Playing with earphones?

RafaReyes

RafaReyes

Super Rafa
Silver Member
Do you guys think it is a good idea to play a competition match while listening music with your mp3 player? Does this helps on concentration?
I have seen some players do it, and was wondering if I should try it or not.

Thanks
 
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I guess anything goes in gambling, but I think it should be banned from tournaments, as disrespectful.
 
I have found being able to listen to my own music seems to help me relax while playing. I don't think it helps me concentrate any better but I might feel a bit less pressure.

The problem here is I very rarely use earphones while playing because then I cannot hear my opponent or the other players around me. I think it is disrespectful to use headphones while shooting.
 
I don't see it as disrespectful, it shows that the person wearing it wants to avoid the talking and noise of the pool room and focus on the game. It personally doesn't bother me if my opponent is wearing it.

PS. Black-Balled, aren't you in Maryland? You should come down to first break in Sterling, tonight is the handicapped weekly tournament, I think Sunday we'll have a open weekly tournament starting at 4pm. But you should definitely come down tonight.
 
If my opponent wants to wear headphones, I'm ok with that.

But the volume better be low enough for my opponent to hear me if I have something to say.
 
?

I wear head-phones usually when I play or practice to block unwanted noise. What is disrespectful about that? Where I play, you have a number of players who will try to distract you with talking, movement, noise, or whatever. I would prefer to play without them, but you do what you have to.
 
Maybe "disrespectful" was the wrong choice of word but I have played people with earphones on multiple occasions and in almost all of them I have tried to call a ref or make a comment before they shoot and I was ignored with my opponent taking the shot anyways. In one case I thought it was a foul and he said I should have called a ref. I said I tried but he couldn't hear, and on goes the argument.

Practicing is fine but when gambling or playing in a tournament I don't think headphones should be allowed.

Just my 2 cents.
 
RafaReyes said:
I don't see it as disrespectful, it shows that the person wearing it wants to avoid the talking and noise of the pool room and focus on the game. It personally doesn't bother me if my opponent is wearing it.

PS. Black-Balled, aren't you in Maryland? You should come down to first break in Sterling, tonight is the handicapped weekly tournament, I think Sunday we'll have a open weekly tournament starting at 4pm. But you should definitely come down tonight.
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http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=235261&highlight=sterling

And about tonite:

I don't wanna pick on you guys...aww, I am just kidding!

I haven't hit a ball in a while, so I suck.

Gotta get up early to work and get home too late from there.

I do a group bike ride on thurs nites...(in Herndon!)

Not a Diamond fan.

I am sure I can come up with some others. Lemme think!:o
 
In my opinion it should be allow at all times (leagues, gambling, tourneys, etc). As long as it doesn't affect your opponent or anyone else why not?

You need to call a referee or talk to your opponent? Then get up of the chair and get their attention.
 
I think that you need to get used to outside distractions, noises, etc when playing. Learn to block out the noise. The problem with using earphones is that they are not universally accepted at all tournaments and you will be at a disadvantage when playing in such environments. Practice as you would compete.
 
RafaReyes said:
In my opinion it should be allow at all times (leagues, gambling, tourneys, etc). As long as it doesn't affect your opponent or anyone else why not?

You need to call a referee or talk to your opponent? Then get up of the chair and get their attention.
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Personally I don't think that anyone should have to go out of their way to get the attention of someone wearing earphones unless the earphones are to aid a hearing impaired player. I don't want to spend time worrying about my opponent not being able to hear me if I want to call a ref. It just leads into unnecessary arguments.
 
Its ok with me because I do not want to talk to anyone when I am playing anyway. I have tried it before but the cord bothers me. Some of the guys that I know that use them are listen to Bible Scripts or self help stuff. bottom line is its ok. Now cell phones that enought to drive you crazy.
 
StickmnBiliards said:
Personally I don't think that anyone should have to go out of their way to get the attention of someone wearing earphones unless the earphones are to aid a hearing impaired player. I don't want to spend time worrying about my opponent not being able to hear me if I want to call a ref. It just leads into unnecessary arguments.
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What he said. The system (aka: rules) should be designed to minimize potential issues.

Again- I am thinking re: tourneys. Gambling or funsies, ya make your own rules.
 
This is a interesting topic. On one hand if somebody wants to listen to their own music who is to say they can't? I know I have been places where they are playing country or rap, neither of which help my game. If you have headphones you don't have to worry about the crappy music.

On the other hand it basically closes down all communication with the person you are playing with. This *could* be deemed as disrespectful. I like to think I do a good job of picking my battles and if this came up I think I would simply remove them to avoid conflict.

At the end of the day I think somebody should be able to use headphone if that is what they want. Some people are more sensitive to sharking and this is a good way to counter it.

Our local APA league has something written into the bylaws for this. I will paste it below for sh*ts and giggles-

Cell phones may not be used by a player while in a match for any form of communication. Headphones may be used providing they do not cause any delay of games. Headphones may not be used if they are a component of a cell phone.
Headphones of any kind may not be used at the Local Team Championships.
 
What I think would be a workable solution is to make it clear that IF you want to wear headphones while in a match, it is the wearers responsibility to make eye contact with his/her opponent between everyshot in the event there is a need for communication.

I've often pondered trying headphones, to help me concentrate better, but since they aren't always allowed I don't want to set myself up with a cructh that I might not be able to use at some point.

(Of course, the way I'm playing lately it wouldn't matter anyhow.... :p )
 
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