Disrespect?

Personally I wouldn't be bothered by it...so no problem. You stated you both were APA7s, so was this an APA match? If it was I thought APA rules clearly state no cell phone use during the match?
 
Talking on the phone while shooting during a league match?

Wake up people!! The bar is being lowered and you're all accepting it!

That kind of nonsense should never be allowed. Show respect for the game, the league, yourself and your opponent or get the hell out. That's what I would say if I was the league director.

respect for a league, or the APA. You must be kidding right? Most people I know ONLY play league to qualify for tournaments. If I could play my 10 weeks, and the be done, I gladly would. Some just join for fun, and don't take the game seriously, and that shouldn't be held against them. If the league was only for serious players, you would be able to put one together...
 
Let me guess, his hat is on sideways, pants below his ass, his girlfriend is snapping gum and taking selfies, playing Kanye West on the satellite juke box asking to raise the volume, let's do a shot.
When it's your shot he walks away and hits that punching bag machine that's annoying as can be.

This is fast becoming the final destination for the game of pool in the U.S.

If you want to play pool dump the league and put on your big boy pants. Go play pool in a pool hall with pool players, if you can find one.

On the other hand, if he is balancing a phone on his shoulder and beating you, I think you better practice.
I did see a guy playing with a rooster on his shoulder in the Philippines, I think the rooster was coaching him.

Expect what you tolerate
 
respect for a league, or the APA. You must be kidding right? Most people I know ONLY play league to qualify for tournaments. If I could play my 10 weeks, and the be done, I gladly would. Some just join for fun, and don't take the game seriously, and that shouldn't be held against them. If the league was only for serious players, you would be able to put one together...

Here's how it works: Someone sets the rules and the people follow them. If no one sets the rules, then the bar gets lowered. You can still have fun and and at the same time respect the game, your opponent yourself and the league. But it's up to the league director to set the bar.

It takes a little bit of work to keep the bar high. But if the league director does the work, decent people will appreciate it. Those that don't appreciate it will either get in line or get out.

And that's how it's done. And that's how you bring respect back into this game.
 
In the APA, cell phone use is only prohibited in High Level Tournaments.

To answer the OP's question, do I think it's disrespectful? No. If he's at the table, I don't care what he does.
 
Poll::: If your playing a player who is 2 levels above you and they have their phone on their shoulder while shooting... Do you feel disrespected or offended? here's the scenario... Was not a money match, was league, we're both APA 7's, but he's an A+, and I'm a B player. I knew I would have a tough time taking it hill hill, etc... So it's not about win/loss... It's about respect and not slapping me in the face

Everything in this world is not personal, some people are just kind of dim and don't mean anything by what they do. It is just how they are.
 
Where I play, I think that people would generally find that disrespectful. I do. But I am not 100% sure why.

When I am at the table, I don't care what the other guy does as long as it is not distracting. But I would expect him to stop whatever it is promptly when it is his turn.

When he is at the table, similarly I expect him to concentrate on the game and not be on his phone or talking to someone nearby. But if he has his phone to his hear and still carries on playing, what is wrong with that? He is not making you wait.

It can come across as a show of disrespect (I am so much better than you that I can beet you and have a phone conversation at the same time). And that was the response it provoked in me the only time I saw it happen, which was on the table next to me.

But I was also intrigued when I saw it. If the guy can carry on running balls on a tight 12' snooker table while talking on the phone, it does say something about what parts of the mind are actually not needed to play billiards.
 
This is my exact point!!!!! "It can come across as a show of disrespect (I am so much better than you that I can beet you and have a phone conversation at the same time)."
 
This is my exact point!!!!! "It can come across as a show of disrespect (I am so much better than you that I can beet you and have a phone conversation at the same time)."

Yes, although in the case I was thinking of, the guy was young and at least had the good grace to mumble an apology to his opponent after he had put the phone down.

(Or was that after he had finished shaving? I can't remember now)
 
In the APA, cell phone use is only prohibited in High Level Tournaments..

This (glad I read through the rest of the thread before posting the same). Some local league operators have a bylaw to similarly prohibit cell phone use during normal matches as well, which only makes sense.

I wouldn't say talking on the phone while shooting is disrespectful in intent, but a player who would do so has no business being on the table if they're not going to give it their full attention, regardless of their confidence level vs their opponent.

That said, when facing someone like that, know that you're not getting their best game, and be sure to bring yours to capitalize on any careless mistakes they might make as a result.
 
Poll::: If your playing a player who is 2 levels above you and they have their phone on their shoulder while shooting... Do you feel disrespected or offended? here's the scenario... Was not a money match, was league, we're both APA 7's, but he's an A+, and I'm a B player. I knew I would have a tough time taking it hill hill, etc... So it's not about win/loss... It's about respect and not slapping me in the face

I think it is disrespectful. That said, I feel that while he is shooting he can do what he wants. If it bothered you for him to be talking on the phone while you were shooting you should address it with him.

