Laughing about the general opinion of "new posters" playing abilities

With all due respect, I have to agree with someone else's comments earlier. Thats forum life for you. There will always be a thousand people on here that act as if they possess some knowledge that you don't because they have been on the forums for years.

But you have to remember something as well: these people that have posting for years, have also been playing for years. Many of them actually DO know what they are talking about. Sure, some talk out of their asses at times but a lot of these guys (listed by Williebetmore) are old schoolers that probably can teach a lot of the youngbloods a thing or two.

While I understand that it bothers you that SOME of the old school guys act in a rather egotistical manner, you have to remember that so do MANY of the new schoolers.

And just for the record, APA ratings mean very little.
 
PredatorHater said:
... Do you believe there is no difference between a follow stroke and a draw stroke? ...
I believe they are substantially the same. You have to hit the cue ball well off-center to get lots of either, except that if the cue ball is a long ways from the object ball, the draw is much more difficult because the cloth will rub the spin off. On the other hand, the table will apply the follow for you.

I think draw is easy for most people once they get used to hitting the ball well off-center and chalking.
 
I'm with Mike on this one. I went back and re-read your orignal post along with Pat's reply and I didn't see anything wrong with it at all. I don't think he was being condescending. He was just being informative.

On the other hand you came off pretty abrasive and smartass-ish in both your subsequant replies and then again with this thread.

I'm much more of a lurker than a poster, but it seems to me that this isn't the best way to introduce yourself to a new forum, community or whatever. Respect goes a long way here and everywhere.

Just my two cents worth...

Serge
 
PredatorHater said:
Do I see any complication to this shot? Not for me. However, just because I know how to shoot it, doesn't make it a gimme. Proficient players can make this shot, but that doesn't take away from the beauty or the difficulty of this shot. If it was easy, there'd be not spots or handicaps.[...]

I think you are failing to appreciate that simple/complex and easy/hard measure two different things.

Benchpressing 300 pounds is hard, but it's not complex.

Juggling five flaming objects is hard and complex.


PredatorHater said:
Just my opinion - maybe I'll get labelled "pool retard" afterwards.

Don't worry. There are are not many here who would talk like that.
 
hejests said:
I don't think he was being condescending.
Serge

I disagree, and knowing pat from the rsb days, I would say he was. If not, he would be shortly. Pat had a tendency to rub a lot of people the wrong way, most of the time. He wasn't the only one, that's for sure, but he seemed to enjoy sticking it in and twisting it.
 
I lurked in RSB for years... maybe he would have been condescending on the next post who knows, I just don't think he was with that post. IMHO you need to wait for someone to actually be condescneding first before reacting to it.
 
PredatorHater said:
I just read a reply to one of my statements, to which I was informed that I should "listen to member ABC because he play a lot, and plays well".

Just noticing a general lack of respect for new posters on this group. I know there ends up being the odd McWhorter or FastLarry, but for the most part, we're all people that love pool, and love to talk about it and play it.

Here's my problem - there seems to be an "old boys" network on here that determine who knows and who knows not. If you take exception to one of their comments or opinions, you are labelled a "newbie" or a "pool retard", when none of you know our speeds or who we are.

I don't gamble, so some of you would label me as yellow, or a fish. I don't live in a pool hall, so you'd say I'm not a die hard. I don't play with a custom cue (although I used to and still do build the odd one), so I'm just another banger. But what I am is a decent player. And I hate hearing the voices of newsgroup "elders" saying "there, there - one day you MIGHT know something about pool after listening to us for the next 3 years".

Oh, PULEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE.

Just a "newbie rant".
APA stats - 8ball 7, 9ball 8
BCA ranking - 10
..................but still just a hack. I hope Pat Johnson will be around to correct me some more.

That's why hustlers prefer to remain unknown isn't it? Some people just can't wait to show you that they know more than you do. The great ones take their money and leave them still believing that they are better.
 
PredatorHater said:
I just read a reply to one of my statements, to which I was informed that I should "listen to member ABC because he play a lot, and plays well".

