APA "Quarter Sharks"

KRJ

KRJ

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OK, I'm playing APA as a friend asked me to play. I don't play a lot of APA, I prefer ACS type leagues.

But what is it with the "Quarter Clackers". As soon as you get down on the 8 ball, the opponent immediately starts pulling his quarters out for the next game.

Some folks have the long tubes, so they start turning them upside down to dump them into their sweaty little hands. The others have the spring loaded quarter dispensers. So, when you are down on the 8 ball, it sounds like the Good Humor man making change for 2 drum sticks and a bomb pop.

WTF? I know these are typically "newer" players to pool. But the ones that are higher ranked have been around a while, they would have to be. Are they really that anxious to get the next game going, or are they trying to shark you?

I asked my opponent last week, very nicely I may add, that he should not take the quarters out when I'm shooting. He apologized and said take your time. He thought it was a sign of respect that he knew I was going to make the shot. I said, if you really want to show respect, concede the game and don't make me shoot the 8 ball.

He didn't do it again. But this is about the 5th time this season someone has done it. And one guy (SL4) when I asked him to stop did, but was annoyed I askd him, and then did it again on all subsequent games, only now he was also tapping the quarters on the table as well. Only by the grace of God (I'm not a religious person) but somebody saved his dumb ass that night ;)

The first time I did not shake someone's hand after a match. I just walked passed him and high fived my team mates. I think he got the message. I'm going to play him again, only this time I'm going to really take my time, get a pair of pliers and a blow torch and go medieval on his arse with an EPIC safety battle ;)

So, APA fans, why do this? What purpose does it serve. Some of the excuses are I didn't think you could hear me. WTF? You're only like 5 feet away from me, how on earth could I NOT hear that. Yeah, there is other background noise and such, but those quarters are right there, in your face.

I admit, I play better once I get pissed off, and it helps me in the end. But surely, the APA most be aware of pool etiquette?

Oh well, anyone else a "clacker" or a "clackee", during an APA game :p Or am I the only one this seems to bother ??
 
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GoldenFlash said:
I think you need to tighten up your scene with your nerves.
That stuff is going to happen. It's a poolroom.
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Actually, its not a pool room. It's a small bar with 3 tables. If it was a pool room, I would not expect that in league, as that stuff does not happen in the pool room I shoot in during league, ever.
 
APA Quarter Sharks

A little fussy aren't we? Most APA SL4's and under have no idea what protocol is playing in professional tournaments like you have. You should tell the Captain on the team (most are SL6 & 7's) and they will teach his lower level players how to act better the next time. I don't believe they are trying to shark you at all.

You have to remember you are playing inexperienced players and some can't even run 3 balls. If you want to play in a more formal league then play in the BCA.

I am surprised at the high skill level you play you don't understand this already. You must be a SL5 or SL6.

One more thing. Whether you win or lose you should always shake their hand. This shows you have some class.
 
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No, they really prob don't know better lol. And as suggested maybe lighten up a little and have some fun. If I was in a pool room playing a few hundred a game I would not expect things like that going on nor do they cause those people do know better usually. Heck its only APA, on my league night I used to be too busy listening / playing jukebox, messin with the girls, and downing shots and beers to even be concerned with the pool matches. Just have fun. And no, they prob don't know any better😉
 
I am never going to understand why some people think this is supposed to be part of pool?
If it is ok to clack your quarters in front of me, when it is my shot , it must be ok for me, to swing a house cue over your head, by about a millimeter, when it is your shot?
My point is , I am really sick of all the nickel and dime creeps that infest every pool room because no one took them outside and had a chat with them when they first started.
 
TWOFORPOOL said:
A little fussy aren't we? Most APA SL4's and under have no idea what protocol is playing in professional tournaments like you have. You should tell the Captain on the team (most are SL6 & 7's) and they will teach his lower level players how to act better the next time. I don't believe they are trying to shark you at all.

You have to remember you are playing inexperienced players and some can't even run 3 balls. If you want to play in a more formal league then play in the BCA.

I am surprised at the high skill level you play you don't understand this already. You must be a SL5 or SL6.

