How should I play this????

[BRKNRUN]

So My company tonight is having a little shindig at Jillians. A lot of my colleagues know I play pool, and have heard about me winning some leagues, and some very local small tournaments. Somehow the big cheeses know I play pool tonight, and they all want to play me tonight. I am the lowest man on the totem pole, and the last time i experienced this, I beat the pants off my old manager, and i guess he had too many and I could easily tell that he was ticked. So tonight, do I just downplay my game? and take all the snide remarks? Or should I just do my thing? What would you do?

It sounds like your pool game has been played up at your work, so you will be expected to back that up. Laying down is no good as people don't like to be patronized, and likely your boss may get the impression that you are "all talk" if you don't perform to some degree.

Leave your cue in your car (you can always get it later)...I would NOT be the first one on the pool table, and would probably wait until I am asked to play. When they ask you to play, that means they are ready for you to show your stuff.

This line works great....when asked to play..."Are you sure?? I play pool all the time...I can wait"

Now you have been asked, you have subliminally confirmed that you play good. and you don't come across as the "table bully"

Now just play to your level, but don't act like you are better than they are or act bored with the game.

Attempt to get the game turned into doubles as soon as possible.

 

[Colin Colenso]

A couple of suggestions:

Don't hog the table unless many of them are asking for you to play. They'll often do this if you show some good form.

As you know the game, be ready to help out with rules, order of play, in a discreet, not domineering manner. Help things move along smoothly.

Don't look too serious but don't act like it's beneath you playing lower players. Lok professional, play some banks, power shots etc. Look smooth, relaxed and in control, but not like you're trying to win.

For trick shots, or instruction, just let the happenings create the opportunity. There's no magic formula.

It helps to encourage other players, cheer some shots, accuse them of hustling toungue in cheek etc, if it seems appropriate. But have fun when you play and help the others to enjoy the game if you can.

Be modest and don't be scared to show you are pleased to share with colleagues, a hobby that you are enthusiastic about.

 

[Cornerman]

So My company tonight is having a little shindig at Jillians. A lot of my colleagues know I play pool, and have heard about me winning some leagues, and some very local small tournaments. Somehow the big cheeses know I play pool tonight, and they all want to play me tonight. I am the lowest man on the totem pole, and the last time i experienced this, I beat the pants off my old manager, and i guess he had too many and I could easily tell that he was ticked. So tonight, do I just downplay my game? and take all the snide remarks? Or should I just do my thing? What would you do?

Do your thing. Beat the shit out of them. You have two choices. You have them talk snidely about you cuz you waxed them, or you have them talking snidely about you cuz you lost all night long.

I guess I should've read this post earlier. I would have come down and watched.

Fred

 

[Cornerman]

Piper...Just so you know, these guys who are posting for you to beat the pants off of everybody, are ALL wrong!

No Scott. You're wrong. You aren't in his situation. He has to work with these guys day in and day out. It's a different gig then coming in as an instructor, leaving to go miles away, and hopefully getting invited back. There is no "hopefully" in his situation. It is what it is. He has to go to work tomorrow.

It's not about ego. It's about integrity. They already know him as a person who plays pool. If he doesn't show skill, then he will be thought of as one who blows smoke. Which do you want in a business environment?

Fred

 

[CaptainHook]

So...............what did you do? How did it go?

 

[TATE]

So...............what did you do? How did it go?

He'll be back later - there's a long line today at the unemployment office.

 

[CaptainHook]

He'll be back later - there's a long line today at the unemployment office.

LOL

 

[Scott Lee]

No Scott. You're wrong. You aren't in his situation. He has to work with these guys day in and day out. It's a different gig then coming in as an instructor, leaving to go miles away, and hopefully getting invited back. There is no "hopefully" in his situation. It is what it is. He has to go to work tomorrow.

It's not about ego. It's about integrity. They already know him as a person who plays pool. If he doesn't show skill, then he will be thought of as one who blows smoke. Which do you want in a business environment?

Fred

Fred...I guess you can't read too well. Sometimes I think you post just to be argumentative. I never said "lay down", and I never said "don't play your best". I HAVE been in his situation, for more than one employer, and I stand by what I said. At any rate, it will interesting to hear how he went about the evening, and how it turned out.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

 

[Cornerman]

Fred...I guess you can't read too well. Sometimes I think you post just to be argumentative.

I read very well, and it shows. I post to the contrary when someone is blatantly calling everyone else wrong, when he (you) is the closest to being wrong. YOU called everybody WRONG. Now you're upset because I told you that you were wrong?

I never said "lay down", and I never said "don't play your best".

Here's what you wrote:

As a professional entertainer/instructor/trick shot artist, I run into this scenario all the time.

Since you are writing as a professional instructor, etc., this immediately says that you are NOT giving any suggestion that is similar to Piper's situation. You certainly didn't say that your advice was coming from an employee of a company and had the same situation. I did, however.

(insert expert players) let their egos get in the way, in social situations (exhibitions, parties, etc.), and won't let anyone win a game. I always try to teach my opponents how to win, and frequently will give them several chances and directions on how to beat me.

"I give them several chances," and "egos... won't let anyone win a game." Your message is pretty clear. Don't play your best. Instead, instruct them. You're giving him advice to instruct his colleagues?? That's absurd, presumptious, and would be downright patronizing to his colleagues.

If you know any, you might set up a few easy trick shots...a VERY easy way to impress any audience. I usually have some of the 'non-players' in my audiences shoot some of the set-ups just to show how easy they are.

And this sums up your advice. You want him to entertain. That's pretty presumptious yet again. He doesn't have an audience. He's not going into this as an entertainer. It's just a night out to play some pool.

