I sympathize with Billy Thorpe

Paul Schofield

Paul Schofield

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
It looks like the racking is the problem. It's not. The problem is the ball-on-the-break rule. This is a prime example of a rule that causes game and event ruining problems for and between players. We fixed the rule. Bill Th, Dennis H, Corey D, Mike D, Earl S. have played in our events and have been a pleasure to host for. I hear the stories of these and other great players at other events. I do not blame them one bit for standing their ground.

So....what's the problem? Players manipulating the rack? or The ball-on-the-break rule? The good news for me was that there was an easy permanent fix.
 
This is Billy's problem and his alone. These types always point the finger at something. If it's not the rack, it will be how his opponent looked at his girl, or how he continually sharked him, or his persistent laughter. On an on it goes. Someone close to Billy needs to tell him to stop using alcohol as an excuse for his poor behavior.
 
pt109 said:
I think gambling and drinking don’t mix....pretty hard to solve ANY problem under those conditions.
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True - a lot of people play under those same rules and don't behave in that way.

I used to play in a Sunday night 9 ball league. I was in a match one night against a short fat guy wearing a blue cowboy hat who appeared to be high on meth. I was thinking I could be home with my wife but instead I'm playing pool with an overweight midget meth head cowboy. I'll admit there was a certain entertainment value to the cowboy but I finished that session and haven't played in a league since. At my age I just don't tolerate that nonsense as much as I did when I was younger.
 
BasementDweller said:
This is Billy's problem and his alone. These types always point the finger at something. If it's not the rack, it will be how his opponent looked at his girl, or how he continually sharked him, or his persistent laughter. On an on it goes. Someone close to Billy needs to tell him to stop using alcohol as an excuse for his poor behavior.
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A good publicist would have him in rehab and anger management classes to show his new leaf.
 
alstl said:
True - a lot of people play under those same rules and don't behave in that way.

I used to play in a Sunday night 9 ball league. I was in a match one night against a short fat guy wearing a blue cowboy hat who appeared to be high on meth. I was thinking I could be home with my wife but instead I'm playing pool with an overweight midget meth head cowboy. I'll admit there was a certain entertainment value to the cowboy but I finished that session and haven't played in a league since. At my age I just don't tolerate that nonsense as much as I did when I was younger.
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LOL, sometimes the meth just isn't worth it :) Glad we don't have to deal with that here.
 
pt109 said:
I think gambling and drinking don’t mix....pretty hard to solve ANY problem under those conditions.
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That sir is why playing pool in bars was always an iffy proposition. I saw far more bad behavior in bars than in all the hundreds of poolrooms I played in. For the most part, arguments in poolrooms were just that, verbal arguments. In bars it could get physical very quickly, including the use of weapons. I have been chased out of a bar by a crazed guy with a knife over a $3 game of Eight Ball.
 
The problem with the game, isn't the game, or the rules of the game. It's some of the people that play the game...

I hope to have to feel sorry for Billy as well. Other than chatter here, I haven't heard of any repercussions he's had to suffer. Can we please stop making excuses for the way he choose to act.
 
ribdoner said:
Some people can handle limited drinking while gambling, however, those that drink to excess are losers at all games and most importantly the game of life

many a po boy (and girl)
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You know, I havent posted here in a while, but in my absence, you MFers have gotten really profound LOL. :ROFLMAO:
 
Greg M said:
I understand his frustration behind poor racking, but, Jesus... Physically attacking an opponent and threatening everyone else in the room over a money match rack is fucking disgusting behaviour. Utter scumbag.
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The rack/break was the trigger. It will continue to be the trigger unless something like Paul's solution is used. I've seen at least six top players cheat with racking in major tournaments. I think that's a problem. Cheating with the rack can gain a large winning advantage under current rules.

A neutral racker is sort of a solution but many tournaments can't afford that.

Paul's solution is for the breaker to continue on any legal break whether a ball is pocketed or not. With random racks.
 
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