Why do people put chalk...

KMRUNOUT said:
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
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Not that the people are stupid, but ignorant of the ettiquette and reasoning. Like others have said maybe they think they are doing it the right way...

Personally, I read about it in Byrne's book. I don't recall what I was doing with the chalk previously, i.e. I wasn't really thinking about it.
 
A good player and I have had this discussion several times. It is habit for her. She claims that Janet Lee's book (video?) said this (upside down) is how chalk should be placed. I've pointed out how messy it is, cleaned up after her, then repeated the process many times, but she just isn't going to change... She is otherwise a fine player and nice person though!
 
If the person I am playing with is putting the chalk upside down on the table, I have to assume one of the following:

1. They are ignorant bangers.

2. They are trying to shark / annoy me.


Either way, life is too short to shoot pool with bangers or scumbags who seek to get on your nerves as a means to win. If it's a tournament, nothing I can do to avoid the person. But I will not voluntarily play with a person who does that.

If I'm stuck playing with a person like that, I switch to my own piece of chalk, and then proceed to eliminate the chalk that's on the table by dropping it on the floor, in pockets (drop, not ball return), taking it with me and then "losing" it under some chair or something or putting it on other tables when I'm not at the table.

That way, if they're going to do it, they will only do it with ONE piece, and not 3-4 pieces making the rails a big blue mess. Although, doing it even with one piece makes a mess after a short while.
 
I usually set the record straight from the git-go at my place.
I make folks wash their hands before playing on my table and tell them the table is to kept clean.

If they can't handle that, then it's back to the bar boxes for them. So far no one has refused.
I do offer up the mandatory suggestion in a polite way though.:rolleyes:
 
When I play someone who does this at my house, I don't ask them to place the chalk properly on the rail, I INSIST on it or the chalk will magically disappear when I am at the table. Then when they get to shoot, there is no chalk there for them. They get the point!!!!
 
poolhustler said:
Nobody here would expect anyting less from you. :banghead:
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post deleted...I thought it was 9ballpaul responding to me. My mistake poolhustler. I did not know 9ballpaul's sportsmanship was a recurring thing ;-)
 
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I have a friend who's always done that, even after I tell him he's a slob and is making a freaking mess. A Richard Noggin, for sure. I love beating the hell out of him.
 
I've played a few ppl who do this and it drives me nuts. Any time I play someone who does this I try to bear down to keep them away from the table. Seeing players wipe the chalk off their tips on the carpet also irks me.
 
Bussines end up always,unless you like looking,like your having a good time with papa smurf...I probably sound like a grumpy old man at my house,but I'd rather put every one streight from the get go,an stay on their butts until their getting it right..I'm the guy paying for the repairs..I've let them all know if they want to pitch in when ever I'm having something done..then hey knock your selves out..this may sound harsh,but my friends know me,an enjoy spending time playing with me.
I don't papa smurf playing at my house..chalk away from the table,an please don't grind a well in the chalk..but then again chalk is cheap,I use masters,an buy twenty blocks at a time..my freinds are grinders..lol
I brush the table every few racks,an wipe the rails down.an if any of them need powder for their hands...their out of luck..no powder allowed.
Enjoy the holidays an play nice.
 
scratchs said:
Bussines end up always,unless you like looking,like your having a good time with papa smurf...I probably sound like a grumpy old man at my house,but I'd rather put every one streight from the get go,an stay on their butts until their getting it right..I'm the guy paying for the repairs..I've let them all know if they want to pitch in when ever I'm having something done..then hey knock your selves out..this may sound harsh,but my friends know me,an enjoy spending time playing with me.
I don't papa smurf playing at my house..chalk away from the table,an please don't grind a well in the chalk..but then again chalk is cheap,I use masters,an buy twenty blocks at a time..my freinds are grinders..lol
I brush the table every few racks,an wipe the rails down.an if any of them need powder for their hands...their out of luck..no powder allowed.
Enjoy the holidays an play nice.
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I would enjoy playing at your house!

KMRUNOUT
 
Powder:

Should be banned. Period. That's why those glove thingys were invented.

Upside down chalk:

Well, you can only be polite and ask them to stop. Otherwise you'll have to be more discerning with choosing your opponents.

People that take the most convenient chalk after their turn:

These people are sharks by nature if they don't realize they're doing it. Again, joking with them goes a long way, but you'll have to bring your own chalk if you want to get around this.

I'm surprised nobody mentioned the guy that hoards all of the chalk together on the table. (I do this...) Trying to break the habit.
 
JBKY said:
That's why they do It.John B.
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thats why i do it, i shit the box all up if i'm in action, worse if i'm losing. If social pool or alone then I keep it nice. Get the bet over $100 and the mess shall begin:thumbup:
 
poolhustler said:
When I play someone who does this at my house, I don't ask them to place the chalk properly on the rail, I INSIST on it or the chalk will magically disappear when I am at the table. Then when they get to shoot, there is no chalk there for them. They get the point!!!!
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i promis not to make a mess.:) Thats just respect.
 
I play with people that leave the chalk down. Later in the game they complain their shirt or slacks have chalk on them. :shrug: Leaves me speechless
 
KMRUNOUT said:
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
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You may be right about that. But you're one of those people I'd like to gamble with. Bring a satchel of cabbage; we'll play the last game for your satchel.
 
Fatboy said:
thats why i do it, i shit the box all up if i'm in action, worse if i'm losing. If social pool or alone then I keep it nice. Get the bet over $100 and the mess shall begin:thumbup:
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That is funny. At least you are clean when at someone's home though which makes this even more hilarious.
 
My reason was ignorance. Until az I just never thought about it. I am a slob by the way
. Now I only do it when I play Bullshooter69. It bothers him and I need all the help I can get!

Larry
 
Chalk placement

First of all, I think one should always play with the chalk that is provided unless you have the same color as the establishment or in your case, your home. My friend has a Brunswick at his house and he uses the light green Masters chalk because it's better for his color cloth. I use the light green when I'm there. I use blue at my house. That's just common courtesy.

The chalk being placed upside down should not happen at all. That's possibly a mistake or just carelessness, maybe being in a hurry. Now, chalk placed on it's side, facing the table surface is actually something that was started in the early days of billiards. As you know, the players in those days played in their nicest clothes, gentleman that they were. The chalk would be placed on it's side facing the surface as a courtesy to the other player so not to get chalk on their nice clothes. It's a habit that I got into because it makes sense.

I have no idea if your friend has that in mind but that could be a reason for it. If it's getting all over your rails it could just be that it isn't new or that it's wearing on the edges. I haven't had that problem at my house. Just a thought.
 
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