Brits and their chalk

Chalk is the worst thing to happen to pool since they stopped using the mallet end.

When you miss your shot, and the chalk on the table is community chalk, wait 'til your next shot to chalk. It's my table.

When I started playing pool 25 years ago, we didn't have chalk at my parents' house so I never learned to use it. We had the awesome screw-on tips that were at least ten years old by the time I got to them, and I avoided miscuing by striking center ball with a soft grip.

When I started playing league pool 2.5 years ago, the only time I touched the chalk was to move it out of the way for my shot. If there was more than one piece of chalk on the table, I'd usually end up moving a handful at a time by the end of the match. One of the higher players on my team suggested I should start using chalk, so I bought a chalk holder. Consistently, I would chalk for the break, break, then play the rack with my playing cue. Problem was I wouldn't chalk my playing cue, just my break cue. That didn't work out very well, as it turns out. I was only winning 60% of my matches.

About 25 days ago, I started chalking before every shot, and bringing my chalk from home to the bar, keeping it next to my cue when I wasn't at the table. Now I'm doing other stupid things, like missing straight-in 8 balls or playing the wrong speed for shape on the 8. That's awesome.

I think I was playing better when I wasn't worrying about whether I'd remembered to chalk up. Anyway I think I was.
 
For me, putting the chalk down is part of my pre-shot routine. I stalk the table and think with my chalk in hand, and when I put it down (in a specific place relative to where I'm going to set up and shoot) that's the transition to the non-thinking part, where I stand up in line behind the shot and then get down to shoot. I have a chalk holder, but I've found that I actually perform at a slightly higher level without it.
 
This link is the type of chalk holder I have been using for the last 7 years. It loops over the top of your trousers and your belt. It's simple, it works, and since it's metal it's not likely to break. Mine has become so much a part of my game that it's instinctive. I never have to waste even a glance to find my chalk, all my attention is on the upcoming shot. I may just but another in case I ever lose the one I have now..

http://www.ozonebilliards.com/cuetec-magnetic-belt-chalk-holder.html

I'm curious. Does the chalk ever accidentally fall out of the holder when nudged?
Thanks,
 
Its not so bad compared to when you're about to grab the chalk then your opponent snatches the chalk away from you after they missed a shot so they can chalk their tip...even though it's not their inning anymore.

We've got a few guys around our pool hall that pick up the chalk just to chap their opponent and I've been told that they have told others that they do it, just to aggravate their opponent. ;)
 
I'm curious. Does the chalk ever accidentally fall out of the holder when nudged?
Thanks,

Joey, I can only speak from my experiences so I will tell you that I bought this very brand of magnetic chalk holder a few years ago and quit using it after several attempts at trying to make it work. It didn't matter where I placed the thing, on my belt or in a pocket, I always had trouble with the chalk getting knocked off and falling to the floor. I, being old-school, sit in a chair (preferably the tall spectator-type chairs w/arms) when I'm not at the table shooting. If I had the clip positioned anywhere around the front of my belt (which is where I would have prefered it to be), the chalk would get disturbed/moved by my stomach (which is bigger than it needs to be) and fall to the floor upon standing. If I wore the clip off to the side, whether on the belt or from a pocket, then the chalk part would get dislodged upon standing from the chair arms. I simply got tired of bending over to pick the darn chalk uip off of the floor several times a match or more. Now, if I was the type to stand up between turns at the table, or sat in a chair without arms, or had six-pack abs (I have a KEG :embarrassed2:), I may get away with using the thing. But.....it just didn't work out that way for me.

Maniac
 
Chalk has no home.

I was playing my uncle who is from england a couple of years ago, and he was driving me crazy with that. Every time I put the chalk down he would move it off the rail! We were playing on my table and it was really pissing me off! He told me the chalk doesn't belong on the table. I told him I will keep that in mind next time I am in england, but for now it will stay on the rail.

