How do you deal with the "Negative Energy" of others?

dr9ball

dr9ball

"Lock Doctor"
Silver Member
How do you deal with the "negative energy" others bring to the pool room?

Examples are people who slam balls into racks or curse loudly at the table next to you. Now they may not say anything to you directly or they might but nonetheless they are distracting you with their negativity.

I know many will suggest having better focus and stick to your pre-shot routines; however I'm talking about after they have already caught your attention and distracted you.

I'm looking forward to hearing your suggestions and experiences.
 
Rufus,

One of the things that I have learned about distractions is that you have to acknowledge them. You can't ignore them or they will eat you up. At least that's the case with me.

Also, if the distraction is my opponent, I deal with it immediately, fairly and firmly and I get louder if it is necessary but try to keep a lid on it. The only time the lid comes off is when they refuse to behave.

As to distractions that are not my opponent, each has their own response. Loud cackling females and loud bellowing males that aren't my opponent are acknowledged and I try to make sure that I smile. For example, if someone is being loud and laughing like their audience doesn't hear them unless they kick it up a notch, I realize that they are there to have a good time and while their idea of a good time is different than mine; they neverthelss have the right to enjoy themselves just like I do, but differently. Most of the time I can get a smile out of myself and basically accept the other person for what they are and for the most part, the distraction isn't as noticeable and often it simply disappears.

That's all I have for now.

I'm still a work in progress. :smile:
 
1 ask them to be more curtious in a very nice way.

2 be more firm about the situation if it continues

3 cut my game short and mention the reason i am leaving to the house man on my way out. also tell him i may choose a different place to play

most of the time i can deal with all the normal noise that comes with a poolroom. but it happens where some are just overbearing and it destroys your attemps to focus on your game. it is what it is though ! public.
 
If they put a group of banger ass hats next to me where I usually play I just move over into an area away from them. I can do my thing and the banger ass hats can do theirs:D
 
two categories

dr9ball said:
How do you deal with the "negative energy" others bring to the pool room?

Examples are people who slam balls into racks or curse loudly at the table next to you. Now they may not say anything to you directly or they might but nonetheless they are distracting you with their negativity.

I know many will suggest having better focus and stick to your pre-shot routines; however I'm talking about after they have already caught your attention and distracted you.

I'm looking forward to hearing your suggestions and experiences.
Click to expand...



The negative vibes come from people in two categories for me. One is my fellow competitors, the person I am playing at the moment or other players in the same event. The others are the nonparticipants there just to have fun. As Joey said, the second group you might give a hint that they are annoying but mostly you ignore them. The same goes for people at a nearby table when they aren't directly connected to your play. They aren't really relevant to what I'm doing so they are pretty easy to ignore.

That leaves the first group, the people I am directly competing against. They put out the negativity for any of several reasons. They may be just letting off a little of the pressure they are feeling. They may be genuinely feeling negative and making that feeling known too. Finally, they may be attempting to shark. It doesn't really matter, I accept their negativity as a sign that their head isn't where it needs to be so it is an advantage for me. Very easy for me to chalk it up as a plus in my column and pretty much ignore it after that.

A good example of negative energy is the recent event with red cloth and red chalk. Sure it was strange and the chalk in particular was annoying. However everyone other than a few that swapped chalk was playing under the same conditions. People getting negative about a universal factor like that give an advantage to the people that don't let it rattle them. Competing outdoors when it was rainy or cold I would tell myself that I love the rain, I love the cold. The people that are negative harm themselves and they harm the people that buy into their negativity. Don't be negative yourself and if you hear someone being negative about something that affects you also such as the table, lighting or balls, immediately counter their negativity with a strong positive thought of your own about the same thing.

It is up to each person to master the mental game and often the mental game is the deciding factor between winning and losing. When competing make yourself and what you are doing the center of your world. What everyone else is doing is not nearly as important to your performance. Sure you notice what others do sometimes but you should be able to dismiss it a moment later.

