A tough time for the new guy

M

Mr. Lucky777

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I recently got back into the sport a few months ago and enjoy it more than ever. I used to play casually with friends but now Im taking it more seriously and progressing well to my standards. Now that Im getting back into it I have come to realize that this is a tough sport to be a new guy. It seems like you almost get hated for it. I recently played in my first official tournament and during practice before I introduced myself hoping to shoot around and get to know some of the regulars. I never felt so unwelcome, nobody wanted to let me shoot with them or would say more than a couple words to me. I mean... I don't wear a pink glove or play with an airbrushed, laser sighted, golf gripped cue and I consider myself a pretty humble guy. I know I got a lot to learn still and maybe Im over reacting a bit. I never really played competitively before other than a couple small local tournaments some years ago. My guess is that I just need to play well and earn some stripes so that someday I could act arrogant, cocky and treat the new new guys like something I might of stepped in and dont like the smell of.
 
That is too bad Mr Lucky. What part of the country do you reside? I hate to say it, but I do know what you mean.
 
Did you ask to practice with somebody or wait for an invitation? If the regulars don't know you at all, this is pretty typical behavior. A lot of people tend to be cautious around players they don't know. For years and years pool was not exactly a social game for a lot of people, much more so than now, with the advent of leagues and so on. You say that you used to play casually with friends but not that you played with/hung around with, the regular players. People who play in organized tournaments tend to be a bit more serious about the game than casual players. Give it a chance.

Edit: You don't need to be cocky, arrogant, etc. just because someone else is.
 
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I'm Sorry to hear that....

Mr. Lucky777 said:
I recently got back into the sport a few months ago and enjoy it more than ever. I used to play casually with friends but now Im taking it more seriously and progressing well to my standards. Now that Im getting back into it I have come to realize that this is a tough sport to be a new guy. It seems like you almost get hated for it. I recently played in my first official tournament and during practice before I introduced myself hoping to shoot around and get to know some of the regulars. I never felt so unwelcome, nobody wanted to let me shoot with them or would say more than a couple words to me. I mean... I don't wear a pink glove or play with an airbrushed, laser sighted, golf gripped cue and I consider myself a pretty humble guy. I know I got a lot to learn still and maybe Im over reacting a bit. I never really played competitively before other than a couple small local tournaments some years ago. My guess is that I just need to play well and earn some stripes so that someday I could act arrogant, cocky and treat the new new guys like something I might of stepped in and dont like the smell of.
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I'm really sorry to hear things like that. We I run into a new player who's looking to better his game usually, I'll practice with them a little and then offer a tip for improving their play. I'll tell them a drill to do or a way to get perfect aim, adjust for english, it just depends on what level I see them playing at and any incosistencies I see in their stroke, etc... and if they seem to be willing to accept the advice or seem desiring of it. I don't just tell someone what is what out of the blue (usually), but I try to be cordial with everyone and if someone wants to practice with me I will, whether I'm trying to focus or not.

It's just common courtesy IMO.

Well sorry to hear you had a rough time of it, but know that there are players out there that aren't self centered A-holes only enamored with their own greatness.

Jaden
 
Jaden said:
I'm really sorry to hear things like that. We I run into a new player who's looking to better his game usually, I'll practice with them a little and then offer a tip for improving their play. I'll tell them a drill to do or a way to get perfect aim, adjust for english, it just depends on what level I see them playing at and any incosistencies I see in their stroke, etc... and if they seem to be willing to accept the advice or seem desiring of it. I don't just tell someone what is what out of the blue (usually), but I try to be cordial with everyone and if someone wants to practice with me I will, whether I'm trying to focus or not.

It's just common courtesy IMO.

Well sorry to hear you had a rough time of it, but know that there are players out there that aren't self centered A-holes only enamored with their own greatness.

Jaden
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Yeah, It was really only a couple guys, one specifically that got on my nerves, not everyone. The reason I joined to play tournaments was to play better players than my friends and learn. People like that just motivate me to get better and come back and whoop them. Next time I go back there Im gonna offer that guy a Space Cue "For the person who thinks their game is just outta this world."
 
I often had this happen to me until I whipped a few asses (on the table of course). Then suddenly everyone wanted to be my friend. Funny how that works!

The official rule is: "The new guy is to be treated as a banger until his skill is otherwise noted."
 
so true

I went through that ...and still do to some degree . I grew
up in an area where every one knew each other .Now I have
been living in the Atlanta area for 14 years and just started
playing again about 3 years ago . I like to talk and I like to meet
new people .My philosophy is if I stay the same and keep friendly
and down to earth , God will weed out the assholes :D Some times
I think people do not know how to take me because I am that way
but I have made some good friends even in a pool room :)
 
Been there....I'm still there, kinda.

I've recently started driving about 40 minutes away to the next town just so I can play around people that are more friendly. and less cut-throat.
 
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