Billiards Etiquette

Drawman623

Drawman623

Box Cue lover
Silver Member
This is a subject I hope will generate some response from players and those seeking to promote the sport in the USA.

It may have been my immagination, but as a fan at the SL Open, I felt a somewhat frosty response from many of the players. During the matches, I witnessed distractions, including, but not limited to, all manner of cell phone ringtones.

During the finals...with a point to go, Forthomme was taken out of dead stroke by a camera flash. His reply was anger; and mine, though not having a camera or cell phone, was utter embarrassment.

I ask the members who know better to offer some suggestions for young players or fans (such as myself) so that we may become more respectful players and onlookers.

I am a pocket billiards player conditioned by 30 years of leaving the chalk, respectfully face up, on the rail for my opponent. Now I must take it with me for fear of "abandoning my chalk"

I need to bite my tongue sometimes just to stiffle the instinct to say "nice shot" at a near miss.

Help! Your experiences about etiquette will be appreciated.
 
IMO the moron with the camera should have been shown the light somewhere in the dark recesses near the back door! The losers with cell phones should have had them on vibrate or not on at all! Are the spectators there to watch the event or disrupt the event? I said nice shot once in my life (after a miss)to a football player when I was sixteen years old and he threw my ass down so fast I was speechless. Guess what I have never said nice shot after my opponent missed since, lessons learned the hard way are never forgotten. I was young once and somehow survived to get all the way to 56 now and it all boils down to respect for the person you are playing especially while he is shooting. If your not shooting sit ur ass down for gods sake, I have to move idiots all night long sometimes. They shoot and miss then hang out between the tables with their friends and you have to bump them continually to get the message across to em. I want to stick my cue up their butt.
I used to play APA and there was one team that screamed at the top of their lungs every time they made a shot, it was so bad we complained to the operator and it continued so I left after that session and never went back.
Just plain disrespectful jerks. Can't stand em that is why I play in the old school pool halls wherever I am. It's just seems to be a more pool oriented environment.

JMO,
Dan
 
I totally agree with you on camera flash and cell phone issues. I am certain those few individuals didn't mean to do it on purpose. The tournament has been a labor of love by many great creative minds. It has improved over the years, and it will keep getting better.

As a suggestion, perhaps the next year we will have warning signs up around the arena and by the front door, along with a pre-game reminder announcement similar to the one you hear in the movie theater.

Now, who has a good voice talent to do this? :D
 
I agree. There need to be frequent announcements and warnings given to all who attend to put their cell phones on vibrate or turn them off. The cameras should have their flash off and the pictures should NOT be taken when the player is about to stroke. For some reason everyone wants to take the picture when the guy is down on the shot. Personally, I find those pictures boring. Take it after he shoots.
 
Why not post a sign saying that if youre cell phone rings, you're out the door.

If you're not playing the match, you shouldn't say anything but if my opponent makes a good shot, I tap my cue or say nice shot. It's okay to be polite in 3 cushion.
 
Tap

Paul Dayton said:
Why not post a sign saying that if youre cell phone rings, you're out the door.

If you're not playing the match, you shouldn't say anything but if my opponent makes a good shot, I tap my cue or say nice shot. It's okay to be polite in 3 cushion.
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Back in the sixties when I first started to play the place had one of those ol creaky/squeaky oak floors and whenever the opponent made a good shot you lightly tapped the floor with your cue to compliment them. Sadly there is carpet everywhere so now I acknowledge them with a nod of the head, some of the Hispanic gents I play with snap there fingers as a sign of respect. Sometimes I wonder if the younger generations have respect for anything including themselves. GOOD LORD I SOUND LIKE AN OL MAN!!
Older & Wiser 4 sur!!
JMO!!!
Dan
 
As an old retired guy I have the oportunity to play on weekday afternoons. It's pretty quiet and the same people every day. all are pretty well behaved but cell phones do ring, the juke box plays but not too much or too loud and of course there is T.V. in view. And I can play all afternoon for the incredible price of 5 bucks. I count the house and wonder how they pay the light bill. It's a labor of love I guess so I try not to complain about things.

