I don't want to play you.

SeankyKong

SeankyKong

Registered
Ok. My local pool hall has the best tables. I don't like going anywhere else really. But I have a problem. Every time I go there, there is this old guy. A banger, who always wants to play me. I don't want to play him, but I don't want to be a *****. As I have respect for the older folks. I love to play old guys and hear thier old timey jokes. But it's getting out of handhand. Yesterday I was practicing and he asked me if I wanted to shoot. I said no thank you and he proceeded to clear my table and rack em. im right on the edge of telling him to take a hike in a not so friendly manner. I have this problem mainly because there is no one else in the hall at the time. Don't know what else to do.
 
Tell him you'll play but for money so you can focus better when you play. Odd behavior that he just started racking when you declined to play with him.

But don't go saying bad things about old people in general, half the forums is over the hill. Which is why it's not safe to be around a parking lot during an AZ forum meet or tournament, you never know who'll mistake the gas for the brake and run you over or though a wall.
 
SeankyKong said:
Ok. My local pool hall has the best tables. I don't like going anywhere else really. But I have a problem. Every time I go there, there is this old guy. A banger, who always wants to play me. I don't want to play him, but I don't want to be a *****. As I have respect for the older folks. I love to play old guys and hear thier old timey jokes. But it's getting out of handhand. Yesterday I was practicing and he asked me if I wanted to shoot. I said no thank you and he proceeded to clear my table and rack em. im right on the edge of telling him to take a hike in a not so friendly manner. I have this problem mainly because there is no one else in the hall at the time. Don't know what else to do.
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Tell him respectfully, and maker sure he hears you. "I just want to practice alone right now. Maybe play some later."
 
SeankyKong said:
Ok. My local pool hall has the best tables. I don't like going anywhere else really. But I have a problem. Every time I go there, there is this old guy. A banger, who always wants to play me. I don't want to play him, but I don't want to be a *****. As I have respect for the older folks. I love to play old guys and hear thier old timey jokes. But it's getting out of handhand. Yesterday I was practicing and he asked me if I wanted to shoot. I said no thank you and he proceeded to clear my table and rack em. im right on the edge of telling him to take a hike in a not so friendly manner. I have this problem mainly because there is no one else in the hall at the time. Don't know what else to do.
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Sounds like you don't have a choice. Well not any easy ones anyway. Is there any particular reason that you don't want to play this one specific person?

Black Cat :cool:
 
I suspect he didn't hear you correctly.

I would have simply clarified it.

But the fact that you have been playing with him when you actually don't want to seems to have complicated matters. I really don't understand why you have been doing that. Putting it under the disguise of "I don't want to be a *****" does not work IMHO. "I have respect for the older folks" can't explain it either.


Be straight, be clear, be respectful, and be honest. No problem. You complicated the matter already with disrespect, dishonesty, and being unclear. Not having been straight with the guy in the first place by playing with him when you really didn't want to is in fact disrespectful IMHO.

The solution? Be respectfully clear and straight with him from now on. That DOES NOT mean he is going to like it.

That's how I see it.

.
 
I had a similar problem for a while. Be polite and tell him you want to practice alone, that you want to work on your game. If he attempts to rack the balls or clear the table, I would repeat it again. If he just ignores you, he is being an asshat.
 
Very typical situation, hard to practice by yourself in the pool hall.
The problem is that some people just can't understand why you don't want to play them, and you come off like a snob no matter how you explain it.
I just say that I'm working on certain shots and need to practice by myself, so **** off>>:smile:
 
I too suspect he only heard the "thanks"

I have been hard of hearing for most of my life, sounds drop out and you don't hear correctly. An adult nephew who I normally communicate with just fine has a new puppy. He had to tell me it's name slowly and clearly three times when we were standing face to face a few feet apart. My mind fills in the gaps in my hearing when it expects something, sometimes with hilarious results. Names, the mind doesn't fill in the gaps and things don't always work well. Doesn't sound like the guy is a big enough jerk to sweep your table when you said no so probably a misunderstanding.

I too play most people I don't want to play, payback to all the people that played me when I was a banger and payback to the sport. However I also say "not today, I'm working on something" when I don't want to play somebody. We all are free to play alone when we want to. If all tables are full I will always play with someone else, just supporting the pool hall. I don't want a good pool hall to lose customers because they have to wait too long. When all is said and done though, do whatever is right for you at the time.

Hu
 
Happens everywhere

If you want to be nice, just tell him that your friend is outside on the phone and you'll be playing with her/him..., he wont ask again that day, if he does ask again that day, then just tell him your friend had to leave, but you like to play by yourself anyway so you can work on improving your game.

I tell guys that I like.., ok I'll play two games then I have to get back to practicing, got a money match coming up, they get the message.

Dont know you or like you..., I tell them I only play for money and ask them what about you?
 
