| PLA Demo League |
Ettiquette |
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Philip B. Capelle says, in A Mind for Pool, "Once the match begins, good
sportsmanship demands that you adhere to the game's etiquette. You should treat
your opponent with respect. You don't have to act like [they're] your best friend,
but you should be mindful of the tradition of the game."
And so, here are a few guidelines that will help everyone to better enjoy league play.
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| Equipment |
- Most players in the league use their own cues.
Some use house cues for breaking. Treat the house cues (however beat up)
like one of your own- tossing them around or banging them
against the table doesn't do them any good.
- Don't place or tap chalk upside-down on the rails. It only makes a mess.
- A pool table is not a good place to rest your drink.
- Smokers, don't bring lit smokes to the table when you shoot.
Resting them on the table can leave burn marks, and an ash falling off the
cigarette in your mouth can easily burn the felt, or at the least leave a pile of
ash on the felt.
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| Gameplay |
| Although most of this gameplay etiquette applies to players in the game,
it also applies to other non-playing team members present at the match. |
- Give your opponent a good rack.
- Inform your opponent when you foul.
- Retrieve the cue ball when you scratch.
- Sharking is unsportsmanlike. Sharking is the attempt to
distract your opponent when they are shooting; standing too close to the table,
making loud comments to your teammates, grabbing for the chalk (see below), etc.
- Don't hog the chalk. Chalk your cue before you shoot, not after. When
your opponent steps to the table, no doubt they will be looking for the chalk. If you must chalk
your cue after your turn, then bring your own chalk to the match.
- When it's not your turn, keep your distance from the table.
Regardless of someone's level of concentration while shooting, it's unsportsmanlike
to stand unreasonably close to the table or close in the shooter's field of vision.
The same holds true for non-playing players. While some game venues may be small
and/or crowded, do your best to give the shooter some space.
- Be honest. If you think a ball hit might be questionable, ask
someone to watch the hit. Chances are, you will know if the hit was good or not. If you
accidently touch the cue ball before your shot, call yourself on the foul and chances
are that your opponent will tell you to go ahead and shoot anyway. If not, at least
you know you're not a cheater.
- Be nice. If you and your opponent do not get along, that's okay,
but keep comments to yourself.
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That last one really say it all. Treat opponents as you'd like
to be treated, and don't treat them in a manner that you wouldn't like to be treated.
Keeping these ideas in mind will help everyone to have the best league experience possible. |
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