Like a Virgin

[Filibogado]

Like a sheltered, convent-bred debutante about to be introduced to high society, I am raring to go to a public pool room or hall for the first time in my adult life. To paraphrase Madonna, I feel like a virgin to be touched for the very first time. All my prior pool playing years have been confined to college dorms, private pool rooms, my own basement table, and the like, and for very minimal periods. So I have no pool playing skills to speak of except at the very rudimentary level. All the thrills I have experienced have been through vicariously watching Paul Newman in "The Hustler" and Tom Cruise in "The Color of Money".

There are some nice upscale pool room chains around DC like Fast Eddie's or Bungalow Billiards and I plan to start with those. My main question is - is there a book on poolroom etiquette that I can use as reference for varied topics like, how to approach strangers for games, how to avoid hustlers and pool sharks, and how not to look too stupid and feel unwelcome when I walk in? Even though I am a baby boomer, I still feel sprightly enough not to be taken advantage of - definitely not yet in the "Help - I'm falling and I can't get up" department, though its getting close. They advertise escort services in the local papers, but I don't think pool rooms are the target venues for their services, even though their trade involve some form of sinking balls (lol).

Flip

 

[decent dennis]

Just walk in and ask who the second best player in the joint is.

 

[Fenwick]

There is a pecking order per say but as long as you behave theres nothing to it.
The elder statesmen well be watching you and gaging you. Checking your speed and your attitude.
The guys who see you as a easy mark since your green, pass with a no thank you. If someone wants a game for grins play them.
In time you'll fit in or not. Just don't get into anyones action or business. If you want to watch take a chair. Sit still and mind you P's and Q's.
If you step on anyones toes they'll let you know asap. Treat the staff as you would want to be treated.

The End

 

[devorator]

And so be it...

There is a pecking order per say but as long as you behave theres nothing to it.
The elder statesmen well be watching you and gaging you. Checking your speed and your attitude.
The guys who see you as a easy mark since your green, pass with a no thank you. If someone wants a game for grins play them.
In time you'll fit in or not. Just don't get into anyones action or business. If you want to watch take a chair. Sit still and mind you P's and Q's.
If you step on anyones toes they'll let you know asap. Treat the staff as you would want to be treated.

The End

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

It's really not too big a deal walking into an unfamiliar pool room.

Before walking through the door, though, you should have your goals established.

Whether it be practicing your game, making friends, getting into small, medium or even large action, as long as you have the right personality and attitude, it shouldn't be difficult at all.

Anything beyond practicing by yourself or simply going to be social, you can always ask the houseman (or whomever is behind the cash register/time clock).

I do not believe the "Pool Room Book Of Etiquette" has been released just yet.

Go have some fun. :smile:

Best,
Brian kc

 

[Mick56]

Then there is always this book. The little print above the title says:

"The right things. The best shot. The proper attire. Everything you need to be cool when you play pool."

 

[purpdrag]

I wouldn't call Bungalow Billiards "upscale", but most of them have ok tables. Fast Eddies usually takes a little better care of their equipment, but you'll still find holes and beer stains in the cloth on some tables in most of them. For both it depends on which one you go to. If you're not too far from Sterling, VA I recommend First Break. It has top notch playing conditions, a higher average skill level of players, and more of a real pool hall feel.

Joining a league can be a good way to learn the etiquette of playing in a pool hall. You'll at least have teammates that should be trying to help you out and answer your questions. You'll also see a lot of bad etiquette so hopefully you'll have at least one person on your team who has some respect for the game who is willing to share their knowledge. You'll also meet people you could practice with so if you do want to go out and practice you won't have to be by yourself.

 

[Ghosst]

My main question is - is there a book on poolroom etiquette that I can use as reference for varied topics like:

how to approach strangers for games,
how to avoid hustlers and pool sharks,
how not to look too stupid and feel unwelcome when I walk in?

You can search here on AZ for etiquette discussions with terms like, "etiquette", "pet peeves", and "nit".

If you're asking for a polite game, you can't get into too much trouble. If you start walking around looking to play for cash, you'll run into what you're trying to avoid in question 2. Don't pretend to be Tom Cruise, wave your cue around or take massive windup strokes for a gentle shot.

General advice:

1) Determine what "rules" you're playing by before you strike the cueball. There are no "barrules", there are local variations that can include calling every single little thing like, "I'm going to hit the thirteen, that fly is going to land at the second diamond, the blonde girl is going to giggle, then the thirteen will touch the rail at 4.28 mph near the first diamond, the fly will then twitch it's back left leg, the thirteen will carom off the two, the girl's friend will squeal, the thirteen will hit the pocket facing twice, and then drop just as the fly takes off". Understand, the second girl's squeal can be misread as a shriek in which case you didn't call it and your turn is over.

2) If you're not sure of a rule in a particular situation, ask your opponent or another player before you play it. This will solve many problems.

3) Don't talk while your opponent is shooting. It's rude.

4) Never hold a drink or food over the table. It's very hard to slow roll around your onion ring crumbs and many places don't like masses even if the tater tot is clearly in the way. It's also hard to control deep screw with a large beer stain on the cloth.

5) Respect the table, cues, and other assorted equipment. It's not yours, and you are a guest. Sounds simple enough but many people have tantys / lack of social graces. General manners should prevail.

6) Slamming the balls into the pockets on every single shot, regardless of distance or position will get you called a "banger". This is not a term of endearment.

7) Forget everything you've ever seen in a pool movie. Don't use quotes from them - we've seen all of them too.

8) Don't offer advice to anyone. Ever. Unless they ask you specifically. Then it's 50/50.

