Unreasonably Upset

jmizzo

jmizzo

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I know its bad form, and safety play is a huge part of the game, but that being said would this anger you guys.

League night and I broke and run down the table, unfortunately I got lazy on an easy stop shot for the out, and missed the shot leaving my ball on the short rail at the foot of the table.

The guy coming in has 7 wide open balls, nothing frozen, nothing touching another ball. He procedes to play safeties (four in a row) instead of trying to run out the table he had (i wouldnt call it a touch run out). On the fourth safety he got ball in hand and then ran 4 played another safety (again could have been out, the shots were there.) Long story short, i ended up loosing the game (hard to make a 2 rail kick for the win.

By the end of the game he could tell I was upset and came over and said good game, didnt think I would beat you. I responded with you didnt, I lost the game myself by not finishing. You by no means beat me. (Well he did beat me, but not in a way that deserves credit.) To me it was like when playing no cue ball fouls (bar rules around here) and scratching on purpose when your opponents only object ball is in the kitchen.

I know I am being a poor sport but to steal a line from Peter Griffin "It really grinds my gears." Now that I cooled off I understand I sounded like a dick and owe this player an apology but would this piss you off?

JM
 
While I agree the guy was probably a moron for not trying to run out, you let it get to you. Just blow it off and play your game, you can't control your opponent.
 
jmizzo said:
I know its bad form, and safety play is a huge part of the game, but that being said would this anger you guys.

League night and I broke and run down the table, unfortunately I got lazy on an easy stop shot for the out, and missed the shot leaving my ball on the short rail at the foot of the table.

The guy coming in has 7 wide open balls, nothing frozen, nothing touching another ball. He procedes to play safeties (four in a row) instead of trying to run out the table he had (i wouldnt call it a touch run out). On the fourth safety he got ball in hand and then ran 4 played another safety (again could have been out, the shots were there.) Long story short, i ended up loosing the game (hard to make a 2 rail kick for the win.

By the end of the game he could tell I was upset and came over and said good game, didnt think I would beat you. I responded with you didnt, I lost the game myself by not finishing. You by no means beat me. (Well he did beat me, but not in a way that deserves credit.) To me it was like when playing no cue ball fouls (bar rules around here) and scratching on purpose when your opponents only object ball is in the kitchen.

I know I am being a poor sport but to steal a line from Peter Griffin "It really grinds my gears." Now that I cooled off I understand I sounded like a dick and owe this player an apology but would this piss you off?

JM
Click to expand...

Some people have issues with safes thinking it's semi-dirty pool. It's assinine, defeatest thinking IMO.

I had a similar thing happen to me in a tourney and man, was it frustrating. This guy's safe after safe, even when he had shots, were strong.

I knew I needed to practice my safes after that. It was an epiphany for me.

Get over the "safety play is a nasty play" thinking and fight fire with a better fire.

This guy beat you fair and square and handed you a stinging lesson you can learn from. But somehow I think you already knew that. I'd thank him next time you see him. Honestly.
 
xianmacx said:
you didn't get out, don't get mad at him.
Click to expand...

Well put, if a little blunt.

When you missed that ball, you have to accept that you're going to lose that game. He's going to run his balls and make the 8, and however many safeties he has to play to get that done without leaving you an opening, that's how many he'll play.

Furthermore, by playing extra safeties, he was doing you a favor. It didn't turn out your way, but if he had just run out, you never would have had a chance. The way he did it, you had multiple chances to get lucky, and the more chances he gave you, the more likely it would get that something's going to go your way and get you back in the game.

If I had to choose between an opponent who just runs out when he should, or an opponent who plays safe when he should run out, I'll take the one who plays safe. I can't win while he's running out, whereas when he plays safe and brings me to the table, you never know what might happen.

-Andrew
 
Well....I can't say I would be thrilled but then again Ive done the same exact thing to other players.....

was playing a strong 7...broke dry she ran the table but missed the 8...i didnt have a run...so played safe....ran a couple got bad...played another safe...ran out for the win...

once I found this worked...I did it the next three games in a row....


R
 
he probably has no faith in his own ability so he just played safeties. It sucks, but you did not get out and gave him that opportunity. It is what it is. Shake it off, don't get lazy, and get out next time!!!

oh, and work on your 2 rail kicks!!!!!!...lol
 
jmizzo said:
I know its bad form, and safety play is a huge part of the game, but that being said would this anger you guys.

League night and I broke and run down the table, unfortunately I got lazy on an easy stop shot for the out, and missed the shot leaving my ball on the short rail at the foot of the table.

