Etiquette - Where did it go?

[MikeMaaen]

It used to be that "serious" pool had a set of unwritten etiquette that players followed. Tournament and action games are generally as friendly as a knife fight but, mutual respect demanded that the incomming player was silent, seated and still while the shooter commanded the table. A occassional "nice shot" or "tap,tap,tap" was about all the commuication necessary or desired. The players chair was for the players, not the rail birds or other team members and friends..

It seems that much of this has been lost. In a recient APA event the music (if you could call it that) was turned up to deafing volume, players yelling over the sound of the racket added to the distraction. Teams gathered around the match table leaving nowhere for the players to sit down. Opponents standing in the line of a shot (used to be called "sharking"), shooters complaining loudly about a missed shot or position.

Should there be some discussion on this phenom? I thnk the game sounds of tip on cue, cue on ball and ball in pocket have simply become overshadowed. Here's a vote for more "mum pool".

 

[Quesports]

The APA focus is to make money from the pool industry. It is very good at that. They could care less what else happens...

 

[The Piper]

It used to be that "serious" pool had a set of unwritten etiquette that players followed. Tournament and action games are generally as friendly as a knife fight but, mutual respect demanded that the incomming player was silent, seated and still while the shooter commanded the table. A occassional "nice shot" or "tap,tap,tap" was about all the commuication necessary or desired. The players chair was for the players, not the rail birds or other team members and friends..

It seems that much of this has been lost. In a recient APA event the music (if you could call it that) was turned up to deafing volume, players yelling over the sound of the racket added to the distraction. Teams gathered around the match table leaving nowhere for the players to sit down. Opponents standing in the line of a shot (used to be called "sharking"), shooters complaining loudly about a missed shot or position.

Should there be some discussion on this phenom? I thnk the game sounds of tip on cue, cue on ball and ball in pocket have simply become overshadowed. Here's a vote for more "mum pool".

If you find a real pool room with money on the line, things tend to be different. Especially since some of the places I know, you can get your ass shot for some of that, if someone's money is on the line.

right now, there are no pool rooms. They are marketing "fun" and the game doesn't really exist anymore.

 

[incrediblehalk]

I am a big believer in education. I think a lot of people don't know any better. I think it's important to pass on the information to the younger generation especially.

 

[lorider]

The APA focus is to make money from the pool industry. It is very good at that. They could care less what else happens...

its not just apa . its todays society as a whole.

just look at any sports event. from tykes to pros. parents fighting.

coaches tripping opposing teams players.

fans throwing crap on the field and hitting players

i could go on and on but you get the idea. its not just pool related.

 

[bdorman]

you can get your ass shot for some of that, if someone's money is on the line.

r

just look at any sports event. from tykes to pros. parents fighting.coaches tripping opposing teams players. fans throwing crap on the field and hitting players

I think we've hit on the solution to etiquette problems at Little League games: bet big money and have everyone carry a firearm.

Seriously, the leagues aren't going to enforce any etiquette rules because they're afraid of losing players. They figure the offended players will keep playing because they love the game, but the jerks will quit if anyone requires them to be polite.

Actually, the guns-solution is starting to sound better.

 

[CLAUD]

The places I first started playing pool were just that, a place to play pool. There were no juke boxes and they were not bars, although you could by a drink if you wanted to. There was something of a quite reverence as the games were in progress and everyone was polite and respectful when someone was at the table. I miss that atmosphere a lot.

 

[itsfroze]

One of my biggest gripes with apa leagues is how they come in and just take over
on their league nights, like they own the place. A great many show no common
courtesy what so ever.

They will take tables and chairs and pull them way back from the table they are playing on, so
they have plenty of room. Then they will stand behind them, with their backs
3 feet from your table. Then when you need to take a shot and ask, excuse me please
they act like you're doing something wrong to ask them.

One time I was playing someone and the league started a match on the next table side
by side to ours, no big deal I thought. Well except one of the players in the league
match that was keeping score had pulled their chair up so close to the end of our table
that every time I needed to shoot from down there, I had to squeeze in to take a shot.
I finally asked if they would mind moving their chair back a little (there was plenty of room to do so)
as I didn't want to bump into them when shooting.
Their response was well you shouldn't be shooting next to us any way.
Remember they started their match next to where I was already shooting.