Give chalk a home. Leave it on the table. It's part of the game and has every right to take up it's square inch. I carry my own chalk and could care less about where the chalk goes. If it's my kind of chalk I'll use it off the table. Some people get pissy if you constantly remove the chalk from the table. Good grief people are dying, getting murdered, losing their jobs or family and someone is worried about the damm chalk. Lighten up. And like you, when I ever go to England I might think of doing it their way. Or not! I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
 
Joey, I can only speak from my experiences so I will tell you that I bought this very brand of magnetic chalk holder a few years ago and quit using it after several attempts at trying to make it work. It didn't matter where I placed the thing, on my belt or in a pocket, I always had trouble with the chalk getting knocked off and falling to the floor. I, being old-school, sit in a chair (preferably the tall spectator-type chairs w/arms) when I'm not at the table shooting. If I had the clip positioned anywhere around the front of my belt (which is where I would have prefered it to be), the chalk would get disturbed/moved by my stomach (which is bigger than it needs to be) and fall to the floor upon standing. If I wore the clip off to the side, whether on the belt or from a pocket, then the chalk part would get dislodged upon standing from the chair arms. I simply got tired of bending over to pick the darn chalk uip off of the floor several times a match or more. Now, if I was the type to stand up between turns at the table, or sat in a chair without arms, or had six-pack abs (I have a KEG :embarrassed2:), I may get away with using the thing. But.....it just didn't work out that way for me.

Maniac

That's what I'm talking about.
TKS!
 
We've got a few guys around our pool hall that pick up the chalk just to chap their opponent and I've been told that they have told others that they do it, just to aggravate their opponent. ;)

power of the pouch, means the nits cant aggravate ya, or shark ya when your kicking their ass at the table :smile:
 
I'm curious. Does the chalk ever accidentally fall out of the holder when nudged?
Thanks,

No I have not had the problem that the other poster referred to. That is why I have used it for the last 7 years. Not sure if waist size matters but it's not an issue for me. Good Luck, it works for me and that's all that matters. What works for one may not work for another...
 
chalk talk

When I first began playing I kept my chalk in my pocket,I believe it was faster then setting it on the rail.Somewhere along the way I picked up the habit of leaving my chalk on the rail.Recently though I have become tired of chasing the chalk around the table so I just got a magnetic holder that I clip on my belt.

By holding onto my chalk I don't have to sort through all the different pieces on the rail to determine which one is mine or circle the table to retrieve chalk when I was already ready to shoot.Also I know that no1 has been putting foreign substances into the chalk I am using .On the other hand I cannot use chalk sorting as a break time to get ready for a big shot:smile:
 
One thing I've noticed from all the video's I have watched with British pool/snooker players is that they never seem to put their chalk on the table between shots like Americans do. I've even seen some go as far as having a little leather chalk holster. I understand snooker players have the little pocket in their vest, but when they don't the chalk is put in a pocket. What is the issue with putting your chalk on the rail for the few seconds you're playing your shot?

Edit: Let the records show, I put my chalk on the table when I'm playing a shot, but I take t with me back to my chair when my inning is over.


Just my opinion but more so than cleanliness or etiquette, the British PAY for each cube of chalk. At one point I was going to England often and always wondered of this difference... not here in the good ol' USA that it's free for the taking

When you have to pay for each cube of chalk I think this is where the habit of keeping the chalk with you originated. This being cost effective

The only place in the US that I saw similar was Nick Varner's father's poolroom in Owensboro Ky. He had a dispenser vending machine that used to hold prizes or similar but put the cube of chalk in these two piece bubble containers that used to hold plastic rings and such prizes. Therein paying for the chalk, think it was a quarter machine

Didn't have time to read all the posts to see if anybody else brought this up but believe this is where it started :smile: it's a money thing
 
Just my opinion but more so than cleanliness or etiquette, the British PAY for each cube of chalk. At one point I was going to England often and always wondered of this difference... not here in the good ol' USA that it's free for the taking

When you have to pay for each cube of chalk I think this is where the habit of keeping the chalk with you originated. This being cost effective

The only place in the US that I saw similar was Nick Varner's father's poolroom in Owensboro Ky. He had a dispenser vending machine that used to hold prizes or similar but put the cube of chalk in these two piece bubble containers that used to hold plastic rings and such prizes. Therein paying for the chalk, think it was a quarter machine

Didn't have time to read all the posts to see if anybody else brought this up but believe this is where it started :smile: it's a money thing

Hmm, there are some places where you have buy chalk but I don't think there are many. There are a lot of pubs where you have to play the 'great chalk hunt', so there's value in taking your own just in case. The larger pool halls certainly provide it for free, as the glove compartment of my car will testify.

