Why is it OK to Climb on Top of the Table?

Jen_Cen

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
If you need to reach for a shot, you can climb up on the table, as long as one foot is on the floor. I've seen guys put one knee up on the cushion and lean all of their weight on it.

Yet sitting on a table is frowned upon and is considered disrespecting the equipment. It seems to me that sitting would do less damage to the table than putting a knee on it.

By the way, I don't sit on tables nor do I defend the action of sitting on tables. I'm just trying to figure out the logic.
 
Jen_Cen said:
If you need to reach for a shot, you can climb up on the table, as long as one foot is on the floor. I've seen guys put one knee up on the cushion and lean all of their weight on it.

Yet sitting on a table is frowned upon and is considered disrespecting the equipment. It seems to me that sitting would do less damage to the table than putting a knee on it.

By the way, I don't sit on tables nor do I defend the action of sitting on tables. I'm just trying to figure out the logic.

When someone puts their knee on the table for a shot, they are usually only there for a couple of seconds, but if permitted to sit on them..they may be there for hours causing alot of damage to the rail. JMO.

Southpaw
 
It's basically to put taller people, like me, at an advantage. Watch out for the tall players, they can play more shots, easier.

Anyway, back to why it is... it has just been that way for a long time and the rule prevents people from all out laying on the table.

Also, I don't think I've ever seen anyone with a knee on the playing surface alone... it's usually the rail right? Maybe a picture of what you're talking about would help. Please don't wear long pants. Or a shirt.
 
From what I've been told, the cushions are glued to the rails. Putting weight on the cushions can cause them to separate from the rail, leaving a dead spot.

So, it seems like a knee would do more damage than a rear end.
 
the last time i was "all" the way on the table i wasnt playing pool:)

And yeah people sitting tend to stay longer than people up their to take a shot.
 
Jen_Cen said:
From what I've been told, the cushions are glued to the rails. Putting weight on the cushions can cause them to separate from the rail, leaving a dead spot.

So, it seems like a knee would do more damage than a rear end.

Well, I do table work and I can tell you that putting a knee on a table is not near as bad as sitting on it. When you put your knee on the rail, you still have most of your weight on your foot thats on the floor. But, sitting on a table, puts all your weight on the table...big difference.

Southpaw
 
actually makes no sense in practical application

Jen,

The rule was created to keep people from climbing completely on the table but you are right, it makes no real sense. I can choose to put my knee just on the rubber cushion and put about 200 pounds of pressure, maybe more, on that cushion and it is legal. People that know how to sit on a table can sit on one for hours or years and never harm it even though it is against the rules most places to do so.

Hu



Jen_Cen said:
If you need to reach for a shot, you can climb up on the table, as long as one foot is on the floor. I've seen guys put one knee up on the cushion and lean all of their weight on it.

Yet sitting on a table is frowned upon and is considered disrespecting the equipment. It seems to me that sitting would do less damage to the table than putting a knee on it.

By the way, I don't sit on tables nor do I defend the action of sitting on tables. I'm just trying to figure out the logic.
 
Personally, when I have to put a leg on the table for a shot, I put it up very briefly when I'm lining it up, take it off to chalk my cue and reset, then put it back on for the shot. All told probably just 20 seconds of actual knee - rail / table contact. And people really lean 200 pounds of weight? I never feel that I put my full body weight on the knee, maybe half or less it seems. Just my experience though.
 
I'm 6'4" and I put my knee on the table when necessary. Most of my weight is still on the leg on the floor. Other than trick shot artists I've never seen someone put all their weight on the cushion with their knee.
 
yea

Southpaw said:
Well, I do table work and I can tell you that putting a knee on a table is not near as bad as sitting on it. When you put your knee on the rail, you still have most of your weight on your foot thats on the floor. But, sitting on a table, puts all your weight on the table...big difference.

Southpaw
You know what i tell anyone i catch setting on my tables??? will you help me throw out all these chairs??? then i raise He**, and tell them the price of a set of rails!!!:mad: :mad: :mad:
 
While I don't think its the best thing for a pool table, if people are paying to play, I think they should be able to do that in a game. I think shooting that way is uncomfortable enough that it doesn't happen all that often or for very long at a time.

Sitting on a table is just pointless and serves no purpose pool wise.

If people are gambling or playing in a tournement, I think they should be allowed to shoot jump shots and masses as long as they understand that if they pull a rookie move and tear the cloth, they have to help pay for the recover.
 
