Gracious in victory, gracious in defeat

F

FastManners

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
It seems to me, that certain players deem it a weakness to be gracious in defeat, rather than accept that your opponent out played you.
I myself feel as though I am a "good loser", but I am also very aware of being a modest winner when I do win.

As someone who plays decently, but is missing some pretty important ingredients to move to monster level do people think that having a slightly less friendly/polite demeanor would help lift my competitive edge?

Please note, I am not going to change I am just interested in what the general consensus is.
 
Like actors go into their acting mode when the curtian goes up or the cameras go on you need to put on your game face before the lag. When show/game is over try to return to normal. Some can do it and some can not. Johnnyt
 
Personally when it comes to matches I like things to be straight forward. I prefer not to be talked to during a match from my opponent etc.. It may seem like an asshole move but I've learned over the years, I work best when left alone. This has gotten me the reputation of "not a fun guy to play" but in general I am a very nice guy. I will help, teach and even show you shots over and over, but if we're playing and something is on the line, you're the enemy until it's over. In order to get better you need to be serious about what you're doing, and unfortunately some people take offense to it.
 
I am always polite in victory or defeat.
But inside when I lose I am steamed at myself.
Inside my head my opponent did not beat me,I beat myself.
I guess it's an ego thing.
 
measureman said:
I am always polite in victory or defeat.
But inside when I lose I am steamed at myself.
Inside my head my opponent did not beat me,I beat myself.
I guess it's an ego thing.
Click to expand...
I as well, I forgot to add in my previous post. I always shake hands and acknowledge the out come of the match whether I win or loose. I have NEVER walked away from a match without shaking that players hand or having something polite to say towards them. There has been many times me and my opponent have hung around hours after the match just talking and going over shots we played during the match.
 
If I win a match, I always try to say something positive about my opponents game when we shake hands afterwards. When I lose, I am usually a good loser, but.........sometimes when I play someone that gets a LOT more luck than a poolplayer should get in any given match, and fails to acknowledge it either when it happened or after the match, I kinda take exception to this. I just don't like the kind of winning opponent that "struts" around like a rooster in the henhouse after winning when without a doubt luck played a huge factor in the victory.

I have lost matches where I have out-shot my opponents. I'm sure anyone else on here can say the same. If I win by luck, I will acknowledge that. If I lose from having bad luck, and the opponent acts like he/she out-shot me, that kinda sticks in my craw. I don't make a big deal about it, will still shake that players hand and say something nice, but I will definitely lose a little respect for that player.

Maniac
 
To consistantly perform at your highest level, you have to have true focus and the ability to control your emotions.

Some people can seperate that from the personal side of the game and some people,not so much.
 
Lets see now. Efren is probably the best all round player in the world today. Anyone want to guess the percentage of tournaments he wins? 10%? 15%? 20%?. Guess he learned how to lose gracefully. Even he loses a LOT more than he wins. Must be that infectious smile!

Personally, being a "good" loser is not the same as liking to lose. I want to win. Perhaps more than most. Insulting my opponent just isn't in the cards. Once had an opponent run around the pool room with his stick held high in the air after beating me in a race to ONE! I'll say it again. A race to ONE!

Lyn
 
measureman said:
I am always polite in victory or defeat.
But inside when I lose I am steamed at myself.
Inside my head my opponent did not beat me,I beat myself.
I guess it's an ego thing.
Click to expand...

I agree with this completely! I also think it's a sign of a good player, they expect to win so when they don't they can get a little hot! I usually talk a short walk to calm myself down so I don't unravel.. The folks that do not expect to win never seem to be too upset..
 
Not sharking

For those of you who like to be left alone during the match how much does it bother you to get an occasional comment from your opponent. I'm not talking about an obvious attempt at sharking but rather a "good shot" or "nice leave" comment?

And then do you respond?
 
