Pool -- a very male dominated sport (in the wake of Cubc and OMGWTF's matchup)

Peer

Peer

Norwegian in California
Silver Member
Since there are some good AZ posts that occasionally get buried in the mundane fluff, I'd like to regenerate something Fred Agnir (aka Cornerman) touched onto -- how OMGWTF often gets material for her blog through inappropriate conduct by predominantly male pool players. Here's what Fred wrote:

Cornerman said:
You know what I really liked about all of this? Here we have this funny weblog on pool, and whether or not anyone believed half of what OMG wrote in the past, we all were witness to the greatest story her blog could have ever depicted!!!

Like everyone else that never met her before her blog, I couldn't tell you what I made of her writing. I've been around the game enough, but some of the things she wrote seemed a bit far fetched.

But then I met her. And whether it's the way she walks, talk, or plays, people just can't help approaching her. And even in Vegas, while she was trying to get some time in on the TARPIT table, during a week that over 5000 pool players from all walks of life gathered within a 1000 foot circle, people would still approach her (while practicing!!) as if they just couldn't tell what to make of her!

It was crazy to watch a grown man, another run of the mill pool player, approach her and almost touch her just to be near her or something, while she had her head phones on trying to just keep in her own moment. If she had backed up, she would have knocked into him, he would have said something stooooooopid, and she would have had yet another bit of fodder for her blog. I watched him and to this day, I can't for the life of me fathom what he possibly could have been thinking. And I can only believe this happens to her daily.
Click to expand...

I guess anyone who reads OMGWTF blog is aware of how very articulate she is. However, I believe the key ingredient for her well written & funny blog is that she's very perceptive. For example, I bet most of us experience things daily that we would just turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to, yet things that she could probably write a short novel about. This ability reminds me of something a professor of mine once said; try to see the world as through a camera, because that will help you be more perceptive of your environment -- you'll point and focus to find a scope.

Although I've met OMGWTF a couple of times (at pool halls), it was actually through an ex gf that I got an understanding of how a large portion of the male population behave towards girls that happen to "infringe" on their territory. My ex is into motorcycles (sport-bikes) which is like pool -- very male dominated. Every time she and I went out riding together there was always some insecure dude that had to show off or try to race her. Embarrassing. I wish she was as articulate as OMGWTF because then she could crank out many novels about her experiences.

Whether it's in the pool halls or on the canyon roads, it seems as if there are no shortage of guys who feel their masculinity being impugned because a hot chick can do their stuff as well (or even better).

Frankly, when I initially saw Cubc going off on OMGWTF, to me it just revived this not-often-talked-about misogynistic and racist mindset which I think is quite prevalent here in the states.

-- peer
 
As far as "here in the United States" goes, I've worked with a couple girls who travelled in Europe and guys came up and grabbed their crotch like it wasn't a big deal.

They both wish they had guns on them when it happened.

I think human nature is basically the same everywhere. Get 10 guys in a room with a pretty girl and at least 3 of them will make asses out of themselves before too long. In a bar, pool hall, classroom, internet forum or wherever.

Look at how the TAR forum went when any girl got in the booth.
 
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I have some idea what OMGWTF goes through from watching my wifes experiences playing pool. For the first couple of years we were together, we played a lot of pool. She loved the game, had naturally good mechanics, and improved her game at a pretty fast pace. We played in bars often, at poolhalls, in local tourneys, and played on a league team for a couple of seasons.

It seemed that no matter where we went, some guy would invariably try to give her some pointers, or offer some unsolicited advice. The weird part is that these guys were often players that she could have given weight to. Sometimes she would try to ignore them, sometimes she would challenge them to a game, and sometimes she would signal to me that I should intervene, but they would almost always persist in their attempts.

While I have theories, I never have figured out why so many guys do stupid things around women playing pool, or why some women attract stupidity more than others. She will still play a couple of friendly games every now and then, but she has for the most part given up playing pool. There were several reasons why she quit, but I believe that C players trying to give her advice certainly played a part.

