Etiquette Question: Chalking at end of inning

I'm going to go against the grain here, and explain why I feel you are in the wrong.

I chalk after every shot. I use a very hard tip, so it is necessary. A cue is not ready to use until it is chalked. That said, often I will chalk after I miss. That gets me in the mindset of my cue, and myself are ready for my next turn, should I get one. When it is not chalked, I sometimes feel like my cue isn't ready, and that in turn translates to I'm not ready. It's a mental thing. So, you grabbing the chalk immediately will be looked at as rude to your opponent.

Also, why do you feel the need to be right there at the table before he even gets a chance to sit down? What's your big rush? I always bring my own chalk. It's amazing how many people are grabbing my chalk before I can even grab it!

From my experience, those that feel the need to race to the table are doing it because they are in a hurry to quick shoot so they can find out the outcome. They basically are hurting themselves by starting out rushing things. That tends to carry over to the rest of the game, and they rush their shots and then eventually screw-up because of it.

Much better to sit there a few seconds, prepare your mind to play properly, and then get up and perform as you are capable of doing.
 
Neil said:
I'm going to go against the grain here, and explain why I feel you are in the wrong.

I chalk after every shot. I use a very hard tip, so it is necessary. A cue is not ready to use until it is chalked. That said, often I will chalk after I miss. That gets me in the mindset of my cue, and myself are ready for my next turn, should I get one. When it is not chalked, I sometimes feel like my cue isn't ready, and that in turn translates to I'm not ready. It's a mental thing. So, you grabbing the chalk immediately will be looked at as rude to your opponent.

Also, why do you feel the need to be right there at the table before he even gets a chance to sit down? What's your big rush? I always bring my own chalk. It's amazing how many people are grabbing my chalk before I can even grab it!

From my experience, those that feel the need to race to the table are doing it because they are in a hurry to quick shoot so they can find out the outcome. They basically are hurting themselves by starting out rushing things. That tends to carry over to the rest of the game, and they rush their shots and then eventually screw-up because of it.

Much better to sit there a few seconds, prepare your mind to play properly, and then get up and perform as you are capable of doing.
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That there's some good advice! I also bring my own. If someone pulled that on me I would just relax in my chair.

If it a seasoned player and I know I'm being sharked I may just take a smoke break.

Last resort, pull out their chair until their seated. Be a gentleman. Fetch them some coffee. Tell a story.
 
Floppage said:
I searched through this forum and found a few threads on chalking but nothing that specifically seemed to address this issue but if I'm repeating an old thread I apologize in advance.

Also, I'm not trying to stir up the "do you need to chalk every time" debate.

Currently, chalking is part of my pre-shot routine. In a recent match, my opponent (a much better player) missed a shot and as I got up to grab the only chalk on the table he grabbed it and chalked his cue (kind of slowly) before sitting down. So I had to stand there and wait while he did that before I could chalk my cue. It wasn't a big deal but it threw me off for a minute.

The next time his inning was over I swiftly got up and swooped the chalk off the table before he could get to it and chalked my cue. It threw him off and he gave me an shocked/ugly look before sitting down. The next time he was up he kept the chalk right next to him so I couldn't do that again and proceeded to tow the chalk with him everywhere he went at the table for he rest of the match to make sure he could chalk after his shot.

To me, it felt like chalking after the inning was over was bad form. His inning was done and he should sit the hell down. However, if that's his habit and its not poor etiquette then my grabbing the chalk like may have been wrong.

The etiquette question here is which one of us was wrong? Or were we both wrong?

I am trying to be careful not to shark people but sometimes pool etiquette is a little fuzzy. Thanks in advance.
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I don't approach the table until my opponent has left the table, and I carry my own chalk in my pocket. If I think he's being a dick I might just knock the chalk off the table as I leave (just kidding, but I've thought about it)
 
Hits 'em Hard said:
I had someone start doing this to me once. The way to fix it is simple. When your opponent misses and grabs the chalk to apply it to their tip, just grab the chalk right out of their hand. If they say anything, respond with "it's my turn at the table, go sit down. You don't have to worry about miscuing in your chair." It it's league and they continue to throw a fit, just call an unsportmanslike conduct foul on their ass. Only way to fix a person being a dick is to be a bigger dick than they are.
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Be a bigger dick - I'm not making fun when I say I agree. I suppose there are those that think of me that way anyhow....
I'm not trying to hijack the thread or anything like that, but this calling a sportsmanship foul, what league and what's the criteria?
 
Bad form to chalk after you miss, same as the guy who chalks his cue while you are at the table. One solution for your issue though is to carry your own chalk.. :)

From what I have seen etiquette in general for pool is terrible.I come from a golf background so etiquette to me is very important. Seems to me that in pool it is such a big problem because it's not taught in the initial stages of learning to play. Most of us start by picking up a cue in a bar or such.
 
bwally said:
Bad form to chalk after you miss, same as the guy who chalks his cue while you are at the table. One solution for your issue though is to carry your own chalk.. :)

From what I have seen etiquette in general for pool is terrible.I come from a golf background so etiquette to me is very important. Seems to me that in pool it is such a big problem because it's not taught in the initial stages of learning to play. Most of us start by picking up a cue in a bar or such.
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To be clear... I never do it in view of my opponent.
 