A typical response when something is said is, well they don't know.
Common sense is common sense, if they don't know educate them.
I've helped quite a few of them, if they show any desire to improve.
Some act as if they feel threatened if you play well and are playing next to them.
Ego's are a funny thing, some that can't play get angry, some get help!

 

[Banks]

Here's a vote for more "mum pool".

Here's a Nay. I like a lively atmosphere.

its not just apa . its todays society as a whole.

That's what it is.

 

[MikeMaaen]

Lots of valid points on other sports in decline, polite behavior and the downfall of "real" pool rooms. I learned etiquette very early on and am happy to report that I just completed a 14.1 match. Low volume 70's music, good competition, only two of us, little conversation during the match and a purely enjoyable experience, tI occured in my basement on my table which is one of the remaining bastions of civility. Thank goodness I am fortunate enough to have the space and an understanding wife who does not mind being a pool widow. I've been around the game since the early 60's and just love it when it's played with quite dignity.

 

[Diogenes]

One of my biggest gripes with apa leagues is how they come in and just take over
on their league nights, like they own the place. A great many show no common
courtesy what so ever....

tap tap tap... Your comments are straight out of my mouth.
I've been asked by employees and owners... to move off of tables that I was already shooting on for over 4 or 5 hours, more times than I can count. I've had league'rs stand all up in my play area... and once you get them to move out of your way... it isn't long before they find that same spot (like a dog trying to mark it's territory). I've been down in position to shoot with no one ready to shoot at the table next to me, then just as I'm about to contact the cue ball... the butt of a cue hits me in the arm because someone just quick jumped in behind me instead of giving me a few seconds to take my stroke and move on.
I got to where whenever I went to shoot anywhere I always asked if league'rs are going to be playing later and where... so that I could set up as far away as possible.
Finally one day it got so bad that I looked up at one of my buddies and told him "I'm buying my own table... I've had enough of this crap".
I used to love going out to shoot. That old school atmosphere was quite addictive and I would often shoot day and night. But now (on the rare occasions when I do go out to shoot), when the league walks in the door, I check out. I have a better table than I can find anywhere in the city anyway. And I have a great wife for letting me take over our den so that I can do so.
Some would argue that APA has done much to promote the sport. "But a sport of what?", I would have to ask by today's standards compared to 20, 30, 40+ years ago. If you're not shooting in a controlled "Pro Level" environment or in your own home these days, then you're at the mercy of whoever is playing around you. I miss the money games and the intense concentration. Back when it wasn't just about selling booze and over priced blaring music on the MP3 player. Back when the real shooters controlled the atmosphere and the owners were most always... also "real shooters" who kept the game pure. So let the kids have the bars of today... those of us that had the "pool halls" of yesterday know what they are missing.

 

[Diogenes]

Lots of valid points on other sports in decline, polite behavior and the downfall of "real" pool rooms. I learned etiquette very early on and am happy to report that I just completed a 14.1 match. Low volume 70's music, good competition, only two of us, little conversation during the match and a purely enjoyable experience, tI occured in my basement on my table which is one of the remaining bastions of civility. Thank goodness I am fortunate enough to have the space and an understanding wife who does not mind being a pool widow. I've been around the game since the early 60's and just love it when it's played with quite dignity.

again... tap tap tap
Another post that reads from my own lips. There's always an open invitation at my table for people like yourself.
As my one of my 30+ year playing partners often says to me... "It's such a pleasure to shoot on your table!". I never heard him say that about any table that we ever shot on that I can remember and there have been 1000's of them. Many that would (at the very least) equal mine, or perhaps rival it if only because of slightly better lighting. But the "one on one" competition, atmosphere and gamesmanship accounts mostly for his statement I believe.

 

[Island Drive]

its not just apa . its todays society as a whole.

just look at any sports event. from tykes to pros. parents fighting.

coaches tripping opposing teams players.

fans throwing crap on the field and hitting players

i could go on and on but you get the idea. its not just pool related.

Parenting or lack of is at its core....with the media/worldwide CONSTANTLY reporting NEGATIVITY ''all the friking time'' on all media sources, it brain washes ya. I just read close to thirty percent of youth are depressed, I can't even imagine that.

 

[Quesports]

Etiquette has left the building and it took morals and ethics right along with them. It seems like respect might have gone along as well. Society as a whole seems to have lost any focus it had on people helping people, now the only thing that seems to count is money. Get as much as you can anyway you can, lie cheat steal, screw anyone anytime it's all fair game now. Use and manipulate your 'friends' it's all acceptable. Thankfully for me I grew up in a small town and can remember when the type of behavior I see so often was considered unacceptable, too bad those days are gone.