If I am at the table and my opponent speaks I ignore his comment. Players often employ gamesmanship by asking "polite" questions while I'm running out. Those questions always go unanswered!
 
Jodacus said:
For those of you who like to be left alone during the match how much does it bother you to get an occasional comment from your opponent. I'm not talking about an obvious attempt at sharking but rather a "good shot" or "nice leave" comment?

And then do you respond?
Click to expand...

"Thank you" usually works.
 
Maniac said:
If I win a match, I always try to say something positive about my opponents game when we shake hands afterwards. When I lose, I am usually a good loser, but.........sometimes when I play someone that gets a LOT more luck than a poolplayer should get in any given match, and fails to acknowledge it either when it happened or after the match, I kinda take exception to this. I just don't like the kind of winning opponent that "struts" around like a rooster in the henhouse after winning when without a doubt luck played a huge factor in the victory.

I have lost matches where I have out-shot my opponents. I'm sure anyone else on here can say the same. If I win by luck, I will acknowledge that. If I lose from having bad luck, and the opponent acts like he/she out-shot me, that kinda sticks in my craw. I don't make a big deal about it, will still shake that players hand and say something nice, but I will definitely lose a little respect for that player.

Maniac
Click to expand...

This is basically how I act and feel as well.

Oh and in terms of commenting during a match, I might say "nice run out", as i am racking if a player has made a particularly good out. I think that shows respect for your opponents game.
 
I always shake my opponents hand, but a lot of times I won't have a word to say to them. I'm not going to tell them "good game" when I didn't play to my full potential. I accept losing when I played someone that I know should be beating me. I get heated at myself, and sometimes the game, when someone who I feel is a weaker player beats me. I will get even more pissed if they beat me by slopping in some 9 balls, or otherwise beating me by sheer luck. I'm fiercely competitive, and losing is not an easy thing for me to handle.

"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi
 
AtLarge said:
Baloney. Some counterexamples: Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. Fierce competitors, good losers.
Click to expand...

Golf is not a good example. You are not directly playing your opponent, you are only playing the course. Your opponents shots do not affect your shots. If you lose, it is only because you did not play the course as well as they did. Most other sports you are directly playing an opponent, wherein their performance directly correlates into yours.

It's a quote from one of the winningest coaches ever. He is a legend. You don't have to agree, but you can't disrespect him by saying what he has to say is baloney. There is a reason he is a legend, respect it.
 
FastManners said:
This is basically how I act and feel as well.

Oh and in terms of commenting during a match, I might say "nice run out", as i am racking if a player has made a particularly good out. I think that shows respect for your opponents game.
Click to expand...

I will comment on a particular shot while racking if the runout was tough and had a key shot in it. Other than that, my opponent is not my friend and I am not his fan until later. I understand if he feels the same way. Too much cordiality during play makes losing too cordial.
 
Great story

cardiac kid said:
Lets see now. Efren is probably the best all round player in the world today. Anyone want to guess the percentage of tournaments he wins? 10%? 15%? 20%?. Guess he learned how to lose gracefully. Even he loses a LOT more than he wins. Must be that infectious smile!

Personally, being a "good" loser is not the same as liking to lose. I want to win. Perhaps more than most. Insulting my opponent just isn't in the cards. Once had an opponent run around the pool room with his stick held high in the air after beating me in a race to ONE! I'll say it again. A race to ONE!

Lyn
Click to expand...

I had the flu and a APA player won a match on me and I thought he was going to give himself a stroke he got so worked up. Another player who beat me a few games in marietta walked around the whole room telling people ....I watched him. :rolleyes:If I win I try to hold the elation in till I at least get in the car to go home ,if I lose I am hoping and praying to be gracious about it .Really it would be nice if a win or a loss could not get me worked up in anyway and I just kept on learning and playing this game , of course that is a long term goal or something to strive for.
 
Last edited:
If a guy gets that worked up over beating you, it sure isn't classy, but is actually a compliment to your game and rep in the area:thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top