SHARKING is a myth............

[JoeyA]

If you believe sharking is something that you are supposed to be able to fade, read the following:

Follow Jay Busbee on Twitter at @jaybusbee.

We all know the drill: When you're watching a tournament live, the golfers demand absolute silence when they tee off. Like, hold-your-breath-till-they-swing silence.

But since this is 2012, and not 1952, times are changing on the golf course. Specifically, many tournaments now permit cell phones. (They did in 1952, but you had to install your own telephone poles and string your own wire, so most fans didn't bother.) And most cell phones now have cameras. You see where this is going: Even though people silence their cell phones, they somehow forget to silence the "shutter click" of their cameras.

Around Phil Mickelson's pairing on Thursday, the cell-camera-clickers made a noise with every swing like a thousand crickets being stepped on at once.

"It took Phil out of his game," playing partner Bubba Watson told the AP. "Phil's a great player and a great champion and it just took him out of his game. It's sad. It's sad that cell phones can make or break a championship."

"There were a few phones out there," Rickie Fowler, the third member of the group, added. "There were a few times when we had to back off and reset. You could see Phil was a little fatigued and was having trouble blocking it out a bit."
-----------------------

One of the best pro golfers n the world, having trouble with sharking. Who'd a thunk it?

 

[nineballtko]

Been sharked I guess...funny how the sharking thing is more prevelant when a player is losing or playing below their usual level...I know when I am playing good or should say concentration is good I notice next to nothing in the room...movement...music....coughing...etc happen all the time everywhere but no one usually makes an issue of it unless they miss...play bad...or lose...then they pick out some disturbance or such to blame for their lapse in concentration....usually these sharking things are normal activities in the area...when someone is winning or concentration is in the right place...sharking is never mentioned...I would say most sharks are incidental/ normal activity in the area of a pool table....however I have seen some good real sharkers and they should be humiliated by their antics....usually it means to me that I am in control and I love to smile and snap them off just to show them it really doesn't work when someone is focusing properly!!!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[JoeyA]

I believe it was in this thread, someone metioned that Cliff Joyner is unsharkable or something to that affect. Cliff is great at keeping distractions from interfering with his game but several years ago Cliff was playing in a match in one of our local pool halls and had a very tough game where he was giving up good weight to another local. Another person who was betting on the side against Cliff, waited for the opportune moment and used a very blatant shark. The shark was the traffic cop, "Stop" signal, institued just as Cliff was about to pull the trigger as we was facing the sharker. It happened quick and a half smile appeared on the sharker's face just as Cliff missed the relatively easy key ball. I feel badly for anyone who gets sharked, especially someone like Cliff because he never sharks anyone or at least never starts a shark fest.

Yes Virginia, sharking does exist and it is effective even if you are naive enough to believe otherwise.

 

[PoolSharkAllen]

sharking does exist and it is effective even if you are naive enough to believe otherwise.

I've always considered sharking to be a polite word for cheating. Should sharking be considered cheating and if not, what's the distinction between the two?

 

[AtLarge]

I've always considered sharking to be a polite word for cheating. Should sharking be considered cheating and if not, what's the distinction between the two?

Under WPA (world-standardized) rules, sharking ("distracting the opponent") is deemed to be "unsportsmanlike conduct." The penalty is determined by the referee, ranging all the way from a simple warning to ejection from the event.

Of course we may not be playing under WPA rules, and we usually do not have referees.

 

[JoeyA]

Under WPA (world-standardized) rules, sharking ("distracting the opponent") is deemed to be "unsportsmanlike conduct." The penalty is determined by the referee, ranging all the way from a simple warning to ejection from the event.

Of course we may not be playing under WPA rules, and we usually do not have referees.

I would love to know how many times a referee has used this rule. I would have to bet that they have NEVER ejected a player for sharking, although they should.

 

[Lock N Load]

I would love to know how many times a referee has used this rule. I would have to bet that they have NEVER ejected a player for sharking, although they should.

congratulations, to you JoeyA. And you were sharked tonight as I saw it happen with my own eyes and ears. That is all I have to say. More than once too.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[excessknowledge]

Ive seen sharking or what your calling sharking. I have not found a idiot who felt comfortable to do it to me or anyone I have backed. I am always very nice when I am messed with for a period of time and lay weak.

