Problem with non-players in the pool room

ChopStick

ChopStick

Unsane Poster
Silver Member
This just happened to me again last night. I had just rented the "players" table. A 9 foot gold crown that has autographs from professional players all around the sides of it. It is setup tight and it rolls perfect. When the pros are in town, this is the table they match up on.

The 9 foot side of the room is half empty but the bar table side is full with some event they are having. I had just gotten on the table and was taking some warm up shots when a couple comes over and parks right off the head of my table. Then they have a friend come over and join them. They are not players. They are just standing there. I can't even walk around the table. I literally have someone breathing down my neck when I am trying to shoot. There were empty tables on all sides of me but these non-playing morons wanted to hang out in my playing area. I finally got fed up and asked them why are you here. Of course they came back with a smartass reply. I packed up and left. The owner was there and I told him about it on the way out the door.

I can't even go in there on league night because the league players show up with their family, friends, kids and whoever. They know to stay clear of their own table so they pile up on mine. I have had people sit down on the table I am shooting on, while I am down on a shot. Hey!! Get off the table!!!

I know that the ball bangers in league pay the bills in the pool room now days but something has to be done about their manners. The is the first rule of pool etiquette. This has happened to me in other pool rooms as well. Back in the day, this would absolutely not be tolerated in any pool room. When this pool room opened there was a sign on the floor when you came in the door. Players only on the floor with the tables. All non-players must remain behind the counters. There are counters all the way around the area where the tables are.

Their attitude is if I don't like being next to them, I should move. Why should I move? I am paying for the use of that space. They are not.
 
ChopStick said:
I finally got fed up and asked them why are you here. Of course they came back with a smartass reply.
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Sorry Chops, but it sounds like you started the conversation out on the wrong foot and all-but invited a smartass reply from them.

If someone wants me to move, and asks "Why are you here?" how I am supposed to reply? "Because this is where my feet took me?"

Actually, you did the same thing I often do: Instead of making a request early, I let it pass until I can't stand it anymore. Of course, by that time I'm hot under the collar. I should have asked earlier when I was still cool.

Maybe "Excuse me, but I'd appreciate if you guys could move over there so I've got room to shoot some pool." might have been more effective.
 
Sounds like Bert (George C. Scott) in TCOM. Fast Eddie (Paul Newman) asks him to move because he is bothering him.

Bert stands up... picks up his chair, makes one step and sets the chair down. Then he sits back down and looks at Eddie.
.
 
ChopStick said:
This just happened to me again last night. I had just rented the "players" table. A 9 foot gold crown that has autographs from professional players all around the sides of it. It is setup tight and it rolls perfect. When the pros are in town, this is the table they match up on.

The 9 foot side of the room is half empty but the bar table side is full with some event they are having. I had just gotten on the table and was taking some warm up shots when a couple comes over and parks right off the head of my table. Then they have a friend come over and join them. They are not players. They are just standing there. I can't even walk around the table. I literally have someone breathing down my neck when I am trying to shoot. There were empty tables on all sides of me but these non-playing morons wanted to hang out in my playing area. I finally got fed up and asked them why are you here. Of course they came back with a smartass reply. I packed up and left. The owner was there and I told him about it on the way out the door.

I can't even go in there on league night because the league players show up with their family, friends, kids and whoever. They know to stay clear of their own table so they pile up on mine. I have had people sit down on the table I am shooting on, while I am down on a shot. Hey!! Get off the table!!!

I know that the ball bangers in league pay the bills in the pool room now days but something has to be done about their manners. The is the first rule of pool etiquette. This has happened to me in other pool rooms as well. Back in the day, this would absolutely not be tolerated in any pool room. When this pool room opened there was a sign on the floor when you came in the door. Players only on the floor with the tables. All non-players must remain behind the counters. There are counters all the way around the area where the tables are.

Their attitude is if I don't like being next to them, I should move. Why should I move? I am paying for the use of that space. They are not.
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I completely understand your frustration. I think the right answer however is not to speak to folks like this directly but rather have the houseman do it.

For a long time I would often experience the "whole fuggin' pool room is empty but some nit-noid selects the table next to you to play on" syndrome. After talking to the houseman about it and sharing a laugh, he now tells folks coming in to select any table but the one next to me. No more problem. If the houseman is distracted I'll just politely point out to them that if they choose another table we won't be bumping into each other. Usually a light bulb pops on and they choose the next table down.

Lou Figueroa
 
ChopStick said:
This just happened to me again last night. I had just rented the "players" table. A 9 foot gold crown that has autographs from professional players all around the sides of it. It is setup tight and it rolls perfect. When the pros are in town, this is the table they match up on.