9) Have fun. It may be a sport and taken seriously on some occasions, but enjoy it. If you lose every single game, never have a shot when you do get to the table and spend your entire time scratching your head as to what happened take it with a smile. Watch your opponent and figure out what's different about how they play. You'll pick up more by watching them than watching the balls go in. Fundamentals are key.

10) If you ever, ever, ever, put the chalk upside down on the rails expect a beating. You will also be banned from here for all eternity.

 

[Charlie Hustle]

Everything the gentleman said above me. Especially number 10

 

[cuesblues]

You can search here on AZ for etiquette discussions with terms like, "etiquette", "pet peeves", and "nit".

If you're asking for a polite game, you can't get into too much trouble. If you start walking around looking to play for cash, you'll run into what you're trying to avoid in question 2. Don't pretend to be Tom Cruise, wave your cue around or take massive windup strokes for a gentle shot.

General advice:

1) Determine what "rules" you're playing by before you strike the cueball. There are no "barrules", there are local variations that can include calling every single little thing like, "I'm going to hit the thirteen, that fly is going to land at the second diamond, the blonde girl is going to giggle, then the thirteen will touch the rail at 4.28 mph near the first diamond, the fly will then twitch it's back left leg, the thirteen will carom off the two, the girl's friend will squeal, the thirteen will hit the pocket facing twice, and then drop just as the fly takes off". Understand, the second girl's squeal can be misread as a shriek in which case you didn't call it and your turn is over.

2) If you're not sure of a rule in a particular situation, ask your opponent or another player before you play it. This will solve many problems.

3) Don't talk while your opponent is shooting. It's rude.

4) Never hold a drink or food over the table. It's very hard to slow roll around your onion ring crumbs and many places don't like masses even if the tater tot is clearly in the way. It's also hard to control deep screw with a large beer stain on the cloth.

5) Respect the table, cues, and other assorted equipment. It's not yours, and you are a guest. Sounds simple enough but many people have tantys / lack of social graces. General manners should prevail.

6) Slamming the balls into the pockets on every single shot, regardless of distance or position will get you called a "banger". This is not a term of endearment.

7) Forget everything you've ever seen in a pool movie. Don't use quotes from them - we've seen all of them too.

8) Don't offer advice to anyone. Ever. Unless they ask you specifically. Then it's 50/50.

9) Have fun. It may be a sport and taken seriously on some occasions, but enjoy it. If you lose every single game, never have a shot when you do get to the table and spend your entire time scratching your head as to what happened take it with a smile. Watch your opponent and figure out what's different about how they play. You'll pick up more than watching them than watching the balls go in. Fundamentals are key.

10) If you ever, ever, ever, put the chalk upside down on the rails expect a beating. You will also be banned from here for all eternity.

All of the above with a few additional line items:


11) Do not make eye contact with anyone

12) Take each ball out of the plastic tray individually, and set them on the table.
Do not dump the balls onto the table from the plastic tray.

13) You may want to bring some friends

14) Take a few APA break & run pins, stick them on your case, just to scare off any potential woofing attempts.
Nobody wants any part of a player with break & run pins.

 

[Matt]

Be aware of players on other tables as well as your own. The area up to about 5 feet away from the edge of each table belongs to the players playing on that table (or, in cases where there are adjacent tables, the players on both those tables). If you don't need to walk through that area, don't. If you do, pay attention to what's going on and wait until the player shooting is done with his shot and moving to the next shot. If you're sharing the area with another table, look around before you shoot so you don't run into them when you get down on your shot.

As for courtesy to your opponent, pay attention to what they're doing and, if you're in that 5' zone, make a reasonable attempt to be neither on top of them while they're shooting or directly in their line of sight. If you make that effort, hopefully they'll show you the same respect.

 

[pwd72s]

It takes time to be part of the "regular crowd" in any pool hall. Lots of good advice above.

One thing that helped Cindy & I was being "honorary family" with the guy generally recognized as the top gun. We didn't mention this...for months we'd just get balls, go to a back table, and recreationally bang away. Once it was clear we weren't looking for money games, we were pretty much left alone. We played afternoons...just an old couple out having fun. That's what we do.

One day we walked in when Matt was there. That would be Matt Horner, one of the better BCA players of the area. He beamed, said "Cindy", came over & gave Cindy a hug. Matt's deceased dad and I were "best buddies" for many years. I guess I can say I knew Matt before he was born.

Anyway, in that one moment, we were "in"...

So, most Thursday afternoons, you can find an old couple playing on the back table of the Cue Ball in Salem, Oregon. Strictly recreational players, we are. I see nothing wrong with that.

Far as I'm concerned, pool is a game for all types of players...so with a live & let live attitude, all's well.

 

[ShootingArts]

Had a ball of fun

All of the above with a few additional line items:


11) Do not make eye contact with anyone

12) Take each ball out of the plastic tray individually, and set them on the table.
Do not dump the balls onto the table from the plastic tray.

13) You may want to bring some friends

14) Take a few APA break & run pins, stick them on your case, just to scare off any potential woofing attempts.
Nobody wants any part of a player with break & run pins.

Me and another cousin from the poor side of town took our rich side of town cousin in a pool hall in a very rough area. Little John was small, had long hair, and was very much out of place. We told him don't make eye contact with anyone, don't look at their girls, and whatever you do, don't speak to any of the girls! Not sure why but John couldn't play too good looking at his toes most the time.

Serious advice is pretty simple. Number five is great, act like you are a guest wherever you go. Respect the people and the place and you will be just fine. If somebody wants to gamble for a few dollars it isn't a bad idea if you intend to gamble later. If they want to gamble for more money best to say no. If they offer a spot you need at least two more balls or two more games on the wire to stand a prayer. If anyone offers you a proposition bet, doesn't matter what it is, don't take it. I only take proposition bets from drunken cowboys after midnight when they are feeling ten feet tall and bulletproof!

Hu