Hu
 
There's no game plan dealing with negative vibes. Whether it's your opponent, the bangers next to you,, the music, or the non-player walking by as your shooting, it's all part of the process, the game, the establishment, or the environment. How You react is all that matters. If I dog a ball cuz I can't see a drunk slowly appearing in my line of vision, then I put that on me. The fact one would make this a thread, or those who have set, specific rules regarding annoyances, indicates to me it's poise that needs strenghtened.
 
dr9ball said:
How do you deal with the "negative energy" others bring to the pool room?

Examples are people who slam balls into racks or curse loudly at the table next to you. Now they may not say anything to you directly or they might but nonetheless they are distracting you with their negativity.

I know many will suggest having better focus and stick to your pre-shot routines; however I'm talking about after they have already caught your attention and distracted you.

I'm looking forward to hearing your suggestions and experiences.
Click to expand...

If you allow your emotions to get involved, that in itself is a distraction and your play will suffer.

I don't know if you golf, but pool is not like golf. In serious scratch golf, if someone so much as moves in a line of vision or eats a potato chip while a player is teeing off or lining up a putt, be prepared for "the look" (a dirty long, lingering stare from the player with the club in his hand), or a verbal chastising, or a warning, or worse.

A pool room has a lot of things going on. I know if I allow myself to be distracted by outside events, I'm not focused enough. If I'm distracted repeatedly by my opponent, then I would assume it's intentional.

The worse thing I've said to someone is when my opponent was hovering and moving in my line of aim - I missed and I was mad. (We were playing 14.1 and I was on a run - this was inexcusable sharking). I said "next time I'm shooting, either you sit down, or I will sit you down." I meant it too. He never did anything like that again.

I watch good players. What many professionals do is, when faced with a distraction, they stand up and go though their whole routine again, maybe even walk the table. The main thing is to wait long enough to let the commotion die down, forget it happened and proceed. If it actually disrupts play repeatedly, then yes, it's time to say something - either to the player if you know them, or possibly to the houseman if you don't.

Chris
 
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Negativity

dr9ball said:
How do you deal with the "negative energy" others bring to the pool room?

Examples are people who slam balls into racks or curse loudly at the table next to you. Now they may not say anything to you directly or they might but nonetheless they are distracting you with their negativity.

I know many will suggest having better focus and stick to your pre-shot routines; however I'm talking about after they have already caught your attention and distracted you.

I'm looking forward to hearing your suggestions and experiences.
Click to expand...

Here's an idea...Try thinking positively about it.

If I see a person that upset, then it makes me feel better about my day...because I know my day isn't as bad as theirs.

If you are an instructor, then you might see the frustrated person as a potential client. The person obviously is passionate about pool/winning, and may be they would be willing to pay for lessons that will improve their game.

Correct me if I'm wrong, Rufus, but aren't you a Proud Member of the SPF Family of BCA Certified Instructors??

I find it interesting that you view this person's actions as distracting YOU. Have you tried looking at it from that person's point of view?
They might be thinking....""I'm having so much trouble with my game right now, and that Certified Instructor at the next table is acting obnoxious by looking at me like I have sh*t on my face. He thinks he's so much better than me. I'm trying to get his attention, and he just keeps ignoring me.""

Just my honest suggestion.


I'm curious to see if you take my comments negatively...
 
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okinawa77 said:
Here's an idea...Try thinking positively about
Correct me if I'm wrong, Rufus, but aren't you a Proud Member of the SPF Family of BCA Certified Instructors??

I find it interesting that you view this person's actions as distracting YOU. Have you tried looking at it from that person's point of view?
They might be thinking....""I'm having so much trouble with my game right now, and that Certified Instructor at the next table is acting obnoxious by looking at me like I have sh*t on my face. He thinks he's so much better than me. I'm trying to get his attention, and he just keeps ignoring me.""

Just my honest suggestion.


I'm curious to see if you take my comments negatively...
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Your comments are appreciated and that's a unique way to look at it.

I am a proud member of the SPF family.

I usually don't approach people about lessons esp when they are in a bad mood. I don't make my living giving lessons. It's something I do because I love the game.

