Etiquette if playing in a tournament with childhood idol

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Lance1977

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When i first started taking pool somewhat seriously in the early 90's, Johnny Archer was my favorite player, mostly due to his quiet professionalism. I signed up for a local open tournament that he is going to be in, I'm outclassed by a mile by even the worst players signed up, but it was worth it to me for a chance to get beaten like a redheaded stepchild by someone i looked up to in my teens.

My question is, when is it acceptable to be a fanboy? If i draw him, obviously before or during the match are huge no-nos, is it acceptable after the match? or best to wait until i'm sure he has no more matches that day and only then approach him for an autograph and let him know how he helped shape my respect for the game?

Thanks for any advice,
Lance
 
Lance1977 said:
When i first started taking pool somewhat seriously in the early 90's, Johnny Archer was my favorite player, mostly due to his quiet professionalism. I signed up for a local open tournament that he is going to be in, I'm outclassed by a mile by even the worst players signed up, but it was worth it to me for a chance to get beaten like a redheaded stepchild by someone i looked up to in my teens.

My question is, when is it acceptable to be a fanboy? If i draw him, obviously before or during the match are huge no-nos, is it acceptable after the match? or best to wait until i'm sure he has no more matches that day and only then approach him for an autograph and let him know how he helped shape my respect for the game?

Thanks for any advice,
Lance
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for sure when your match is done you can ask him for an autograph an chot chat alittle
that would be fine
if you really present no challenge it will become obvious quickly
and be over quick...:D
you might get to talk to him alittle and get your autograph before the tourny starts
 
Lance1977 said:
When i first started taking pool somewhat seriously in the early 90's, Johnny Archer was my favorite player, mostly due to his quiet professionalism. I signed up for a local open tournament that he is going to be in, I'm outclassed by a mile by even the worst players signed up, but it was worth it to me for a chance to get beaten like a redheaded stepchild by someone i looked up to in my teens.

My question is, when is it acceptable to be a fanboy? If i draw him, obviously before or during the match are huge no-nos, is it acceptable after the match? or best to wait until i'm sure he has no more matches that day and only then approach him for an autograph and let him know how he helped shape my respect for the game?

Thanks for any advice,
Lance
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Any time you want. I thought it was cool to almost not act like I was in awe of them. Then I was at the US Open and saw Steve Cook getting everybody autograph and he himself was already an up and coming super star.

Don't worry about not looking cool, get those autographs and face time with players. I was at a tournament and down stairs in the hotel restaurant eating.
by myself when Irving Crane comes walking in.

He looked around and our eyes met and he came over and sat down and we had lunch together. I didn't know him. I had spoken to him for all of 2 minutes earlier that day. That was 45 years ago and it is still a cherished memory. In fact I am enjoying telling the story now with no worry I am name dropping.

Also for years to come it always got me a friendly nod whenever I saw play here and there. Kind of cool.
 
macguy said:
Any time you want. I thought it was cool to almost not act like I was in awe of them. Then I was at the US Open and saw Steve Cook getting everybody autograph and he himself was already an up and coming super star.

Don't worry about not looking cool, get those autographs and face time with players. I was at a tournament and down stairs in the hotel restaurant eating.
by myself when Irving Crane comes walking in.

He looked around and our eyes met and he came over and sat down and we had lunch together. I didn't know him. I had spoken to him for all of 2 minutes earlier that day. That was 45 years ago and it is still a cherished memory. In fact I am enjoying telling the story now with no worry I am name dropping.

Also for years to come it always got me a friendly nod whenever I saw play here and there. Kind of cool.
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Some people are like Irving, I met Grady once, and only once at a tournament near Boston, but even after just saying hi to him for a second, he would talk to me like we've known each other for years. Was probably almost 20 years ago now, but I still clearly remember when we met and how friendly and nice he was.

Jayson Shaw is another nice guy to meet, my son was sponsored by the same company he was and they let him know we will be at a tournament he played in. We sat next to Table 1 at Snookers in RI which was a rail/table with about 6 or so seats, he must have seen my son there because soon as his match was done he walked up to him and shook his hand and said hi, and hung out with him the whole event.

I'd also take the chance to see if he could give you a few pointers after your match, just ask about a shot or two you were not sure about, many players would be glad to help out.

I remember one Junior Nationals someone was walking around the edge for a few tables dropping off chalk at the tables for the kids, it was Archer LOL. He kinda reached in front of me to drop the chalk and it took a second to realize what happened but I said "Hm.. I think Johnny Archer just brought chalk to my son's table" LOL

He was also at the BCA trade show, we had a mutual friend I met on here that he worked with, while I was texting that person about saying hi to Archer, Archer was 5 feet from me talking on the phone with him at the same time. He's a pretty nice guy to meet and has a ton of history with him to chat about. I was told that he won every single lag he did at the Mosconi Cup as a bit of trivia.
 