The 9 foot side of the room is half empty but the bar table side is full with some event they are having. I had just gotten on the table and was taking some warm up shots when a couple comes over and parks right off the head of my table. Then they have a friend come over and join them. They are not players. They are just standing there. I can't even walk around the table. I literally have someone breathing down my neck when I am trying to shoot. There were empty tables on all sides of me but these non-playing morons wanted to hang out in my playing area. I finally got fed up and asked them why are you here. Of course they came back with a smartass reply. I packed up and left. The owner was there and I told him about it on the way out the door.

I can't even go in there on league night because the league players show up with their family, friends, kids and whoever. They know to stay clear of their own table so they pile up on mine. I have had people sit down on the table I am shooting on, while I am down on a shot. Hey!! Get off the table!!!

I know that the ball bangers in league pay the bills in the pool room now days but something has to be done about their manners. The is the first rule of pool etiquette. This has happened to me in other pool rooms as well. Back in the day, this would absolutely not be tolerated in any pool room. When this pool room opened there was a sign on the floor when you came in the door. Players only on the floor with the tables. All non-players must remain behind the counters. There are counters all the way around the area where the tables are.

Their attitude is if I don't like being next to them, I should move. Why should I move? I am paying for the use of that space. They are not.
Click to expand...

I too hate it when this happens.

However- from your description you need to work on your communication. First, understand that you are playing in a public place and many people don't even know pool has etiquette rules. Second, you should have been polite and asked them if it was possible to go a little further away from your table or if you are not a good communicator you should have had the room manager help you out.
 
I usually avoid the pool hall where i like to play, whenever they have the league nights. The league players are like cockroaches, they are all over the place, and make the room unplayable for anyone who doesnt want to play in a zoo like atmosphere.

Quit going into room on league nights.

At some point, the management may do something to make it so you can play on league nights. If they dont, it'll probably look like where i play....9 footers mostly empty on league nights.
 
No communication errors were made here. You did the right thing except for packing up and leaving. They shouldve moved and not you. Sometimes i will just run right into them or bump them with my pool cue pretty firm. They get the picture and move, but if they dont get it i get a little harder with my nudges.
 
ChopStick said:
This just happened to me again last night. I had just rented the "players" table. A 9 foot gold crown that has autographs from professional players all around the sides of it. It is setup tight and it rolls perfect. When the pros are in town, this is the table they match up on.

The 9 foot side of the room is half empty but the bar table side is full with some event they are having. I had just gotten on the table and was taking some warm up shots when a couple comes over and parks right off the head of my table. Then they have a friend come over and join them. They are not players. They are just standing there. I can't even walk around the table. I literally have someone breathing down my neck when I am trying to shoot. There were empty tables on all sides of me but these non-playing morons wanted to hang out in my playing area. I finally got fed up and asked them why are you here. Of course they came back with a smartass reply. I packed up and left. The owner was there and I told him about it on the way out the door.

I can't even go in there on league night because the league players show up with their family, friends, kids and whoever. They know to stay clear of their own table so they pile up on mine. I have had people sit down on the table I am shooting on, while I am down on a shot. Hey!! Get off the table!!!

I know that the ball bangers in league pay the bills in the pool room now days but something has to be done about their manners. The is the first rule of pool etiquette. This has happened to me in other pool rooms as well. Back in the day, this would absolutely not be tolerated in any pool room. When this pool room opened there was a sign on the floor when you came in the door. Players only on the floor with the tables. All non-players must remain behind the counters. There are counters all the way around the area where the tables are.

Their attitude is if I don't like being next to them, I should move. Why should I move? I am paying for the use of that space. They are not.
Click to expand...



This is about my biggest pet peave when out playing pool. I understand why you left, something like this can take your head out of the game and shooting is ruined for awhile. And it especially sucks when you are paying for the time. I've had people standing so close every time I walk around the table I have to say excuse me, and no matter how many times it happens they won't get the hint, or they realize what they are doing and enjoy ruining a person's good time, usually the place isn't empty at the time or else I'd quickly ask them to move. Either way in your case since you were at the table before they got their I'd try and politely explain why it would be best if they sat somewhere else before even taking a shot.
 
Allen Brown said:
Sometimes i will just run right into them or bump them with my pool cue pretty firm. They get the picture and move, but if they dont get it i get a little harder with my nudges.
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I applaud your bravado. Getting a little harder with your nudges with three people who you don't know, who might have no idea they're doing anything wrong and might think that gang-beating a pool player is just another night of fun. Especially when the pool player came over and nudged me hard when all I was doing was standing there sipping my beer.

You're very brave to use that solution when a simple "please" might be all it takes.
 