Sometimes I will ask if they want to play some. I usually hear 1 of two things.. "no" or "how much"...neither are really conducive for breaching the notion of lessons.

I had not previously considered the situation as you stated it and I appreciate the perspective.
 
Usually when I notice things like that I realize that I am not shooting my best pool anyways. So the problem is me not them. But the best way I have found to get past that, is just stare at the table and focus on the shots your opponent is shooting and wait for that mistake that is going to allow you to run out on him. Dont think about anything but the shots being shot on the table and waiting for them to make a mistake. That usually helps me play my best pool and tune out all distractions.......
 
I'm glad you didn't take my comments as a personal attack. I come off as abrasive, even though it is not my intent.

I understand what you mean about about not wanting to approach someone when they are mad. A good joke can lighten their mood, and turn their scowl into a smile.

As far as asking for a game, no means no....but if someone asks how much...start off with a penny....if they can't handle that, then something is seriously wrong.
 
You only have yourself to blame... Accept it and start winning!

One of the best players in the state whooped my ass, again, in a weekly tournament about a week ago. I'm handicapped the same as him. I beat my opponents by the same margins as him, or better. He's played perfect sets against me in more than 50 percent of the matches we've played. I'll come back to this to wrap up.

Here's my dilema:
I don't talk to my opponents. 49 out of 50 times, I don't slam the balls or throw my cue. I keep to myself, I nod or shake my head to give answers to questions asked during my matches. I've been told by other players, I appear to focus on the game than anyone else at the majority of the tournaments I play in.

This doesn't mean I'm not being distracted. Sometimes, I'll let my emotions get the best of me, but I try to behave as professionally as possible. I think I do it rather well. Even though my demeanor usually won't reveal my emotional state, it doesn't mean that I don't get distracted by the most undeserving things that happen in the pool room or bar I'm playing in.

When this happens, I beat myself. Like manifest destiny, I lose to the people I know I can beat (but others feel I shouldn't). Negative energy can come in so many varieties, shapes and forms. I know when I walk into a tournament, many times, the stronger players look at me and think "sure would be nice to get a bye the first round... but he'll do...". Some of those guys have no idea what I'm capable of because they've only seen me play horribly and fold under pressure against them and their peers. Sometimes the negative energy comes from the opponent. I can't help but notice certain players rolling their eyes, huffing and puffing, sighing, and "ugh-ing".

Here's the point. The player I mentioned in the first paragraph, who has never said anything to me in the past, basically told me to man-up in so many words and quit blaming anything related to my focus and concentration on anybody but myself. He's right. The only reason why I should lose to ANYBODY, is becuase I let them win. I can play with the best in the world. I've proved it in the past here and there, but I want to do it all the time.

The message was this. IF YOU'RE GOING TO BLAME SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. POINT THE FINGER AT YOURSELF.

Well, I forfeited a match to him because a friend of mine dropped a bunch of balls on the floor (no carpet) on the table next to me and immediately i thought, "HERE WE GO WITH THE DISTRACTIONS, LIKE THIS GUY I'M PLAYING NEEDS ANY MORE HELP!". Well, I missed the easiest shot following the distraction and forefeited the match becuase I knew I was mind-f'd". My opponent really leaned in to me and told me to get my head straight and quit looking for a reason to lose, or I'll never beat him! He's right.

The guy that talked to me about all of this, has scoleosis (sp?) and wakes up every day in pain. He decided a long time ago, if that won't be his scape-goat, nothing will. If he loses, its not going to be because he let his head get the best of him. He cashes, if not wins, every single week in the tournament. He plays his ass off against me. Because he says, "he has to". I believe, once I decide I'M GOING TO BEAT HIM (instead of looking for reasons to satisfy my subconscious thoughts of "he's better than me, and I can't win"), I'm going to beat him bad. And continue to beat him.