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I think there was a thread about this a while ago with one of Shane's fans at the Reno Bar box or some similar event. I say you should be upfront and act like yourself. If I were in your shoes, I would know that I'm not going to win against Archer, so if there's no pressure, you might as well enjoy the game! Tell him that your a big fan, and that your just here to have fun. As long as you're not yukking it up too much during the match and you're giving it your best shot, I don't think he'd mind. Afterwards buy him a beer.

One time I approached Efren during a chess match and he gave me the stink eye for interrupting his game. I learned that you should treat the pro's like they're anyone else. Respect their space and be polite. I was one of the few Amurican's at the last MC and John Schmidt was as nice as can be when I approached him before the event started. It all depends on your surroundings, but I think it's safe to say you can show your respect and appreciation even when you're about to go head to head.

Best of luck and have fun!
 
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peppersauce said:
You can be whatever you wish, whenever you wish. But my advice, coming from someone who's been exactly where you are, is to leave that crap elsewhere during competition. Everyone is there to win. You should be no different. I'm not telling you to disrespect anyone, just to be professional and come out playing to win no matter who you draw.

Off the table, by all means, be a fanboy. Get an autograph and take a picture...whatever you want. But squash it when it's time to get down to business.
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That goes without saying. A lot of those top players when playing in open tournaments and playing locals will use the "Awe factor" to their advantage.

I have seen a lot of pro's win matches against locals that they should not have won. It is as if the local is afraid to win for fear the champ won't like them. In competition if you let them, they will turn it into their show as if you don't belong there.

They are experienced at doing that to people. Mike Sigel is a good example. He starts talking to the audience and treats you like you don't exist. You are just in the way till it is his turn.
 
peppersauce said:
You can be whatever you wish, whenever you wish. But my advice, coming from someone who's been exactly where you are, is to leave that crap elsewhere during competition. Everyone is there to win. You should be no different. I'm not telling you to disrespect anyone, just to be professional and come out playing to win no matter who you draw.

Off the table, by all means, be a fanboy. Get an autograph and take a picture...whatever you want. But squash it when it's time to get down to business.
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If the tournament is handicapped and you happen to win your match, don’t be a jerk and act like you just beat a pro. Recognize that sometimes handicaps require the stronger player to almost run every rack to stay alive.

Have fun! One of the best aspects of playing pool is that sometimes you get to play against the best players in the world. There are not many other sports which offer that opportunity.
 

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macguy said:
Any time you want. I thought it was cool to almost not act like I was in awe of them. Then I was at the US Open and saw Steve Cook getting everybody autograph and he himself was already an up and coming super star.

Don't worry about not looking cool, get those autographs and face time with players. I was at a tournament and down stairs in the hotel restaurant eating.
by myself when Irving Crane comes walking in.

He looked around and our eyes met and he came over and sat down and we had lunch together. I didn't know him. I had spoken to him for all of 2 minutes earlier that day. That was 45 years ago and it is still a cherished memory. In fact I am enjoying telling the story now with no worry I am name dropping.

Also for years to come it always got me a friendly nod whenever I saw play here and there. Kind of cool.
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It's not really about looking cool for me, more about doing my best to emulate the professionalism i admired. The top players in the late 80's and early 90's laid a lot of groundwork for making it more of a legitimate professional sport IMHO. I feel like the highest compliment that can be paid is by playing with class and respect. So it's more about not distracting him from the task at hand with my being a fan. Does that make any sense? or am i just being an idiot?
 
peppersauce said:
Exactly. Thanks for that. That's what I was trying to communicate but you said it more clearly.

I lost a match once to a well known pro in a bigger open tournament and, after the match, he actually pulled me aside and gave me some pointers. He told me I play well enough that I very well could've won our match if I gave it all I had, but he could tell I didn't. He told me the same thing I told the OP. Very gracious of him to help a banger out.
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That happens a bit and I've witnessed it, a local B+ player was playing Mika and had him all but beat, he was up something like 5-1 in a race to 9. Then he must have thought, "holy crap, I'm beating Mika Immonen" and started to lose focus and drop games and eventually lost a close set.
 
