Giveaway Signs of Beginner / Recreational Players

[Flakeandrun]

I see it.
Are you in Taiwan or China? Does the mindset differ?

I'm in Shanghai, but have played in Taiwan quite often also. There are some similarities given the nature of both cultures background. Social play is very social. Even playing for light or small fee, most people are very jovial and friendly.

People care about 'face' and there is kind of a humble brag culture. If someone says they aren't good... you best look out! If someone says they are good, maybe they are trying to fit in and you are probably going to drill them... Same applies when they say you played well... that means no you didn't ...and I don't think they would ever directly say you played a bad set or not your best.

People often don't take challenges unless they feel confident in beating you. You won't see people banging the table often, or getting mad. They normally start to make jokes and pretend they don't care when losing. As a foreigner, I used to get challenged a lot, and I am guessing that's as a result of two locals shit talking each other into it Now I have a local, regular place to play, most people are aware of my speed, and the boss will set up some games for me occasionally.

The general attitude can seem to come across quite robotic (very different from my attitude - I am working on temperament, but I am no stranger to giving the table a back hand or banging my cue on the floor - I am actually very self-conscious that people here would think that this behaviour is directed at them due to social-cultural difference. Regular players/friends understand this, but to new friends I make a big effort to remain light-hearted and explain I am annoyed at myself when the little outbursts sometimes creep out of me).

Tournament play is pretty serious, even in the smaller tournaments I've played. But again, when things go tits up, they tend to take a more light-hearted approach than what I am used to. Pretend they don't care and it's not their day (I only have experience playing snooker in the UK prior to this, and I have seen someone snap their cue mid-set and go home... during a friendly...)

I wouldn't say this is at all concrete, and I don't want to stereotype, just saying what I regularly have interacted with.

 

[straightline]

Sounds like pool in the family billiards era minus the bangers. No overt action but lots of chest beating - quiet chest beating there maybe

 

[j2pac]

Plusses I has a huge advantage if he wanted to escalate. Just sayin. Kind of like Jui Jitsu.

In the event of escalation, I used to tell them to go outside, and if wasn't there in 10 minutes...start without me. The laughter actually shut down a few of them.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

I actually saw a couple trying to twist the bridge head off a bridge so they could use “the cue part”.

pj
chgo

 

[WobblyStroke]

Saw a girl making fun of the guy she was with for chalking because, 'that s@#t doesn't do anything'.

Worst one I've seen in a while this last weekend.... A group of 20-somethings kept flying balls off their table. When one finally whizzed passed me 2 tbls away I gave em a "you gotta be kidding me, wtf you guys doing over there?" and one of em explained that balls off the table stay down and it is easier to make them jump off the table than knock them into the pockets.

 

[darshan27]

Getting the rack of balls in the tray in then turning it to slam all 15 balls on the table. I used to play at the old 211 club in Seattle and if owners John and Betty Teerink (RIP to both) saw anyone do this, they would walk over and slowly place the balls back in the holder one at a time and slowly walk back to the front of the hall without saying a word. The offender would then quietly leave. I've seen this happen more than once!

 

[gregcantrall]

Getting the rack of balls in the tray in then turning it to slam all 15 balls on the table. I used to play at the old 211 club in Seattle and if owners John and Betty Teerink (RIP to both) saw anyone do this, they would walk over and slowly place the balls back in the holder one at a time and slowly walk back to the front of the hall without saying a word. The offender would then quietly leave. I've seen this happen more than once!

Oh wow! The 211! I still have my 211 strap on my case. Well my old "No Snivlers" case.

Flipping an oversize coin that landed on the cloth could get similar attention.
Being a barbox player, I would regularly visit the 211 for 8 ball last pocket lessons from Portland Slim. Lend Me More was usually there. Harry had a stable of witnesses there for any occasion. Usually a slip and fall case.

 

[Justaneng]

I'm in Shanghai, but have played in Taiwan quite often also. There are some similarities given the nature of both cultures background. Social play is very social.

Have you ever done the weekly tournaments at The Shed? (Either location? It wasn’t a tournament but I might have ruined a date night for someone else there at the Laowaijie location. I never spent enough time in Shanghai to seek out actual pool halls.

One thing I like about playing pool in China is that the 8-ball rules are consistent anywhere you go. The number of pool halls per capita increases massively the more rural you get. Zhangpu had one about every block and most of them usually had a good crowd.

 

[Justaneng]

I know the culture is very different. I didn't play pool the last time I was in America. Would love to play next time I visit

Pool culture in America is multi-tiered, and the tiers don’t really interact much with each other.

 

[Zerksies]

Drilling the chalk

 

[gregcantrall]

Pool culture in America is multi-tiered, and the tiers don’t really interact much with each other.

Well they do but it's kind of like the 4 or 5 lane freeway. Staying in your lane is important. The driver going the exact speed limit in the fast lane will get some real interaction. At the very least lots of one finger salutes.

 

[DeadStick]

Well they do but it's kind of like the 4 or 5 lane freeway. Staying in your lane is important. The driver going the exact speed limit in the fast lane will get some real interaction. At the very least lots of one finger salutes.

In America, it’s important to remember that the posted speed limit is the lowest speed you’re allowed to go. And yes, add at least 10-15 to it if you’re going to drive in the fast lane.

Want to avoid speeding tickets? Follow a Bear Bait car about a quarter mile back. And if you don’t see any Bear Bait, you’re the Bear Bait.

 

[Justaneng]

Well they do but it's kind of like the 4 or 5 lane freeway. Staying in your lane is important. The driver going the exact speed limit in the fast lane will get some real interaction. At the very least lots of one finger salutes.

This analogy works if most of the folks in the right two lanes have horse blinders on and have absolutely no clue what's going on in the left hand three lanes. Plenty of recreational and types believe that if you can break and run, you're playing near professional speed.

They don't realize that 50 people in their zip code don't really play in bars and have at least a few break and runs on their lifetime resume, with 5 of those players expecting a few every time they play - and none of those players can touch a professional.

 

[gregcantrall]

This analogy works if most of the folks in the right two lanes have horse blinders on and have absolutely no clue what's going on in the left hand three lanes. Plenty of recreational and types believe that if you can break and run, you're playing near professional speed.

They don't realize that 50 people in their zip code don't really play in bars and have at least a few break and runs on their lifetime resume, with 5 of those players expecting a few every time they play - and none of those players can touch a professional.

My experience in the multi lane pool world has been recreational and on a modest scale profitable. Kind of like a midfielder. It was critical to know my speed.
I giggle thinking of my practice drill based on Stephen Hendry's line up drill that he would execute 10 consecutive EVERY day. My version is simpler and easier. One lap is a day for me. I know my speed.

 

[gregcantrall]

Oops, I forgot the, You Wanna Play Some? I pay for lessons. Of course I will charge for same.

 

[snookered_again]

shaking rack of balls.. Obviously shaking does nothing but wear the cloth out.

 

[Gatz]

"You have to be good at math to play this game" This shit cracks me up every time I hear it.

 

[ChrisinNC]

"You have to be good at math to play this game" This shit cracks me up every time I hear it.

Only true to a minimal extent for 14.1

 

[maha]

yep everyone seems to laugh at them when they do these stupid things.

i wonder if some of the older guys here remember when they tried to learn to drive a stick shift.
or when some first tried to type or use a computer.
how many strikeouts did you first get when playing baseball.

i cant laugh at your driving as you all drive badly and will never get better.

 

[DaveK]

Oh shit .... I'm a Beginner / Recreational player ... thanks for letting me know

Dave