Hits 'em Hard said:
I had someone start doing this to me once. The way to fix it is simple. When your opponent misses and grabs the chalk to apply it to their tip, just grab the chalk right out of their hand. If they say anything, respond with "it's my turn at the table, go sit down. You don't have to worry about miscuing in your chair." It it's league and they continue to throw a fit, just call an unsportmanslike conduct foul on their ass. Only way to fix a person being a dick is to be a bigger dick than they are.
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That's about the worst advice I've ever heard, either in pool or in life in general.
 
wrong wrong wrong

Neil said:
I'm going to go against the grain here, and explain why I feel you are in the wrong.

I chalk after every shot. I use a very hard tip, so it is necessary. A cue is not ready to use until it is chalked. That said, often I will chalk after I miss. That gets me in the mindset of my cue, and myself are ready for my next turn, should I get one. When it is not chalked, I sometimes feel like my cue isn't ready, and that in turn translates to I'm not ready. It's a mental thing. So, you grabbing the chalk immediately will be looked at as rude to your opponent.

Also, why do you feel the need to be right there at the table before he even gets a chance to sit down? What's your big rush I always bring my own chalk. It's amazing how many people are grabbing my chalk before I can even grab it!

From my experience, those that feel the need to race to the table are doing it because they are in a hurry to quick shoot so they can find out the outcome. They basically are hurting themselves by starting out rushing things. That tends to carry over to the rest of the game, and they rush their shots and then eventually screw-up because of it.

Much better to sit there a few seconds, prepare your mind to play properly, and then get up and perform as you are capable of doing.
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What are you giving internet pool lessons? This guy didn't ask for a pool lesson he asked if it was proper etiquette to chalk after your turn is over.

Yes it is bad etiquette and a shark move. If you do it anyway because it's part of your routine then you were taught badly.

I was taught this growing up! When they have the chalk and it's not there turn you simply say "can i have that?" And when they give it to you then you say, "thanks you aren't going to need it" and give them a big shit eating grin. They probably will stop.. lol

PS Neil no offense at you
 
Neil said:
I'm going to go against the grain here, and explain why I feel you are in the wrong.

I chalk after every shot. I use a very hard tip, so it is necessary. A cue is not ready to use until it is chalked. That said, often I will chalk after I miss. That gets me in the mindset of my cue, and myself are ready for my next turn, should I get one. When it is not chalked, I sometimes feel like my cue isn't ready, and that in turn translates to I'm not ready. It's a mental thing. So, you grabbing the chalk immediately will be looked at as rude to your opponent.

Also, why do you feel the need to be right there at the table before he even gets a chance to sit down? What's your big rush? I always bring my own chalk. It's amazing how many people are grabbing my chalk before I can even grab it!

From my experience, those that feel the need to race to the table are doing it because they are in a hurry to quick shoot so they can find out the outcome. They basically are hurting themselves by starting out rushing things. That tends to carry over to the rest of the game, and they rush their shots and then eventually screw-up because of it.

Much better to sit there a few seconds, prepare your mind to play properly, and then get up and perform as you are capable of doing.
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I agree with Neil. Since I moved to South Carolina I've had a few people, usually better players, pick up the chalk and take it to the chair with them. I've gone to the counter and asked for another piece of chalk. Usually no problem but sometimes I get "Why do you need another piece?" This is really a cheap-ass response. After that happening a few times I started carrying my own chalk, with my initials on the bottom. If I happen to leave it on the table I make damn sure I get it back. I have a real hard time seeing chalking before leaving the table as bad etiquette. I'll chalk my cue any damn time I feel like it. I personally feel that someone rushing to the table before I leave it very, very bad form. Gods, if you had started playing when I did, over 50 years ago, you would have quit in less than a year due to "improper etiquette".
 
muddawg said:
I have the habit of chalking up after I miss a shot (but I do get out of my opponents way and do not linger at the table). It doesn't make any sense because I always chalk up when I get back to the table as well, but, somewhere along the way, it became habit. This has never been a problem probably because: 1) there are usually multiple (at least 2) pieces of chalk on the table and 2) one of them is normally my own.

Solution: bring your own chalk and do with it what you will. The other guy can have the community chalk.

As far as good or bad etiquette... this situation shouldn't shark anyone as long as the other guy doesn't go overboard or refuse to give the chalk.
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Bingo. I pulled the rubber deal off the bottom of a leg of a metal folding chair, a piece of chalk fits perfectly in it. No confusing which piece of chalk is mine. We know all pool players are 100% honest but just in case you run into a guy playing pool who isn't a pool player and therefore isn't honest, bringing your own chalk also prevents an unethical opponent from "doctoring" the chalk with a foreign substance.
 
