Give-aways of pool wanna-bees

[teebee]

On the flip side of this topic, pool can use all the wanabees it can get. We are short of people willing to spend thier recreational time and money on pool. In many other sports newbies are encouraged and taught by better players. In pool too often they are ridiculed or fleeced. I think this tends to discourage beginers from taking up this game. Going to a pool hall to learn pool and be accepted while doing it is much harder than going to a golf course to learn golf. Every game has it's rites of passage that need to be passed to be in the "inner" circle but pool players seem to be tougher on new players than players in any other game. The constant closing of pool halls is in part our own fault for driving away potential players. Everybody starts out stupid, you can't help but laugh at some of the things you see new players do but it can't hurt to give some good advice and encouragment while you do it.

 

[Flettir]

I am one

I guess by what I have read that I must be a wannabee.

1. I wear a glove (learned this from watching my son).
2. I am on my way to bye one of those magnetic metal chalk holders.
3. I alternate the balls in the 8 ball rack. I like the mathmatic precision of it
4. I have a certain order for a 9 ball rack.
5. I really enjoy league play. Both APA and BCA.
6. When playing in league I do tell my teammates that they are poking not stroking, or that their hand is wobbling back and forth, (we call that a chicken wing, not sure what it is called on the forum). And I am constantly telling them how a different english would have gotten them a better leave.

So all in all, I guess I am a wannabee, and Proud of it.

 

[Cuebacca]

On the flip side of this topic, pool can use all the wanabees it can get. We are short of people willing to spend thier recreational time and money on pool. In many other sports newbies are encouraged and taught by better players. In pool too often they are ridiculed or fleeced. I think this tends to discourage beginers from taking up this game. Going to a pool hall to learn pool and be accepted while doing it is much harder than going to a golf course to learn golf. Every game has it's rites of passage that need to be passed to be in the "inner" circle but pool players seem to be tougher on new players than players in any other game. The constant closing of pool halls is in part our own fault for driving away potential players. Everybody starts out stupid, you can't help but laugh at some of the things you see new players do but it can't hurt to give some good advice and encouragment while you do it.

TAP TAP TAP! Well said.

These threads are a lot of fun and great for some laughs, but at the end of the day, we should keep these things in mind. Besides, a low skill level doesn't necessarily translate to a lack of love for the game and bangers have feelings too!

We were all bangers once, and I still consider myself one when I compare myself to SVB, Efren, and a whole list of players who I "wannabe" able to compete with.

I do love these threads though, especially the posts are kept light-hearted rather than mean-spirited.

 

[justapoolplayer]

The guy who chalks his cue, then bangs it on the side of the table to "knock the loose chalk off"

yea what is that? I laugh everytime i see someone do that

 

[justapoolplayer]

hehe, I have a story like that.. I was shooting for a while in a place and when league started I was in the middle of a bunch of their tables. I heard someone next table over telling thier friends how I would go from shot to shot. So I started looking for ways to play shape going the long way, in the most opposite way he was describing .

Another one, in the same place, 2 women were shooting, one about 20yrs older think was playing with her daughter. The daughter gets to a long stretch shot and goes to use the bridge. So what does her older, and wiser playing partner say?? "No no no, don't use that stupid thing, just stretch and shoot behind your back" . The blind leading the blind is a reason why so many people can play so long and not get any better.

so what did the 20 year old look like bent over and stretched out? lol

 

[Cuebacca]

OK, now I feel I should add something to the list.

How about those white hand prints all over the cloth. When I see that, something tells me that the last guy to use the table was not a world champion. I want to tell them, hey buddy, only a small part of your bridge hand actually touches the cue, and it's not your palm! This is Simonis pool cloth, not your finger-painting canvas! Hehe.

 

[hang-the-9]

- snip
I do love these threads though, especially the posts are kept light-hearted rather than mean-spirited.

That's why I put it up there, to get you guys remembering all the funny stuff you see I know it makes me smile.

 

[hang-the-9]

so what did the 20 year old look like bent over and stretched out? lol

Not too bad, not too bad I was debating going over to show them some things but they left a rack or 2 after that.

 

[Dead Money]

Man, I usually just go to play and don't sweat what the others around me are doing unless it directly affects my game.

 

[MOJOE]

ouch! I have to confess I am a wannabee. i use tan chalk at home and I shoot behind the back too.

if you wear a glove there's a 99% chance you must be a wannabee.

John, I am almost guilty too. I also use tan chalk at home and will shoot one behind the back once in a while. Guess I have been a wannabe for 20+ years now. Must be no hope for me!!