The way to deal with the negative vibes of others in the pool room, is to make the decision that WHEN YOU LOSE, IF YOU LOSE, YOU ONLY HAVE YOURSELF TO BLAME.
Don't blame your lack of concentration and focus.
Don't blame the inconsiderate actions of others.
Blame yourself for not stepping out of your shot, walking around the table, evaluating the situation again, having a drink of your beverage, using the restroom, or doing whatever else it is that you can do to remove that distraction from your mind. MOST OF THE TIME WE GET DISTRACTED, I think a lot of us say to ourselves, "I'll SHOW THIS DISTRACTION WHO'S BOSS AND DRILL THIS SHOT", and when we miss it, we've got a great excuse for ourselves as to why it wasn't executed as planned.
Letting yourself get distracted, AND STAYING DISTRACTED, is the best scape-goat we can provide ourselves with.
I'll leave you all with this, THE ONLY TIME THE WORD EASY APPLIES TO POOL, IS WHEN YOU MAKE IT EASY FOR YOURSELF TO LOSE. Giving yourself an excuse, like a distraction, makes it real easy to lose.


I know this is long, but I hope it makes sense.
 
I put them...

dr9ball said:
How do you deal with the "negative energy" others bring to the pool room?

Examples are people who slam balls into racks or curse loudly at the table next to you. Now they may not say anything to you directly or they might but nonetheless they are distracting you with their negativity.

I know many will suggest having better focus and stick to your pre-shot routines; however I'm talking about after they have already caught your attention and distracted you.

I'm looking forward to hearing your suggestions and experiences.
Click to expand...

I drive every ball into the rail and put them on my mental list of people to try and make games with in the future for large amounts of cash.
 
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negative energy

dr9ball said:
How do you deal with the "negative energy" others bring to the pool room?

Examples are people who slam balls into racks or curse loudly at the table next to you. Now they may not say anything to you directly or they might but nonetheless they are distracting you with their negativity.

I know many will suggest having better focus and stick to your pre-shot routines; however I'm talking about after they have already caught your attention and distracted you.

I'm looking forward to hearing your suggestions and experiences.
Click to expand...

I know its easier said then done but u cannot let other peoples negative energy effect you. Not just in the pool room but life in general. If you do your going down a wayward road my friend. Focus on your positive energy and upbeat outlook on life and you will be ok. Just my opinion.
 
During a competition:


Always avoid ALL negative energy. Do not get involved.

I WILL make light of it with my opponent or the rail and then keep having fun.


During Practice :

I prefer to move away from them.

Ray
 
PEople are everywhere, fukc 'em and the shit they do!

dr9ball said:
How do you deal with the "negative energy" others bring to the pool room?

Examples are people who slam balls into racks or curse loudly at the table next to you. Now they may not say anything to you directly or they might but nonetheless they are distracting you with their negativity.

I know many will suggest having better focus and stick to your pre-shot routines; however I'm talking about after they have already caught your attention and distracted you.

I'm looking forward to hearing your suggestions and experiences.
Click to expand...
 
TATE said:
If you allow your emotions to get involved, that in itself is a distration and your play will suffer.


I watch good players. What many professionals do is, when faced with a distraction, they stand up and go though their whole routine again, maybe even walk the table. The main thing is to wait long enough to let the commotion die down, forget it happened and proceed. If it actually disrupts play repeatedly, then yes, it's time to say something - either to the player if you know them, or possibly to the houseman if you don't.

Chris
Click to expand...

Hey Chris,

Thank you for your response.

I'm not really talking about dogging a particular shot although that can and does certainly happen. I'm talking more about a more general change in focus.

One might say, how can you still have fun and play good pool. I think your suggestions apply in either case, just wanted to clarify that I wasn't referring to being sharked on a particular shot.
 
Emotions can sometimes get the better of a person, that's for sure. Every now and then, after a missed shot, I'll shout out some vulgar expleptive regarding the ancestry of the cue ball. It's human nature and it happens to all of us.
How many of us has lain under an old car, an hour before we were to pick up our date, have a wrench slip and hear, "You no good dirty rat bastard!", pop out?
What I hope we don't do, in my opinion, is see a group of youngsters over at a table, whooping and hollering, and chastise them for simply being youngsters. :)
 
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