Just noticing a general lack of respect for new posters on this group. I know there ends up being the odd McWhorter or FastLarry, but for the most part, we're all people that love pool, and love to talk about it and play it.

Here's my problem - there seems to be an "old boys" network on here that determine who knows and who knows not. If you take exception to one of their comments or opinions, you are labelled a "newbie" or a "pool retard", when none of you know our speeds or who we are.

I don't gamble, so some of you would label me as yellow, or a fish. I don't live in a pool hall, so you'd say I'm not a die hard. I don't play with a custom cue (although I used to and still do build the odd one), so I'm just another banger. But what I am is a decent player. And I hate hearing the voices of newsgroup "elders" saying "there, there - one day you MIGHT know something about pool after listening to us for the next 3 years".

Oh, PULEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE.

Just a "newbie rant".
APA stats - 8ball 7, 9ball 8
BCA ranking - 10
..................but still just a hack. I hope Pat Johnson will be around to correct me some more.

Predator Hater is an interesting choice of names for starters. I hate jump cues, but I don't want that to be my label. But to each his own I always say.

I had used azbilliards for tournament information etc. for a long time before I ever discovered the Forums. I was hesitant at first to come on here, and decided that If I did I must use my real name. When I finally got brave enough I posted on some long lost thread about a tournament, since that is my area of expertise in Pool. Lo and behold, my comments were well received and that encouraged me to step deeper into the AZ waters.

A few years and 4,000 posts later, I'm hooked. Rarely a day goes by when I don't join in a discussion on here. Sometimes I'm the authority and sometimes I'm the student. I found out early on there are some sharp cats on here, so don't try to bambozzle them with garbage. A lot of these guys are "oldies" like me, who have spent a lifetime involved with Pool in some capacity. The cumulative knowledge on these forums is awesome. I have learned so much in the last couple of years about players who I had heard about but barely knew.

I hope you enjoy your time on here. Maybe you have some things that you can share with us that we would find interesting. If so, please do.
 
I believe you and Pat may have a history elsewhere. But please don't let it spoil your time here on AZ. Welcome and enjoy your stay!!

Gary
 
PredatorHater said:
I just read a reply to one of my statements, to which I was informed that I should "listen to member ABC because he play a lot, and plays well".

Just noticing a general lack of respect for new posters on this group. I know there ends up being the odd McWhorter or FastLarry, but for the most part, we're all people that love pool, and love to talk about it and play it.

Here's my problem - there seems to be an "old boys" network on here that determine who knows and who knows not. If you take exception to one of their comments or opinions, you are labelled a "newbie" or a "pool retard", when none of you know our speeds or who we are.

I don't gamble, so some of you would label me as yellow, or a fish. I don't live in a pool hall, so you'd say I'm not a die hard. I don't play with a custom cue (although I used to and still do build the odd one), so I'm just another banger. But what I am is a decent player. And I hate hearing the voices of newsgroup "elders" saying "there, there - one day you MIGHT know something about pool after listening to us for the next 3 years".

Oh, PULEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE.

Just a "newbie rant".
APA stats - 8ball 7, 9ball 8
BCA ranking - 10
..................but still just a hack. I hope Pat Johnson will be around to correct me some more.

I usually assume if someone is posting here, they are a pretty good player. I am usually surprised to hear someone is a "C" player and posting here, but I like it and respect it. In fact, some of the players who rate themselves low have a surprising amount of knowledge about the game.

I admire anyone who has the guts to share their knowledge in such a knowledgeable crowd. I never look at the number of someone's posts, but at their content. Plus, the more you hang around, the more you know who is what speed. I do admit I give more weight to someone's opinion who I consider an expert player.

I am impressed with the number of good players on this board. When I say good players, I am not just talking about "A" players (there are a ton of "A" players here) but regional players who can play in events like the U.S. Open and compete at that level.

In my book, you are what you post. If you can't play a lick but you understand the game and contribute to the boards, well, I respect you. If you play like god but can't make much sense of it, you're not going to get too much attention from me.

I don't want to be rude, but I find your name, Predator Hater, kind of offensive since I love Predator shafts.

