Disrespect?

Not sure if this was the case in the OP's story, but the kind of players who intentionally disrespect their opponents tend to have massive egos and don't take losing well.

The worst thing in his mind would be trying his best and still losing against a weaker player, so he'll set up excuses like "I wasn't trying" or "I didn't take it seriously" as scapegoats. If you up your game to the point where you can put the fear of losing into him, his actions and "disrespect" may escalate, but that's because you've got him under pressure and that's his way of dealing with it.
 
SmoothStroke said:
Let me guess, his hat is on sideways, pants below his ass, his girlfriend is snapping gum and taking selfies, playing Kanye West on the satellite juke box asking to raise the volume, let's do a shot.
When it's your shot he walks away and hits that punching bag machine that's annoying as can be.

This is fast becoming the final destination for the game of pool in the U.S.

If you want to play pool dump the league and put on your big boy pants. Go play pool in a pool hall with pool players, if you can find one.

On the other hand, if he is balancing a phone on his shoulder and beating you, I think you better practice.
I did see a guy playing with a rooster on his shoulder in the Philippines, I think the rooster was coaching him.

Expect what you tolerate
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I couldn't agree more... except for one thing, this isn't the final destination for pool in our country, its the final destination for the whole damned country.
 
rrick33 said:
You say it's wrong but you don't say why.
If it's not disallowed in the rules then by omission it is condoned and becomes nothing more than a matter of perception.
Who decides what is right and wrong and where do we draw the line?

I see players listening to music through their phone jacks all the time. Is this wrong? Is this disrespectful? If so, what level of disrespect is the player trying to convey?

Is there some universal meaning that can be concluded from talking on a phone while playing? I don't think so.

I can't see any level of disrespect unless the player is so far ahead in the match they are trying to convey that they can beat their opponent with one arm behind their back. Perhaps that was the case here with the OP. I can't say.

Perhaps the player knew his opponent would get rattled and he was using the phone incident to gain an edge. If it's wrong to do crazy things to get under your opponent's skin then Earl the Pearl has been a poor ambassador for the sport and yet it seems most people love his antics. Like John McEnroe was for tennis.

If anything, talking on the phone would be a distraction that should give their opponent an advantage.

If I'm playing a much stronger player, I want every advantage I can get....If he wants to play head games talking on the phone, I'm going to capitalize on the opportunity.

If I'm winning because he can't get off the phone, I'm certainly not going to complain.

Hell, I may even play head games back by breaking his rhythm with questions like: Are you calling 911 for help? or ask if he needs a time out, and offer to get his team captain's phone number.

Pool is a social game that deserves to played on all levels, not just what you see on the felt.

Perceptions of right and wrong are very subjective ideas. They only take on objective value when we spell out the expectations and apply them to the rules.

If it was clear that this behavior was unacceptable, disrespectful or wrong, then it would be in the rules for that league.

Like you said. It would be so easy to fix this by making it a rule......and yet, it's not a rule.

I will say that on some level the use of a phone during a match should be disallowed in much the same way they don't let poker players talk on the phone while playing. It has nothing to do with disrespect but rather it could be that someone is assisting the player and this is definitely against the rules.
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There's really no way to discern 'some level' of phone talk during a turn. Either it's allowed or it's not allowed. You know as well as I do that it shouldn't be allowed.

Why? I thought it would be obvious why it's wrong. What game or sport do you know where a competitor is having a continuous conversation while he's physically executing?

You can name several sportsmanship violations regarding this type of behavior ---- one in particular--- constant talking --- and there's one that goes beyond sportsmanship. Respect for the game. That's right. It diminishes the value of organized competitive pool. This is organized competition. Have a little self control. Talk on the phone after your match, not during.
 
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The OP demands "respect" from a perceived slight ? How about basketball players talking trash through out the entire game. Jordan was famous for it, and he did it to win. Not once was he removed from the game because of it. The game did NOT diminish, and his current net worth just topped $1 Billion dollars.

You want disrespect. How about taking a 100MPH fastball, intentionally, in the knee, head, or back? Sometimes the pitcher is tossed, sometimes only get a warning. Never, did it diminish the game.

So, when this cell phone thing can end a guys career, come on back, and lets discuss. The player with the phone did not cheat, did not lie, did not pull a move, he took a call. yes, maybe discourteous to some, but certainly not the end of pool like has been described here... geez... lighten up.
 
cardiac kid said:
Johnnyt, did you read post #5 in this thread?

Lyn
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Yes, I read it. If it were me he was playing, even if I was winning I might break my rule and tell the teacher/ref. just to ...k with him. I don't care for Dennis, never did. Johnnyt
 
ChicagoRJ said:
The OP demands "respect" from a perceived slight ? How about basketball players talking trash through out the entire game. Jordan was famous for it, and he did it to win. Not once was he removed from the game because of it. The game did NOT diminish, and his current net worth just topped $1 Billion dollars.

You want disrespect. How about taking a 100MPH fastball, intentionally, in the knee, head, or back? Sometimes the pitcher is tossed, sometimes only get a warning. Never, did it diminish the game.

So, when this cell phone thing can end a guys career, come on back, and lets discuss. The player with the phone did not cheat, did not lie, did not pull a move, he took a call. yes, maybe discourteous to some, but certainly not the end of pool like has been described here... geez... lighten up.
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GREAT POST!

latest
 
It was a year or so ago at league and I had just shot a great shot to make the game. I looked over to see if any of my team members had seen it and everyone of 'em was on his phone, oblivious to what was happening right in front of them.

