Pool Table Etiquette In Portland Bars
I have to throw out a mini-rant on some of the incredibly bad pool table behavior I’ve been running into in Portland bars recently. I went to the Night Light over on Clinton last Thursday to play a game of pool. It was about 8:00pm and they had a DJ, so it was a little crowded. There were a group of us trying to play pool, and it was next to impossible. People were sitting on the pool table, standing in the way, putting down quarters and walking away then getting pissed when they were played over. People were playing doubles, but walking off and ordering drinks with a three deep line right before their turn. It was completely infuriating. I wasn’t sure if it was the age group, but I’m not letting that slide as an excuse because I’ve had plenty of way younger people kick my butt.
I talked with some of my friends who play league, and tend bar, and here are a couple of things they offered as definte no-no’s when you are playing with the grown-up people. Don’t ever sit on the table. Don’t try and do trick shots if you don’t know how, you’ll tear the felt. Don’t lean over the table smoking while you take your shot. If you’re playing doubles, stick around. There is nothing more aggravating then waiting for some moron who’s decided that they need a drink in the middle of play and walk away. Don’t put quarters down and walk off without expecting us to play over you. Pay attention to the game. If we do play over you don’t come over an hour later and wonder why you aren’t up next. If you are sitting or standing anywhere near cue range expect to be asked to move. You’re in the way. Sorry, but that’s just the way it goes. And finally, it’s just a game. Don’t get up in someone’s face because they are winning. It just makes you look like an asshat.
I know there are more rules of etiquette but these are some of the ones I see being stepped on the most.
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If you want to play pool at night, go to a POOL HALL! The Night Light is tiny, and it is a music venue. There are lots of pool halls without live music.
I agree with you but would argue that the Night Light is hardly the place to expect any kind of etiquette regarding the game of pool… The table is in that cramped little corner and if it is at all busy in there kiss the idea of a “game” of pool goodbye. In that enviroment it seems like pool just to be soemthing to do in breaks of conversation.
Another thing I’d like to say about pool in Portland bars… don’t go buy your own personal cue and if you feel you must own your own cue certainly don’t bring it into taverns and bars… maybe pool halls but not taverns and bars. Heck, even pool halls have quite decent house cues. Taking a personal cue into a tavern or bar makes a person look like a knob IMO. If you can’t play well with any old house cue, warped or not, a personal cue isn’t really going to help your game all that much…
I totally agree with both of you. I don’t go to Night Light intending to have a serious pool game. It is just something to do while we’re drinking. However, I don’t care how big or small the pool table/area is there still is some decorum that needs to be followed. It’s just good manners.
I agree - my friends were at the exact same bar - no one had been playing for quite some time and there was no one standing near the table - so they started to sweep up the balls to rack them - and someone came over and yelled at them for messing up their game - although they hadn’t touched the table in more than 30 minutes.
Well, first off, I think asshat should be hyphenated (e.g.,ass-hat), or separated as two words (ass -pause- hat, just like on The Electric Company), for the knuckle draggers in the audience, and I know there’s at least one.
Secondly, if there is a pool table anywhere, bring your fucking manners. Just because it’s awkward doesn’t matter. Even if it’s a “music venue”, which the Night Light can’t strike a match -let alone hold a candle- to that moniker. If you call that a “music venue” or “music” at all, for that matter, you are sorely mistaken.
Oh, and (dubiously) thirdly, by the way, don’t put your chalk down with the chalky side down, you just end up getting everybody’s hands blue. Think of it as a dry, blue beer.
And lastly, hanging out in a neighborhood bar is way more fun than a pool hall, especially considering proximity. I might add that the hottie factor in pool halls is somewhat lacking.