Why is it that so many men assume that they are a better pool player than someone just because they have a penis and their opponent doesn't? And why do these same men feel that it is their duty to offer advice that is completely unsolicited (and often incorrect)? It is sad to think of how many women may have been discouraged from playing pool by this type of behavior.
 
Why don't you just ask her for a date and get it over with??


(-:

Peer said:
Since there are some good AZ posts that occasionally get buried in the mundane fluff, I'd like to regenerate something Fred Agnir (aka Cornerman) touched onto -- how OMGWTF often gets material for her blog through inappropriate conduct by predominantly male pool players. Here's what Fred wrote:



I guess anyone who reads OMGWTF blog is aware of how very articulate she is. However, I believe the key ingredient for her well written & funny blog is that she's very perceptive. For example, I bet most of us experience things daily that we would just turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to, yet things that she could probably write a short novel about. This ability reminds me of something a professor of mine once said; try to see the world as through a camera, because that will help you be more perceptive of your environment -- you'll point and focus to find a scope.

Although I've met OMGWTF a couple of times (at pool halls), it was actually through an ex gf that I got an understanding of how a large portion of the male population behave towards girls that happen to "infringe" on their territory. My ex is into motorcycles (sport-bikes) which is like pool -- very male dominated. Every time she and I went out riding together there was always some insecure dude that had to show off or try to race her. Embarrassing. I wish she was as articulate as OMGWTF because then she could crank out many novels about her experiences.

Whether it's in the pool halls or on the canyon roads, it seems as if there are no shortage of guys who feel their masculinity being impugned because a hot chick can do their stuff as well (or even better).

Frankly, when I initially saw Cubc going off on OMGWTF, to me it just revived this not-often-talked-about misogynistic and racist mindset which I think is quite prevalent here in the states.

-- peer
Click to expand...
 
The next time any of you guys see a pretty girl playing pool, and want to talk with her, here are a few points to remember;

1) Most pool players think they play better than they do, which means you may not be as good as you think you are.

2) Most guys underestimate female pool players, so she probably plays better than you think (maybe even better than you).

3) If she didn't ask for any help or advice, she probably doesn't want any. (this is probably the most important point to remember)

4) If she is practicing alone, she is either waiting for her boyfriend, or a student of the game involved in a serious practice session. Either way, she does not want you interrupting to flirt with her, even if you are gods gift to women (which even if you think you are, you probably aren't).
 
Go home!

Peer said:
Frankly, when I initially saw Cubc going off on OMGWTF, to me it just revived this not-often-talked-about misogynistic and racist mindset which I think is quite prevalent here in the states.

-- peer
Click to expand...

Well, Peer, you've done it again. You've extrapolated the CUBC vs. OMGWTF into a national issue. And now we're a nation of woman-haters and racists? Why are you here? Isn't there someplace you'd rather be? Please got there, and soon.
 
desert1pocket said:
The next time any of you guys see a pretty girl playing pool, and want to talk with her, here are a few points to remember;

1) Most pool players think they play better than they do, which means you may not be as good as you think you are.

2) Most guys underestimate female pool players, so she probably plays better than you think (maybe even better than you).

3) If she didn't ask for any help or advice, she probably doesn't want any. (this is probably the most important point to remember)

4) If she is practicing alone, she is either waiting for her boyfriend, or a student of the game involved in a serious practice session. Either way, she does not want you interrupting to flirt with her, even if you are gods gift to women (which even if you think you are, you probably aren't).
Click to expand...

Why "pretty"? Why not anyone? Keep your expertise to yourself, I say. Unless asked for.
 
I dont see the mystery here ...

Man goes to hang out, drink,(gamble maybe) and shoot pool...

Woman walks into the room full up on all of that competetion, booze, and shit talking....she is prime target...

