AZB, how do you deal with bangers?

I think it's all your frame of mind and the type of game you're looking for. If you put those games with the BS in the perspective of purely for fun, what does it matter? As long as you're both playing by the same rules, the better player should win most often. Just don't make the mistake of getting into a competitive game or betting very high stakes while playing those rules.

When I travel to Birmingham, I have a favorite bar I go to and hang out that has a couple of pool tables. There are often fairly decent players in there and a lot of league players. So they're happy to play league rules. There's one older fellow that will come in though and has asked me to play for money but we have to play his rules, those being, no BIH and you have to make an attempt to hit the shot (no defensive shots allowed). I asked him how one is to know if the opponent genuinely tried to make a shot. Honor system. LOL I just tell him I'd love to play him but not for any money and that's that. He usually tries to cheat, I beat him 95% of the time anyway but if he happens to win, I tell him good game, put my quarters up and wait my turn again. I'll generally offer to buy him a beer for the heck of it, regardless of the outcome.
 
evanlockhart said:
What did I say that came off as egotistical and vain? I'm wanting to know how to handle uncivil people in recurring situations when i'm trying to enjoy the game and have fun.
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You can't expect a person playing a casual game to understand every nuance of the sport. Showing them (with a wiki page or a rulebook) they are wrong is just further insult. You're backing them into a corner by doing that, even if you try to do it nicely.

You're just a little too hopeful I think.

To answer your original question, I avoid the situation 99 times out of 100. In that one instance I end up playing, I just let them make up whatever rules they want as we go.
 
I've posted this before. Many times, people watch my bud and me play and they are often intimidated. People will ask if we minded if they have a game.

You know how it is, strange bar, strange town or city. People are just looking for a game or a little company.

I always say, "sure, its a challenge table, put your quarter up and play the winner.

One of the things I mention is that I don't play by standard bar rules where you have to call off the rail or a carom, double kiss etc. I tell them, you call a pocket and the ball goes in, its a fair shot. I tell them thats the closest you can get to playing world rules without having to get into too much detail.

I have never had anyone say they don't want to play like that. It makes it so much easier if you take the time to explain a couple of things to them.

Saves on the arguments and the possible fights that might ensue over bar rules.
 
If you are playing bangers and lose regularly, think about another sport! If you can't beat guys who don't know the rules, you need alot of practice! All kidding aside, you need to be a banger (play the house rules, whatever they may or may not be) when at the bar and go home happy, with a buzz, and hopefully a little extra money, or drive the 20 minutes to be a pool player. I don't think you can be a pool player in a bar full of bangers. A hustler maybe, but not a player.
 
evanlockhart said:
I want to know how everyone on AZB deals with the majority of players you meet in bars. I ask this as a serious question because, I frankly can't stand some of the ignorance, disrespect and lack of pool etiquette i've encountered with some people. Is it ridiculous to want a decent rack if you're breaking? Why is the ball-in-hand rule such a big deal to people if it's your table in 8-ball?

I'm not much of a drinker, but I go to bars due to the relatively cheap cost of pool, light atmosphere, good tables, etc. I love to gamble and play even better when there's money on the line, but i'm almost to the point of where I don't want to play any schmoe joe for a free game because he'd rather argue with me about, "well this is the way i've played it for fifty years" or, "this isn't how this bar plays 8-ball" or, "how about we get a neutral racker since you're racking your own rack and you could be cheating" crap. I know patience is a virtue, but i'm on the edge and have been verbal with some of these players lately, simply because I feel like i've seen enough of it and would rather not even waste my time. On the other hand, I know not every person is the same, you should invite a new experience, and give someone the benefit of the doubt. Maybe my odds with strangers have been against me for too long and it always screams a bad game before it begins. AZB, how have you dealt with these types of situations? I'll even pull up Wiki pages on games like Eight-ball so my opponent can't argue with reality.

Edit: I just want to go out and say that I don't go asking for games, these are people that ask me for a game.

Edit #2: It seems that the most common advice is to not have such high expectations. I didn't know wanting a decent rack was one- I may be in a lot of trouble :P
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I played in bars for many years and used to always encounter the same ignorance and subsequent frustrations that you have mentioned. In the end I realized that I was my own worst enemy for going into these places and getting wound up - so I stopped.

I now only play in clubs were there is a little more understanding and respect for the game and also a little bit more control by the management if people step to far out of line. I haven't stepped foot in a bar for at least a decade with a cue and refuse to play someone unless they can play the game and come across like they are going to be decent company. Otherwise I don't see the point in going through any aggravation just to play some pool.
 
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