Straight pool is something else. In our round robin games nothing annoys me more than the person who wont sit in the chair when I am at the table. After all, I seldom run more than 10.

I usually have a camera but I wouldn't think of snapping a picture without asking first. I don't own a cell phone and probably never will.

Dave Nelson
 
I went through a stint about 10 years ago where I wanted to learn 3-cushion. I played for about a half a year. I got to be good enough at it that I could enjoy the game. I surely wasn't good enough for any type of competition though. I usually played with the older guys there. They taught me quite a bit. I can remember the first time playing and walking away from the table leaving the chalk sitting on the rail. The guy wasn't rude or anything but he picked it up, chalked his cue, walked over and handed it to me, then went back to the table. That happened 3 times before I figured out what he was trying to say. On that 4th time I grabbed the chalk and sat down. He had a smile on his face.

I agree 110% that phones should be turned off or on manner mode during competition. It doesn't bother me at the pool hall because it's all background noise. Flashes should be turned off too.
MULLY
 
Dave Nelson said:
I don't own a cell phone and probably never will.

Dave Nelson
Click to expand...

You don't have a cell phone???? How on earth are you going to text your friend during a dinner date? :D
MULLY
I have a cell phone but hate the way people are always texting at the most inappropriate times. :mad:
 
Drawman623 said:
This is a subject I hope will generate some response from players and those seeking to promote the sport in the USA.

It may have been my immagination, but as a fan at the SL Open, I felt a somewhat frosty response from many of the players. During the matches, I witnessed distractions, including, but not limited to, all manner of cell phone ringtones.
Click to expand...

I introduced myself politely to a couple of the top players and they were nothing but friendly. If you mean all the background noise and flashes and cell phones, that's unfortunately a part of everything these days. I think you just need some signs that say, "No audible ringtones, no flash photography," and throw one person out if they violate it. It'll get around.

I do have one question, I'm with the guy that says in pool, leaving the cube of chalk on the rail is generally kind of a gallant move, it's like, 'I made my shot', there's the chalk. Do that in 3C, you're a pariah. But why, exactly? I could see if you're marking the shot, but if you just leave it on the rail, why is it such an insult?
 
Taking your seat

eze123 said:
in pool, leaving the cube of chalk on the rail is generally kind of a gallant move, it's like, 'I made my shot', there's the chalk. Do that in 3C, you're a pariah. But why, exactly? I could see if you're marking the shot, but if you just leave it on the rail, why is it such an insult?
Click to expand...

These are the questions I'm trying to answer too. I was also told that after a miss, the departing player should not cross the path of the incoming player, but rather, walk around the table the other way to his chair.

It seems good intentions are not enough.
 
Good intentions are hard to identify. Actions speak volumes.

When playing pool sit down when it's not your shot.

Be still. No talking or moving around, especially if in the others line of sight.

No trash talk.

Cell phone silent. It's easy to forget it when first entering the ph so, especially in the case of a tournament, a BIG sign should be placed directly in front of the entry door.

No flash cameras!!! You use it and you're out of the room. And, no photos from cameras that have an audible shutter noise. If it's really quiet and the photographer is close by the shutter noise could be a distraction while stroking.

I'll have my own chalk so you can take it or leave the chalk for me but if you are going to leave it for pete's sake leave it chalk side up.

Even if we are friends and just playing for fun, don't talk to me while I'm shooting. I can't concentrate and even though it's just for fun I still HATE to miss.

I grew up in the 50's in a room where they tapped the floor to acknowledge good shots and I still like the respect that shows.

BE RESPECTFUL above all.
 
And then there is the person who puts the chalk on the rail open side up but if he wants the chalk and it's on the other side of the table, reaches over with his cue and rakes it across, spilling all the lose chalk on the cloth.

