IPods and Playing Pool

NewStroke

NewStroke

Screamin Monkey
Silver Member
I have noticed some players playing pool wearing headsets. It does not bother me that they do this, but I am really tempted to start whispering my shots to take advantage of this self imposed handicap. I listen to music when I practice but would never disrespect my opponent by doing it during a match. Thoughts?
 
NewStroke said:
I have noticed some players playing pool wearing headsets. It does not bother me that they do this, but I am really tempted to start whispering my shots to take advantage of this self imposed handicap. I listen to music when I practice but would never disrespect my opponent by doing it during a match. Thoughts?
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i wear mine during weekly apa play to drown the din of the great unwashed asses - i mean masses and during nine ball tournaments where calling a shot isn't an issue. during bca league i have worn it but will take an earpiece out if the shot isn't completely clear. more than a few tournaments, including apa higher level, won't let you wear it. one way or the other i don't care it just lets me listen to music i like as opposed to the crap on the bar's juke box or radio.
 
Well the Joss tour and Tony Robles tour both allow ipods during tournament play. Im sure that the players are not blasting there ipods to a point where they cant hear things. What i do is take my plugs out while the person is shooting then put the Buds back in my ears when im shooting.

If im at a pool hall and dont like the music i break out my ipod. they have there up and downs it blocks all the rail birds jive and works against you if you say did you call that ? And the other person says sure did but you had you Ipod on.....................................
 
not sure what you mean by whispering your shots.



That being said I have gone out to my car to get an MP3 player, to drown out some of the ambient garbage in the room.

Gangsta rap, sad bastard country.... and these brand new APA (?) point 9-ball goobers (SL 2 or 3) arguing at the top of their lungs over EVERY SINGLE SHOT and who was winning by points, and what was a "legitimate" way to win. :banghead:
 
I hate it and think its rude. I cant believe how many things have to be repeated over and over. My 2 rules for gambling are, no texting and no ipod. You wanna play pool, then do it.
 
can someone explain to me how having a ipod in your ears is somehow disrespectful. it doesnt matter to me, when i play in a tourney that allows i usually wear it, if the tourney does not allow it , i dont

its kinda like playin in a tourney that does not allow jump cues
 
I never used to use my iPod, but when the people around your are drunkenly "singing" along with the absurd thumping of rap you can feel in your chest or the whiny warbling of some country cry-fest, I decided to bring my own music. I now play with my iPod but keep an eye on my opponent in case there are questions/concerns. So far no problems.

As far as it being rude, I could say the same thing about someone who wanders off while I'm shooting and doesn't realize I've been sitting down for the past 10 minutes. Or someone who continually wants to chat me up during the whole match about how funny he thinks he is now that he has a few beers in him. Live and let live.
 
I'm old school, I find it rude....kinda like having your elbows on the dinner table or talking on your cell phone at your table in a restaurant.....
 
In my opinion, you should be paying attention to the game. I'm a bit older so I'm not sure I could be "rockin" out while I am playing somebody. Another point would be that the person without the iPod in their ears has to say everything twice because the headset is hindering what they can hear.
 
The only problem I have as a TD with Ipods or MP3 players is the squeaky noise that comes when the volume is turned up too loud. I just warn the players that this is a distraction and just keep the level down.

Of course all I do is run weekly and monthly tournaments. RETAIL sales are based on these regular players continuing to spend money while they are within the walls of the pool room.

They can also drink and eat while playing matches. No one has ever complained that someone was eating while playing.

Now when they start SINGING 'ROXANNE' that's for a different post :grin:
 
I only do it in pool rooms that have blasting music or karaoke, and only if my opponent approves. Sometimes both me and my opponent will have them in.

never would i use one a tourney or playing against someone i'm not familiar with.
 
The all time worse thing that could happen to pool is for people to become just a little more anti social.lol

Headphones make sure that people don't interact with each other while playing. Not to mention your just creatibg one more crutch for yourself. Next thing to happen is the new excuses...my headphones were in my car. I should of put a different song on.

