How to Understand Pool Table Etiquette
Specific pool table etiquette differs from place to place, but certain rules hold true on basically every table.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Billiard Lighting
- Bridges For Pool
- Cue Stick Chalk
- Pool Balls
- Pool Cue Carrying Cases
- Pool Cues
- Pool Table Covers
- Pool Table Horsehair Brushes
- Pool Tables
- Pool Triangles
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1
Refrain from putting your drink on the pool table or even on the edge of the table. With so many stick and balls - not to mention drinkers - around, it's bound to get knocked over sooner or later and ruin an expensive table cloth.
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2
Be honest about your "slop." Slop is a shot that falls where it wasn't intended to fall. On coin-op tables, slop stays down, but you don't continue shooting. If you plan on making a difficult shot, call it beforehand to avoid any doubt later.
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3
Continue playing when you win. On coin-op tables, the next person in line to play pays for the game.
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4
Be quiet during other people's shots, especially if you'd like them to be quiet during yours.
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5
Demonstrate general sportsmanship. Introduce yourself to a stranger before you play, shake hands after the game and don't cheat.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Most tables tend to have a set of "house rules." Respect these rules and abide by them rather than trying to introduce your own.
Most pool table etiquette boils down to common courtesy and common sense.
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Comments
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Jun 30, 2006
Very important for new players to understand pool etiquette when playing in todays pubs. Back in the day when pool was still played in smoky pool halls with older gentlemen, any breach in etiquette could cause you to be supremely pummeled! Nowadays, this rarely happens, but it's still a good idea to use common sense and follow a few simple rules. #1 - Never stand in someones line of sight while they're shooting. Even players on other tables can be distracted by you moving around in front of them, so please be aware of your movements in relation to others as well. If it's not possible to move from line of sight, stand as still as possible until the shot is made. #2 - Never, ever, place your drinks anywhere near the tables! There are bar tables and there are pool tables, and each has it's own use! Never smoke over a table either (if your city still allows smokers any civil rights). #3 - Don't stand as a big group around your table. If there are more than 3 people in your group, you don't all need to be standing at the table while the game is played! This only makes it more difficult for the players on the surrounding tables to play without interference from your group. People who aren't playing should be seated or standing at the accompanying bar tables around your pool table. In fact, the only person at the table should be the shooter, as even your opponent should move back from the table when not their turn. #4 - Don't scream! Nothing is more annoying than someone at the next table constantly screaming every time they make a ball. Jeez, it's only a game, but some of us are there to seriously play or practice. #5 - If you accidentally bump into someone at an adjoining table who is down over a shot, be courteous, allow them to shoot first, and say you're sorry! Didn't your mother teach you any basic manners? #6 - If you and a player at an adjoining table are both getting over a shot at around the same time, and you are too close to each other and will be a distraction, allow the player who is ready to shoot first to shoot, and then the other can shoot. If you're still looking around and lining up your shot and the other player is ready to shoot, again, move out of the other players way please. #7 - If you jump a ball off your table, and it goes under another table, please wait until there is a break in the action at that table before retrieving your ball. #8 - If you notice that one of the people in your group, or one of the shooters at your table, is in the way of an adjoining player ready to shoot and they don't know it, please inform them and ask them to move so as not to distract the other players. #9 - Just use common sense and be considerate to the other players around you and your group. Pool is a fun game and has quickly become a mainstream in many pubs, which are now Pool hall Pubs, and they have to pay to play as well. Please don't make their time there unpleasant and they won't make your's that way either. -
Jun 30, 2006
Very important for new players to understand pool etiquette when playing in todays pubs. Back in the day when pool was still played in smoky pool halls with older gentlemen, any breach in etiquette could cause you to be supremely pummeled! Nowadays, this rarely happens, but it's still a good idea to use common sense and follow a few simple rules. #1 - Never stand in someones line of sight while they're shooting. Even players on other tables can be distracted by you moving around in front of them, so please be aware of your movements in relation to others as well. If it's not possible to move from line of sight, stand as still as possible until the shot is made. #2 - Never, ever, place your drinks anywhere near the tables! There are bar tables and there are pool tables, and each has it's own use! Never smoke over a table either (if your city still allows smokers any civil rights). #3 - Don't stand as a big group around your table. If there are more than 3 people in your group, you don't all need to be standing at the table while the game is played! This only makes it more difficult for the players on the surrounding tables to play without interference from your group. People who aren't playing should be seated or standing at the accompanying bar tables around your pool table. In fact, the only person at the table should be the shooter, as even your opponent should move back from the table when not their turn. #4 - Don't scream! Nothing is more annoying than someone at the next table constantly screaming every time they make a ball. Jeez, it's only a game, but some of us are there to seriously play or practice. #5 - If you accidentally bump into someone at an adjoining table who is down over a shot, be courteous, allow them to shoot first, and say you're sorry! Didn't your mother teach you any basic manners? #6 - If you and a player at an adjoining table are both getting over a shot at around the same time, and you are too close to each other and will be a distraction, allow the player who is ready to shoot first to shoot, and then the other can shoot. If you're still looking around and lining up your shot and the other player is ready to shoot, again, move out of the other players way please. #7 - If you jump a ball off your table, and it goes under another table, please wait until there is a break in the action at that table before retrieving your ball. #8 - If you notice that one of the people in your group, or one of the shooters at your table, is in the way of an adjoining player ready to shoot and they don't know it, please inform them and ask them to move so as not to distract the other players. #9 - Just use common sense and be considerate to the other players around you and your group. Pool is a fun game and has quickly become a mainstream in many pubs, which are now Pool hall Pubs, and they have to pay to play as well. Please don't make their time there unpleasant and they won't make your's that way either.
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Mar 02, 2006
Determine beforehand any specific rules that pertain to the game to clear up any confusion (Ex: Do you call combination/carom shots in 9 ball?) Do not lean or sit on the table when another player is taking a shot. If playing next to another game, be aware of their positions when taking your shot or walking around the table to avoid bumping into them or blocking their stance. When arriving at a table, do not dump the balls from the tray onto the table, this may damage the table and is sometimes disruptive.
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Mar 02, 2006
Determine beforehand any specific rules that pertain to the game to clear up any confusion (Ex: Do you call combination/carom shots in 9 ball?) Do not lean or sit on the table when another player is taking a shot. If playing next to another game, be aware of their positions when taking your shot or walking around the table to avoid bumping into them or blocking their stance. When arriving at a table, do not dump the balls from the tray onto the table, this may damage the table and is sometimes disruptive.
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Nov 22, 2005
When your opponent is taking a shot, it is generally best not to stand anywhere in the direction of the shooter's sight. If they look down an end of the table, don't be standing there.
