Me and my friend were politely arguing this last night. He told me his opponent got mad cuz he raked the balls. I said I didn't blame him since I don't like to see it done and it irks me too. I told him he should stop doing it since some people frown on it but his attitude was "Oh well"
Raking the balls - unsportsmanlike or not??
- Thread starter Magyar19
- Start date
Why did he rake them? There's multiple scenarios this could happen.
If I'm gambling and my opponent unscrews while I have balls on the table yet, then I might rake.
If my opponent is surely going to get out on the table, I won't rake, I'll just say "that's good".
More info please.
My friend fouled and the guy had BIH on the 8 so he gathered all the balls up and racked.
Nothing wrong with that. Not to many people out there are going to miss an eight ball with ball in hand.:thumbup:
NYC cue dude
Banned
Never physically interfere
With your opponents table. Period. There is no class in that gesture.
Extending courtesy is another story but should always be done verbally. "Good enough" "not necessary", or "that's good" is acceptable.
It's never ok, IMO, to touch the balls on the table while conceding a game.
With your opponents table. Period. There is no class in that gesture.
Extending courtesy is another story but should always be done verbally. "Good enough" "not necessary", or "that's good" is acceptable.
It's never ok, IMO, to touch the balls on the table while conceding a game.
I guess I understand where some of you folks are coming from. I just don't see this particular situation as too offensive.
I suppose the other player wanted the satisfaction of actually dropping the eight. I guess I can understand that. Still, it doesn't seem to be too out of line to me
I suppose the other player wanted the satisfaction of actually dropping the eight. I guess I can understand that. Still, it doesn't seem to be too out of line to me
How about this example?
A player out of sw minnesota who is known for his slow methodical play was in a match where he would break soft and then keep playing safe until the table was wide open. I believe in one game, three of each were made and the table was still open.
He was ahead 2 - 0 on a race to 3 when he missed a safe and left the table open. He then raked the balls so his opponent would not have a opportunity to get any momentum going.
Might be smart strategy, but unsportsmanlike in my opinion.
Raking the balls is a concession is it not?
An opponent can do that for me all day long, rack after rack for all I care - whether for cash, for fun or in a tournament..
An opponent can do that for me all day long, rack after rack for all I care - whether for cash, for fun or in a tournament..
I generally concede verbally or with a thumbs-up, etc. On the rare occasion my opponent desires to concede a game to me, I don't care how its done as long as I'm not mid stroke or something.
In practice or fun games, I always let the person I'm playing know that I want to finish the game if its me shooting. I need to practice not screwing up on the money ball all I can.
In practice or fun games, I always let the person I'm playing know that I want to finish the game if its me shooting. I need to practice not screwing up on the money ball all I can.
It's good by me unless it's done in a fit of anger, which it rarely is. 
And in tournaments around here, if you concede balls you lose the next game as well. I think that's a good rule for tournaments.
:wink:
Now that would be unsportsman like to accept a win that way.
I'd even put that in the class of cheating.
NYC cue dude
Banned
All the events in the NYC tri state
Area are like that. First time it's a warning, second time you lose the next game. This includes the pro events too.
Area are like that. First time it's a warning, second time you lose the next game. This includes the pro events too.
I'm going to throw my $.02 because I was recently thinking about this very topic. My stroke has been a little shaky lately so the the opportunity to make that last easy shot gives me a practice stroke to help me get prepared for the next game.
So I don't like it when people sweep the last ball to give me the game. The sportsmanlike and respectful way to give the last ball is to say "it's good". At least I have the choice to say, "no ... I'll shoot it", which I almost never do because that itself could be seen as kind of a dick move. "It's good" is a sign of respect for my game and also just to save time, so it's cool and somewhat expected amongst the better players.
Also, after some thought on the ball sweeping thing, I decided that eventhough I disagree with it, it doesn't really bother me either. I'll take the win and move on trying to do my best in the next game. And by the way I would NEVER have a problem with it in the last game of the match, but nobody rakes it then because there is no more racking to do.
So I don't like it when people sweep the last ball to give me the game. The sportsmanlike and respectful way to give the last ball is to say "it's good". At least I have the choice to say, "no ... I'll shoot it", which I almost never do because that itself could be seen as kind of a dick move. "It's good" is a sign of respect for my game and also just to save time, so it's cool and somewhat expected amongst the better players.
Also, after some thought on the ball sweeping thing, I decided that eventhough I disagree with it, it doesn't really bother me either. I'll take the win and move on trying to do my best in the next game. And by the way I would NEVER have a problem with it in the last game of the match, but nobody rakes it then because there is no more racking to do.
I like this rule.
I never concede any game. I have seen the 8 ball missed with ball in hand because the player was overconfident, not concentrating, and miscues, or over-juiced the CB for fun.
I also think it is really bad for your shaft to "rake" even one ball and never do that either.
-dj
I don't understand a lot of these responses.
If someone wants to give me a ball, or two, to concede a game, I don't really care how they do it. Rake the balls, concede verbally, break down your cue and run out of the room screaming... it all works for me. As long as you don't make the mistake of expecting that opponent to concede in a similar situation in the future, then it shouldn't affect you at all.
If someone gives you a nice gift for your birthday, do you say "thank you" and accept it, or do you complain because it wasn't wrapped the way you would have preferred?
No need to be so sensitive... take the game, break the balls and do it again.
If someone wants to give me a ball, or two, to concede a game, I don't really care how they do it. Rake the balls, concede verbally, break down your cue and run out of the room screaming... it all works for me. As long as you don't make the mistake of expecting that opponent to concede in a similar situation in the future, then it shouldn't affect you at all.
If someone gives you a nice gift for your birthday, do you say "thank you" and accept it, or do you complain because it wasn't wrapped the way you would have preferred?
No need to be so sensitive... take the game, break the balls and do it again.
In the deciding Ryder Cup match between Nicklaus and Tony Jackelin, years ago, Nicklaus conceded the match and Cup winning putt. It was definitely outside the leather. That was considered one of the finest displays of sportsmanship in golf's history.
FWIW.
FWIW.