The guy coming in has 7 wide open balls, nothing frozen, nothing touching another ball. He procedes to play safeties (four in a row) instead of trying to run out the table he had (i wouldnt call it a touch run out). On the fourth safety he got ball in hand and then ran 4 played another safety (again could have been out, the shots were there.) Long story short, i ended up loosing the game (hard to make a 2 rail kick for the win.

By the end of the game he could tell I was upset and came over and said good game, didnt think I would beat you. I responded with you didnt, I lost the game myself by not finishing. You by no means beat me. (Well he did beat me, but not in a way that deserves credit.) To me it was like when playing no cue ball fouls (bar rules around here) and scratching on purpose when your opponents only object ball is in the kitchen.

I know I am being a poor sport but to steal a line from Peter Griffin "It really grinds my gears." Now that I cooled off I understand I sounded like a dick and owe this player an apology but would this piss you off?

JM
Click to expand...

It sounds like your opponent did what he needed to do to win...If he didn't feel comfortable running out the balls, there's certainly no rule that prevents him from ducking. (I've been known to torture people like this when I had an easy out, but I'm a bit of a sadist.) :D

Yes, you were a poor sport. When you mess up a runout, you're supposed to lose...It just took a couple more innings than you expected.
 
That is the worst thing you could do!

I will win 95% of the games where my opponent runs down to the last ball or the 8-ball and misses.

Some reasons he might have played it that way is because he wasn't feeling too confident in his play at that moment, or sometimes I do it to put people on tilt. It appears that he really thought you were the better player so his nerves forces him to use a great technique called, "Keep it simple stupid".

If I'm in a race situation, I love to either 3 foul my opponent (9-ball) when I can or punish any mistake by getting a few ball in hands and watch them try 2 or 3 rail kicks.
 
Your title says it all. You were the one who wanted to run out. You missed. You left him to control the table. He was merely putting you in "8 ball hell". Its acceptable, legal and wholly encouraged in league play. Last time I checked, leagues are handicapped and many times playing this way ensures lower handicap players of wins they wouldn't ordinarily be able to get. The only thing that mattered is that your opponent won. Be a man. Just be a danged man. Man up. Stand up. Shake the man's hand. Wish him well. If you play long enough, there will be times when you'll be happy to run into another player that offers you such sportsmanship. You probably owe the guy an apology because of your behavior. If it were me, you would have understood these concepts before you left the table. Excuses are like a$$holes. Everyone's got one. You asked. Hopefully, that is the end of this thread.

tim
 
jmizzo said:
I know its bad form, and safety play is a huge part of the game, but that being said would this anger you guys.

League night and I broke and run down the table, unfortunately I got lazy on an easy stop shot for the out, and missed the shot leaving my ball on the short rail at the foot of the table.

The guy coming in has 7 wide open balls, nothing frozen, nothing touching another ball. He procedes to play safeties (four in a row) instead of trying to run out the table he had (i wouldnt call it a touch run out). On the fourth safety he got ball in hand and then ran 4 played another safety (again could have been out, the shots were there.) Long story short, i ended up loosing the game (hard to make a 2 rail kick for the win.

By the end of the game he could tell I was upset and came over and said good game, didnt think I would beat you. I responded with you didnt, I lost the game myself by not finishing. You by no means beat me. (Well he did beat me, but not in a way that deserves credit.) To me it was like when playing no cue ball fouls (bar rules around here) and scratching on purpose when your opponents only object ball is in the kitchen.

I know I am being a poor sport but to steal a line from Peter Griffin "It really grinds my gears." Now that I cooled off I understand I sounded like a dick and owe this player an apology but would this piss you off?

JM
Click to expand...

Yes, that would be irritating. Yes, you should have been a good sport anyway. You meet all kinds of players out there. Sounds like he was afraid to shoot - he will never be good.

Chris
 
xianmacx said:
you didn't get out, don't get mad at him.
Click to expand...

Exactly, the 2 rail kick is a better shot to win then you deserved if the table is as easy as you say, you should take the shot and bloody well like the chance to actually win a game you have no right to win at that point. I have had the same situations but unlike you I don't get in a huff and think "well I cannot make the 2-rail kick", I instead aim the shot carefully and will often times make the shot or make the hit and have chances at a return safe (mind you I am very good at playing multiple rails). Guess what, the player you are playing often times then tightens up because their cute little safety game on an open table blew up in their face and they blow the whole set from there. You screwed up on more then the shape on the last ball, you played the whole situation wrong.
 
TATE said:
Sounds like he was afraid to shoot - he will never be good.
Click to expand...