My advise is to wait until after your match, From what Ive seen some of the pros have no problem chatting a bit after a match, and when waiting for the losers side to play out is a good time to approach them.
 
macguy said:
They are experienced at doing that to people. Mike Sigel is a good example. He starts talking to the audience and treats you like you don't exist. You are just in the way till it is his turn.
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Ha!, try shutting Sigel up anytime.
I was in Comet Billiards a few years back, early in the day, practicing alone.
I sat down for a second and got a drink. Sigel comes over, picks up my cue and starts drilling shots and telling stories for like for 45 minutes.
He's a very entertaining guy.
 
Why wait til you play each other, if you do which is a long shot? If you see Johnny the day before when people are practicing, that would be a good time to go up to him, introduce yourself, let him know that you are a big fan and the reason you entered this tournament, etc. You can get a picture with him and his autograph if that's what you want.

If you do end up playing him, just shake his hand before the match and say that it's an honor then get down to business. After your match you will already be good friends so you may even offer to buy him a drink and talk some more. (Hugs are optional) ;)

Have a blast, hope you get to play or at least get to interact w/him.

Dave
 
I've never understood wanting to meet ones idols. Of course, I barely have idols...maybe Tom Waits.

I've often wondered what a person will gain from talking to someone who has influenced their lives without being a part of their life.

I will say that I had an album by Tom Waits which I believe literally saved my life. I bought another copy, opened it, wrote on the dust jacket, 'Hey Tom...Thanks. ~d".

I guess what I am getting at is if you really want to meet him for your own masturbatory reasons, then running up to him with a camera, a goofy smile, a few things for him to sign, a t-shirt that says, 'I luv JA', etc. is the right thing to do.

On the other hand, if you simply want for him to know that he's been a positive influence on you, I'd suggest writing a simple thank-you card, approach him, introduce yourself, offer your right hand for a shake and the message in the left.

I guarantee it'll mean something to him, whereas the autograph hunting will just be irritating.
 
quick johnny archer story
i was at the first tunica tourney and had brought my copy of shots moves and strategies to the tourney to try and get as many pros to autograph the book as i could
one evening shannon daulton is sitting with his wife and another couple
outside the tournament area
i walk over to him and politely ask if i could have his autograph and i hope i wasnt interrupting anything
shannon nice as could be says
im in that book so if you find the page im on ill autograph it on that page
i say great and we start chit chatting
the other gentleman is just sitting quietly while shannon and i are talking
i look over at him and all of a sudden i realize
YOU ARE JOHNNY ARCHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CAN I HAVE YOUR AUTOGRAPH TOO???
he chuckled and said of course..:)
great guy
he will treat you well
sorry for the mini hi jack
carry on men
 
ElCorazonFrio said:
I've never understood wanting to meet ones idols. Of course, I barely have idols...maybe Tom Waits.

I've often wondered what a person will gain from talking to someone who has influenced their lives without being a part of their life.

I will say that I had an album by Tom Waits which I believe literally saved my life. I bought another copy, opened it, wrote on the dust jacket, 'Hey Tom...Thanks. ~d".

I guess what I am getting at is if you really want to meet him for your own masturbatory reasons, then running up to him with a camera, a goofy smile, a few things for him to sign, a t-shirt that says, 'I luv JA', etc. is the right thing to do.

On the other hand, if you simply want for him to know that he's been a positive influence on you, I'd suggest writing a simple thank-you card, approach him, introduce yourself, offer your right hand for a shake and the message in the left.

I guarantee it'll mean something to him, whereas the autograph hunting will just be irritating.
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In the same vein as your sentiments you express in this post. Why do you post here or on any other forums for that matter. What makes you think anyone gives a sh!t what you think about anything?

It is probably so you can read your own words and get pleasure in your own self perceived profoundness. I think you need to look inward you are the one with the problem, not someone who got a kick out of meeting someone they admire.
 
macguy said:
In the same vein as your sentiments you express in this post. Why do you post here or on any other forums for that matter. What makes you think anyone gives a sh!t what you think about anything?

It is probably so you can read your own words and get pleasure in your own self perceived profoundness. I think you need to look inward you are the one with the problem, not someone who got a kick out of meeting someone they admire.
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Piss off.

Maybe you are the problem if you get so bent out of shape over someone answering a question based on experiences which differ from yours.

Maybe you believe that celebrities shouldn't have any time during which they aren't molested by the public. Maybe you believe that anyone who plays in a pool tourney has the right to JA's image and autograph.

I don't believe that. Sorry it insults you.
 
Just want to clarify, in no way do i feel anything is owed to me. I can't even hold my game together with no distractions, i can't imagine how difficult it must be to stay focused and polite when fan's are bugging you, especially if it's a period when they feel they are struggling with their game. Which is part of the reason i had concerns about when/how/IF to approach in the first place.
 
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