Is it right, nah.... but it is how it is..
 
Peer said:
Frankly, when I initially saw Cubc going off on OMGWTF, to me it just revived this not-often-talked-about misogynistic and racist mindset which I think is quite prevalent here in the states.
-- peer
Click to expand...

Would have been more accurate to write "prevalent here on the planet, and possibly other yet unknown galaxies".
 
Ok, so league is over, I've had some beers, some shots, at least 2 long islands, and what exactly is in a naked moose?

There is a very hot Asian American woman playing on the 9' table. I watch her practice for a few minutes and it's clear that she can play, probably better then me even if I was at my best.

I ask her if she is looking for a game she says "race to 5 for $20, we can talk about spots after the first match"; she doesn't play for more then that when she is alone. "Fair enough" I say, and proceed to get my ass handed to me the first set. I ask for the 8, she says, "no way, I can tell you play better then that first set, you have been on 8' footers all night, you just need to get used to the bigger table". "Um, sure, maybe" I say and we go again, 3/5, another match for her. I've only got $80 in my pocket that night and I'm not going to make an ATM run.

Now the friends are gathering, watching me get killed by this delicate flower. Pride aside, I still have to ask for a spot. "How about the break and the 8, you?re killing me here". Next match is also hers, 4/5. I tell her I'm down to my last $20 and this will have to be the final match if she wins. She offers me the 6, 7, and 8 if we can go back to winner breaks. My alcohol soaked brain is screaming at me that I'm really getting taken here, but I refuse to throw it a rope and let it drown and agree. I win the coin toss and produce an empty break, she runs. She then breaks and runs the next 3 racks and savagely hooks me 3 times in a row that last game. Kicking like efren doesn?t even begin to describe how I managed to make legal hits after those 3 safes, but I finally failed on the 4 safe and she ran out.

Now, would I have challenged her if she had been an unattractive woman or a dude? Probably not

Would I have caught that she had been watching me play during league and probably knew exactly how much I'd had to drink and how I played if she had not been gorgeous? Probably

Would I have kept playing without a spot after that first match if she had been hideous or a man? Probably not

Would I have still kept playing after I lost the first, second, and third match given my level of intoxication if she had been a dude or an unattractive female? Probably not

In other words, would she have had a chance in hell of winning my $80 if she had been anything other then an attractive woman who could play at A speed or higher? Probably not.

I'm a man, what can I say?
 
Peer said:
Since there are some good AZ posts that occasionally get buried in the mundane fluff, I'd like to regenerate something Fred Agnir (aka Cornerman) touched onto -- how OMGWTF often gets material for her blog through inappropriate conduct by predominantly male pool players. Here's what Fred wrote:



I guess anyone who reads OMGWTF blog is aware of how very articulate she is. However, I believe the key ingredient for her well written & funny blog is that she's very perceptive. For example, I bet most of us experience things daily that we would just turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to, yet things that she could probably write a short novel about. This ability reminds me of something a professor of mine once said; try to see the world as through a camera, because that will help you be more perceptive of your environment -- you'll point and focus to find a scope.

Although I've met OMGWTF a couple of times (at pool halls), it was actually through an ex gf that I got an understanding of how a large portion of the male population behave towards girls that happen to "infringe" on their territory. My ex is into motorcycles (sport-bikes) which is like pool -- very male dominated. Every time she and I went out riding together there was always some insecure dude that had to show off or try to race her. Embarrassing. I wish she was as articulate as OMGWTF because then she could crank out many novels about her experiences.

Whether it's in the pool halls or on the canyon roads, it seems as if there are no shortage of guys who feel their masculinity being impugned because a hot chick can do their stuff as well (or even better).

Frankly, when I initially saw Cubc going off on OMGWTF, to me it just revived this not-often-talked-about misogynistic and racist mindset which I think is quite prevalent here in the states.

-- peer
Click to expand...

No poll????????
 
