Yes, they are goofy.
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/thread
Pro Players and Pocket Chalkers
- Thread starter WillyCornbread
- Start date
Personally, I just never liked them, always thought they were silly and unnecessary.
They were just another kind of useless trinket. One of the funnier things I get out of
league night is when I approach the table and my opponent is someone I don't know,
but we'll call him Joe Poolplayer, (this is an APA match) - Joe has on his very colorful
glove that he has somehow altered in an attempt to make it unique and help him play
better, and he has on his APA or Las Vegas Championship hat. Joe also sports a jacket
will all of his "Break and Run" and 8 or 9 "On the Snap" pins, accented by his several
APA patches and Division Champ patch, then to lag he pulls out his chalker - some kind
of baseball bat sized stick with $30 chalk hanging from the end. Jesus Christ, how am I
ever gonna beat that guy,? look at all that shit!
That being said, I can see that they are useful to some people and admittedly, I have
made and sold quite a few of those, but I'd never use one, but I digress......
I thought for a while about why a pro might not use one. I would imagine that all pro events
supply table chalk at the table, or maybe there is no sponsor that makes and provides
chalkers to the players and if it ain't free they're not likely to seek one out for use,
maybe it's just one more piece of shit that takes up space, or maybe it reveals a
bit about a players personality and they don't want that, or maybe they're just kinda
goofy and the other players would make fun of them
They were just another kind of useless trinket. One of the funnier things I get out of
league night is when I approach the table and my opponent is someone I don't know,
but we'll call him Joe Poolplayer, (this is an APA match) - Joe has on his very colorful
glove that he has somehow altered in an attempt to make it unique and help him play
better, and he has on his APA or Las Vegas Championship hat. Joe also sports a jacket
will all of his "Break and Run" and 8 or 9 "On the Snap" pins, accented by his several
APA patches and Division Champ patch, then to lag he pulls out his chalker - some kind
of baseball bat sized stick with $30 chalk hanging from the end. Jesus Christ, how am I
ever gonna beat that guy,? look at all that shit!
That being said, I can see that they are useful to some people and admittedly, I have
made and sold quite a few of those, but I'd never use one, but I digress......
I thought for a while about why a pro might not use one. I would imagine that all pro events
supply table chalk at the table, or maybe there is no sponsor that makes and provides
chalkers to the players and if it ain't free they're not likely to seek one out for use,
maybe it's just one more piece of shit that takes up space, or maybe it reveals a
bit about a players personality and they don't want that, or maybe they're just kinda
goofy and the other players would make fun of them
Seems to me this has gone around before and not long ago. I tried one that was given to me but didn't like it. Playing out anywhere now I use my chalk, marked with my initial and keep an eye on it. If I see someone walk away with it I'll go and get it before I shoot. And, I WILL hold or pocket it to keep it from being turned upside down on the table, which I consider much more of a shark than unscrewing one's cue.
If you're using Blue Diamond or Magic Chalk, the chalk investment alone is the main reason you'd use a chalk holder. It would be considered bad etiquette to leave your personal chalk on the table, but not allow your opponent to use it, and too hard to remember to take it with you everytime you give up the table to your opponent. I've just recently switched from Master Blue chalk, which I've played my whole life, to Blue Diamond, so I've started using a magnetic pocket chalk holder.
After much experimentation for me, I now utilize two chalk holders - one in my back right pocket I use before every shot while at the table shooting, and another magnet in my front right pocket, which I switch the chalk to when exiting the table, before I sit down, as I don't like sitting on the chalk cube in my back pocket. For me I just found the having the chalk on the outside of my front right pocket was too distracting when I needed to lean my thighs in to the table to reach for a shot. I also would agree with others here who have said that once you get in the habit of using your chalk holder, knowing exactly where your chalk is before every shot without having to look for it, is the trigger that starts you in to your pre-shot routine before every shot.