Funny, I don't have many friends who play, the few I do have don't have the same schedule for playing that I do, so I often end up "practicing" by myself when I feel like shooting......I haven't had anyone come up and ask for a game in either of the two pool halls I shoot in now, and I'm weirdly self conscious about going up to other people and interrupting their practice time. What if I shoot well and it looks like I was picking on a lower player? Or what if I have a horrible game and they feel like they're wasting their time playing me?
I know, kinda crazy, but I'm very much not an outgoing person :embarrassed2:
I'd rather have your problem LOL


I agree that maybe he didn't hear your answer from the sounds of things. I can't imagine anyone is that much of an ass to clear your table when they know you just said no
 
I usually just run a few racks off and they get tired of watching me play..... soon I am left alone. :( Kinda sad sometimes LOL A room full of people and noone wants to play anymore
 
kavik79 said:
Funny, I don't have many friends who play, the few I do have don't have the same schedule for playing that I do, so I often end up "practicing" by myself when I feel like shooting......I haven't had anyone come up and ask for a game in either of the two pool halls I shoot in now, and I'm weirdly self conscious about going up to other people and interrupting their practice time. What if I shoot well and it looks like I was picking on a lower player? Or what if I have a horrible game and they feel like they're wasting their time playing me?
I know, kinda crazy, but I'm very much not an outgoing person :embarrassed2:
I'd rather have your problem LOL


I agree that maybe he didn't hear your answer from the sounds of things. I can't imagine anyone is that much of an ass to clear your table when they know you just said no
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Time to work on those people skills my friend!

First scenario: You shoot well and maybe he plays just as well, now you got yourself a great match up. If he gets upset and thinks you were picking on him, so what? Thank him for the game and move on.

Second scenario: Don't play bad! :thumbup:
 
same problem

I had the same thing happen the other day.
I wasnt even done shooting out the balls I had on the table and was in the middle of a stroke
when this person that I have never played one rack with walks up and
grabs the balls and the rack and starts to rack the balls.

I broke down my cue and was leaveing when he said you are not going to shoot pool.

I said to him no I do not . and walked out.
he has never bothered me since. but I know the owner seen this and the guy is always drunk, In think he was schooled by the owner to leave everyone alone or get out.

Just walk away and when it comes time to pay for the table I would express your feeling to the management.

If you are shooting on a challenge table then you have no choice.


MMike
 
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Try this.
Stand beside him and softly say, "Hey, Pops. You're old. You smell like warm piss and stale beer, and your breath would puke a dog off a gut wagon."
If he ignores you and racks the balls, then it's a good chance he's deaf as a post.
Next, write what you just told him on a piece of paper and hand it to him. If he ignores you and racks the balls, then it's a good chance he's blind, as well.
If that's the case, then take all his money and split. :)
 
Charlie Hustle said:
Time to work on those people skills my friend!

First scenario: You shoot well and maybe he plays just as well, now you got yourself a great match up. If he gets upset and thinks you were picking on him, so what? Thank him for the game and move on.

Second scenario: Don't play bad! :thumbup:
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LOL those weren't real questions, just examples of the things that run through my head when I consider it. Yeah, it's something I need to work on.
I also listen to music when playing by myself....that might make me seem less approachable. Maybe a tip for those that don't want to be bothered

There should be some universal signal, like a vacancy sign on the table lights, to let people know if you're open to more players on the table lol
 
Sometimes that's a good problem to have. Try being on the other side of that coin, wanting someone to play against and can't find any.

But if you are just looking for some solo practice time I would tell him that. If he gets his feeling hurt than that's on him.
 
Tramp Steamer said:
Try this.
Stand beside him and softly say, "Hey, Pops. You're old. You smell like warm piss and stale beer, and your breath would puke a dog off a gut wagon."
If he ignores you and racks the balls, then it's a good chance he's deaf as a post.
Next, write what you just told him on a piece of paper and hand it to him. If he ignores you and racks the balls, then it's a good chance he's blind, as well.
If that's the case, then take all his money and split. :)
Click to expand...

Tramp is the only poster on here that can post crazy sh1t that has almost nothing to do with the topic and usually ends up funny more than annoying.

He's in category 3.5, or 2.5, in between "crazy ass idiot" and "valuable contributor"
 
SeankyKong said:
Ok. My local pool hall has the best tables. I don't like going anywhere else really. But I have a problem. Every time I go there, there is this old guy. A banger, who always wants to play me. I don't want to play him, but I don't want to be a *****. As I have respect for the older folks. I love to play old guys and hear thier old timey jokes. But it's getting out of handhand. Yesterday I was practicing and he asked me if I wanted to shoot. I said no thank you and he proceeded to clear my table and rack em. im right on the edge of telling him to take a hike in a not so friendly manner. I have this problem mainly because there is no one else in the hall at the time. Don't know what else to do.
Click to expand...



Just think, someday you will be that old guy.

randyg
 
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