MinoInADixeCup said:
Ok, so league is over, I've had some beers, some shots, at least 2 long islands, and what exactly is in a naked moose?

There is a very hot Asian American woman playing on the 9' table. I watch her practice for a few minutes and it's clear that she can play, probably better then me even if I was at my best.

I ask her if she is looking for a game she says "race to 5 for $20, we can talk about spots after the first match"; she doesn't play for more then that when she is alone. "Fair enough" I say, and proceed to get my ass handed to me the first set. I ask for the 8, she says, "no way, I can tell you play better then that first set, you have been on 8' footers all night, you just need to get used to the bigger table". "Um, sure, maybe" I say and we go again, 3/5, another match for her. I've only got $80 in my pocket that night and I'm not going to make an ATM run.

Now the friends are gathering, watching me get killed by this delicate flower. Pride aside, I still have to ask for a spot. "How about the break and the 8, you?re killing me here". Next match is also hers, 4/5. I tell her I'm down to my last $20 and this will have to be the final match if she wins. She offers me the 6, 7, and 8 if we can go back to winner breaks. My alcohol soaked brain is screaming at me that I'm really getting taken here, but I refuse to throw it a rope and let it drown and agree. I win the coin toss and produce an empty break, she runs. She then breaks and runs the next 3 racks and savagely hooks me 3 times in a row that last game. Kicking like efren doesn?t even begin to describe how I managed to make legal hits after those 3 safes, but I finally failed on the 4 safe and she ran out.

Now, would I have challenged her if she had been an unattractive woman or a dude? Probably not

Would I have caught that she had been watching me play during league and probably knew exactly how much I'd had to drink and how I played if she had not been gorgeous? Probably

Would I have kept playing without a spot after that first match if she had been hideous or a man? Probably not

Would I have still kept playing after I lost the first, second, and third match given my level of intoxication if she had been a dude or an unattractive female? Probably not

In other words, would she have had a chance in hell of winning my $80 if she had been anything other then an attractive woman who could play at A speed or higher? Probably not.

I'm a man, what can I say?
Click to expand...

'A' speed makes the top 20 in the WPBA. Who is this lady?
 
There is no way I can be sure, but I think I saw her recently on ESPN classic. The announcers mentioned that it was her first time on TV, but as soon as I saw her, this match is the first thing that popped into my head and I wondered if it was her. I'll check the DVR, but I think the match got over written, if not I'll post a possible name.

If it's her, it would have meant she was in the Detroit area about 6 years ago. No clue if she lived here or not at that time.
 
MinoInADixeCup said:
There is no way I can be sure, but I think I saw her recently on ESPN classic. The announcers mentioned that it was her first time on TV, but as soon as I saw her, this match is the first thing that popped into my head and I wondered if it was her. I'll check the DVR, but I think the match got over written, if not I'll post a possible name.

If it's her, it would have meant she was in the Detroit area about 6 years ago. No clue if she lived here or not at that time.
Click to expand...

I gotta say (no offense) that it's a little funny that she is capable of running 4 racks, but didn't want to give up a spot after the first set. :D I used to think this would show a lack of heart in ANY player, but I have since mellowed on the merits of hustling a little. And it WAS only a race to 5, so she can be forgiven for clubbing baby seals.

(No offense :D :D :D)

Russ
 
smokeandapancak said:
I dont see the mystery here ...

Man goes to hang out, drink,(gamble maybe) and shoot pool...

Woman walks into the room full up on all of that competetion, booze, and shit talking....she is prime target...

Is it right, nah.... but it is how it is..
Click to expand...

Just wondering how it's "wrong"?

A lone woman in a pool hall is not by definition unapproachable. I personally think women are way too uptight about this these days, BUT if a chick has her phones on to me that clearly says "I don't want to talk to anybody." Maybe.

"Hitting on" an attractive woman is not rude as long as it is done, well, not rudely.
 