Chris
 
Last edited:
KY BOY.......no disrespect intended Gary.......and I admit to often having a warped sense of humour.............but in a forum community which tends to be populated by macho and competitive bears and given some of the popular uses for that particular gel, KY BOY has got to be one of the bravest user names I have ever seen:eek: :)
 
Last edited:
memikey said:
KY BOY.......no disrespect intended Gary.......and I admit to often having a warped sense of humour.............but in a forum community which tends to be populated by macho and competitive bears, that has got to be one of the bravest user names I have ever seen:eek: :)


What a mood to wake up in:eek: :D

On topic: Welcome aboard predatorhater. Keep in mind that the ones most affected by hate are the haters. The hated, as a rule, are clueless...
 
Last edited:
PredatorHater... that name gives me a negative impression of you from the start. Predator makes a quality product that all may not like but why base your name off your distaste for it? That's ridiculous.

Your first comment you bash Grady Matthews & Billy Incardona as commentators. There is a right way and a wrong to critique someone and I feel yours was not. They are two well respected people who actually posts on this forum and for you to speak of them negatively as your first post... dumb.

And about the person who you think was sarcastic in his response... any person with any sense would see that he didn't word that being sarcastic...

Hmm... maybe change your name and start over? :)
 
Last edited:
PredatorHater said:
I just read a reply to one of my statements, to which I was informed that I should "listen to member ABC because he play a lot, and plays well".

Just noticing a general lack of respect for new posters on this group. I know there ends up being the odd McWhorter or FastLarry, but for the most part, we're all people that love pool, and love to talk about it and play it.

Here's my problem - there seems to be an "old boys" network on here that determine who knows and who knows not. If you take exception to one of their comments or opinions, you are labelled a "newbie" or a "pool retard", when none of you know our speeds or who we are.

I don't gamble, so some of you would label me as yellow, or a fish. I don't live in a pool hall, so you'd say I'm not a die hard. I don't play with a custom cue (although I used to and still do build the odd one), so I'm just another banger. But what I am is a decent player. And I hate hearing the voices of newsgroup "elders" saying "there, there - one day you MIGHT know something about pool after listening to us for the next 3 years".

Oh, PULEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE.

Just a "newbie rant".
APA stats - 8ball 7, 9ball 8
BCA ranking - 10
..................but still just a hack. I hope Pat Johnson will be around to correct me some more.

You will do fine here, just keep standing up and when needed tell some of these people to eat the peanuts out of your sh!t!!! ;)

But, for ever negative experience there will be many more positive ones!!!

Welcome to AZ and have a great day, Night, or what ever it is where you are!!!:)
 
Last edited:
PredatorHater said:
I couldn't take the bickering (part of it was my own doing too), so I decided to leave for awhile until I could learn to play well with others.

How's that working out for you.....:D

Sorry that just struck me as funny given the topic and tone of the thread...

This place is a wealth of information from a Banger's standpoint..... I am a total neophyte at this game, in the "brain knows more than the hands can do" stage of developement.....but I'm getting there. I started posting here not being capable of consistently stringing 3 balls together..... :rolleyes:

Banger
 
Lol

Good Points were brought up on both sides, and I think we have a regular in the making ... LOL

1) Everyone that starts here is a 'Greenhorn' whether you have been playing 2 years or 40 years, and therefore undergoes a process to 'get their footing' - keep your sense of humor about you.

2) You know how sometimes, your best friends are the ones to make the most fun of you?

3) Some newbies to the game of Pool do nothing but hit 'stun' shots all the time because everyone tells them to hit the center of the cue ball, and they can not make a proper bridge. I have seen people that don't even put the bridge hand on the table, hold it in the air when they shoot and just stab at the cue ball. They only get 'follow' by accident .... LOL

4) A little controversy isn't bad, it is how the forum grows, matures, and progresses.