From owning a pool room and looking down into the room at people sitting on the tables, balancing drinks on the rails, placing cigarettes on the rails, just reading you post sent shivers down my neck. :)

When a player climbs up on a table, as one poster mentioned much of his or her weight is still on their foot on the floor. Secondly a goodly portion of the weight on the table is on the bed of the slate. The remaining weight which will fall on the cushion is dispersed much more lightly across the length ( long ways ) of the cushion / rail joint.

Now take the person who jumps up on the rail with half his ass hanging on the cushion, actually pushing the cushion away from the rail with the full weight of their butt while their feet are dangling in the air. All or most of their weight is being pressed down across the connection of the rail / cushion rather than a mere small portion lengthwise along it.

Throw in an itchy butt and we got problems! :D
 
I don't, I easily could

Jack Montgomery said:
Personally, when I have to put a leg on the table for a shot, I put it up very briefly when I'm lining it up, take it off to chalk my cue and reset, then put it back on for the shot. All told probably just 20 seconds of actual knee - rail / table contact. And people really lean 200 pounds of weight? I never feel that I put my full body weight on the knee, maybe half or less it seems. Just my experience though.


Jack,

I don't put any weight on a cushion, I put it on the rail. I also don't put all my weight on that leg or knee but there is no reason I couldn't put most of it leaving just enough weight on the toes touching the floor to maintain balance. At a slim trim 260 pounds or so I think it is very safe to say I could choose to put 200 pounds on the knee on the table and I can indeed reach the cushion with a knee. Being old school I stand on one leg and extend the other leg over the table behind me putting only enough weight on the rail to maintain balance. I was only discussing what is possible with existing rules.

Hu
 
Jen_Cen said:
If you need to reach for a shot, you can climb up on the table, as long as one foot is on the floor. I've seen guys put one knee up on the cushion and lean all of their weight on it.

Yet sitting on a table is frowned upon and is considered disrespecting the equipment. It seems to me that sitting would do less damage to the table than putting a knee on it.

By the way, I don't sit on tables nor do I defend the action of sitting on tables. I'm just trying to figure out the logic.

PS: the word coon ass is a term of endearment and they enjoy being called that way.

In southern louisiana those coon asses climb the table and place both feet on the bed of the table and shoot the ball.( when they are on the table they rest their body on both knees and in some shots with both elbows also. It is a tradition and quiet legal there.To some extent southern Mississippi also follows the same rule.It is real funny to watch that feat.I call it monkey on a banana tree.:thumbup:
 
ShootingArts said:
Jack,

I don't put any weight on a cushion, I put it on the rail. I also don't put all my weight on that leg or knee but there is no reason I couldn't put most of it leaving just enough weight on the toes touching the floor to maintain balance. At a slim trim 260 pounds or so I think it is very safe to say I could choose to put 200 pounds on the knee on the table and I can indeed reach the cushion with a knee. Being old school I stand on one leg and extend the other leg over the table behind me putting only enough weight on the rail to maintain balance. I was only discussing what is possible with existing rules.

Hu

Ah ok, sorry about that, misread you a little bit.
 
Austin,Tx

Jen_Cen said:
If you need to reach for a shot, you can climb up on the table, as long as one foot is on the floor. I've seen guys put one knee up on the cushion and lean all of their weight on it.

Yet sitting on a table is frowned upon and is considered disrespecting the equipment. It seems to me that sitting would do less damage to the table than putting a knee on it.

By the way, I don't sit on tables nor do I defend the action of sitting on tables. I'm just trying to figure out the logic.

Hell, back in the early 80's at the Cue Club you could climb completely on the table. Here's Al "Little Al" Mason.

Ray

special thanks to Bill Porter for taking these pics****
 

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Jen_Cen said:
If you need to reach for a shot, you can climb up on the table, as long as one foot is on the floor. I've seen guys put one knee up on the cushion and lean all of their weight on it.

Yet sitting on a table is frowned upon and is considered disrespecting the equipment. It seems to me that sitting would do less damage to the table than putting a knee on it.

By the way, I don't sit on tables nor do I defend the action of sitting on tables. I'm just trying to figure out the logic.

Assume - see, 'you and me'.

The rule that a player must have one foot TOUCHING the floor when contact is made with the cue ball is designed to limit a method of play during the course of a game.
It has nothing whatsoever to do with sitting on a table while not playing.

As to which is or can be more of a problem for the table - that varies
with circumstances - but still, effect on the table is of no concern
within the scope of the rule.

Dale
 
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I would say the big difference is that one you are doing in the game the other is just putting your ars somewhere it doesnt belong. Putting your leg up on the table is just part of the game. Sitting on the table isnt.
 
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