Pool Curtesy

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Dave Nelson

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I did something yesterday that I wish I hadn't done. I'm playing 8 ball with Tom. He is pretty good and very serious about his game. I enjoy watching him shoot and I can learn things from him. I was shooting rather well for me. I made a few good shots and won a game now and then. We were having a good time. He can be a bit of a pain at times but I guess so can I. He wants his opponent sitting in the chair when he is shooting and I agree with this and that is where I try to be. Once in awhile your way to the chair may be temporarily blocked. Is it wrong in such a case to simply stand where you are, clear of any shooter? I had had a lecture or two from Tom in the past. I missed and started for the chair but Tom was in the way. The adjacent table was vacant so I backed up against it and stood there motionless. Tom made a ball or two then missed and proceeded to lecture me and I let it get to me. I said, last game Tom. We finished the game and I started to walk away. Tom said hey, were, and he waved his hand at the wire which showed that I was nearly even with him. There was no money involved. I said, I don't feel like playing anymore Tom and I walked down a couple of tables and got a 1 pocket game with Tony. I wish I had just accepted the lecture and continued the game with Tom. Did I make a complete ass of myself?

Dave Nelson
 
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Courtesy

Unless you got lost on the way back to the chair, it sounds like your friend needs to learn about giving you time to get to the chair!
 
I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you made a genuine effort to get back to the chair and stood off to the side during his next shot I think your courtesy was ok. Especially in a friendly game.

Some people get really cranky when they're shooting (especially when losing), and blame everthing around them...(jukebox, people talking too loudly across the room, some guy walking around 2 tables away, smoke in the air, whatever)

Sounds to me like your friend is making excuses.
 
The key words are no money involved, and back up and remained motionless. I am picky about pool etiquette also but on a friendly game it shouldn't be that big a deal. As long as you are not standing in his line of site or right next to the table then thats whats important. By walking away it might bring up the subject later on his need to lecture you, to me that would be more annoying then somebody not getting back to his chair every once in awhile.
 
Tom was the one a little out of line

Seems like Tom was the one a little out of line. On the other hand it would have probably been better to have had a conversation about it than quitting on him if you like playing him overall.

I try to sit in my chair if the other player is shooting but if that will be in his line of sight I often lean against another table or select another chair. I actually consider that more courteous than insisting on getting to my chair every time. Sometimes too there is room to shoot between my chair and table but it is close enough quarters that the player might feel a little uncomfortable if they are shooting between me and the table so I move. Bottom line, friendly game, cash, or tournament I usually try to do what is best for the other player if they have the table and often that isn't keeping my bottom glued to my chair.

I would pick a time to politely tell Tom that he either has to give you time to get to your chair or not expect you in it. Tom seems to have a little quirk but it may be easiest just to accept it. Good pool playing partners are hard to find and I'm the only person I have ever known that is absolutely perfect.

Hu

Dave Nelson said:
I did something yesterday that I wish I hadn't done. I'm playing 8 ball with Tom. He is pretty good and very serious about his game. I enjoy watching him shoot and I can learn things from him. I was shooting rather well for me. I made a few good shots and won a game now and then. We were having a good time. He can be a bit of a pain at times but I guess so can I. He wants his opponent sitting in the chair when he is shooting and I agree with this and that is where I try to be. Once in awhile your way to the chair may be temporarily blocked. Is it wrong in such a case to simply stand where you are, clear of any shooter? I had had a lecture or two from Tom in the past. I missed and started for the chair but Tom was in the way. The adjacent table was vacant so I backed up against it and stood there motionless. Tom made a ball or two then missed and proceeded to lecture me and I let it get to me. I said, last game Tom. We finished the game and I started to walk away. Tom said hey, were, and he waved his hand at the wire which showed that I was nearly even with him. There was no money involved. I said, I don't feel like playing anymore Tom and I walked down a couple of tables and got a 1 pocket game with Tony. I wish I had just accepted the lecture and continued the game with Tom. Did I make a complete ass of myself?

Dave Nelson
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Well, no harsh words were exchanged. I guess the next time I see Tom I'll just say Hi Tom, wanna play some 8 ball? and we'll go from there.

Dave Nelson
 
I play NOONE that is this uptight. Unless it is for the cash. That isn't fun for me. As long as you're not flailing about in my line of sight, I don't care where you are. If you can't concentrate without perfect conditions, then go play in a vacuum room. But, don't ask me to.
 
