The Etiquette of The Game

The Etiquette of The Game
by Brian Bedford

I taught the game of Pool to junior players for several years. Before I taught them how to hold a cue, make a stance, develop a stroke or all the other things required to play this game…I taught them the etiquette of the game. I would like to pass on some of those tips to everyone. If fully adopted by all, it will enhance everyone’s experience playing in tournaments or league play or even a casual one on one contest:

• Respect the table and in particular, the cloth. A room owner pays approximately $350 to re-cloth a table. Keep ALL liquids and food away from the table. Keep all sharp objects away from the table (cue cases with clasps and zippers, etc.). Make sure your cue tip and ferrule have no sharp edges.

• When your opponent is at the table “It is their table”. Remain seated and quiet just as if you are a spectator…because that is what you are at that moment! Don’t chalk your cue, move around, whistle or sing (you’re probably not that good a singer anyway!). Don’t talk loudly to a friend sitting beside you. Respect their need to concentrate to play to the best of their ability.

• When it is your turn at the table it is hoped that your opponent will give you the same respect.When breaking, please wait until the person racking is well away from the table. I watched the 1995 Ontario 8 Ball Champion get hit in the side of the head because the breaker did not wait. Very dangerous.

• If you cause a foul to occur, PLEASE pick up the cue ball and hand it to your opponent. If the cue ball falls into a pocket, please retrieve it and hand it to your opponent. Your opponent should not even have to watch the game to know you are playing a gentlemanly sport in an honest way and any foul will be called on yourself, by yourself.

• Regardless the size of the event, sportsmanship should always take precedence.

• Room owners like to hold big events in hopes of selling food and alcohol. The enjoyment of alcohol should not interfere with good sportsmanship.

• There will be times when you are playing badly. For a great many of us it is the norm, not the exception! Your opponent really does not want to hear all your excuses for a bad shot or bad shape. The best thing to do is to wear a t-shirt with about 40 excuses written all over it. When frustrated, simply point to one of them in silence. If you wish, you can even poke hard…just don’t cry out!

• Don’t throw cues, balls, racks, rakes or people when frustrated.

• If you get up out of your chair or indicate “that’s good” or reach into a pocket when your opponent is on the last ball, you are conceding the game. If you crack (begin to take apart) your playing cue before the final shot, you are conceding the game.

• When you are walking by a table where a match is being played, please wait until a shot is complete and stay well back from their peripheral vision sight lines too.

There are probably more aspects of etiquette and if you come across a problem that I have missed, please send us a note. The main point to keep in mind is – “Respect others the way you would like to be respected”.