Can You Be a Nice Pool Player?

[uwate]

Weren't there any bystanders who watched the entirety of your match who would have vouched one way or the other? Would you have trusted someone else if that were the case? I wouldn't lose any sleep over it, but if you run across the guy again, I would take the opportunity to state what you have posted here. He may be sore, it will be his choice, not yours.

Our table was in the back of the room, the furthest from the spectators. This was a fairly large event, so I think most spectators were sweating other matches instead of ours. I asked two of my buddies and neither of them was a witness to what happened.

 

[Carl]

Remember what's important

It's difficult to selectively behave like a jerk. We all have our jerkish moments, and usually regret it afterward. If we stop regretting it, we're in trouble. Ever notice how our most shameful conduct occurs when we know we're wrong, but can't admit it? To intentionally abandon courtesy and grace is like drinking slow-acting poison. It settles in takes over. If you decide to be a jerk, you can't do it part time.

Leave rude behavior to people who come by it naturally. If you're courteous by nature, being discourteous by design will get you out of sorts. Even if you win a game here and there because of it, you'll probably lose just as many because of the inner turmoil. It's just not worth debasing yourself.

Besides, wouldn't you rather be a good example than a bad?

 

[BigCat]

I am just curious about what peoples thoughts are on this.I am a pretty nice guy,good sportsmanship and whatnot.Since I moved to AZ about 10 months ago I have noticed alot of poor sportsmanship, 2 times I had guys not even shake my hand after they lost.I just dont get it,tonight I took 2nd in a tourney and the person I played had poor sportsmanship,there was definately gamesmanship considering I was playing good safes and then told I was lucky and pulling them out of my ass,what gives?I told my friend that I think when we go out to tourneys or are gambling I just have to be downright mean and nasty with people,torment and torture them so I just dont beat them on the table but off the table.I think alot of people feel weak at times with their game or just want any edge they can get,I just want to have fun and play,win or lose shake hands and give compliments when they are deserved.

My friend says he doesnt think I could be mean,that I will want to but when I get out there I will stay quiet and shake hands because its my nature to be decent.I told him if I brought my gamesmanship out and got in my opponents head it would bring me up a ball and give it time and we will be like alot of players I have met out here.You figured in the NY area there would be more poor sports and little psyhological tactics but this place tops it by far.What are your opinions on this?,do you do these things or are you Mr. Nice Guy when you play and a gentleman with respect for the game and your opponent?

Lenny,

FWIW, here is my opinion:

1 - Never change your attitude towards sportsmanship. It is one of the many things that separate you from those people. In the end, the people watching (and more importantly, yourself) will know who acted with class and who didn't. If anything needs to change, it is merely your acceptance that there will always be people like this in pool, and in life, and that you should treat them the same way as the nice ones. Always be yourself... nothing could be more true.

2 - You do not need to be a jerk to be a good player or intimidate your oppenent. Two words - Efren Reyes. His nice demeanor and good attitude (trying his best) has gotten him all the respect he deserves and he is arguably one of the most feared pool players on the planet. For those out there that argue he is an exception, I will give another example. A local player to Phoenix, named Bernie Pettipiece, is one of the nicest guys your will ever meet. Every time I see him he is on the same level with me and everyone else in the room and even goes out of his way to say hello to my wife (a rarity at tournaments). Yet he is arguably the 2nd best straight pool player in the state of Arizona as well as being a top 1 pocket and 9 ball player (A+ speed). More recognizable names would be Dave Hemmah and Max Eberle, they are both outstanding players but at the same time are super nice and polite to all of their opponents. A bad attitude or exuding overconfidence is not necessary to play well. There are many things you can do to play well, but in the end, how you treat your opponent is not one of them. To play well just PLAY WELL

But like I said, this is just my humble opinion.

Take care,
Ray

 

[grindz]

You're a father right!? Always act the way you would want to see your son act.

It's not always easy to be nice to all people, but if one of your goals before the tournament is to be a good sport you can achieve it. You may never know who your actions have affected but it will shine! Good attracts good, evil attracts evil. Easy choice.... IMO

td

 

[rossaroni]

Screw what these people say. You have to be a jerk to be good at pool. Only way to be better then the jerks, is too be worse then them. Just look at Tommy Kennedy and Tony Robles! :thumbup: :smile:

 

[Tom M]

I feel sorry for the a-holes, they have condemned themselves to miserable existences.

Well said, Jay. In my profession and in my many "hobbies", I run into all types of people. For the real jerks and sh__heads, I have a "mantra" which says about the same thing:

"Being them is it's own punishment."

Tom

 

[Fast Lenny]

Thanks for the replies and I dont think its in me to be a jerk,it would probably have to involve alot of alcohol.As for the statement about alot of jerks in AZ,well I just happen to be a magnet for it for some reason and attract people like that.I usually play and I am quiet,if I open my mouth its to compliment someone.I am the type of player that if I come to the table hooked I wont whine one bit about it,I have the outlook that if you had an open table and then let me back to it hooked or not I am lucky to be at the table during that rack because I could be racking.I think I need to work more on my mental game perhaps and not let someone who is a poor sport get to me.

I just have seen more of this past 10 months here then the other 3 years total playing pool in NY.Its usually people that are known to be that way,like one night BVal was talking to me and pointing out a guy who was a bad sport and I ended up playing him and beating him,he was a total jerk but atleast I was warned and it fueled me to drill him.I guess I just have to be prepared going into what I am dealing with but sometimes you just dont know.If i dont know someone I keep quiet and win or lose shake hand and good game,give them praise where it is due.I think Bernie is a prime example of a great player here in AZ who I look up to,he showed me how to play Golf the one day and was so nice even though I was horrible at it,he complimented by good shots and gave advice.I am going to certainly continue to be a decent guy and be a good sport,its my own fault for letting people like that get into my head,its a weakness in my game.

 

[Jack Montgomery]

Reading this thread is like reading stories out of my own past couple years. "Oops I didn't move my coin", calling questionable fouls, and other sharking all over the place. I shoot mostly in Chicagoland area, Chris' II and Chris', and there are definitely are nice players to meet there, but boy are there a lot of ones I'd rather not meet.