I need to Vent.

Good one Bar Box.
No matter where you go or what the situation, league or tourney, you'll never get perfect playing conditions. There are always people, waitresses walking past your line of sight, loud music, people talking and laughing.
99% of the time they are not purposely being disrespectful.

I just have learned to be able to tune most of the white noise out.

That said, I don't think you are an A Hole for expecting a little respect from your opponent.

I can tell you a story of serious unprofessionalism re a league tourney that we were playing in last Fri night that would make the hackles on your back stand up. I will save that for a later date when its my turn to vent.
 
Last edited:
Hi Fenwick

I also play in a 14.1 round robin at Boomers in sturtevant. We are neighbors.

I share your frustrations. Bar league 9 ball bangers just don't get it.

However, I have on a few occasions politely explained the situation to the person and had my statement politely received.

You and I should have a game one of these days.

Dave Nelson
 
Pushout said:
You could ask them, in no uncertain terms, to keep it quiet. This is one of the biggest reasons I have refused to play in leagues. Are leagues supposed to be a night out, having no respect for the game or the people who play it? Not where I learned to play! For me, leagues are just one short step removed from tournament play. If you can't take it seriously, join apa. If that sounds like a slam, too bad. And people wonder why the game is dying in this country. For me, fun is taking the game seriously enough to respect my opponent when he's at the table. If you can't do that, one of us had better quit.
Click to expand...

The game is not dying in this country, in fact it was on life support till leagues came along. It is all that keeps the game alive. And from those leagues serious players will emerge as they outgrow the league formats and move to higher levels.

I will stick with my original comments about guys who join leagues and live in a fantasy world of pretending they are professional players playing in world championships with their display of plastic trophy's in their dens. They ruin it for everyone who just want to have a night out and enjoy themselves. Reminds me of the little league parents who ruin the game for the kids as they live out their fantasies through their kids. I once sponsored a little league team and many of those parents acted like it was the major league baseball.
 
I can appreciate that sentiment Mac. My dad started the 8 and under league many years ago here with hockey. I used to ref as many games as I could. I used to let quite a few off sides and icings as I could. If I let one go for one team, I made a mental note that I owed the other team one infraction. The parents used to get so POed at me until one day I had enuff, stopped the play and went over to the boards where the spectators were sitting. I explained my thoughts on this to the parents. I asked them how much fun it would be for the kids when they get one hour of straight ice time
and I blew the whistle for every infraction that I saw.

They agreed with me which made me happy because up until that point, they thought I was the crappiest ref ever.
 
TheNewSharkster said:
Man up TC. It is unrealistic to expect your opponent to not talk to another person doing your match.
Click to expand...

No it's not you should try it people might even start to think you have some class. Being respectful to your opponent says more about you than them.
 
macguy said:
The game is not dying in this country, in fact it was on life support till leagues came along. It is all that keeps the game alive. And from those leagues serious players will emerge as they outgrow the league formats and move to higher levels.

I will stick with my original comments about guys who join leagues and live in a fantasy world of pretending they are professional players playing in world championships with their display of plastic trophy's in their dens. They ruin it for everyone who just want to have a night out and enjoy themselves. Reminds me of the little league parents who ruin the game for the kids as they live out their fantasies through their kids. I once sponsored a little league team and many of those parents acted like it was the major league baseball.
Click to expand...

Most league players don't move on to higher levels. In fact most league players can't even name three pros, who am I kidding probably not even one. So why are they there in fact they aren't there long. They just end up quitting because they never get any better and it's frustrating. Not to mention buy the time they ask for help, guess what none of the better players are interested in helping them because they were such a-holes. Why because they think just like you they don't care about pool they're just out for a fun night so why don't you and them just go to a bar and drink yell make all the noise you want. But why play in a league and ruin it for all the people that do care. Sound familiar.
 
I play in two straight pool leagues and it's considered bad form to carry on a conversation while your opponent is at the table. However, sometimes a guy comes up to you while you're in the chair and starts talking, asks a question or whatever, and you don't want to be rude to him. You just speak softly and try not to prolong the conversation. Some people are more sensitive to talking than others. I can honestly say that it doesn't bother me, within reason anyway.

My advice is to be determined not let it bother you. In fact, think to yourself .... here's a bigger audience to impress with my sterling play. Slow down a bit and focus hard on playing well.

And I'm quite sure your opponent wasn't trying to shark you. These things happen. Calm yourself and have fun.
 
itsfroze said:
Most league players don't move on to higher levels. In fact most league players can't even name three pros, who am I kidding probably not even one. So why are they there in fact they aren't there long. They just end up quitting because they never get any better and it's frustrating. Not to mention buy the time they ask for help, guess what none of the better players are interested in helping them because they were such a-holes. Why because they think just like you they don't care about pool they're just out for a fun night so why don't you and them just go to a bar and drink yell make all the noise you want. But why play in a league and ruin it for all the people that do care. Sound familiar.
Click to expand...

Most league players don't have any interest in moving up. My point was, for many, leagues are their first introduction to the game. Some will get hooked and become better life long players and for most it will always just be a pass time. I think many better players who join leagues do so so they can be a big fish in a small pond and feel like a big shot among weaker players

I used to see it all the time when I had pool rooms. Guys who could play a little and I guess for the first time in their lives feel like they are better then someone else at something. Of course they surround themselves with people who can't play at all in order to maintain their fantasy. You even see it on here as they refer to people as "Bangers" and so on. Calling people Bangers makes them feel somehow feel superior.

