Had this happen the other night...

[Blue Hog ridr]

Played a race to 9 last night, my opponent told me that I was shooting the wrong ball. I thought that was pretty sporting of him.

I refed a tourney last year. One player shot the wrong ball in and his opponent played the ass and let him continue shooting until he missed, at which time he told him of his mistake. He thought he was getting away with something to have his opponent shoot his balls in for him I suppose. When this was brought to my attention, I asked the shooter which balls he was shooting in before his opponent told him. When he told me, I told him he had now taken over that suit of balls because his opponent didn't tell him.

 

[MikeM]

, but class goes both ways.

Yeah, sounds like you both coud have handled this better, though in a fun match who really cares?

Similar thing happened to me in a weekly 9-Ball, late almost 1AM I line up and shoot a tought cut on the 5 and before it even drops my opponent is up in front of me pointing at the 4 still on the table. He said "sorry, it was the only way I could beat you." Winner of that match was in the money - which only meant getting your $20 back and Manny Chau was the next opponent so that's all we could have gotten. I didn't say anything although I was plenty mad at him and myself for screwing up, but I'll never play him again.

MM

 

[i4pool]

Fwiw, I would've told him as he called the shot. After all, you were only playing for fun.
And after that, he didn't find it fun anymore I bet.

Now for money or tournament... my mouth stays shut. But some may even think that is wrong??


Regards,
Abe - i4pool

 

[Tom In Cincy]

Been there, done that... and didn't win the $20 either..

I hate it when I do something stupid at the table, and lately seems like old age isn't helping any either.

My tounge is full of bite marks from having to keep from screaming at my opponents about how the only way they can beat me is to let me do stupid things and/or miss. Seems both happen more frequenly now... maybe I need a coach. (or at least someone in my corner to say... "lowest ball on the table" ....."no, not that one... the other lowest ball" ... )

Hang in there MikeM.. at least you are still competing..

Yeah, sounds like you both coud have handled this better, though in a fun match who really cares?

Similar thing happened to me in a weekly 9-Ball, late almost 1AM I line up and shoot a tought cut on the 5 and before it even drops my opponent is up in front of me pointing at the 4 still on the table. He said "sorry, it was the only way I could beat you." Winner of that match was in the money - which only meant getting your $20 back and Manny Chau was the next opponent so that's all we could have gotten. I didn't say anything although I was plenty mad at him and myself for screwing up, but I'll never play him again.

MM

 

[DShlemp]

So I don't chime in very often but for some reason this thread sparked my interest. First, I would like to say that in a friendly game with no money or significant competition involved, I would absolutely tell the guy that he's calling/shooting the wrong ball.

I guess what I find interesting is how many people are saying the would say something in a league, tournament or money match. That makes no sense to me. If I'm competing with someone for money or in a tournament and they happen to lose focus, enough that they actually go for the wrong ball, how is that my responsibility? Perhaps I should also remind my opponent that he forgot to chalk. Or maybe when I see him lining up a shot, I should let him know that it might be a dead or highly potential scratch. Or tell him that the kick he's lining up has no chance of coming near the ball. Or that he should switch sides of the table for his break cause the balls are going better from that side. As you can see the list can go on and on. These are all mistakes that are punished in a competitive match.
I can't think of any one-on-one sport/game where you warn your opponent that he's about to make a mistake and give him a chance to not make that mistake. I mean imagine to UFC fighters, one guy let's his guard down and gets clocked square in the jaw, he's completely stunned and the other fighter stops and says "oh s@#t, are you ok dude? do you need a second to recover?" or a tennis match where a guy gets aced and the server says "let's do it over, it didn't seem like you were paying attention" haha.

Somebody help me out here please...

 

[s'portplayer]

It seems to be an unwritten rule, that telling the player that he's on the wrong ball, is what should be done.

I feel pretty strongly, that if a player doesn't realize which ball they're on, they're probably not much of a threat anyway.

Classless.... that may be a little harsh... Would I get upset if my opponent didn't tell me? NEVER!!! That's my mistake

 

[The Dster]

Classless?

I would have slapped him around and took his woman away from him if she could cook good.. I see no reason at all for someone to be rude playing for fun or money..Calling someone you don't know classless because you made a mistake is uncalled for in my opinion..

 

[Lance Link]

So I don't chime in very often but for some reason this thread sparked my interest. First, I would like to say that in a friendly game with no money or significant competition involved, I would absolutely tell the guy that he's calling/shooting the wrong ball.