Russ Chewning said:
I gotta say (no offense) that it's a little funny that she is capable of running 4 racks, but didn't want to give up a spot after the first set. :D I used to think this would show a lack of heart in ANY player, but I have since mellowed on the merits of hustling a little. And it WAS only a race to 5, so she can be forgiven for clubbing baby seals.

(No offense :D :D :D)

Russ
Click to expand...

LMAO, no offense taken at all, clubing baby seals would have been more sporting then taking my money that night. Even at my best game, I think she would still have taken me straight up if for no other reason then she probably would have wanted the money more then me. I don't play to make money, It's all just for fun and I don't play for anything I care to lose. I approched her about a game and given that she was in a strange hall and didn't know me from adam, I can't fault her for being a bit timid at first.
 
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D-Sub said:
Just wondering how it's "wrong"?

A lone woman in a pool hall is not by definition unapproachable. I personally think women are way too uptight about this these days, BUT if a chick has her phones on to me that clearly says "I don't want to talk to anybody." Maybe.

"Hitting on" an attractive woman is not rude as long as it is done, well, not rudely.
Click to expand...

There is a definite double standard here, I HAVE to say. There was a dating study done, in which an analysis was done of a couple of hundred young adults dating preferences.

They figured out the facial/figure features that each of these men and women found attractive. Then, they put them in social situations where each was tasked to go and "flirt" with a certain number of matched persons of the opposite sex.

An interesting thing was found. Men were somewhat flattered by ANY of the women they were hit on by, and simply chose not to pursue anything with the women they found unattractive.

The women were a WHOLE 'nother thing, however. If they found a man unattractive, they generally had negative feelings towards them. If the man was extremely attractive to the women, but had a lame introductory phase, this was overlooked. If the man was unattractive to the women but used similar lines, he was seen as an "@sshole."

So, what we see here is a simple lesson: If you are a handsome guy, or happen to be the girl's "type", the girl will probably not be too disturbed by your attempt to talk to her while she is practicing, and might even stop to talk to you for awhile.

If you are NOT her "type", and you do everything exactly the same, then you are a jerk. :D

So, the reason why men act the way they do, is simply because it is luck of the draw on whether the girl will like you or not. You DON'T KNOW if you DON'T TRY. :D :D :D

I have always tried to be polite when talking to women, and just let things develop. I like the girls who treat you nice even if you are not their "type".

The girls seen as total "b!tches" are the ones who see you as a scumbag just because they are not attracted to you, and you are trying to talk to them. I have seen guys just trying to mingle with girls they find attractive, and the girls treat them like dirt, because the feeling is not reciprocal. I can understand if the dude won't "get the hint", and keeps trying, but if the guy is just trying to meet a girl, why be a "b!tch"?

Russ

(Completely, 100% sure this will be misinterpreted :()
 
Russ Chewning said:
(Completely, 100% sure this will be misinterpreted :()
Click to expand...


the thing that drives me nuts is the guy that keeps on trying over an over again with the same girl who has already blown him off several times. (note: blown him off=not in a good way)

I think this is why so many woman get a tude as soon as anyone they don't like hits on them.

I do my best not to be an ass to my waitress or any other attractive girls around, If they are interested after I have introduced myself, they will make it known and we can go from there. If not, dispite what your friends tell you, drinking 4 or 5 more beers and telling them that you want to buy them a buick isn't going to work.
 
Russ Chewning said:
The girls seen as total "b!tches" are the ones who see you as a scumbag just because they are not attracted to you, and you are trying to talk to them. I have seen guys just trying to mingle with girls they find attractive, and the girls treat them like dirt, because the feeling is not reciprocal. I can understand if the dude won't "get the hint", and keeps trying, but if the guy is just trying to meet a girl, why be a "b!tch"?
Click to expand...

Happens all the time in SoCal. Women are total b----s to guys. Even the mediocre looking ones. Amusing to me!
 
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