I think the proper reaction to a player who is intentionally trying to make you mess up if you have a cash game going is cheating. I would simply wait till the right moment and just bust them upside the head as hard as I could a couple times with a cue.

Walk out quick and quiet as possible if no spectators are around that I do not know. I am sure I would not have the chance because the first time they hit the John a few friends would make it clear to them .

My sister say's she would "call it out to the other players" Cheating is going on and the 3 other guys at the shop right now who play pool say "wait till outside and grab them up there for a talk" and Gunny says throw them up on the table and go to town.

Duty Sgt for night patrol says just do not play them anymore. He plays social ever few years over beer.

So that is 4 -2.

I doubt few people that use this computer would run into that issue but idiots are out there.

In reference to a obvious mistake where you mistakenly drop your cue or fumble a stupid way like turning or make a noise at the wrong time, I would give the player the option to restart that game and ask for forgiveness.

 

[excessknowledge]

Good post BTW

 

[Realizm]

Ok Joey help me out, how do you fade out sharking ???

 

[catpool9]

Here's a few sharks or moves of 100's I know you can use on someone that aren't blatant, if you happen to be playing someone alittle shady to begin with and they happen to be sharking you,

well just tell them that the cops were in the joint asking about them alittle earlier, they won't be able to make a ball worrying about it, and will forget all about trying to shark you.

also this one works really good!, if your playing someone by the game ( people do still play that way) and your up about 5 games or so, well tell them that you have to go in about ten minutes, they will run down to the 6,7, or 8 ball and miss untold times, you can play them for hours , just keep telling them your leaving in ten more minutes every so often, works everytime!


I don't move on or shark anyone unless they need it!:smile:


David Harcrow

 

[Lock N Load]

Here's a few sharks or moves of 100's I know you can use on someone that aren't blatant, if you happen to be playing someone alittle shady to begin with and they happen to be sharking you,

well just tell them that the cops were in the joint asking about them alittle earlier, they won't be able to make a ball worrying about it, and will forget all about trying to shark you.

also this one works really good!, if your playing someone by the game ( people do still play that way) and your up about 5 games or so, well tell them that you have to go in about ten minutes, they will run down to the 6,7, or 8 ball and miss untold times, you can play them for hours , just keep telling them your leaving in ten more minutes every so often, works everytime!


I don't move on or shark anyone unless they need it!:smile:


David Harcrow

Hey Catman,
You catch sharks you don't play that way. How goes it for you? I wondered where you were hiding! Good to see you posting.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[cuesblues]

not as loud as the hyena screech but loud anyway

If it was this guy, he isn't 100% hyena, even though he says he is a full blooded hyena.
He's more like 55%, incapable of the full hyena screech.

 

[PoolSharkAllen]

Under WPA (world-standardized) rules, sharking ("distracting the opponent") is deemed to be "unsportsmanlike conduct." The penalty is determined by the referee, ranging all the way from a simple warning to ejection from the event.

Of course we may not be playing under WPA rules, and we usually do not have referees.

The problem with this definition is that it's contingent upon a referee being present to witness the sharking incident and then impose a penalty. Even with a referee present, this rule is rarely enforced.

For the 99.9% of pool matches where a referee is not present, then by the WPA definition above, for all practical purposes sharking did not occur as a referee was not present to witness the sharking violation. Without a referee present, players apparently have unfettered permission to shark, cheat, and distract their opponent at will...kind of like what "professional" wrestlers do in the World Wrestling Federation. It's no wonder that pool has such a low reputation with the general public.

 

[JoeyA]

Ive seen sharking or what your calling sharking. I have not found a idiot who felt comfortable to do it to me or anyone I have backed. I am always very nice when I am messed with for a period of time and lay weak.

I think the proper reaction to a player who is intentionally trying to make you mess up if you have a cash game going is cheating. I would simply wait till the right moment and just bust them upside the head as hard as I could a couple times with a cue.