BE HERE NOW.


Jeff Livingston
 
The Captain said:
Poll::: If your playing a player who is 2 levels above you and they have their phone on their shoulder while shooting... Do you feel disrespected or offended? here's the scenario... Was not a money match, was league, we're both APA 7's, but he's an A+, and I'm a B player. I knew I would have a tough time taking it hill hill, etc... So it's not about win/loss... It's about respect and not slapping me in the face
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If you are that easily offended you have no business being in a pool hall.
 
I have played in tournaments where if your cell phone rings.....it's BIH to your opponent.
.....it's a good rule.

But if I'm gambling, my opponent can talk and shoot all he wants....
...hell, I might call him to chat about raising the price.
 
It is uncalled for especially if your playing tournament. There is a button on my phone I can press and it tells the other person I will call you back.
 
pt109 said:
I have played in tournaments where if your cell phone rings.....it's BIH to your opponent.
.....it's a good rule.

But if I'm gambling, my opponent can talk and shoot all he wants....
...hell, I might call him to chat about raising the price.
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Prank calls to your opponent is a great idea.
I thought I knew every possible sharking move, but this is the new millennium.
You definitely are a genius
 
my reaction to the op's question is that it is indeed disrespectful for an opponent to play while balancing their phone on their shoulder while engaged in a call.

This *screams* I'm better than you and can beat you even without having to completely focus on my play.

Would it bother me?

Yes.

Anytime someone shows me disrespect, I don't like it. Even if it increases my chance to win.

I want your best game. I'm always trying to give mine.

best,
brian kc
 
FranCrimi said:
There's really no way to discern 'some level' of phone talk during a turn. Either it's allowed or it's not allowed. You know as well as I do that it shouldn't be allowed.

Why? I thought it would be obvious why it's wrong. What game or sport do you know where a competitor is having a continuous conversation while he's physically executing?

You can name several sportsmanship violations regarding this type of behavior ---- one in particular--- constant talking --- and there's one that goes beyond sportsmanship. Respect for the game. That's right. It diminishes the value of organized competitive pool. This is organized competition. Have a little self control. Talk on the phone after your match, not during.
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I don't entirely disagree with you and I would be the first to say that it is poor etiquette to have a phone conversation during the match; however, to categorically say it is "wrong" or against the rules may be a stretch.

If I interpret what you're saying correctly, then you are claiming it's wrong because you think it's wrong and you believe it should be obvious to everyone that it's wrong and therefore, it must be wrong.

If it were "clear-cut" we wouldn't be having this debate. Even a judge might not penalize a player under the "Constant talking" rule because the spirit of the rule generally applies to players talking to each other or a player on the sideline talking while his opponent is at the table.

As far as "respect for the game" is concerned......well pool is perhaps one of the least respected games in America. Professionals get paid next to nothing despite the fact that it takes just as much talent to be a professional pool player as it does to be a professional golfer or tennis pro.

If any rule could apply, it would the rule that states you cannot get outside assistance during a match other than the designated timeouts. Even though the player talking on the phone may not be getting assistance.......his opponent can't be sure of that and his rights should be protected.

I think overall it's just too gray an area right now to judge this as absolutely "right" or "wrong". When it's clearly stated in the rulebook, then we can make the call.
 
There is hope for the world.......
I am working with a 19 yr. old apprentice. I told him how me and my wife comment to each other how ignorant it is and sad, when we go out and see MANY people texting on their phones at dinner etc. and not paying attention to the other person.
(we are 44) He (the 19 yr. old, agreed) with us! There is hope!!
 
I understand how you might feel disrespected. Different things bother different people.

I think it is totally disrespectful to be playing with your telephone when your opponent is at the table.

In fact, when you are at the table, if your opponent is doing ANYTHING except remaining still in his or her chair and silent, I believe they are being disrespectful not only to you but the game itself.

I guess I'm just old fashion. I try to respect my opponent and allow them to perform their best and I expect the same from them.

It's kind of funny when people take offense at being called out for sharking but I think more should be called out because sharking is disrespectful.

Your situation is a bit different. If a knucklehead wants to distract himself by a telephone hanging off his shoulder while he is playing and he doesn't slow play because of it, I will just laugh to myself when he misses because it will happen and he will only be frustrated with himself.

If he isn't playing at a standard pace with the phone hanging off his shoulder and stops play to have conversations with the person they are talking to, I too would consider that a form of disrespect to me, the game and the event that we are playing in.

JoeyA

The Captain said:
Poll::: If your playing a player who is 2 levels above you and they have their phone on their shoulder while shooting... Do you feel disrespected or offended? here's the scenario... Was not a money match, was league, we're both APA 7's, but he's an A+, and I'm a B player. I knew I would have a tough time taking it hill hill, etc... So it's not about win/loss... It's about respect and not slapping me in the face
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9andout said:
There is hope for the world.......
I am working with a 19 yr. old apprentice. I told him how me and my wife comment to each other how ignorant it is and sad, when we go out and see MANY people texting on their phones at dinner etc. and not paying attention to the other person.
(we are 44) He (the 19 yr. old, agreed) with us! There is hope!!
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Reminds me of a saying something I saw recently.

Dance like no is watching.......because they're not. They're checking their phones. :D

There is another one. When you go out with your friends, everyone puts their phone in the middle of the table. First one to reach for theirs buys a round.
 
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