After much experimentation for me, I now utilize two chalk holders - one in my back right pocket I use before every shot while at the table shooting, and another magnet in my front right pocket, which I switch the chalk to when exiting the table, before I sit down, as I don't like sitting on the chalk cube in my back pocket. For me I just found the having the chalk on the outside of my front right pocket was too distracting when I needed to lean my thighs in to the table to reach for a shot. I also would agree with others here who have said that once you get in the habit of using your chalk holder, knowing exactly where your chalk is before every shot without having to look for it, is the trigger that starts you in to your pre-shot routine before every shot.
Mmmmkay...:killingme:
I started that habit when some of my opponents tried sharking me by taking the only piece off the table when they missed. Chasing it down from them distracts from one's routine.
It's an old bar trick, so I overcame it easily by carrying my own.
Then there's the ol' spit in the chalk play...
Jeff Livingston
While I don't use a cube holder I always have chalk in my bag, never can tell what will be
provided. Strangest thing here is how fast a decent piece of chalk turns to junk, it's a community room, not really that busy, but they sure can go through chalk.
provided. Strangest thing here is how fast a decent piece of chalk turns to junk, it's a community room, not really that busy, but they sure can go through chalk.
Lively thread
Thanks for the responses, I love the mix of thoughtful and cheeky responses
I never considered that the problem could be not ENOUGH pocket chalkers, as someone pointed out that two is better than one...
b
Thanks for the responses, I love the mix of thoughtful and cheeky responses
I never considered that the problem could be not ENOUGH pocket chalkers, as someone pointed out that two is better than one...
b
I recently have heard a pro tell why he uses one. It slows him down. Racing around the
table can have a negative effect on the outcome. If you have to stop, use your chalk and
then continue, it becomes a little more fluent. How many times have you missed a shot
due to the fact that you were all ready out in your mind, just had to execute an easy out?
It works for him, it doesn't necessarily have to work for you. But it makes sense to me, to
use it as a 'brake' in your mental game.
table can have a negative effect on the outcome. If you have to stop, use your chalk and
then continue, it becomes a little more fluent. How many times have you missed a shot
due to the fact that you were all ready out in your mind, just had to execute an easy out?
It works for him, it doesn't necessarily have to work for you. But it makes sense to me, to
use it as a 'brake' in your mental game.
Once you go snooker style front pouch, you don't go back. :grin:
It's discrete, it's outta the way, and it makes you just want to drag the cue butt around and back from the table as you chalk up with quick little strokes.
It's discrete, it's outta the way, and it makes you just want to drag the cue butt around and back from the table as you chalk up with quick little strokes.
When Jayson Shaw goes into beast mode, the chalk goes into his pant pocket every time.
Mika recently (last year or so) went to chalk into the pocket and he came up with some nice wins.
There's something to not having to go to the rail everything's you get or put down chalk
What’s wrong with chalking with your bridge hand?
..been doing it all my life...chalking with the playing looks awkward.....
...and requires extra movements.
Interesting perspective, worth exploring - thanks
I feel the opposite, I'm a lefty and chalk with my bridge hand, left hand
I tried chalking with my playing hand, right and that's awkward to me,gotta shuffle to cue to the other hand also,
I just don'ton't Know why pool players insist on picking on guys that use things they thing aren't manly
Gloves make you look like a wuss
Pocket chalkers are for dummies or bad players
I used and loved a pocket chalkers, only the handle sits in the pocket, chalk is out
Don't have to chase the chalk around the table and others don't pick up your and use it, getting blue chalk in my green magic chalk and on my tip,
Making me take notice and bother me
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I know, right??? Every pair of jeans and shorts I own have a blue right hand, front pocket.....lol
No I'm a little backwards like that
Lefty , bridge with my left hand
Also play guitar regular right handed way
Slim Limpy
New member
............
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I get chalk on my bridge hand every time I touch the table.
they scream "trap" lmao