5) Leagues are okay, and they do give some measure of ability, but certain leagues are not taken seriously because of the way they handicap, and how they are run. Having played in all 3, I rate the BCA tops, VNEA next, and APA last, and if you will notice, the BCA has the most finite system of ratings, VNEA the next most finite, and APA is last because use the least finite system of handicapping, i.e., 1 level in APA = about 9 levels in BCA, which means the APA has the largest disparity between actual ability and what you are rated.

In the world of Pool, I am sure you are aware that more creedence is given to gambling ability than to league ratings, that is just the history of the sport. Those that gamble, and often, and play well, are considered more of a 'Player'. Those that have gambled for large sums of money are considered to be better players and seasoned in the game, and usually
respected more. Usually behind stellar money players are the good consistent pro tournament players, consider a money matchup between Dennis Orcullo and Ralf Souquet, most people would side with Orcullo, but in a tournament, the odds were be more towards the middle.

6) Just like the Earth is defined with the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and the Equator, so it the cue ball, with the Northern being follow, the Southern a draw stroke, and the Equator range being a stun stroke. I disagree with Pat, there are follow, stun, and draw strokes defined by the areas on the cue ball where the end effect is experienced after the shot is performed, but their are varying degrees of technique to apply these strokes that determine just how much the effect takes place.

7) Don't take Life so seriously, it isn't permanent.

8) Welcome to the forum.
 
Last edited:
TATE said:
I usually assume if someone is posting here, they are a pretty good player. I am usually surprised to hear someone is a "C" player and posting here, but I like it and respect it. In fact, some of the players who rate themselves low have a surprising amount of knowledge about the game.

I admire anyone who has the guts to share their knowledge in such a knowledgeable crowd. I never look at the number of someone's posts, but at their content. Plus, the more you hang around, the more you know who is what speed. I do admit I give more weight to someone's opinion who I consider an expert player.

I am impressed with the number of good players on this board. When I say good players, I am not just talking about "A" players (there are a ton of "A" players here) but regional players who can play in events like the U.S. Open and compete at that level.

In my book, you are what you post. If you can't play a lick but you understand the game and contribute to the boards, well, I respect you. If you play like god but can't make much sense of it, you're not going to get too much attention from me.

I don't want to be rude, but I find your name, Predator Hater, kind of offensive since I love Predator shafts.

Chris
The reason I chose my name is that I think Predator is nothing more than a thief and a hype machine. They contract offshore companies to make their cues for them, while they still charge top dollar for their $65 dollar cues. Their new "air" jump cue is blantant theft of the Stealth Airtime made by Ned Morris. They have a non-existent warranty on their products (had a brand new Z2 warp in 3 weeks - they won't cover it), and they claim they don't pay any pro players to use their products - but they don't tell you they don't charge them to play with them, either.

Support Predator, and you kill the North American cue maker. If you buy McD, or Viking, or Joss, or Pechauer, your money stays in the USA.

You can love Predator shafts all you want. If I hated Palmer cues, should I have a problem with you? There's over 50 flavours of ice cream for a reason - one size does not fit all.
 
PredatorHater said:
The reason I chose my name is that I think Predator is nothing more than a thief and a hype machine. They contract offshore companies to make their cues for them, while they still charge top dollar for their $65 dollar cues. Their new "air" jump cue is blantant theft of the Stealth Airtime made by Ned Morris. They have a non-existent warranty on their products (had a brand new Z2 warp in 3 weeks - they won't cover it), and they claim they don't pay any pro players to use their products - but they don't tell you they don't charge them to play with them, either.

Support Predator, and you kill the North American cue maker. If you buy McD, or Viking, or Joss, or Pechauer, your money stays in the USA.

You can love Predator shafts all you want. If I hated Palmer cues, should I have a problem with you? There's over 50 flavours of ice cream for a reason - one size does not fit all.


How about use a name like OB1LOVER??? They are based in Texas. Doesn't get any more American than that. That name is more of a "glass being half-full" kinda name.
 
mikepage said:
Well I guess perceptions differ. I've always seen him as smart, thoughtful, knowledgable, and willing to share.

Now you've criticized him again. How about we move on and be positive?

I've found Pat to be all that too. And like all of us, he has his shortcomings too.
 
Back
Top