I was playing in the CCS Canadians amateur division yesterday (9 ball) and just before we started some friends of my opponent came over to cheer him on. Does not, and did not, bother me that they were very vocal and in constant conversation with him while I was at the table. However, there was one time when I was getting ready to shoot a difficult shot and they, along with my opponent, were in my direct line of sight and being very animated in their discussion as I was about to shoot it did take away from my focus. So I pulled up and went to them in a very respectful way and said, “I don’t mind you socializing but if you could stand still when I am shooting in a line directly towards you I would appreciate it.” They were very apologetic, did not move when I was shooting and also stopped talking while I was getting ready to shoot even though I had not asked them to do this as I tune out all noise as I focus.

I find most players respectful and considerate and any variance from this is usually unintended. Talk to phone boy if you feel he is bothering you.
 
Here's how it works: Someone sets the rules and the people follow them. If no one sets the rules, then the bar gets lowered. You can still have fun and and at the same time respect the game, your opponent yourself and the league. But it's up to the league director to set the bar.

It takes a little bit of work to keep the bar high. But if the league director does the work, decent people will appreciate it. Those that don't appreciate it will either get in line or get out.

And that's how it's done. And that's how you bring respect back into this game.

and that's how you end the league you love so much.

Also, you haven't addressed if he beat you or not, while talking on his phone.

Also did you say something to him about being on his phone? He probably didn't even realize you had a problem with it.

I'd also add, quickest way to get him off that phone, is to beat him.

As I said before in my last post, if all it takes to get you off your game is someone on their phone, I think you have bigger things to worry about then someone else's respect for the game...
 
and that's how you end the league you love so much.

Also, you haven't addressed if he beat you or not, while talking on his phone.

Also did you say something to him about being on his phone? He probably didn't even realize you had a problem with it.

I'd also add, quickest way to get him off that phone, is to beat him.

As I said before in my last post, if all it takes to get you off your game is someone on their phone, I think you have bigger things to worry about then someone else's respect for the game...

What are you talking about? I'm not the OP. Please get your facts straight.

Nonsense about 'that's how you end the league you love so much." Utter nonsense. Asking for decorum and respect ends nothing. It brings much needed class to the game. If you want to act with no class, you can go do that on your own time and not in organized play.
 
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I don't feel it disrespect but will feel annoying. There's a guy in a tournament will say hi and shake hand to everybody who come in the pool hall and have a little chat. I don't have too much patience waiting for him to shoot sometimes.

In a tournament that is not good, you have players waiting to play for the match to get done often and that is being rude to EVERYONE in the tournament not just to the opponent.

We had a match in the weekly I play in, a new player in the room, his match lasted as long as 3 other matches. I played two sets and was waiting for the third and they were still on their first. He'd talk after and before every shot it seemed. I was not even playing him but all the players were talking about that table and how long it was taking and holding everyone up. I actually lost a set to get on the losers side so I can play him and beat him quickly to get him out of the place. He'd talk during our set, I'd ignore him and shoot, won 3-0 with running out the last 2 games, took 15 minutes. The lag he actually said we should do with one hand, I told him I was not going to waste time like that since I wanted to leave at some point today.

The phone call, eh, it's up to the player if they want to be distracted by that, just like if they want to slow me down. I just pay attention to something else, either another player, my emails, maybe clean my shaft.
 
What are you talking about? I'm not the OP. Please get your facts straight.

Nonsense about 'that's how you end the league you love so much." Utter nonsense. Asking for decorum and respect ends nothing. It brings much needed class to the game. If you want to act with no class, you can go do that on your own time and not in organized play.

Lets take a look at league structer. Most of the talented/serious players only comprise a small portion of the league. In addition, most people that play league do so for two reason, to have a little fun or qualify for tournaments. the split is probably close to 70/30, in favor of the less serious players. Getting rid of the ones there just for fun, will eliminate a good part of your league.

As others have said, if you want to play real competitive pool, find a pool hall. Better yet, find some action.
 
I have to agree with Fran on this. I do think phones ringing during matches or tournaments is totally rude,distracting and uncalled for. If it is an emergency fine but there is no need for anyone in the pool room or bar to be on the phone during their match, none of these people are doing business at night. We have no pool halls in our area and all leagues and tournaments locally are played in the bars, I would agree that about 30% of the local league is serious and the rest are not but why not teach everyone some respect for the game and other players and try to behave like adults instead of a bunch of teenagers.
 
Well..... You might not have met "big dick Sonny" he did something while it was his shot that you might care what it was lol.


To answer the OP's question, do I think it's disrespectful? No. If he's at the table, I don't care what he does.[/QUOTE]
 
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You know who won that match LOL, It's a thread here just like, "was this dishonest of me to do?" or "Was this wrong to do?"


Also, you haven't addressed if he beat you or not, while talking on his phone.
 
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