 

[trob]

The problem with apa is you have many players that our new to the game and just haven't been taught pool etiquette.

It used to be that "serious" pool had a set of unwritten etiquette that players followed. Tournament and action games are generally as friendly as a knife fight but, mutual respect demanded that the incomming player was silent, seated and still while the shooter commanded the table. A occassional "nice shot" or "tap,tap,tap" was about all the commuication necessary or desired. The players chair was for the players, not the rail birds or other team members and friends..

It seems that much of this has been lost. In a recient APA event the music (if you could call it that) was turned up to deafing volume, players yelling over the sound of the racket added to the distraction. Teams gathered around the match table leaving nowhere for the players to sit down. Opponents standing in the line of a shot (used to be called "sharking"), shooters complaining loudly about a missed shot or position.

Should there be some discussion on this phenom? I thnk the game sounds of tip on cue, cue on ball and ball in pocket have simply become overshadowed. Here's a vote for more "mum pool".

 

[metallicane]

Etiquette in all walks of life is sadly going away. It is one of the biggest thing I teach my kids. Be nice. Be respectful. It is hard in today's "I want it now" society though.

 

[ridewiththewind]

Getting no argument out of me. I work retail, and people of all ages have just gotten more rude and mean. The sense of entitlement has gotten ridiculous. Common sense has gone out the window.

I used to really enjoy working with the public...not so much anymore.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

 

[jaetee]

If you find a real pool room with money on the line, things tend to be different. Especially since some of the places I know, you can get your ass shot for some of that, if someone's money is on the line.

right now, there are no pool rooms. They are marketing "fun" and the game doesn't really exist anymore.

While the number of "real" pool rooms are diminishing, I can't entirely agree with your comment.

I play in an APA league at a very popular pool hall in Palm Harbor, FL every Thursday night. They have pool, darts, poker and a nice, well-stocked bar. The league night is extremely busy and the OP's comments sound exactly like I'd describe my Thursday night experiences of late. Luckily, my team captain is smart enough, and early enough to secure one of the tables where the people traffic is to a minimum and we can play with less distractions. To contrast that, I was there this past Monday night to get in some practice and walked into a much more-serious in-house 8-ball tournament (not handicapped) and the experience was very different. Not nearly as many people (read "bangers") and mostly very serious play, and there were even two pro players in action games at two of the tables. There may have been more action going on, but I had an inside track on what was going on at those tables.... Also, the music was even at a refreshingly acceptable level for a change...

It was a very gratifying pool experience...

 

[BasementDweller]

I think most people on this thread are making way more out of this than it is.

It's really quite simple. Many of us started out playing pool in POOL ROOMS. In pool rooms there is etiquette. Sharking is frowned upon, or at the very least -- the players in the pool rooms understand what sharking is.

Other players grew up playing in the leagues (bars by extension). This is a totally different world. I know some very good players that are very respectful people that don't understand all the POOL ROOM etiquette. I was playing some cheap bar table eight ball not too long ago against a great 8 ball player. He unknowingly sharked me every time I got to the eight ball. He was doing the old going for his quarters move as I was lining up on the eight. In my mind, he was basically conceding the rack by making the move for his quarters. In his mind, he was just saving time. This is what everybody does.

Later in the night, I ended up dogging an eight ball as his going for his quarters routine eventually got into my head. I finally had to mention to him how much this was bothering me. He genuinely apologized and said he never thought twice about it.

When you play pool in bars, 99 percent of the people in there don't acknowledge pool room etiquette. This includes the staff, as they come right up to you while you are shooting to ask you if they can get you anything.

I really don't think this behavior has much to do with our overall "societal decay", it's really just a different world. You might as well get used to it.

You're not in your father's pool room anymore.

 

[CreeDo]

I see guys gamble the way you describe all the time... quiet, no extra comments, no moving around,
but not ice cold either. They will pay compliments and handle disputes without raising voices.

APA players are used to being on teams, where the team can cheer for the shooter
and the shooter can cry at his team after bad rolls. The atmosphere is social and not so dead-nuts serious.

When the music is over the top, find the right person and complain. You'd be surprised.
Everyone just suffers through it and assumes the management will ignore their gripes.
So you get a roomful of people who are unhappy about it but the management never hears a complaint.
Just one is often enough.