Walk out quick and quiet as possible if no spectators are around that I do not know. I am sure I would not have the chance because the first time they hit the John a few friends would make it clear to them .

My sister say's she would "call it out to the other players" Cheating is going on and the 3 other guys at the shop right now who play pool say "wait till outside and grab them up there for a talk" and Gunny says throw them up on the table and go to town.

Duty Sgt for night patrol says just do not play them anymore. He plays social ever few years over beer.

So that is 4 -2.

I doubt few people that use this computer would run into that issue but idiots are out there.

In reference to a obvious mistake where you mistakenly drop your cue or fumble a stupid way like turning or make a noise at the wrong time, I would give the player the option to restart that game and ask for forgiveness.

What really amazes me is how people can live with themselves when they shark others. I really don't like losing and I really don't like missing out on an opportunity to win a few dollars but I just can't understand stealing someone else's moment in the sun.

Do they not see that their sharking debases their own character?

Do they think so little of themselves that they are prepared to besmirch their own good name?

Have they so little pride in their own self-worth that they don't mind stooping to these depths just to win a few dollars?

Is their moral fiber so tainted that this is the only manner in which they can feel good about themselves?

I'm really perplexed as to how a person can feel good about themselves in purposefully trying to inhibit another person's ability to play their best.

Is that what this game is all about? If so, it's no wonder that our sport is the gum on the bottom of the world's shoe.

 

[JoeyA]

Ok Joey help me out, how do you fade out sharking ???

Each person has to find their own way, I'm sorry to say. I am still working on mine.

While I haven't developed a sure fire way to fade sharking, I do address it when I notice it. If the person is a decent person, that I have not had this type of experience with before; I may simply stop what I am doing to let them know that I noticed what they were trying to do. If they do it a second time, I will tell them rather bluntly and loudly enough for anyone to hear. If they do it a third time, I will embarass the f**k out of them no matter who they are.

If there is some blatant unintentional sharking coming from someone other than my opponent, I usually just yell at them, "WTF" and that normally gets an apology and they quiet down for a little while. Our pool room gets a little boisterous from time to time with all of the woofing going on. Right now Ronnie Wiseman and road partner is in town and he's got our money and the locals want a chance to get some of it back and there's a lot of howling going on. I understand all of that and try to focus on what I am doing rather than what all is being said.

It is not easy to fade constant blatant sharking by your opponent. I am sad to say that I have seen it in major events as well as local events.

 

[JoeyA]

Here's a few sharks or moves of 100's I know you can use on someone that aren't blatant, if you happen to be playing someone alittle shady to begin with and they happen to be sharking you,

well just tell them that the cops were in the joint asking about them alittle earlier, they won't be able to make a ball worrying about it, and will forget all about trying to shark you.

also this one works really good!, if your playing someone by the game ( people do still play that way) and your up about 5 games or so, well tell them that you have to go in about ten minutes, they will run down to the 6,7, or 8 ball and miss untold times, you can play them for hours , just keep telling them your leaving in ten more minutes every so often, works everytime!


I don't move on or shark anyone unless they need it!:smile:


David Harcrow

David,
You should write a thread called SHARKING 101.
Everyone could be invited to give their favorite shark. It would be a big hit.

 

[Tommy-D]

I agreed with a friend many years ago to spend a couple weeks using every intentional shark we could think of or had seen others use to build a psychological "armor",so to speak.

As far as letting opponents use gutless moves,I'm well past that.

What has bothered me recently however,is stuff that people not involved in the match have done quite unintentionally,perhaps without even knowing what they did,that caused an error on my part.

Without going into dramatic detail,the problem I'm referring to is seeing something move in the background of my sight picture,at the point of my arm swing coming down,and therefore too late to STOP,stand up and regroup.

The times it's happened recently,I can say with all honesty that wasn't something that the offending party did on purpose,such as a noticable hand wave,waving a towel,etc. They've all been slight,almost unperceptible motions,and have even been in the corner of my peripheral vision,rather than directly in front of me.

