Whether you are in your friend's basement, the local bar, pool hall, or an upscalebilliard room etiquette billiard room, there's a code of behavior that you can follow that will make you a welcome and respected guest or customer.

Pool tables, billiard balls, and cues are not inexpensive toys. It is costly, specialized equipment that calls for professional handling and care.

Don't lay the cue across your shoulders and wrap your arms around it. Did you ever wonder how all those warped cues got that way? When you're not shooting, hold the cue vertically.

Don't turn the chalk upside down on the rails. It makes a mess and can even stain wood rails.

If you smoke, don't bring your cigarette to the table. Cigarettes sitting on rails leave burn marks. Cigarettes in your mouth drop ashes onto the table. Not only does that make a mess, but a lit ash will burn the cloth.

Don't bring drinks or food to the table. Food crumbs make a mess and spilled drinks can damage wood and cloth. Drinks on rails leave stains and could easily be knocked over onto the table bed.

When racking, don't slide the rack all over the table. This puts extra wear on the cloth. You can lift the rack slightly off the table and still move the balls into position over the foot spot.