And while I'm ranting, how about the smokers who line up their shot with a burning cig hanging from their mouths, frequently spilling ash on the cloth.

Dave Nelson
 
eze123 said:
I introduced myself politely to a couple of the top players and they were nothing but friendly. If you mean all the background noise and flashes and cell phones, that's unfortunately a part of everything these days. I think you just need some signs that say, "No audible ringtones, no flash photography," and throw one person out if they violate it. It'll get around.

I do have one question, I'm with the guy that says in pool, leaving the cube of chalk on the rail is generally kind of a gallant move, it's like, 'I made my shot', there's the chalk. Do that in 3C, you're a pariah. But why, exactly? I could see if you're marking the shot, but if you just leave it on the rail, why is it such an insult?
Click to expand...

Good point about the chalk. Been playing over 20 years and never really made much note about chalk etiquette. I have realized that all the time I have been following the other players leads. Mostly halls in the LI NY area. Some in the city and Jersey too. Lets face it. Sometimes the only way to learn is by making a mistake. And the only issues I have ever had or seen with chalk is when the guy that misses takes the chalk and the other guy approaches the table to find it missing. Rarely have I ever seen people that have their own chalk. The ones with their own little retractable chalk contraptions. As a matter of fact I can remember times when a guy misses and would place the chalk down on the table near the cue ball to be courteous.

As far as the rest of the issues, cell phones, ring tones, etc. my personal frustration is when I allow it to get to me. No excuse. Not in a vacuum. If asking how YOU should be acting then good for you for asking and I am sure this site will get you the answers. If you asking why the rest of the people in the hall don't act that way? Well ... I would imagine that is up to the hall to set the standard. Each hall handles things differently.
 
eze123 said:
... in pool, leaving the cube of chalk on the rail is generally kind of a gallant move, it's like, 'I made my shot', there's the chalk. Do that in 3C, you're a pariah. But why, exactly? ...
Click to expand...
In snooker, the top players never place their chalk on the rail. It always goes back into a pocket.

I think it is mostly tradition at carom, but I can guess...

When it is your opponent's turn to play, it is your turn to prepare your equipment, including roughing and chalking your tip. You will need a piece of chalk at your seat for that.

Chalk is important enough that you want to have full control of it. If you have a good piece that is curved through wear to fit your tip, you wouldn't want to share it with your opponent. (Note that the vast majority of players chalk wrong, and bore a hole into the chalk. Good players don't chalk like that.)

If only your own piece of chalk is on the table, you can easily arrange for it not to be a marker to align the shot, and for it not to be a distraction.

If your cue ball hits the other player's chalk, is it a foul?

Someone else remarked: "Rarely have I ever seen people that have their own chalk." In contrast with this, I don't think I have ever seen a top carom player who did not carry his own chalk for a tournament.
 
Good points about chalk! I have been carrying my own on one of the magnetic chalk holders that attaches to your belt. I have become so accustomed to it being right there that if I try to play with chalk on the rail it throws off my concentration.. Love having my own chalk in the same place all the time, never have to look for it!
Went to Chris's in Chicago this afternoon and all four carom tables were in use!!
Dan
 
I've been playing almost 50 years and until this year the chalk was always on the table. Present room has a new Gabriel and they were told that there is to be no chalk on the table. This seems to be a European tradition.
 
Paul Dayton said:
I've been playing almost 50 years and until this year the chalk was always on the table. Present room has a new Gabriel and they were told that there is to be no chalk on the table. This seems to be a European tradition.
Click to expand...
Glad to see i'm not the only one that is used to seeing the chalk always on the table. I was happy to see a piece of chalk that wasn't a crater you could fit half your shaft into. Usually the only guy in the hall that carried his own chalk was the guy that had the special holder and the glove and all the other latest gadgets that hit the market.
 
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