I guess what I find interesting is how many people are saying the would say something in a league, tournament or money match. That makes no sense to me. If I'm competing with someone for money or in a tournament and they happen to lose focus, enough that they actually go for the wrong ball, how is that my responsibility? Perhaps I should also remind my opponent that he forgot to chalk. Or maybe when I see him lining up a shot, I should let him know that it might be a dead or highly potential scratch. Or tell him that the kick he's lining up has no chance of coming near the ball. Or that he should switch sides of the table for his break cause the balls are going better from that side. As you can see the list can go on and on. These are all mistakes that are punished in a competitive match.
I can't think of any one-on-one sport/game where you warn your opponent that he's about to make a mistake and give him a chance to not make that mistake. I mean imagine to UFC fighters, one guy let's his guard down and gets clocked square in the jaw, he's completely stunned and the other fighter stops and says "oh s@#t, are you ok dude? do you need a second to recover?" or a tennis match where a guy gets aced and the server says "let's do it over, it didn't seem like you were paying attention" haha.

Somebody help me out here please...

If I'm playing for fun I tell the guy if he is shooting the wrong ball. Why not? If we're gambling, mum's the word. He's on his own!

Most people, when they're bangin' balls around in a 'fun' game, will lean toward playing shots that are low percentage. And for the simple reason that it IS a 'fun' game.
Now, I don't know how the balls were set up in this combo, but unless this guy's just a banger, how many players are going to shoot that shot in a league or tournament (unless they're forced to) ?

It seems that the guy's head wasn't entirely in the game because there were no stakes involved. Question here is, were the balls set up in such a way that the only shot available was the shot he played ? Or was he 'trying something' because there was no money involved ?

As far as the whole 'tell or don't tell', I might have told him. It would have depended on his whole attitude prior to that.

But shame on him, for the 'gentleman' comment. You're not there to hold his hand. Most players would have given themselves an expletive comment, and kept playing.

 

[GADawg]

I cetainly would have told him, particularly when shooting a fun game.

From your comments it sounds ike winning is more important to you than being a good guy and a sportsman. So be it.

I do not think "classless" is an accurate description however. You seem to have a lot of class but most of it is very low.

 

[TX Poolnut]

No money on the line = tell the guy unless he's being an ass

money on the line = too bad for him

 

[BumpnRun]

Funny thing is, in a money game, I would have said something, cuz the last thing I want is somebody *****ing about why they lost and not pay me.

I see that this is split right down the middle.

So in football, if your opponent picks up a fumble and starts running to the wrong end zone, are you gonna tackle him before he gets there? Gonna foul a guy who is about to dunk on the wrong hoop?

I guess it takes all kinds. I think part of being a gentleman isn't throwing a tantrum like a 7 year old and calling people classless. If you don't like my decision to let you shoot the wrong ball, that's fine, but class goes both ways.

Sure sounds like you weren't really looking for anyones' opinion, you were just looking for reassurrance from those with the same opinion as you.

At this point of the thread you said it was "split right down the middle'. By my count it was 6-1 against.

How do you compare pool to football, b-ball, or UFC for crying out loud??? Talk about apples to oranges! If anything, it's most similar to golf where it is a gentlemens' game and you are expected to call your own fouls and be quiet and still when it's your opponents turn. I will agree that 'classless' is not the correct term here. This is a simple case of poor sportsmanship IMO.

Again in my opinion, tournament, league, money games, or just for fun, you tell your opponent if you have the opportunity. As the exception to the rule, if a guy is a total DB, then I do whatever I can to piss him off.

 

[Joe Pickens]

Funny thing is, in a money game, I would have said something, cuz the last thing I want is somebody *****ing about why they lost and not pay me.

I see that this is split right down the middle.

So in football, if your opponent picks up a fumble and starts running to the wrong end zone, are you gonna tackle him before he gets there? Gonna foul a guy who is about to dunk on the wrong hoop?

I guess it takes all kinds. I think part of being a gentleman isn't throwing a tantrum like a 7 year old and calling people classless. If you don't like my decision to let you shoot the wrong ball, that's fine, but class goes both ways.

How do you figure it's split right down the middle? I haven't seen anyone that agreed with what you did.

 

[dabarbr]

If I'm playing for fun I tell the guy if he is shooting the wrong ball. Why not? If we're gambling, mum's the word. He's on his own!

I believe you're right. If the prize is big enough, many will act like they didn't know what you were shooting at, even if it's obvious, but will take ball in hand anyway. But what's the point in a funsy game except to laugh at him afterwards.

