Need Opinions on a Situation

[14-1StraightMan]

Agree

Well I'm probably in the minority here but I've never been able to understand why people get so affected by comments during a game. When people say things whether they're trying to shark me or not, I simply ignore them and keep playing. I just can't see why a comment would affect my game. one has nothing to do with the other.

I agree with you, that talk should not affect one's game but again. Things affect people in different ways. There are rules that are written to protect players. These rules are made b/c situations have come up over & over.
There are some really strong players here stating that Sharking is a Low Life way of playing pool and i totally agree. The main thing here that I want to state is (Respect) that one should show to wards another player. If Sharking doesn't trouble a player. I say Great for that player but... I have no respect for a player who does it and those who do Shark are the players who give pool a bad name.

 

[SpiderWebComm]

"I hurt my back earlier and it is really hurting me. You have me by 30 points, but I will play this game out"

When someone says that, pull up and say, "Are you forfeiting? Because if you are--- we're not playing anything out. If you're not - stop making stupid comments--- of course you're playing the set out."

This either ends the game on the spot or "reverse-sharks" them. Taking control of the situation THE MOMENT IT HAPPENS changes the dynamics of everything. Trust me. It's almost like the "cube" in backgammon. Flip that sucker to 64 when you're up 30, 1 pt away from the promised land and someone is talking stupid.

Dave

 

[Ron F]

The French Kaiser?

when i think about it, most of the games i have played, my opponent has tried to shark me..... i watched a video of Souquet playing Strickland. Souquet wins and is interviewed afterward about Strickland's antics. he says with his french accent, and i paraphrase; "i don't know if he was trying to shark me but it doesn't matter i just play my game."

Ralf Souquet was born in Eschweiler, Germany and is normally listed as living in Manching, Germany now. Not sure why he would have a French accent.

 

[Birdseye]

Sharking never bothers me. Take another look at this inadvertent attempt to shark me.

http://vimeo.com/19811446

Seriously, though, it kind of does. I was just starting to play with this clown in league a few weeks ago. I was going to 145 and he was going to 50. The thing is we both joined the league as 50s years ago and he never improves. He really does not want to win two games so he usually dogs his second match, breaks even and stays the same. But his ability is such that he can turn it on if he wants to, especially at that handicap. He sometimes wins some games and declares to anyone who cares to listen that he was really trying that time. Anyway, pain in the ass to play.

When I first get down on a shot, he says "Shoot the 2 in the side. You know you're gonna do it." So I shoot something else and miss. Later, a few times when I am on a break shot he just steps back a few feet and stands there, so I get a good view of him as I am lining up my shot. After a few of those, I asked him to sit down and he smirks. "I don't have to sit down. Go ahead and shoot." I said, "Fine F^$# you. You are such a pleasure to play with. You don't give a shit about the game. " I drilled the break shot, then drilled the next one in without looking for what I would shoot next.

He got the first game 50-95. Predictably, I got the second 145-30 something. And it continues...

Anyway, I guess it is apparent. I am pretty easy to shark.

I'll have to remember that last statement, next time we play Dennis:wink:

 

[Steve Lipsky]

"I hurt my back earlier and it is really hurting me. You have me by 30 points, but I will play this game out"

When someone says that, pull up and say, "Are you forfeiting? Because if you are--- we're not playing anything out. If you're not - stop making stupid comments--- of course you're playing the set out."

This either ends the game on the spot or "reverse-sharks" them. Taking control of the situation THE MOMENT IT HAPPENS changes the dynamics of everything. Trust me. It's almost like the "cube" in backgammon. Flip that sucker to 64 when you're up 30, 1 pt away from the promised land and someone is talking stupid.

Dave

Trying to give you rep for your last post, and it wouldn't let me. This one is even better. Thanks Dave.

 

[SUPERSTAR]

"I hurt my back earlier and it is really hurting me. You have me by 30 points, but I will play this game out"

When someone says that, pull up and say, "Are you forfeiting? Because if you are--- we're not playing anything out. If you're not - stop making stupid comments--- of course you're playing the set out."

