Conceding the Game

[Jude Rosenstock]

I was playing a league match yesterday and as I circled the table to shoot the game-winning ball, my opponent got up out of his chair and proceeded to the foot of the table. I said, "Are you giving me the game?" He replied "no", honestly not having any clue what I was talking about.

I find these misunderstandings to be more and more common. When I first learned to play pool, it was only about gambling and any motion to rack was a concession since if you didn't concede, you were sharking which was a heavy accusation and could easily escalate into a fight.

As we leave the era of gambling and hustling and further progress into the era of league pool, I was wondering what people would consider a concession of game/match. Do you feel this behavior is tolerated more/less? Should it be tolerated more/less? What do you expect of your opponents in terms of behavior?

 

[Handsumm]

If someone I am playing walks up to the table as I am shooting, it is a well-known act of concession. I wouldn't even shoot.

I am known to concede racks that are gimmies (2 inch puts), and if someone does this to me, I don't even shoot. I wait for them to either rack, or say I am sorry and sit their ass back in the chair so I can shoot my gimme.

I believe some actually do it to shark, expecting you to make the shot, but really intending on you to shoot it. I have done this and missed. Now I don't let that happen.

 

[Inzombiac]

With friends of course, I don't expect them to sit still or keep quiet cause most of my friends don't take pool seriously (a sad fact I know). But when it comes to opponents, I'd like to get the same respect I give them. Room to shoot, a quiet table, and general fairness. What you speak of sort of like the "room to shoot". No one should be hovering near you or making as if they are unpocketing the balls. It could throw people out of their groove, especially if they are in their autopilot and they stop because they think you are conceding. I could see someone moving to the table to ask for a break or something but certainly not on the money ball.

I don't know if you were phazed by that move (I've been in the same boat), but in a serious game with money on the lights every respect should be given to your opponent in fairness.

UNLESS that is your aim to shark, and in that case the gauntlet would be thrown and the match could turn into Minnesota Fats Circus.

 

[Gregg]

This is very subjective;

Most APA teams have new players who don't know proper pool playing etiquette.

Likewise, you don't have to be a great, knowledgeable player to gamble money on pool games.

So, my point is, you have people all up and down the experience scale who may know or not know exactly what they are supposed to be doing as a competitor.

And lets not even get into the people who do these things intentionally, aka Sharking.

 

[seymore15074]

I would expect them to concede after they begin their approach, but I would pause and wait for either a verbal sign, or they touch the rack or a ball. As soon as they pull a ball from the pocket, or grab the rack it's "official."

Sounds like you knew exactly how to handle the situation...just say, "are you giving me this?"

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

If someone I am playing walks up to the table as I am shooting, it is a well-known act of concession. I wouldn't even shoot.

I am known to concede racks that are gimmies (2 inch puts), and if someone does this to me, I don't even shoot. I wait for them to either rack, or say I am sorry and sit their ass back in the chair so I can shot my gimme.

I believe some actually do it to shark, expecting you to make the shot, but really intending on you to shoot it. I have done this and missed. Now I don't let that happen.

Is this all the time or for gambling/tournament/league matches?

 

[lodini]

I was playing a league match yesterday and as I circled the table to shoot the game-winning ball, my opponent got up out of his chair and proceeded to the foot of the table. I said, "Are you giving me the game?" He replied "no", honestly not having any clue what I was talking about.

I find these misunderstandings to be more and more common. When I first learned to play pool, it was only about gambling and any motion to rack was a concession since if you didn't concede, you were sharking which was a heavy accusation and could easily escalate into a fight.

As we leave the era of gambling and hustling and further progress into the era of league pool, I was wondering what people would consider a concession of game/match. Do you feel this behavior is tolerated more/less? Should it be tolerated more/less? What do you expect of your opponents in terms of behavior?

In the only league I have ever played in (which happens to be the one you play in currently), the rules were that no one is allowed to concede the game (if I remember correctly). On the same note, your opponent isn't allowed to stand at the foot of the table while you shoot either. So no matter what he meant to do, he was wrong in doing it.

I agree with the no conceding rule in league play. That way, there will be no misunderstandings.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

I don't know if you were phazed by that move (I've been in the same boat), but in a serious game with money on the lights every respect should be given to your opponent in fairness.

I'm sorry I failed to mention this - I was completely unphased. He said "no" and I proceeded to pocket the ball. It really wasn't a problem however, had the game been for money, I wouldn't have even asked if he were giving me the game. I would have simply gone for my break cue.

Since it was a league match, after I won the game, I explained to him that I am accustomed to my opponents staying in their chairs until it is their turn to shoot. To walk to the end of the table is a concession. He still looked at me like I had two heads.

 

[Johnnyt]

They need to sit in their chair until the last goes down or if they were standing away from the table they need to stand there until it's over. Walking up to the table before this should be loss of game and/or loss of teeth. Johnnyt

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

They need to sit in their chair until the last goes down or if they were standing away from the table they need to stand there until it's over. Walking up to the table before this should be loss of game and/or loss of teeth. Johnnyt

Yeah, I demand this when gambling but do you demand this during league? Do you play in any leagues that demand this?