A funny incident like this happened quite a number of years ago at one of our local eight ball tournaments. Keith McCready was in a match and his opponent got up to shoot. He shot and pocketed a ball and was lining up for his next shot when Keith jumped up and said that he shot the wrong suit. His opponent acknowledged that indeed he did and gave Keith ball in hand.

Keith immediately put the cue ball down and proceeded to shoot a ball in the pocket when his opponent jumped up and said that Keith shot the wrong suit. Keith laughed and went and sat down while his opponent ran out with that ball in hand. It took a while for the whole room to stop laughing. So I guess one needs to pay attention to what going on even after a couple of drinks.

 

[joelpope]

I don't think it is 'classless' of you.. but is sure is STUPID of him. And then blame you for being 'classless' for letting him be STUPID.

too bad the both of you didn't have a good laugh at the whole situation and just play another game.

It's like your fly being open in public. Someone should whisper to you to correct the situation... not shout it accross the room.. .now that is 'classless' . Still doesn't make you look any less STUPID for doing what you did.

Find another opponent with a sense of humor.. lighten up yourself and next time when playing for "FUN" and something happens like that.. just tell them that 'whoa... maybe we ought to paint some stripes around those solids.. then you can call that shot.." You might just enjoy playing the game..

best answer yet...

if it's for fun, then who cares one way or the other? you are just rolling balls around & all that is going to happen at the end of the rack is to "rack em" again

 

[onepocketron]

If I'm playing for fun, and he is a reasonably nice guy, I call him off the shot. If he is a *****, I let him shoot the ball. Of course if he is a *****, I know exactly what his reaction is gonna be, and I'm prepared for it.
If we are gambling, it is a tourney, or league he is on his own. He he should have his head in the game.
IMHO the only "class" that is involved here is his. This would determine whether I tell him or not.

 

[LA toolman]

I would have told him and Rory you should have too.
You said this happened after a couple of games. Could it be that you were down a couple of games
and thought that was the only way to get back in the match against a guy who could play a carom shot?

 

[Fird]

you did right by not telling him, the guy should have paid more attention, you snooze you lose

 

[Jimbojim]

If im playing a friend for fun = I will usually tell him unless I wanna have a laugh with him out of him.

Playing a random player for fun = I would tell him

Tournament/money match even with my best friend = Its your job to keep track of the balls, not me.

 

[terminal_288]

If its a tournament of for $$$ I'll let them shoot it then politely inform them of the foul, letting them go more than one ball is in my opinion wrong and classless, but a mistake is a mistake. Now if its for fun or with friends sometimes its the outright "Hey What the Heck are you doing/ shooting at" or the "AHEM, cough, cough!" if they still continue to line up and shoot the ball the "thanks for a ball in hand' line comes out.

 

[catpool9]

Shooting the Wrong Ball

Playing a guy a few games of 8 ball for fun, no money. After a couple of games, he calls the one ball off the 3 ball into the corner pocket. He takes his time lining it up, strokes it nice, and drops it just as he said he would.

Only problem is I was solids, he was stripes.

As soon as the ball goes, I tell him, "Nice shot, but I am solids." He looks at the balls that are down and realizes immediately what he has done. He doesn't argue this at all with me. What he does do, is start to call me a classless player, and that this is a gentleman's sport and I am not a gentleman for letting him do that after he called the shot the way he did.

Normally I don't give two sh!ts what 40 year old tweakers think about me, they have their own problems. What I am curious about was, am I a classless player? What are the rules to this sort of thing?

Rory you did nothing wrong, he was the classless act trying to make You out to be the bad guy, cause he was the nim-wit with nothing but Space between his Ears!

Why should he want You to help Defeat him!, maybe he wanted you to walk around the table with him and show him what english to put on the ball to get shape too!...jeezzse!

Pool is a gentlemans game, but I draw the Line when telling my opponent what balls to shoot or not shoot!

You gonna tell someone they have a jump playing checkers, you gonna tell someone they miss counted their points in domino's,... NOT

If you Snooze you Lose!


P.S In the last week or so there was a thread about this exact subject, well I made the BOLD statement that after 39 years of playing pool that I've only shot the wrong ball once or twice in my life,......

.well guess what, last Sunday I was playing 8-Ball and I shot the Wrong Ball, my opponent looked at me Smiling and told me what I did, .... I LQQKED up at him and smiled back and said ,.."well it was a good shot tho wasn't it!", we laughed together , and I never gave it a second thought, except I did think about the thread here on AZB about doing just that!

David Harcrow