BRussell said:
I don't like it when people do that, but think of it this way: It's nice to be able to see the table layout before you sit down. Chalking gives them a few seconds to look. Just wait until they leave the table before you get up.

What annoys me more is when people grab the house chalk and take it back with them to their chair.
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BRussell said:
That's about the worst advice I've ever heard, either in pool or in life in general.
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The guy is being a deliberate asshole and you're ok with him studying your shot layout? I can gaurenteed that my opponents next look at the table will make that studying pointless. If your turn at the table is over, you now get to deal with it from your chair. Not impeding your opponents turn by studying his table layout and chalking. It's your advise that is out of line. My bigger question is why are you feeling ok with studying a table layout you don't have the opportunity to shoot at? What does that gain you?

I started buying my own chalk so I didn't have to deal with this issue. I still deal with people like you who won't leave the table after their turn though. I've taken to just walking righ in front of where they're looking. If they say anything I always ask them whose turn is it. I could go on, but the point is. You're condoning people being assholes. You need to respect the game a bit more.
 
btown said:
What are you giving internet pool lessons? This guy didn't ask for a pool lesson he asked if it was proper etiquette to chalk after your turn is over.

Yes it is bad etiquette and a shark move. If you do it anyway because it's part of your routine then you were taught badly.

I was taught this growing up! When they have the chalk and it's not there turn you simply say "can i have that?" And when they give it to you then you say, "thanks you aren't going to need it" and give them a big shit eating grin. They probably will stop.. lol

PS Neil no offense at you
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Guess you are the one that gives lessons. (touche')
 
Hmmm....the guy was chalking his cue after he missed...hmmmm...and there was no other chalk around for miles? Which is more devastating...the guy that chalks his cue after he misses or....hearing you have, say cancer? Do yourself a favor. As you grow older this will be more apparent, but DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF!

Bob
 
Floppage, In my opinion, it's bad etiquette to grab the chalk when it's no longer your turn, such as after a missed shot. It is common though, and I've been guilty of it myself before. Not to intentionally shark or disrupt my opponent, just a subconscious habit of grabbing the chalk after (nearly) every hit, and chalking while viewing/thinking the table layout. Granted, I don't need to be looking or thinking about the layout after I miss, but it's a habit.

I used to think chalk holders were a little silly until I started using one. Not only do I no longer have problems like what you've described, but having it at the ready in the same spot each time has further ingrained it as an unconscious habit in my PSR. It's consistently right where my hand goes after shooting and I don't have to look for it, or walk to the other end of the table, etc.
 
Proper etiquette:
  • Bring your own chalk.
  • Do not leave your chalk on the table.
  • Leave the table as soon as you have missed.
  • Do not rush your opponent if they are slow to leave the table.
I think the last two will take care of themselves as the use of a chess clock for pool matches catches on.
 
I've had it happen to me many times.

Personally, I don't care. You can only be sharked if you let him shark you.

Take forever to leave the table? Fine with me. I don't get up until you leave.
Stand in the line of my shot? No prob. I'll wait until you move. I've got all night.
Take all the chalk off the table? I'll wait in my chair until you put it back. Maybe even go get something from the bar.
Leave while I'm shooting? Man, you missed me running three racks while you were pissing.

No one can shark me. Ever.
 
Floppage said:
I searched through this forum and found a few threads on chalking but nothing that specifically seemed to address this issue but if I'm repeating an old thread I apologize in advance.

Also, I'm not trying to stir up the "do you need to chalk every time" debate.

Currently, chalking is part of my pre-shot routine. In a recent match, my opponent (a much better player) missed a shot and as I got up to grab the only chalk on the table he grabbed it and chalked his cue (kind of slowly) before sitting down. So I had to stand there and wait while he did that before I could chalk my cue. It wasn't a big deal but it threw me off for a minute.

The next time his inning was over I swiftly got up and swooped the chalk off the table before he could get to it and chalked my cue. It threw him off and he gave me an shocked/ugly look before sitting down. The next time he was up he kept the chalk right next to him so I couldn't do that again and proceeded to tow the chalk with him everywhere he went at the table for he rest of the match to make sure he could chalk after his shot.

To me, it felt like chalking after the inning was over was bad form. His inning was done and he should sit the hell down. However, if that's his habit and its not poor etiquette then my grabbing the chalk like may have been wrong.

The etiquette question here is which one of us was wrong? Or were we both wrong?

I am trying to be careful not to shark people but sometimes pool etiquette is a little fuzzy. Thanks in advance.
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If that guys wants to chalk after his turn he should have chalk at the table he is sitting at. Problem solved.
 
I'm in the "why the rush" crowd. Let the guy chalk his cue. I've never been one to JUMP outta my seat when my opponent misses anyway. As soon as he/she sits, I'll mosey my way on up to the table. Unless it's some sort of timed contest, who cares...? :cool:
 
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