 

[Handsumm]

Is this all the time or for gambling/tournament/league matches?

For free, for $5, or for $1000. Walking toward the table while your opponent is shooting the game ball is concession, period. I never shoot it. Also, they shouldn't ask you to shoot it after doing this.

This is the same as breaking down your cue. Automatic loss of game.

 

[Johnnyt]

Yeah, I demand this when gambling but do you demand this during league? Do you play in any leagues that demand this?

I played in one for a very short time years ago. I found it not being for me because I always had to have a few bucks on anything to play my best game. I do think there should be a written rule for it in leagues. Johnnyt

 

[worldison2]

. He still looked at me like I had two heads.

Maybe he's got x-ray vision?

But seriously, Jude, it seems like you handled the situation properly. Obviously the guy must be fairly new to the league, and you let his ignorance slide, but let him know nicely later. Although I really like Lodini's take on this (no concessions...stay seated), once in a while you're going to get a "newbie" who needs to be educated a little bit. Sounds to me like you were nice to him. Hope there's not a "next time" with this guy.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Maybe he's got x-ray vision?

But seriously, Jude, it seems like you handled the situation properly. Obviously the guy must be fairly new to the league, and you let his ignorance slide, but let him know nicely later. Although I really like Lodini's take on this (no concessions...stay seated), once in a while you're going to get a "newbie" who needs to be educated a little bit. Sounds to me like you were nice to him. Hope there's not a "next time" with this guy.

Thanks but the point of this thread is more about my curiosity of how things will be. I mean, in American sports, it is not uncommon for fans and opposing teammates to get involved in distraction. Look no further than free throw attempts at any basketball game.

 

[Poolfiend]

I have had this happen to me countless times in the weekly tournaments I play in. When the opponent walks up to the table I usually stick out my hand and say good game. There have been times when the guy will ask me to shoot it and then stand there right by the pocket. I usually just walk over and sip my beer until he gets the hint and either sits back down or concedes. Sometimes it a new player tha doesn't understand, in which case I am ver friendly. But more times than not it is someone trying to shark me. So I just have get extra patient and wait for them to have a seat.

 

[Poolfiend]

???

Ah yes I can see it now . . . The U.S. Open finals. Deuel vs. Reyes - Hill Hill. As Deuel bears down on the nine to win the championship Reyes jumps up in front of him and starts beating together to big noise makers screaming CHOKE CHOKE!

 

[lodini]

Thanks but the point of this thread is more about my curiosity of how things will be. I mean, in American sports, it is not uncommon for fans and opposing teammates to get involved in distraction. Look no further than free throw attempts at any basketball game.

It may be common for opposing fans... but not opponents. For the free throw example, yeah the fans are going wild... but the other players are lined up quietly for the most part (granted, there could be some sh*t talking we can't hear, but real sharking down there is pretty uncommom). They could get a technical foul called.

Problem with pool is that it's really just you, your opponent and the table. Who is there to referee?

 

[teebee]

In golf most new players are taught the etiquette of play very early on. Most experienced players are embarassed to play with people who do not follow the etiquette of the game. Pool is played in so many places with bad or no rules, by players who have never played in a real match that etiquette is dying faster than nice pool halls. All you can do is try to politely pass on what you know when the opportunity presents itself. I think the situation will get worse before it gets better.

 

[sodapopd]

Yeah, I demand this when gambling but do you demand this during league? Do you play in any leagues that demand this?

Jude,
Which league you play in? I'm only familiar with The bca pool league & they recently revised and clarified some of their rules. One of them is that when your opponent is at the table, you are to remain in your assigned seat.
BCA, has assigned warnings, loss of game(s) or loss of match to various unsportsman like behavior(team & individual).

 

[9 on the snap]

I was playing a league match yesterday and as I circled the table to shoot the game-winning ball, my opponent got up out of his chair and proceeded to the foot of the table. I said, "Are you giving me the game?" He replied "no", honestly not having any clue what I was talking about.

I find these misunderstandings to be more and more common. When I first learned to play pool, it was only about gambling and any motion to rack was a concession since if you didn't concede, you were sharking which was a heavy accusation and could easily escalate into a fight.

As we leave the era of gambling and hustling and further progress into the era of league pool, I was wondering what people would consider a concession of game/match. Do you feel this behavior is tolerated more/less? Should it be tolerated more/less? What do you expect of your opponents in terms of behavior?

This should not be tolerated. If the guy doesn't know, which in this case It sounds like he didn't, he needs to be educated, nicely. If he does know, and is sharking he needs to be educated in a not so nice way. If you're playing for money, I like the free dental work suggestion that johnnyt had. The only thing worse is some clown asking for you to concede when the 9 ain't even close to the pocket. "your gonna make me shoot that?" Yes I am. If it's within a shoe size I will rack'em. That doesn't include clown shoe size of course.