I don't think I've ever heard this phenomenon put so succinctly, but you do see it a lot in 8-ball leagues, and it's so true. This mentality never leads to much improvement.

-Andrew
 
sounds like he played his gamevery well and you didn't play your game very well. Sounds like he may have been overmatched on skill level alone, recognized it and out manuvered you. *tap*tap* He didn't make a mistake, you did. A mistake would have been for him to try a shot or run he was not comfortable with and giving you a chance to get back on the table with a makable shot. You should have said well played, appreciated that and been angry with yourself.
 
I will do the same if I'm not feeling comfortable at the table or if I'm playing a player that is a lot stronger than me. My goal is to win and not force the situation especially if I'm playing someone that can easily string several racks together.
 
On the second or third safety I probably would have tried to tie up a couple of his balls. And on each safety thereafter just to send a message.
 
You have to give your opponent some credit. It's not always that easy to put your opponent in lock-up safe after lock-up safe without making any slight mistakes.

I have to disagree with the posts that this person will never amount to much. He had the instinct to take advantage of the situation, play well enough to not leave any chances and win the game.

I feel the persons that don't believe in or practice good safeties in 8-ball will grow at a slower rate. The Safe aspect of 8-ball is a lost art to most players and highly under appreciated!
 
IntoTheRail said:
On the second or third safety I probably would have tried to tie up a couple of his balls. And on each safety thereafter just to send a message.
Click to expand...

Right!

Or I would have pushed the 8-ball and/or one of his balls up against my last ball on the table. Force him to break some balls out! This atleast gives you a chance in the game instead of trying to luck in a 2 way kick and get shape.
 
jmizzo said:
I know its bad form, and safety play is a huge part of the game, but that being said would this anger you guys.

League night and I broke and run down the table, unfortunately I got lazy on an easy stop shot for the out, and missed the shot leaving my ball on the short rail at the foot of the table.

The guy coming in has 7 wide open balls, nothing frozen, nothing touching another ball. He procedes to play safeties (four in a row) instead of trying to run out the table he had (i wouldnt call it a touch run out). On the fourth safety he got ball in hand and then ran 4 played another safety (again could have been out, the shots were there.) Long story short, i ended up loosing the game (hard to make a 2 rail kick for the win.

By the end of the game he could tell I was upset and came over and said good game, didnt think I would beat you. I responded with you didnt, I lost the game myself by not finishing. You by no means beat me. (Well he did beat me, but not in a way that deserves credit.) To me it was like when playing no cue ball fouls (bar rules around here) and scratching on purpose when your opponents only object ball is in the kitchen.

I know I am being a poor sport but to steal a line from Peter Griffin "It really grinds my gears." Now that I cooled off I understand I sounded like a dick and owe this player an apology but would this piss you off?

JM
Click to expand...

Yep you missed. He beat you. You didn't lose. Every win or loss depends on someone making a mistake and someone else taking advantage of it. Trying to say that you lost instead of him winning is a mentality that will keep you a loser.

Yes, I would be angry. That I lost. That I missed the ball. But I would have shaken his hand. Can't blame him for beating you when you missed a shot you're supposed to make.

In that situation though, when you put your game ball in a puddle of poo, and he's playing safe. You still have a good chance to win but you have to get outside of bar/league thinking.

If he's playing safe it's because he's either 1) screwing with you or 2) isn't confident in running out.

When he safes you, instead of trying to get a legal hit, make an intentional bad hit and put his ball in the poo puddle with yours. Make his ducks and balls that he might use for break balls and put him in a very difficult situation where any error will cost him the game. It also makes the mental game much tougher for him because he will be forced to start thinking about playing you safe from every ball instead of just keeping you from hitting yours. The extra brainpower this will require will make him nervous (unless he's a good player, in which case you're sunk anyway)

Every time he plays safe, lock up or make another of his balls.

If he is having trouble with an open table, imagine the fits a few good clusters will have him in.

He's likely to panic and try a hero breakout.

He will likely be pissed by this turn of events and be likely to make a mistake. When he does shove it in and break it off.

You're likely to piss him off as much or more as you were and be able to get the upper hand.

In that situation that is your only chance to win the game IMO. If you let him dictate the game by trying to make legal hits and giving up BIH you just play his game and you will lose.

Another benefit is that it gives you something else to think about/focus on and takes away your anger and allows you to focus on the game again.

That will take away his power to make you angry, which could be something he feeds off of.

Be prepared to hear comments about cheap pool or worse. But when you miss that ball, you put yourself in this situation.

~rc
 
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