Respect the table
The American Poolplayers Association's etiquette rules are a good baseline for any room:
- Never put a drink on the table, never smoke at the table, and do not sit on the rails.
- Do not dig the cue tip into the cloth when you break, and do not slam balls or bang cues.
- Do not bring outside food or drink unless the venue allows it.
- Know and follow the house rules. In a league, the host location is your host and you are its guest; the venue can refuse service to anyone.
While your opponent shoots
- Stand away from the table, out of their line of sight, and do not talk to them.
- Watch your surroundings. If someone is in the way of a shot, wait or politely ask them to move.
- Be ready when it is your turn, and keep your cue assembled until the match is over.
- Cheering your teammates is fine; rooting against your opponent is not.
Sportsmanship
- Call your own fouls without waiting to be caught.
- Wish your opponent good luck before the match and shake hands afterward, win or lose.
- Settle rules disputes through a league representative rather than arguing at the table.
- Keep the game moving. One APA league publishes time guidelines of about 20 seconds for a routine shot, 45 seconds for a hard one, and 2 minutes to rack; other leagues may differ.
Many APA events also enforce a casual dress code, so check before a tournament.
Renting a table at a pool hall
Practices vary by venue, but here is what the sources describe:
- A rental typically gets you one table, a rack of balls and house cues. One university recreation center suggests no more than four to six people per table.
- Pricing may be per person per hour or per table per hour; it varies by venue.
- Some halls ask for an ID or a cash deposit before they hand you the balls.
- Return house cues to the rack, tell staff about broken cues, and be aware that you may have to pay for damage to the cloth.
League play happens at host bars, restaurants and pool halls; see leagues to find one.