One more thing. Whether you win or lose you should always shake their hand. This shows you have some class.
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I don't believe he's being fussy at all. If the captain cared, he would make sure the 3 knows the customs and courtesies of the game. So mentioning this to him is already a lost cause.

Things like the quarters, or calling out compliments to get the mind to focus on something else other than the shot can always be written off as "inexperienced guy didn't know" and that's why they get away with it.

and the usual response is "just go play a more formal league like BCA if you want professionalism"

And there is why APA has a healthy share of detractors.
 
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TWOFORPOOL said:
A little fussy aren't we? Most APA SL4's and under have no idea what protocol is playing in professional tournaments like you have. You should tell the Captain on the team (most are SL6 & 7's) and they will teach his lower level players how to act better the next time. I don't believe they are trying to shark you at all.

You have to remember you are playing inexperienced players and some can't even run 3 balls. If you want to play in a more formal league then play in the BCA.

I am surprised at the high skill level you play you don't understand this already. You must be a SL5 or SL6.

One more thing. Whether you win or lose you should always shake their hand. This shows you have some class.
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The first guy was the captain. And yes, I play in ACS leagues on 9 foot gold crowns. And I donated on occasion at DCC :)
So, yeah, he didn't know better, but now he does. But the guy a few weeks before, that after I mentioned it, very nicely, starting to tap the quarters on the table. I think for the most part they know what they are doing, and it's just bad form, and if you complain then they just do worse. You can't win sometimes I guess.

So, I guess the question is do APA players on AZB do this? I notice they all do it, every match against every team member. Nobody seems to care but me, but hey, it seems like a bs move. Why get the quarters out before the game is over? You can't put the quarters in until I walk back to my table, and grab my quarters as we split the cost for each game, so it surely is not a "time sensitive" issue.

And no, I won't shake the hand of an opponent who when asked nicely not to pull the quarters out while Im shooting, does it again, and then adds the tapping to the table. I just assume he does not want to be friendly ;)
 
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book collector said:
I am never going to understand why some people think this is supposed to be part of pool?
If it is ok to clack your quarters in front of me, when it is my shot , it must be ok for me, to swing a house cue over your head, by about a millimeter, when it is your shot?
My point is , I am really sick of all the nickel and dime creeps that infest every pool room because no one took them outside and had a chat with them when they first started.
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Great Answer. And a myriad of other "tactics" that someone could employ if they were so inclined to do so. But of course, we don't because it's not "cool". But it's OK for them to do it ? Just don't get it. Next time I will turn down my buddy who begged me to play this session. Sometimes you just gotta say no ;)
 
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ChicagoRJ said:
Great Answer. And a myriad of other "tactics" that someone could employ if they were so inclined to do so. But of course, we don't because it's not "cool". But it's OK for them to do it ? Just don't get it. Next time I will turn down my buddy who begged me to play this session. Sometimes you just gotta say no ;)
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That's a shame, although I truly understand.
I used to play for what was quite a bit of money for me , considering my skill level and that I worked for a living.
The place I played was twice as noisy and had much more to deal with than most places but it was not directed at anyone in particular , that didn't bother me at all.
Even when someone bumped you , as long as it didn't happen during the shot.
It was just normal pool room noise.
When you get a person or persons , timing you to shark you , that's a whole other matter .
 
I've had that happen to me many times over the years. I've gotten to the point where if I feel it's done as a sharking attempt I'll stop and lay my cue on the table and wait, then I'll ask if the want to go ahead and put the the money in coin slots, if they decline I'll ask if they're conceeding, when they say no there have been times I'll go as far as to call time out just so they are aware a message is being sent. There are times that it is an innocent mistake and those times are usually pretty obvious, but other times it can almost be considered a declaration of war.
I totally agree with you about the shaking hands thing. There are times that I have found my opponent so distastful that I don't want to talk to them and I certainly don't want to touch them, shaking hands then - out of the question.
 
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ChicagoRJ said:
And no, I won't shake the hand of an opponent who when asked nicely not to pull the quarters out while Im shooting, does it again, and then adds the tapping to the table. I just assume he does not want to be friendly ;)
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I wouldn't shoot the 8 ball, I would stand up and look at the guy and say "are you done yet?"
 
