"Nice shot"? Or no...

It's no different than any other small talk... unless you know the opponent well, keep quiet (and that includes the cue and chalk tapping... especially that). The reason is obvious from the variety of comments here, you have no idea how it will be taken no matter how clear your intentions are. Are you sharking, are you building up their confidence, are you breaking their concentration, are you screwing your own head up? Nobody knows so just let it lie silently or wait until the match is over.

Do people actually do the cue tapping? To me it's meant to send a clear message so why would it be any different than saying something....I say keep the cue and chalk and whatever else you get the urge to jingle jangle ..quiet. I mean, is flipping the bird really andy different than shouting FU?.
 
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The actions that factor the most in securing a win, is how well you maintain your mental composure and the degree of skill you're willing to use to accomplish it. Chatter, insults, sharking and thumping the butt on the floor will never get the job done. I usually have to fight bad racking and playing games with the score beads.
 
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 once heard an interesting theory about this subject.

The theory goes that pool is played in the right side of the brain and speech is from the left side. So if you can get your opponent to speak just before he or she shoots a shot he or she won't do as well. One good way to get him or her to speak is to say good shot. He or she is likely to say thank you.
 
When I used to practice with some European women pro players, a simple snapping of your fingers one time with one hand seemed to be a common way to compliment your opponent for an outstanding shot, and it was always done immediately after the balls stopped rolling. However, this was only during practice sessions. I never saw them doing it to their opponent in a tournament match.
 
garczar said:
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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His name comes up here every once in a while. If you do a search I think you can find some very entertaining stories about him, and his iguana.
 
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.)
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When a good shot has been taken, a little honesty in appreciating it is fine, I'd say. Sometimes the shot is so good, the response is spontaneous and uncontrollable.

After all, why do we play but for the whole experience of it all?


Nice thread, man! (Like that.)


Jeff Livingston
 
garczar said:
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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Being from Tulsa you probably know another great character, "hold yourself".
 
Low500 said:
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:
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Good point....if one's goal is to win. Some of us actually have a goal or two above that one, believe it or not.

But your point is valid, for sure.


Jeff Livingston
 
zeeder said:
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.”
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Yeah, but by that time, I've often forgotten where (or if) I made the 7.

lol....sometimes after a table run, I couldn't for the life of me tell you even one shot I made, much less how good one of 'em might have been. I get in this zone sometimes that makes me an idiot but I do shoot well when there, I guess. :o A compliment after the game is over makes me smile, but there are those times where I can't remember the shot. I've even asked the Person what was the shot and he seems amazed I've forgotten it already. Oh well.
 
"Nice shot"? Or no...

Low500 said:
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:
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I wouldn’t describe my statement as getting “comfortable” with losing. The topic is appreciation, not comfort. The gist of it is that I’d rather lock horns with a far better player and lose knowing I played my best game than seek out lower skilled players and win a lot while playing poorly.


Respectfully, Matt
(I don’t take myself too seriously. I hope you can return the favor.)
 
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I need advice on what to say AFTER the game.
If, by chance, I stomp someone into humility, do I say something stupid like "good game", or just look at 'em, turn my lips sideways and sniff like Barney Fyfe?
 
Johnny Rosato said:
I need advice on what to say AFTER the game.
If, by chance, I stomp someone into humility, do I say something stupid like "good game", or just look at 'em, turn my lips sideways and sniff like Barney Fyfe?
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Juanita, Juanita,

My sweet Juanit.

I kicked your ass

From your head to your feet.



Jeff Livingston
 
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."
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Then that decides it.

Whatever jack chooses, choose the opposite. It will serve you well.
 
Johnny Rosato said:
I need advice on what to say AFTER the game.
If, by chance, I stomp someone into humility, do I say something stupid like "good game", or just look at 'em, turn my lips sideways and sniff like Barney Fyfe?
Click to expand...
After beating an opponent badly or if I lose the match in a heartbreaker, I hope I don't say anything when I shake their hand. If I barely beat them in a well played match by both players, I'll let them know it was a well played match and could have gone either way. If I get beat badly, I might say something like I wish I could have given you a better match.
 
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