the hint when I took a rag and wiped off the rails a couple of times, but they didn't. Hated to say anything, I only get to play with them occasionally. Both really good people, just think they believe that is the way it should go.
 
Maybe a good idea which doesn't directly place blame anywhere is this:

In between racks, say "hang on a sec". Go grab a moist paper towel and wipe down the rails. Spend about 5 minutes. Explain that there is chalk all over them, and you think it is getting on your clothes. Plus, it makes the table look crappy. You can also offer that you are pretty sure it is caused by people putting the chalk down upside down. This way, you didn't say your opponent did anything wrong. If he says "hey, I do it that way", you could reply "oh really? I didn't even notice...I just see the mess on the table..."

That is my plan for next time.

KMRUNOUT
 
KMRUNOUT said:
Maybe a good idea which doesn't directly place blame anywhere is this:

In between racks, say "hang on a sec". Go grab a moist paper towel and wipe down the rails. Spend about 5 minutes. Explain that there is chalk all over them, and you think it is getting on your clothes. Plus, it makes the table look crappy. You can also offer that you are pretty sure it is caused by people putting the chalk down upside down. This way, you didn't say your opponent did anything wrong. If he says "hey, I do it that way", you could reply "oh really? I didn't even notice...I just see the mess on the table..."

That is my plan for next time.

KMRUNOUT
Click to expand...

I even was cleaning the rails so he could not shoot, but it still went over his head. I guess the only way to address it is to say something. I will post his response later. We are playing again this weekend.
 
I had to talk to my wife (very gently) about turning the chalk upside down on the rail. At the bar we frequent, everyone does it. Once she put her hand on the rail and then looked at her hand she understood.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top