ChopStick said:
Their attitude is if I don't like being next to them, I should move. Why should I move? I am paying for the use of that space. They are not.
Click to expand...

You have my sympathy, Chopper.
The owner should learn how to run his room....
...and you shouldn't have to clear the area yourself.
When I play, I want a cue length around the table.

And the owner doesn't have to be a warden or an ogre.....
....gentle education works.
 
This is nothing compared to the fear you get when you see a bunch of people go to one of the best tables in the room with beers that they immediately stack on the rails and cloth then start pushing each other during shooting.

I try to be the "idiot police" at my regular pool rooms to keep the tables clean and help the owner/manager but you usually get some odd looks like "who the hell are you and why does it matter if I mess up the table?"
 
I grab a house cue and say "I'll get that fly." and then I swing it wildly through the air like a Japanese Samurai warrior. Make sure you miss them by 2 feet. It also helps to have one of those fart machines in your cue case. A few rips can cause them to back off a little. Wait until you're bent over on a shot to activate it.
 
I see two possibilities.

1. They were idiots.

2. They were trying to get you to leave so they could have your table.
 
I thought about this some more and someone did make a point about it being a public place and people might not know how to act in a pool room. To me it is like this. You wouldn't go into a restaurant and stand over someones table while they are eating. You wouldn't go to a movie and watch it standing up and anyone behind you that didn't like it should just move somewhere else. You wouldn't walk onto a golf course onto the green and stand beside someone while they are putting because you think it is your right to stand anywhere you want. Of course not. These things are so rude they are unthinkable. Where do people get the idea they can act that way in the pool hall?
 
Cracktherack said:
I grab a house cue and say "I'll get that fly." and then I swing it wildly through the air like a Japanese Samurai warrior. Make sure you miss them by 2 feet. It also helps to have one of those fart machines in your cue case. A few rips can cause them to back off a little. Wait until you're bent over on a shot to activate it.
Click to expand...
Pickled eggs and beer beforehand. Some of these folks figure out the fart box isn't real. Add broccoli if you want an invisible shield 20' around the table.

Seriously though as soon as the plant near you tell them "you will have to move please" as though you own the place. Quickly say thanks and keep shooting.
 
ChopStick said:
I thought about this some more and someone did make a point about it being a public place and people might not know how to act in a pool room. To me it is like this. You wouldn't go into a restaurant and stand over someones table while they are eating. You wouldn't go to a movie and watch it standing up and anyone behind you that didn't like it should just move somewhere else. You wouldn't walk onto a golf course onto the green and stand beside someone while they are putting because you think it is your right to stand anywhere you want. Of course not. These things are so rude they are unthinkable. Where do people get the idea they can act that way in the pool hall?
Click to expand...

People go to pool halls now to socialize and get drunk. Count the number of serious players next time you are there. We have 2 at my hall....counting me. Its a shame the real pool halls of days gone by are almost extinct.
 
ChopStick said:
I thought about this some more and someone did make a point about it being a public place and people might not know how to act in a pool room. To me it is like this. You wouldn't go into a restaurant and stand over someones table while they are eating. You wouldn't go to a movie and watch it standing up and anyone behind you that didn't like it should just move somewhere else. You wouldn't walk onto a golf course onto the green and stand beside someone while they are putting because you think it is your right to stand anywhere you want. Of course not. These things are so rude they are unthinkable. Where do people get the idea they can act that way in the pool hall?
Click to expand...

Maybe the non-players saw someone who was really good at pool and wanted to get close to watch your skill. As non-players, maybe they have no idea they are bothering you.
 
owll said:
I usually avoid the pool hall where i like to play, whenever they have the league nights. The league players are like cockroaches, they are all over the place, and make the room unplayable for anyone who doesnt want to play in a zoo like atmosphere.

Quit going into room on league nights.

At some point, the management may do something to make it so you can play on league nights. If they dont, it'll probably look like where i play....9 footers mostly empty on league nights.
Click to expand...

Don't think for a minute that all league players are the same. I am a league player and I try to show other players respect. When I walk by a table and someone is down on a shot, I stop and wait for them to finish the shot. Then continue walking. And don't think that league players are not serious pool players. I take the game very seriously. I know it wasn't intentional, but I'm a little offended by your "blanket" statement. I too will choose a table at least 1 away from someone else when possible. There is no reason to be getting in each others way. Or I will ask to play with you. Better practice that way anyway.
 
League players are some of the worst offenders of this standing in the way,
what makes it worse is when asked politely to excuse me please, they have
the nerve to get an attitude like they own the place. It's a joke !

I just don't even bother if it's a league nite any more, LOL
 
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