Sure glad I don't wear a glove [SARCASM]

 

[justapoolplayer]

Not too bad, not too bad I was debating going over to show them some things but they left a rack or 2 after that.

milf and dilf combo

 

[johnnydub]

All the older players i play that say how good they used to be, and the famous "I put myself through college playing"

 

[Derek]

In addition to the "chalk drillers", the guys that swing out their arm like Johnny Archer's pre-stroke routine when drilling that piece of chalk.

Upside-down chalk on the rail.

Leaving the head ball on top of an 8-ball rack and then plopping it into place when setting the rack on the foot spot. I guess this was already mentioned as "dropping in the 8".

I also agree with checking the straightness of a house cue without looking at the tip. I'll gladly play with a good tip if it's on a slightly bowed cue.

People getting down into a shot that are oblivious to the other players on the tables next to them. It's amazing the amount of high-ranked players that do this because you would expect better out of them in terms of etiquette.

 

[Cardinal_Syn]

can't believe no one mentioned this yet....eightball rack with the eight ball spinning before the break lol. it's all fun and games though, in the end aren't we all in a way a wannabe. i wannabe like efren but it;s probably not gonna happen.

 

[johnnydub]

can't believe no one mentioned this yet....eightball rack with the eight ball spinning before the break lol. it's all fun and games though, in the end aren't we all in a way a wannabe. i wannabe like efren but it;s probably not gonna happen.

forgot about that one, love to see that

 

[jhendri2]

I think all of have some different quirks, but that doesn't make us wannabe's in a negative way.

I've got a DVD of John Schmidt running 245 balls and he does it wearing a glove and makes a shot behind his back.

You do rack a solid and a stripe in alternating corners in 8-ball.

There is certain ways to rack 9-ball depending on the spot your giving.

8-ball can be harder than 9-ball given certain circumstances.

I don't judge the person I'm playing, because they may not know any better but I hate the lame bar rules too. Especially the call everything and your brother part of it.

I guess the bottom line is, don't be too quick to judge somebody, they may come back and make ya' broke.

Jim

 

[BRKNRUN]

I get a kick out of the guy that only has to win 3 games to another persons 6 (obviously a handicapped tournament) ....

And after they win the match 3 games to 5 they come up to shake your hand like they just gave you the beat down of all beat downs....and then you overhear them braggin to the buddies how they beat "that guy"

I just laugh to myself as they enjoy their moment of nieveness.


NOTE: A majority of lower rated players are NOT like above....but there are those select few that fit this to a "T"

 

[midnightpulp]

I get a kick out of the guy that only has to win 3 games to another persons 6 (obviously a handicapped tournament) ....

And after they win the match 3 games to 5 they come up to shake your hand like they just gave you the beat down of all beat downs....and then you overhear them braggin to the buddies how they beat "that guy"

I just laugh to myself as they enjoy their moment of nieveness.


NOTE: A majority of lower rated players are NOT like above....but there are those select few that fit this to a "T"

That has always irritated me.

Similar to playing 8 ball when you run 6 or 7 balls, but have to contend with your key ball being tied up and have the misfortune of not having a decent shot again, which is usually the result of Mr. Banger running two, lucking a safety, run two again, leave you nothing, does it again, until he finally leaves you a tough bank on the 8 that you rattle. He confidently strides to the table and pokes the 8 ball in, almost following it right in, the cue ball spinning in the jaws of the pocket. He shakes his head, exhaling a sigh of relief. He then approaches you with his outstreched hand and a look of gleaming satisfaction on his Banger face.

Urrrgh, angers me just thinking about it.

 

[OneArmed]

I guess by what I have read that I must be a wannabee.

1. I wear a glove (learned this from watching my son).
2. I am on my way to bye one of those magnetic metal chalk holders.
3. I alternate the balls in the 8 ball rack. I like the mathmatic precision of it
4. I have a certain order for a 9 ball rack.
5. I really enjoy league play. Both APA and BCA.
6. When playing in league I do tell my teammates that they are poking not stroking, or that their hand is wobbling back and forth, (we call that a chicken wing, not sure what it is called on the forum). And I am constantly telling them how a different english would have gotten them a better leave.

So all in all, I guess I am a wannabee, and Proud of it.

Just fyi, it's against the rules to have a certain order when racking 9-ball, in pretty much any format (including APA). Except for the position of the 9 and 1 ball of course. don't try that in vegas

 

[JoeyA]

All the older players i play that say how good they used to be, and the famous "I put myself through college playing"

While, I've heard older players say this or something similar, lately I've been hearing younger players saying the same thing. Age about 30 or so......
JoeyA