I was asked by a friend of mine to break down some questions. I get asked a lot by girls at the bar playing pool. I hate saying girls cause the last thing I want to do is offend a female…I only say girls because the last few people that have asked have been very good female friends. So anyway, I thought I would go through and try to list out some Bar Pool Ethics that everyone should try to keep in mind when they want to play pool at a bar.I guess we’ll start with just getting on the table. Normally there’s a list of names on the wall by the table or people put quarters on the table. At my local bar it’s quarters so I’ll go with that. First wait til no one is shooting to put your quarters down. So many people just walk up in the middle of someone’s shot and put their hands on the table and drop their quarters around. One this is rude…and two this distracts the person shooting. K…now that you have a second to put your quarters down be sure see how many sets of quarters are in front of you to know how many games are going to be played in front of you. Then put your quarters down making sure that the quarters are pressed all the way against the rail. This one is very important because if your quarters are sticking out on the table they could actually get hit by a ball and make the person playing miss a shot that they could have made otherwise. And that’s no way to make friends.
Aight…now it’s your turn to play. Now I know you came there with your boyfriend or your girlfriend but that doesn’t mean that you can automatically play doubles. It’s the choice of the person who’s table it is to how you guys play. Meaning the person that won the game before yours. Now I will always try to be nice and play doubles when someone wants to, but not everyone is always nice. Especially the guys that live to play pool at a bar. And you’ll know these guys when you see them. They are the normally drunk guys talking shit about everything. Normally about how they’re going to kick your ass when they play you. And how you better not miss cause they’re not going to. Real prize winners.
So lets just say he says he doesnt’ want to play doubles and you’re gonna play one on one. It’s his break. Try not to stand right around the table. Cause if he makes a shot he’s going to be moving around the table, and it’s considered pretty bad form to get in the person’s way as they’re moving around trying to get to their next shot. It’s also a bad move to stand in front of the pocket they happen to be shooting at. It’s taken almost as a taunt. So with that being said just give your opponent some room and you’re off to a good start. Also apparently standing behind the guy is a potential dick thing to do as well. I was playing a guy at this bar by my house a few weeks ago, and I happen to be about 3 feet behind thing guy talking to my friend. He missed his shot so of course he turned around and said “Can you not stand behind me while I’m shooting!” So there you go he missed and it’s your fault. But ah well it’s your shot now.
Well if you’re on the table you know the basics of the game. Hit your ball and try to make it. Now just try not to accidentally move the balls that you’re not shooting at. For example after you shoot your shot…try to pick up the stick to make sure you don’t bump the other balls on the table. Now most girls can give that cute “oops i didn’t mean to do that face”…and most men will just melt and say “that’s okay.” But some men…as I said earlier are dicks. And things like that get them riled up.
If you happen to be playing against a hawk (meaning he’s watching exactly what you’re doing…and just staring at you) be sure and call the pocket you plan to be shooting at. This same rule is very critical when you get to the eight ball. Some guys will totally freak if you shoot at the eight before letting him know where you’re shooting at.
So that should keep you pretty safe. There are plenty of more rules to go by, and if anyone has any suggestions to add be sure and let me know.