"Nice shot"? Or no...

Michael Andros

Michael Andros

tiny balls, GIANT pockets
Silver Member
A very good player told me way back in the day never to say "nice shot" to your opponent. His view was, he wasn't looking to be anti-social but felt there was no reason for him to ever give his opponent an advantage, of any kind. He felt, on occasion, that it would pump an opponent up. So he never said it. He would speak / reply during play, but he would never say "nice shot", even if it might've been the best shot he'd ever seen.

On the other hand, I've heard plenty of great players through the years say exactly that; "nice shot". I asked one in particular, who I knew pretty well, if he thought it gave away any advantage and he said "If something I say to him is going to affect me winning or losing? I'm playing the wrong game..."

Anyone have an opinion on it? Both these guys were top players. But opposite opinions on it.
 
Stay perfectly quiet and play your own game. Call a foul if necessary. That's all.

All the best,
WW
 
Michael Andros said:
A very good player told me way back in the day never to say "nice shot" to your opponent. His view was, he wasn't looking to be anti-social but felt there was no reason for him to ever give his opponent an advantage, of any kind. He felt, on occasion, that it would pump an opponent up. So he never said it. He would speak / reply during play, but he would never say "nice shot", even if it might've been the best shot he'd ever seen.

On the other hand, I've heard plenty of great players through the years say exactly that; "nice shot". I asked one in particular, who I knew pretty well, if he thought it gave away any advantage and he said "If something I say to him is going to affect me winning or losing? I'm playing the wrong game..."

Anyone have an opinion on it? Both these guys were top players. But opposite opinions on it.
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I prefer a simple tap tap of the butt of the cue or the cube of chalk on the chair arm to acknowledge an opponent's very good shot, with of course outstanding position to go with it, rather than a verbal compliment.

Nothing bothers me much worse than an opponent that tells you good shot before the ball goes in the hole, and it doesn't, or says it before the cue ball stops rolling, and it ends up scratching or hooking you on your next ball.
 
ChrisinNC said:
I prefer a simple tap tap of the butt of the cue or the cube of chalk on the chair arm to acknowledge an opponent's very good shot, with of course outstanding position to go with it, rather than a verbal compliment.

Nothing bothers me much worse than an opponent that tells you good shot before the ball goes in the hole, and it doesn't, or says it before the cue ball stops rolling, and it ends up scratching or hooking you on your next ball.
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Yup. Then it almost seems they're being sarcastic ( especially if it's rather obvious the CB is rolling a bit farther than intended or, not far enough ), which, in and of itself isn't that big a deal, but... in competition it's absolutely rude.
 
"Nice shot"? Or no...

I have a strong drive to improve and win. But I think the game is truly beautiful. When played well, I can’t help but show appreciation for a nice shot regardless if I’m winning/losing. I’d rather lose a beautiful game than win a sloppy one. I favor tapping the butt of the cue.

I might feel differently if I was a professional or a heavy gambler.

Respectfully, Matt
(I don’t take myself too seriously. I hope you can return the favor.)
 
MattPoland said:
I have a strong drive to improve and win. But I think the game is truly beautiful. When played well, I can’t help but show appreciation for a nice shot regardless if I’m winning/losing. I’d rather lose a beautiful game than win a sloppy one. I favor tapping the butt of the cue.

I might feel differently if I was a professional or a heavy gambler.

Respectfully, Matt
(I don’t take myself too seriously. I hope you can return the favor.)
Click to expand...

Many feel the same way.
 
There are times and people to say ‘Nice shot’ to....
I don’t mind saying it or hearing it if there’s not attitude involved.

I like the way Mika, after the game, shook Melling’s hand when he made that great out.
 
I was watching Jack Hynes play one time when his opponent said "nice shot" to him.

Hynes turned to his opponent and said, "Keep your f**king nice shots to yourself."
 
pt109 said:
There are times and people to say ‘Nice shot’ to....
I don’t mind saying it or hearing it if there’s not attitude involved.

I like the way Mika, after the game, shook Melling’s hand when he made that great out.
Click to expand...

That was probably the only time Mika ever shook anyone's hand during a match! :grin:
 
WildWing said:
Stay perfectly quiet and play your own game. Call a foul if necessary. That's all.
All the best,
WW
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You're 100% correct.
Who knows how it will be taken and why is it necessary anyway? Mouth shut is best.
(old adage from journalism 101......... "when in doubt, leave it out".)
:thumbup:
 
MattPoland said:
I have a strong drive to improve and win. But I think the game is truly beautiful. When played well, I can’t help but show appreciation for a nice shot regardless if I’m winning/losing. I’d rather lose a beautiful game than win a sloppy one. I favor tapping the butt of the cue.
I might feel differently if I was a professional or a heavy gambler.
Respectfully, Matt
(I don’t take myself too seriously. I hope you can return the favor.)
Click to expand...
I don't want to lose ANY games....beautiful, sloppy, or anything else.
Getting "comfortable" with any type of losing can only make a person a loser.
JMHO.
:shakehead:
 
It’s considered sharking by some grumpy money players.

I for one appreciate a good shark - friends and I often openly shark each other. One in particular is tough competition with years of gambling under his belt - he sharks subtly, constantly, and after all these years maybe without even noticing he’s doing it any more. I like to play him because of that - it’s good focus-hardening, and I get a chuckle out of noticing it more than he does.

pj
chgo
 
If I’m playing for fun I’ll say nice shot after the shot was made, if it’s in competition, I’ll say it after the game is over, ie, “nice shot on the seven ball.”
 
Patrick Johnson said:
It’s considered sharking by some grumpy money players.

I for one appreciate a good shark - friends and I often openly shark each other. One in particular is tough competition with years of gambling under his belt - he sharks subtly, constantly, and after all these years maybe without even noticing he’s doing it any more. I like to play him because of that - it’s good focus-hardening, and I get a chuckle out of noticing it more than he does.

pj
chgo
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I saw an interview with Tiger years ago where he said one of the most important skills his father ever taught him was to ignore deliberate sharks such as having key rings full of keys tossed at him during his backswing or pockets full of coins on his downswing. Seems to have worked pretty well for him, as the strongest facet of his game is supposed to have been ( is ) his mental toughness.
 
Patrick Johnson said:
It’s considered sharking by some grumpy money players.

pj
chgo
Click to expand...

i was a newbie and playing in an open 9 ball tournament for the experience
(i had no chance ...:o )
i was matched against one of the favorites
while getting annihilated i complimented him several times by saying nice shot for shots that deserved it
after the match he said to me
"i know you were not doing it on purpose but some players would think your saying nice shot was an attempt to break their concentration " ie sharking
since then i may tap my cue or do nothing until after the match
as wildwing said above
......
Stay perfectly quiet and play your own game. Call a foul if necessary. That's all.

All the best,
WW
 
PoolBum said:
I was watching Jack Hynes play one time when his opponent said "nice shot" to him.

Hynes turned to his opponent and said, "Keep your f**king nice shots to yourself."
Click to expand...
Haven't heard that name in a WHILE. That dude still alive? He was in Tulsa for a while years ago. WHAT a freakin' character. That sounds like something Jack would say.
 
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