The interesting thing is, in like 40 years of hanging in and owning pool rooms and bars I never saw this kind of behavior from actual good players. They realize the only reason they even have a pool room to play in is because of the average players, who make up 95% of the clientele and pay the bills.
 
I asked for advice and got enough thank you. FWIW I won the last game 75 to 32, 33 or 34. I have to re-check the score sheet.

I'll just dig in and shut out the distractions. It's what I should have done in the first place.

Thanks again.
Ken
 
itsfroze said:
No it's not you should try it people might even start to think you have some class. Being respectful to your opponent says more about you than them.
Click to expand...


Pool League is a way to play pool *AND* be social. Talking is part of being social. Now if the guy is trying to distract you that is one thing. If he is talking between shots that is another. I play in league and people drink, talk and play pool. Seriously if your expectation is to have a opponent that doesn't say a peep maybe pool league isn't the right forum.
 
TheNewSharkster said:
Pool League is a way to play pool *AND* be social. Talking is part of being social. Now if the guy is trying to distract you that is one thing. If he is talking between shots that is another. I play in league and people drink, talk and play pool. Seriously if your expectation is to have a opponent that doesn't say a peep maybe pool league isn't the right forum.
Click to expand...

I was talking about sharking and a lot of it goes on.
 
I'm in a straight pool league and some guys talk sometimes, some are quiet. But one guy insistently talks, to the point MANY have said something to him. He upsets me so much, I don't want to play him.

I said something to him the last time we played (I was quite pissed) and someone told me that now that he knows his talking bothers me, he may use it to shark me in the future. :(

I honestly think the guy means no harm - he's just an extrovert. But, I play league to win and he plays league for fun, so to me, his talkative nature IS harmful for my goals.

Good luck, Ken.
 
TheNewSharkster said:
I was not talking about sharking and in the example the TC provided I doubt his opponent was trying to shark him.
Click to expand...

I agree.
League pool is not professional pool. They cheer when their guy makes a shot even if he just gets lucky. They high five when the opponent scratches on the 8 as if their team player just ran out. They walk around, drink,(The reason the bar even sponsors the league in the first place), talk, laugh and have a fun time, That is the whole selling point of league play, a fun night out.

The last thing they want is being scoffed at because they make a mistake or miss a ball, by players who
live and die with every match. They already get all that Bullsh!! at their jobs, they don't want to hear it from some jack off on their pool league. Pool league is a night out to enjoy. Most pool leagues are "NOT" geared to the more serious players, they were never intended to be.
 
Last edited:
macguy said:
I agree.
League pool is not professional pool. They cheer when their guy makes a shot even if he just gets lucky. They high five when the opponent scratches on the 8 as if their team player just ran out. They walk around, drink,(The reason the bar even sponsors the league in the first place), talk, laugh and have a fun time, That is the whole selling point of league play, a fun night out.

The last thing they want is being scoffed at because they make a mistake or miss a ball, by players who
live and die with every match. They already get all that Bullsh!! at their jobs, they don't want to hear it from some jack off on their pool league. Pool league is a night out to enjoy. Most pool leagues are "NOT" geared to the more serious players, they were never intended to be.
Click to expand...


Around here it is discouraged to cheer when your opponent scratches on the 8. I think the APA manual actually addesses that. At the end of the day I don't see it being far fetched to get the best of both worlds. You can have people socializing without acting like a big douche bag during league play.
 
Mansville

I went there with a player on my own team who couldn't stop trashing me for coaching him a certain way. I was at the table and his match was finished. He grabbed me in an aggressive manner after bringing the leagus play to a halt. In P-ville they don't play so rough ! I think said guy is no longer welcome in any of the league halls. I doubt he passed the mentor program.
 
Last edited:
itsfroze said:
That's nice I was, and I think the OP was also. Of coarse you're entitled to view the OP as you like. Have a nice day.
Click to expand...



I am confused. How is two people having a conversation considered sharking. Obviously I didn't see what went down but he said two people were talking. Unless they were saying things that bothered the shooter they are just two people having a conversation.
 
Ken...You are not psychotic, and your opponent (and his buddy) was clueless. nuff said! :thumbup:

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Fenwick said:
Toning it down would do.

I'm not asking for that, (No Motion Whatever Under Any
Conditions No Exceptions.)
A little more information.
When we started I said I'll sit in the chair and not talk to you untill a break or the game is over.
"I think the other two were completely inconsiderate, and they were probably trying to get into your head."
I don't believe this to be true. They're not that wise.

His first miss, @#%. Second, @#$, @#^&. Last game @#$%^&*, @#$%^*&, *&^%$#@. I said nothing.
The real problem was the non player and my Opponent getting into a long discussion.

" without knowing you i say you are either not an a-hole or you are legitimately psychotic." Maybe?
Click to expand...
 
TheNewSharkster...Unfortunately one of the two was already in the middle of a league match. A few words is one thing...an extended conversation, lasting who knows how long (but at least several minutes) is rude, and at least politically incorrect during match play...especially since Fenwick had defined how he'd like see the match played beforehand (sit and be quiet, when it's not your turn).

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

TheNewSharkster said:
I am confused. How is two people having a conversation considered sharking. Obviously I didn't see what went down but he said two people were talking. Unless they were saying things that bothered the shooter they are just two people having a conversation.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top