I had a new one put on me yesterday,however,that just makes me scratch my head.

I went to a tournament yesterday named after a friend that passed away a few years ago,and therefore WINNING really mattered to me.

Before I played the winner's bracket final,I went outside to smoke and my girlfriend informed me that the windows in my vehicle were taking a long time to roll down,under power.

I've only had this vehicle a couple weeks,and managed to find out the hard way that the cigarette lighter she had my cell charger plugged into draws battery power even with the key turned off,and drained it.

It may sound like a trivial thing,but knowing I was going to have to get a jump just to get us home,and going over the various scenarios that go along with it stayed in the back of my mind.

It certainly factored into the outcome. My play dropped enough that I lost my next 2 matches,turning what should have been a 2nd consecutive win at this tournament,into a distasteful,unprofitable 3rd.

I couldn't blame her for telling me about my ride,but she felt bad knowing that the fact she told me about it affected my play to the point she even noticed it. Tommy D.

 

[JoeyA]

I agreed with a friend many years ago to spend a couple weeks using every intentional shark we could think of or had seen others use to build a psychological "armor",so to speak.

As far as letting opponents use gutless moves,I'm well past that.

What has bothered me recently however,is stuff that people not involved in the match have done quite unintentionally,perhaps without even knowing what they did,that caused an error on my part.

Without going into dramatic detail,the problem I'm referring to is seeing something move in the background of my sight picture,at the point of my arm swing coming down,and therefore too late to STOP,stand up and regroup.

The times it's happened recently,I can say with all honesty that wasn't something that the offending party did on purpose,such as a noticable hand wave,waving a towel,etc. They've all been slight,almost unperceptible motions,and have even been in the corner of my peripheral vision,rather than directly in front of me.

I had a new one put on me yesterday,however,that just makes me scratch my head.

I went to a tournament yesterday named after a friend that passed away a few years ago,and therefore WINNING really mattered to me.

Before I played the winner's bracket final,I went outside to smoke and my girlfriend informed me that the windows in my vehicle were taking a long time to roll down,under power.

I've only had this vehicle a couple weeks,and managed to find out the hard way that the cigarette lighter she had my cell charger plugged into draws battery power even with the key turned off,and drained it.

It may sound like a trivial thing,but knowing I was going to have to get a jump just to get us home,and going over the various scenarios that go along with it stayed in the back of my mind.

It certainly factored into the outcome. My play dropped enough that I lost my next 2 matches,turning what should have been a 2nd consecutive win at this tournament,into a distasteful,unprofitable 3rd.

I couldn't blame her for telling me about my ride,but she felt bad knowing that the fact she told me about it affected my play to the point she even noticed it. Tommy D.

Tommy,
That window shark is on YOU, but you already know that.

Some sharks you have to try and fade while others just need to be exposed.

If I argue with my wife before a tournament, I have no chance of winning that event.

Last night I had people screaming at the table next to me, literally yelling at one another. That wasn't good enough so they migrated all the way around the table so that you had to ask them to move because they were in your way (all the while woofing at one another with no concern for anyone but themselves).

 

[ridewiththewind]

I must be getting better...had a situation on Friday night.

Back story...myself and this witch used to bartend at the same bar. One night while I'm working, she comes in and is drinking and drugging in the bathroom. I let this slide for a little bit, as she is a co-worker. When she began ejecting people's songs out of the jukebox in favor of her own, I cut her off. She pulls the butt of her cue out of her case and threatens to beat my a$$ with it...so I throw her out. I quit the job shortly thereafter, but been bad blood ever since.

So, she's in where I'm playing on Friday. I haven't been able to play for a while, so I was having a great time...win or lose. So, I'm down on the 8 that needs to go down table to the corner. I had seen her out of the corner of my eye walk by...so, I am now half expecting what happens next. Yep, in the backend of my final stroke when the bump comes. I didn't even stand to reset, as I still felt pretty good with my stance and stroke. Took a couple of more practice strokes and then pocketed the 8 ball down table as I had initially planned. Never even looked at her.

With focus, and determination...the shark attempt can be easily ignored.