I live in the same situation as Piper, month in and month out. Maybe you should take step back and see what others who really are actually in the same situation have to say. He should just play. He shouldn't shy away from playing his best. He certainly shouldn't be "instructing" his colleagues, co-worker, clients, and bosses how to play or win. That's your field, not his.

Fred

 

[Scott Lee]

Geez Fred...Well, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree...again! I didn't call everyone wrong...just the ones who said "beat the pants off everybody". I stand by that, regardless of what you think. Like I said, it'll be interesting to see what Piper has to say about the evening.

Scott Lee

 

[jsp]

I wouldn't bring your own stick.

Play to win, but socialize while playing.

Don't take the game too seriously. Don't cuss whenever you miss a shot, or say that you always make those shots.

Give friendly advice when you feel that it would improve their game.

Bottom line...kick their butts, but the trick is to make them have fun and while you're doing it.

 

[The Piper]

It went well. I did not bring my cues, but brought my it's George tool and 600 grit. Showed up had some beers and didn't even move to the table. I got to the tables and played the director and my manager. Scotch doubles. I had a co-worker with me. I played my game. I would run 3-4 balls, and try to bank the 5th. usually everyone would watch it, and if it when it, there were cheers, if not a re-sounding awwww. Yeah you get your snide remarks about missing a shot, but fortunately i have some uncanny ability to laugh at those and joke along with it. The saving grace though was one of the guys I do my league with works within a different division of the same company, and he showed up. Everyone knew we both played pool, and so when we started playing each other it ended up being a great night. After the session with my co-worker/team mate, I walked around the tables chatted with the managers, helped them line up some shots, and told them about some great stories about pool, and some of the crazy things I have seen. Didn't pick up a cue the rest of the night. And today sitting at work, everyone is recovering from their open bar drinks, and talking about how fun last night was. THANKS ALL for the great advice!! and no i'm not un-employed, but I am up for a promotion in 1 month!!! I will update on that later!!

 

[The Piper]

OH yeah wish me luck tonight. My league team is in the Finals at London Billiards in Worcester. 22 week long session we were last for 9 weeks straight, and are the underdogs to win. He have been consistent for the last 4 weeks and now tonight is the night to find out who is number 1 and who is number 2!!! The league is run my Ken Ludy, of the Killer B's tour.

And yes, I kinda used last night with my co-workers as practice for focusing, and just making sure i kept my stance and stroke proper all night!

 

[renard]

It went well. I did not bring my cues, but brought my it's George tool and 600 grit. Showed up had some beers and didn't even move to the table. I got to the tables and played the director and my manager. Scotch doubles. I had a co-worker with me. I played my game. I would run 3-4 balls, and try to bank the 5th. usually everyone would watch it, and if it when it, there were cheers, if not a re-sounding awwww. Yeah you get your snide remarks about missing a shot, but fortunately i have some uncanny ability to laugh at those and joke along with it. The saving grace though was one of the guys I do my league with works within a different division of the same company, and he showed up. Everyone knew we both played pool, and so when we started playing each other it ended up being a great night. After the session with my co-worker/team mate, I walked around the tables chatted with the managers, helped them line up some shots, and told them about some great stories about pool, and some of the crazy things I have seen. Didn't pick up a cue the rest of the night. And today sitting at work, everyone is recovering from their open bar drinks, and talking about how fun last night was. THANKS ALL for the great advice!! and no i'm not un-employed, but I am up for a promotion in 1 month!!! I will update on that later!!

Fantastic results!

I had a similar situation when I was in the Navy Reserve. In a 60 man unit that was top heavy in E-6 candidates (24 of us) the were looking for a replacement for the LPO (leading petty officer) of the unit.

We went to a place that was like a Fox and Hound on a Tues. night. I decided to play right handed (opposite hand) the entire night. Everyone knew I played pool and soon everyone was challenging my table. The XO (Executive Officer) who was second in command of the unit was a pool player too and he just watched at first.

I went though a flock of players without a loss til I was playing some guys the second and third times. Then I noticed the XO had been warming up on the next table and then came over to play me. I had a decision to make. To ensure winning I would have to play left handed. The CO (Commanding officer) said to me, "I heard the XO's pretty good this should be a good match."

I then told him, "I am left handed but I've been shooting right handed all night. What do you think I should do? I smiled and laughed and he did too. He then answered, "That's your decision!"

I played right handed and lost. The C.O. whispers in his ear. Then the XO says to me, "Alright lets see how you play left handed!" The Co had told him of course! I told the XO, "Break 'em!" I won the next 2 games right handed.

Three days later my chief told me I was the new LPO. A year later I became the Command Career Counselor stepping aside for other shipmates to grab the brass ring.

When I retired in 2003 my chief and I were talking. He reminisced to that time and told me that my performance that night sealed the deal. I had stuck with my decision thru thick and thin. He added that I never flaunted my ability and my constant tips to other players in helping with their game was genuine.

At the time I didn't think playing pool had anything to do with my promotion...

 

[TATE]

Good for you Piper. It sounds like you had fun too.

Chris

 

[likeabankkid]

OH yeah wish me luck tonight. My league team is in the Finals at London Billiards in Worcester. 22 week long session we were last for 9 weeks straight, and are the underdogs to win. He have been consistent for the last 4 weeks and now tonight is the night to find out who is number 1 and who is number 2!!! The league is run my Ken Ludy, of the Killer B's tour.

And yes, I kinda used last night with my co-workers as practice for focusing, and just making sure i kept my stance and stroke proper all night!

We didn't need luck... we destroyed them.

 

[renard]

We didn't need luck... we destroyed them.

Meaning...you played with or against Piper?

 

[likeabankkid]

Meaning...you played with or against Piper?

With...