Tournament conduct, maintaining respect

[Buckzapper]

I've played in many tournaments and I've seen some insulting comments when a beginner beats a seasoned player. "You crapped all over me. You're a ballbanger. I'll play you for money anytime."

A loss to a beginner can happen when they ride the 9 a lot, fire 3 ball combinations and get quite lucky. Knowing they put their entry fee in at every tournament and rarely win a match, I never try to steal their victory with a bad attitude. Rather I smile, shake their hand and tell them they played well. "Go win your next match too."

Others respect you with the same measure you give out.

 

[jasonlaus]

I've played in many tournaments and I've seen some insulting comments when a beginner beats a seasoned player. "You crapped all over me. You're a ballbanger. I'll play you for money anytime."

A loss to a beginner can happen when they ride the 9 a lot, fire 3 ball combinations and get quite lucky. Knowing they put their entry fee in at every tournament and rarely win a match, I never try to steal their victory with a bad attitude. Rather I smile, shake their hand and tell them they played well. "Go win your next match too."

Others respect you with the same measure you give out.

It's even worse in poker

 

[Rickhem]

Not just tournaments, this happens with a fair degree of regularity in league play too. You get a shooter that has a lot of skill and ability, but gets matched up against a much lower skill level player, and then for whatever reason, looses that first game. All of a sudden, their world goes crazy, and they're calling every little nit-picky thing they can, often joined by other teammates. It's a very definite lack of maturity on display, and not only by younger players.
I've lost my share of league matches against 2s and 3s, and some have even asked my to sign their patch for beating a higher skill level. I'm not happy about loosing, but it's usually my own fault, or due to some ball-smasher getting lucky a lot on those big bucket pocket tables, and it happens. I take it as a compliment that they want me to sign their patch, and appreciate it remembering when I first got to play against the top players when I was working my way up.
You're so right, this is a situation that reveals one's character.