I wasn't even aware it WAS a British trait until reading this thread! It's personal choice, with some pocketing and others not, but the more serious player tends to pocket it. It really is laziness/convenience more than a money or tidiness thing.
 
its a real bad habit that a lot of the american players do. By doing this you are breaking your pre shot routine and not aligning properly, i take the chalk off the players and the table when i coach them.

unless you put the chalk on the table, then step back and walk into the shot properly, your alignment and sighting is off.

hope this helps - lee

I had instructions from a BCA certified instructor and was told that putting the chalk on the table was part of the pre shot routine. It is the final step before placing your bridge hand on the table. It is a signal to your brain that you are ready to get down into the shot.




.
 
I had instructions from a BCA certified instructor and was told that putting the chalk on the table was part of the pre shot routine. It is the final step before placing your bridge hand on the table. It is a signal to your brain that you are ready to get down into the shot.




.

:grin:


....................
 
I wasn't even aware it WAS a British trait until reading this thread! It's personal choice, with some pocketing and others not, but the more serious player tends to pocket it. It really is laziness/convenience more than a money or tidiness thing.

I could be wrong, but in pro snooker during match play, chalk might not allowed on the top rail. I found this out while playing in a world championship in Germany, leaving chalk on the table, to some showed disrespect. I felt it a little arrogant how I was treated by this older gentleman at the time during match play, but looking back felt it was probably the right thing to do. But his attitude on not accepting my ''ways'' of leaving the chalk on the rail, he used that to distract me during play. He was a better player at the time, and didn't need this 'extra' to beat me, but he was ''old school'' and this attitude tactic spoke loudly.
 
No I have not had the problem that the other poster referred to. That is why I have used it for the last 7 years. Not sure if waist size matters but it's not an issue for me. Good Luck, it works for me and that's all that matters. What works for one may not work for another...

You're exactly right. All that matters is if it works for you. I am kind of rambunctious at times and I can imagine myself knocking the chalk off of the holder. Glad that you don't have any problem with it.

Now that I am thinking about it, I've decided to go all in on the leather pouch and use it 100% of the time, whether I'm using Blue Diamond chalk or Masters. I'm pretty conditioned to using it during tournaments and I think it will be easy to get used to using it on a daily basis.

I may get a second leather pouch because if you play a lot of pool, that constant putting the chalk into the pouch, wears on the leather and the threads. Like I may have mentioned earlier, putting some good glue between two pieces of leather is a pretty good way of securing leather where the thread has come loose and the leather pieces are separating. At least it's working for me so far.
 
I could be wrong, but in pro snooker during match play, chalk might not allowed on the top rail. I found this out while playing in a world championship in Germany, leaving chalk on the table, to some showed disrespect. I felt it a little arrogant how I was treated by this older gentleman at the time during match play, but looking back felt it was probably the right thing to do. But his attitude on not accepting my ''ways'' of leaving the chalk on the rail, he used that to distract me during play. He was a better player at the time, and didn't need this 'extra' to beat me, but he was ''old school'' and this attitude tactic spoke loudly.

I don't know the rules but would be surprised if you couldn't leave it on the rail. Which world championships was it?
 
I had instructions from a BCA certified instructor and was told that putting the chalk on the table was part of the pre shot routine. It is the final step before placing your bridge hand on the table. It is a signal to your brain that you are ready to get down into the shot.




.

The chalk can be part of your pre shot routine, when you place it in your pouch etc, back from the table. But if your putting it on the table, and not walking in aligning properly, its a hindrance to your game, and your not doing the pre shot routine correctly.

you sight the ball back from the table, and find your alignment here, so if your putting your chalk down and then your bridge arm/hand on the table, your not staying aligned properly. your not focusing on your target at all times, and breaking this concentration by placing the chalk down on the table.
 
Back
Top