This either ends the game on the spot or "reverse-sharks" them. Taking control of the situation THE MOMENT IT HAPPENS changes the dynamics of everything. Trust me. It's almost like the "cube" in backgammon. Flip that sucker to 64 when you're up 30, 1 pt away from the promised land and someone is talking stupid.

Dave

True Dat!

There is nothing quite like taking charge and stuffing it up someone's ass when they think they are being cute.
It's almost worth it just to see the shock look on their face.

But then the argument ensues cause they can't handle looking like idiots when you scold them.

 

[sausage]

It's not the shark itself that is annoying - it's the fact that the guy is trying to shark me that is annoying.

- Steve

sure, but in all sports where there is an opponent, there is sharking. getting mad about it is pointless. Ali sharked foreman by talking to him in clenches. "is that all you got!" he taunted... pitchers shark batters with a close pitches, and don't get me started on golf..... sharking is built in to our genetic code. it's not going to stop just because the participants wear white shirts and vest.

 

[whammo57]

When someone sharks you like you describe......

Try a Vulcan mind worm...

When he gets ready to shoot the next shot, ask him this...

"When you shoot, do you breath in, breath out, or just hold your breath?"

Kim

 

[Ron F]

Context

For me it would depend on the context of the situation. I'm used to dialogue during practice games with friends. It probably wouldn't have bothered me.

Ron F

 

[14-1StraightMan]

Context

For me it would depend on the context of the situation. I'm used to dialogue during practice games with friends. It probably wouldn't have bothered me.

Ron F

Hey Ron
I am happy that you took care of that comment about Souquet being French....... LOL

About context, absolutely no problems with having conversations during practice but my original thread stated that it was during a league match and up to that point there was no talking.

 

[Steve Lipsky]

sure, but in all sports where there is an opponent, there is sharking. getting mad about it is pointless. Ali sharked foreman by talking to him in clenches. "is that all you got!" he taunted... pitchers shark batters with a close pitches, and don't get me started on golf..... sharking is built in to our genetic code. it's not going to stop just because the participants wear white shirts and vest.

Not sure the first two analogies are appropriate... there are clearly reasons why intimidation would be important in boxing, and in baseball, there are very technical reasons for not wanting a batter to crowd a plate.

As to the central debate, let's just agree to disagree on how grown men should act. I am in the camp that during the heat of battle, the only things players should be saying to each other are calling their non-obvious shots, saying "nice shot", or calling a push.

Anyway, as I said before, I don't think it hurts my game. It just ruins the experience for me. That's a personal thing and I'm not even sure how that became controversial.

- Steve

 

[SUPERSTAR]

sure, but in all sports where there is an opponent, there is sharking. getting mad about it is pointless. Ali sharked foreman by talking to him in clenches. "is that all you got!" he taunted... pitchers shark batters with a close pitches, and don't get me started on golf..... sharking is built in to our genetic code. it's not going to stop just because the participants wear white shirts and vest.

Getting mad about it might be pointless, but that doesn't mean you should keep quiet about it or do nothing.

Some people, (including myself), just expect some tact or professionalism or some integrity when they play.

Obviously, that's just not going to fly with some pool people, but there is nothing wrong with hoping for and striving for that type of environment and setting an example for others to follow in terms of what is appropriate behavior.

And as far as boxing and Ali is concerned, somehow, i don't really think playing a game of 14.1 and being sharked, is quite the same as taunting someone in the ring who can then get angry and smash their skull in, where the whole point is to smash their skull in, in the first place.

I'm pretty sure that if someone opened their mouth, and got a cue stick cracked on their head or had a golf club wrapped around their neck as a result, that the chirping would for all intensive purposes, stop.

Just saying.

 

[ajsud]

Any excuse is just pathetic, for sure he was trying to shark you but props for battling through. the positive thing to take from the experience is that you know that have the mental strength to come through someones best efforts at putting you off. Well done mate.

Aj

 

[sausage]

Anyway, as I said before, I don't think it hurts my game. It just ruins the experience for me. That's a personal thing and I'm not even sure how that became controversial.

i don't see a controversy, just a difference of opinion...

i am however surprised that you don't see the analogy between boxing taunts et... and sharking. in all sports there is clearly a mental component and therefore sharking.