Dave, the key phrase is "Tom can be a bit of a pain at times". This guy is wound a little too tight.
 
jay helfert said:
Dave, the key phrase is "Tom can be a bit of a pain at times". This guy is wound a little too tight.
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Yep, I agree with Jay. There can be a fine line at times when it comes to sharking, but you go nowhere near it according to your description of what happened. I try to stay out of my opponents line of sight. If I'm in it I remain motionless, but I sometimes remain standing, out of the way. Having to stay in your seat is very strict, but then again, if you enjoy playing the man, and you're learning from him, you might need to kiss his arse a little. It's up to you...Tom
 
HE has the problem, not you, imho.

Part of good pool is handling distractions; if one can't do that, they'd better work on it....IF they wanna be good, that is.

I play leagues....that request would be laughed at and might result in more trouble.

I'd like to have a smaller prostate...

Jeff Livingston
 
Well, I guess it's really no big deal. I do enjoy playing Tom. He is probably the 1st or 2nd best player in the room and he only plays with one or two others. I'll just take him as is and play pool.

Dave Nelson
 
You did nothing wrong Dave. Tom is the one that should apologize.The good thing is that you're still on talking terms.

Maybe Tom needs to play more one pocket. In this game you get accustomed to having your opponent near by. Many times you will be shooting within seconds between shots, not having time to sit yourself. Many times your opponent will want to be nearby to watch the shot if it will be close to being a foul. If you went an sat down after each shot you'll be exhausted within a short time.

Most times you'll know when you can get away from the table and sit down. You left him in deep trouble and he will need time to figure his way out of it. Or you know he will be at the table for awhile running balls. Most players have the courtesy to stay out of the line of sight and not disturb you or your concentration.

In most other games the player will be at the table for a while and it's best if you found your chair. Courtesy for him and comfort for you.
 
Dave Nelson said:
Well, I guess it's really no big deal. I do enjoy playing Tom. He is probably the 1st or 2nd best player in the room and he only plays with one or two others. I'll just take him as is and play pool.

Dave Nelson
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That pretty much explains it for me. He had a lot more to lose in his own ego filled mind than he let on to IMO. He needed an excuse and you were available. Legitimately losing to you wasn't an option for him or his ego.
 
If Tom got down on his shot and let you get in his head, that's Toms' issue, not yours. Buy him a copy of "The Inner Guide To Tennis."
 
i've had a guy stand two feet behind me and start saying in quite a loud voice, "f**kin' sandbagger, motherf**kin' sandbaggin' motherf**ker". that was during league play. i consider things of that nature to be "sharking". :) if you stand off to the side, motionless, and quiet, somtimes that's the best you can do. if you're playing for cash - sit in the chair and shut your mouth because everything's different.
 
I think your friend is having a problem concentrating and he should be thanking you for the lesson of trying to overcome his lack of concentration. I could understand if you were jumping around and yelling or something as he is about to shoot but he is the one, in this situation, that is out of line.
 
concentration

as soon as you gripe about something bothering you, you will begin to get worse.IE; asking your opponent to sit in a chair. don't form these habits. never mention anything bothering you and sooner,rather than later it'll stop. as for tom he missed and needed someone or thing to blame it on. he needs to "toughen up" it isn't church. his game may be better than yours but he'll not get better untill he gets over these childish ways. DON'T FALL INTO THIS BEHAVIOR WITH HIM. good luck with your game.
rodney.
 
Control freaks like your buddy turn me off. How you handle it is up to you. I would rather run ball by myself than deal with the drama if it is just for "fun". If it's a money game and you are winning and getting paid then it's easier to tolerate.
 
Very Hard To Find!!!!!

ShootingArts said:
Seems like Tom was the one a little out of line. On the other hand it would have probably been better to have had a conversation about it than quitting on him if you like playing him overall.

I try to sit in my chair if the other player is shooting but if that will be in his line of sight I often lean against another table or select another chair. I actually consider that more courteous than insisting on getting to my chair every time. Sometimes too there is room to shoot between my chair and table but it is close enough quarters that the player might feel a little uncomfortable if they are shooting between me and the table so I move. Bottom line, friendly game, cash, or tournament I usually try to do what is best for the other player if they have the table and often that isn't keeping my bottom glued to my chair.

I would pick a time to politely tell Tom that he either has to give you time to get to your chair or not expect you in it. Tom seems to have a little quirk but it may be easiest just to accept it. Good pool playing partners are hard to find and I'm the only person I have ever known that is absolutely perfect.

Hu
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Yes, I agree with Hu. Practice partners are VERY hard to find. IMO, you did nothing wrong.
As Jay mentioned, wound a little too tight.
If you dont mind the little hassles with him, sounds like a good practice partnership.
And yes Hu, I am perfect also. LOL
 
Guys like this take the fun out of playing pool. He should have said something before he started shooting if he felt it was a problem.
 
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