Uncorking During Play

[Island Drive]

1.11 Concession
If a player concedes, he loses the match. For example, if a player unscrews his jointed playing
cue stick while the opponent is at the table and during the opponent’s decisive rack of a
match, it will be considered a concession of the match.

A similar/different scenario.

Race to 9, score is 7-6 your at table.

Your opponent uncorks.
The above rule states ''during the decisive rack''.

The score dictates, it's NOT the decisive rack yet.
Does the shooter win? or is he just given 1 more game and play continues?

It sounds like an automatic loss, BUT the wording Decisive rack is used.

Almost sounds like it Has to be the decisive rack.

 

[garczar]

you unscrew you lose. wording sux.

 

[Bob Jewett]

In general it is a problem to give a list of unsportsmanlike conduct actions in the rules and it is really bad to go into detail because you either get the details wrong or one of the players turns out to be a pool lawyer.

 

[mikemosconi]

I have changed shafts in the middle of a match - that concedes nothing- I believe the reason that it has to be the decisive game is exactly for this reason-

 

[David in FL]

I have changed shafts in the middle of a match - that concedes nothing- I believe the reason that it has to be the decisive game is exactly for this reason-

In over 50 years of playing pool, I have to say I’ve never changed my shaft in the middle of a game. Maybe if a tip came off…

I think if I were to, I would wait until it was my turn at the table and then inform my opponent that I was changing shafts before doing so…

 

[Bob Jewett]

I have changed shafts in the middle of a match - that concedes nothing- I believe the reason that it has to be the decisive game is exactly for this reason-

I think the point is that the wording is bad. We can't be sure that the game is or will be decisive unless the score is hill-hill. Some thug could argue that maybe their opponent was on the hill as they flamboyantly unscrewed right in the shooter's line of sight, but that particular game was clearly not decisive since the thug still needed two.

I think the rule was put in because the practice was a fairly common sharking technique. I saw it used quite a bit way back when.

 

[garczar]

In over 50 years of playing pool, I have to say I’ve never changed my shaft in the middle of a game. Maybe if a tip came off…

I think if I were to, I would wait until it was my turn at the table and then inform my opponent that I was changing shafts before doing so…

Same here. MAYBE a couple times in 40yrs of playing. Is pretty obvious when some is doing the unscrew shark move. Chickenshit is what it is.

 

[Cuedup]

If they unscrew the cue, game over.

Same if they start walking to the table to start pulling balls while I'm down on the shot. Stand back up and call "game over" .

 

[Nick8400]

In a tournament, it’s a loss of game. Gambling, it’s definitely a move.

 

[garczar]

In a tournament, it’s a loss of game. Gambling, it’s definitely a move.

Gambling its a good way to end up out in the parking lot. This shit is right up there with rattling keys and lighting cigs in your line of sight. Chickenshit moves done by players who probably have no chance of winning anyway.

 

[Bob Jewett]

...Chickenshit moves done by players who probably have no chance of winning anyway.

Many years ago (1981?) I was playing in a weekly tournament at the Palace on Market St. in San Francisco. You may have seen pictures of the interior -- the walls were all mirrored so it seemed even huger than it was. Many champions played there although money players tended towards Cochran's across the street. Anyway...

My opponent was a very strong player and a local room owner. A favorite to finish in the money. I was down on the nine ball which was close to the foot rail. It was maybe a 45-degree cut and not short. He stepped forward, grabbed the triangle, and stood there waiting for me to shoot. He also tended to rattle his coins a lot. I'm not certain he did this stuff intentionally.

 

[garczar]

Many years ago (1981?) I was playing in a weekly tournament at the Palace on Market St. in San Francisco. You may have seen pictures of the interior -- the walls were all mirrored so it seemed even huger than it was. Many champions played there although money players tended towards Cochran's across the street. Anyway...

My opponent was a very strong player and a local room owner. A favorite to finish in the money. I was down on the nine ball which was close to the foot rail. It was maybe a 45-degree cut and not short. He stepped forward, grabbed the triangle, and stood there waiting for me to shoot. He also tended to rattle his coins a lot. I'm not certain he did this stuff intentionally.

Nervous tic then??? Yeah right. He was sharkin' you. Did you make it?

 

[SBC]

Demonstrably unscrewing usually goes with other signs of concession, usually verbal.

Other than that, anything they do as far as moves or sharking are really their showing weakness....which really makes me stronger. We all been there and see the struggle/fear in opponents. At that points it's over.

 

[Nick8400]

Gambling its a good way to end up out in the parking lot. This shit is right up there with rattling keys and lighting cigs in your line of sight. Chickenshit moves done by players who probably have no chance of winning anyway.

I played a guy that carried a Velcro wallet. He would open it up nice and loud as his opponent was running out the last game of a set. Shark moves used to get to me, now it gives me a good laugh.

 

[Sheldon]

It depends on how much pressure I've put myself under. This is one of the only things that still bug me. A real common one is for them to set their cue in a holder or stand up right before you fire the last ball. I can usually keep it from bothering me, but sometimes it still gives me pause.
I'll usually stand up and tell them thanks for conceding the game and after a couple of times of that, they sit still.
Unscrewing their cue and forget about it, I'll just go shake their hand and say nice match.

 

[Island Drive]

I think the point is that the wording is bad. We can't be sure that the game is or will be decisive unless the score is hill-hill. Some thug could argue that maybe their opponent was on the hill as they flamboyantly unscrewed right in the shooter's line of sight, but that particular game was clearly not decisive since the thug still needed two.

I think the rule was put in because the practice was a fairly common sharking technique. I saw it used quite a bit way back when.

I was there when the rule was put in place, implemented/after the fact.
Earl in Denver at the annual Denver Open playing Chewy Rivera 1980's.

Chewy had em beat it was late in the set he was runnin out, Earl was seated along the wall.
Chewy had a long shot, in direct line of sight with Earl, when he got down on the shot, Earl did the uncork move.

Chewy missed, Earl won.

 

[Bob Jewett]

Nervous tic then??? Yeah right. He was sharkin' you. Did you make it?

Didn't make any difference whether he was sharking or not. The TD wouldn't have any of it and gave me the game. It might have been the first time anyone called the shark on his behavior -- he seemed quite surprised.

 

[Island Drive]

Many years ago (1981?) I was playing in a weekly tournament at the Palace on Market St. in San Francisco. You may have seen pictures of the interior -- the walls were all mirrored so it seemed even huger than it was. Many champions played there although money players tended towards Cochran's across the street. Anyway...

My opponent was a very strong player and a local room owner. A favorite to finish in the money. I was down on the nine ball which was close to the foot rail. It was maybe a 45-degree cut and not short. He stepped forward, grabbed the triangle, and stood there waiting for me to shoot. He also tended to rattle his coins a lot. I'm not certain he did this stuff intentionally.

I remember that room well, played Searcy in 1970 first time I walked in.
I lemonaded' at first, then realized this guy was good so I upped my game, he was always a step ahead, I quit after about an hour, didn't like it.

 

[Island Drive]

Also remember Cochrans. Same side of street? I think.

 

[MitchAlsup]

If you a) ask the referee and then b) inform the opponent you are switching shafts, you can unscrew your shaft and screw on another one and continue playing.