TWOFORPOOL said:
Whether you win or lose you should always shake their hand. This shows you have some class.
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sorry, this reminded me of my 1st game last week (ACS). Broke and ran, and opponent came up to shake my hand and I inadvertently said "nice shooting". He laughed and said, "I didn't get to... " Doh!!!

as for the standing up to get the quarters outta their pockets or clanking them around on the table while you are down on the 8 ball....just stop, stand up, and say, "could you get the quarters for the next game ready AFTER the 8 ball drops". Easy enough; especially if it bothers you.
 
trustyrusty said:
sorry, this reminded me of my 1st game last week (ACS). Broke and ran, and opponent came up to shake my hand and I inadvertently said "nice shooting". He laughed and said, "I didn't get to... " Doh!!!

as for the standing up to get the quarters outta their pockets or clanking them around on the table while you are down on the 8 ball....just stop, stand up, and say, "could you get the quarters for the next game ready AFTER the 8 ball drops". Easy enough; especially if it bothers you.
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Tap tap tap

The tact I usually take it go up beside the person, and very politely tell them that there are assholes out there that would try to call an unsportsmanlike conduct foul on them for what they are doing, explain thats not what youre about, then explain proper etiquette. If they proceed, then I have a different conversation with them, but its only gone there once or twice in 35 years..... so the kindness method seems to be the best way to go... :thumbup:

Treat them with respect, they might get the hint.... ;)
 
ChicagoRJ said:
The first guy was the captain. And yes, I play in ACS leagues on 9 foot gold crowns. And I donated on occasion at DCC :)
So, yeah, he didn't know better, but now he does. But the guy a few weeks before, that after I mentioned it, very nicely, starting to tap the quarters on the table. I think for the most part they know what they are doing, and it's just bad form, and if you complain then they just do worse. You can't win sometimes I guess.

So, I guess the question is do APA players on AZB do this? I notice they all do it, every match against every team member. Nobody seems to care but me, but hey, it seems like a bs move. Why get the quarters out before the game is over? You can't put the quarters in until I walk back to my table, and grab my quarters as we split the cost for each game, so it surely is not a "time sensitive" issue.

And no, I won't shake the hand of an opponent who when asked nicely not to pull the quarters out while Im shooting, does it again, and then adds the tapping to the table. I just assume he does not want to be friendly ;)
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I do understand where you are coming from. I recently played in the Masters Western BCA 9 Ball tournament. I was in the semi finals and was ahead 5-3 against a better player. He came up to me and said "man are you playing good". My response was "sometimes I can do that". I then had him 7-4 (racing to 8) and I missed a very easy 8 ball and it became 7-5. It was my break since it was alternate break. I broke made a ball on the break but it was a tough out. As I was grabbing my playing cue after the break he said "that's a tough out" and I responded "yes it is but I'm getting out anyway". I ran out the rack out and won 8-5. I then played in the finals and got my ass kicked 8-2 with my opponent never saying a word.

The only time I ever get upset is when a friend tries to shark me since I didn't think he would do that to me. I never shark anybody since I feel its a form of cheating.

By the way I never hear quarters tapping since the APA league I play in is free table time! LOL
 
It's an old shark tactic. Trust me they know exactly why they are doing it. They want you to miss!
 
michael4 said:
I wouldn't shoot the 8 ball, I would stand up and look at the guy and say "are you done yet?"
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Yeah, that and add some other folks "moves" to counter act it. So, I will get up,ask if they have enough quarters and then walk back to my table to grab my chalk, cause everyone knows I don't chalk up during the game, then chalk up just for the 8 ball, then walk all the way back, and upon my return call a coach :D
 
The simple answer is "it's APA." It's not about pool especially when it's played in a bar. First, it's about hoisting a few. Second, it's about camaraderie. Third, it's about pool. In that order. In an in-house league situation that stuff just doesn't go. I know I will get some blow back on this but that's the way I see the APA scene. if you go into APA expecting anything else you will be disappointed.
 
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