I have only played one match in my life against a guy that had headphones on...If I would have been playing on my own money I would have walked out on the match...I don't care too much about winning as much as I do making pool a success and headphones don't help.lol

I should not have to raise my voice to convey a message, nor should I have to listen to a guy yell when he needs to talk. I had to repeat myself every time I wanted to talk to the jerk I was playing...

No respect shown to me at all. I don't remember his name or what he looked like, all I rememebr is how much of a jackass I was playing.
 
JamisonNeu said:
The all time worse thing that could happen to pool is for people to become just a little more anti social.lol

Headphones make sure that people don't interact with each other while playing. Not to mention your just creatibg one more crutch for yourself. Next thing to happen is the new excuses...my headphones were in my car. I should of put a different song on.

I have only played one match in my life against a guy that had headphones on...If I would have been playing on my own money I would have walked out on the match...I don't care too much about winning as much as I do making pool a success and headphones don't help.lol

I should not have to raise my voice to convey a message, nor should I have to listen to a guy yell when he needs to talk. I had to repeat myself every time I wanted to talk to the jerk I was playing...

No respect shown to me at all. I don't remember his name or what he looked like, all I rememebr is how much of a jackass I was playing.
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even without headphones, i'm completely anti-social at the table all the time. not disrespectful mind you, but if i'm in a game, i'm focusing on competing, not on chatting...that's just me though.

i will only wear the headphones in certain circumstances...those kind of circumstances that you would have to yell over the loud music anyways :)
 
JamisonNeu said:
The all time worse thing that could happen to pool is for people to become just a little more anti social.lol

Headphones make sure that people don't interact with each other while playing. Not to mention your just creatibg one more crutch for yourself. Next thing to happen is the new excuses...my headphones were in my car. I should of put a different song on.

I have only played one match in my life against a guy that had headphones on...If I would have been playing on my own money I would have walked out on the match...I don't care too much about winning as much as I do making pool a success and headphones don't help.lol

I should not have to raise my voice to convey a message, nor should I have to listen to a guy yell when he needs to talk. I had to repeat myself every time I wanted to talk to the jerk I was playing...

No respect shown to me at all. I don't remember his name or what he looked like, all I rememebr is how much of a jackass I was playing.
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blame that on the monkey, not on w/e equipment the monkey has.

there's nothing wrong with it in my opinion and I find it highly enjoyable.

after all, who the hell wants to listen to all that sh*t going on in the pool hall/bar when a person could be listening to his favorite tunes and playing a sport he loves.
 
I don't care much about them but there are things a person using a ipod has to be aware of...

1) The music should not be so loud that I myself can hear it while I am shooting.

2) I am not required to attempt any more then normal to get your attention in order to make a call, and you are not to interupt me or have to ask me what ball I am calling while I am running out because you could not hear me make the call the first time because your ipod precluded you from hearing me make the call.

A person using a Ipod is doing so to drown out the world and go into their own little zone where they can concentrate and that is completely acceptable BUT your use of the Ipod MUST not create distractions such as the above 2 points to the opponent such that they themselves cannot fall into a state of concentration themselves that they might not require an Ipod for.
 
I was pretty neutral on the idea until this past weekend. While playing in a tournament, two different matches, a player on the table next to mine was wearing them. Both players at times were so isolated that they didn't even notice there were players on our table as well. I had to spend time making sure the idiot next to me knew when I was about to shoot. Since then, I think any poolplayer wearing them during a match deserves a minimum of a public flogging, and in some repeat offenders, having all the music on their i-pod replaced with nothing but Barry Manalow music!

Steve
 
JamisonNeu said:
I should not have to raise my voice to convey a message, nor should I have to listen to a guy yell when he needs to talk. I had to repeat myself every time I wanted to talk to the jerk I was playing...
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This is what I am talking about. The first time I call a shot and he does not hear it and interupts me in the middle of my running out we are going to have a understanding that if he is going to wear the headphones he is going to learn to read my bloody lips real quick if he wants to know what I am shooting, I am calling the shot ONCE and ONCE only and if he does not hear it tough shit or the tournament director/ref is going to be coming asap to make a call on my opponent requiring my to call my shot 3 friggin times because he is using a bloody MP3 player and head phones. At that point I am going to be sorting it out because the minute the Ipod is affecting the opponent it is NOT OK anymore.
 
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