Pool Ettiquitte

[ScottW]

I'll try to lighten this up for just a second because Perk's post made me think of a time a few months back when my best friend and I rode to a tournament together. More importantly, I rode with him. We ended up playing each other on the elimination side. I was playing pretty good at the moment and Kenny says to me. "JR, In three games I only got one shot. How are you planning on getting home?" I would imagine this has been said between friends many times before, but it sure did strike me funny that time.

The ultimate shark... one with real-world consequences!

The question is, did you win or did Kenny? And did you walk home or not...?

 

[supergreenman]

I'll try to lighten this up for just a second because Perk's post made me think of a time a few months back when my best friend and I road to a tournament together. More importantly, I road with him. We ended up playing each other on the elimination side. I was playing pretty good at the moment and Kenny says to me. "JR, In three games I only got one shot. How are you planning on getting home?" I would imagine this has been said between friends many times before, but it sure did strike me funny that time.

Isn't that the truth, when we ride together for a tournament, my friends and I make a point of having an agreement in place that if one of us eliminates another and gets in the money we'll cover the other persons entry fee.

 

[quitecoolguy]

I can understand how people get upset..but there is one thing that hasnt been said ...YOUR RESPECT FOR THE GAME should superseed any feelings of dissapointment. I have lost to people who are not as good as me and to people who were better than me...and i always shake there hand with a smile. For the people that were not as good as me that beat me..it gives merit to there accomplishment..they beat a better player..that win will mean something for them, since i acknowledged it...It also has given me a great reputation as a likable good player..as to losing to someone better than me..it shows my respect for the better player as well as respect for my own game. Anyone who blows their top in some of the ways you guys have spoken really take away from their own merit. ..Look at Earl the Pearl ..on the best if not the best ball striker ...but his temper is what people talk about and remember..not his pool game..and im sure he would much rather have his game talked about..I really think that is what has kept him out of the hall of fame..his reputation..god only knows his accomplishments merit him entry.

 

[Flex]

I can understand how people get upset..but there is one thing that hasnt been said ...YOUR RESPECT FOR THE GAME should superseed any feelings of dissapointment. I have lost to people who are not as good as me and to people who were better than me...and i always shake there hand with a smile. For the people that were not as good as me that beat me..it gives merit to there accomplishment..they beat a better player..that win will mean something for them, since i acknowledged it...It also has given me a great reputation as a likable good player..as to losing to someone better than me..it shows my respect for the better player as well as respect for my own game. Anyone who blows their top in some of the ways you guys have spoken really take away from their own merit. ..Look at Earl the Pearl ..on the best if not the best ball striker ...but his temper is what people talk about and remember..not his pool game..and im sure he would much rather have his game talked about..I really think that is what has kept him out of the hall of fame..his reputation..god only knows his accomplishments merit him entry.

Excellent post!

Some time ago while playing in the Sunday evening handicapped 9 Ball tournament at Chris's in Chicago, I drew a bye for the first match, and would end up playing a far superior player in the next match. I mean, I am NO COMPETITION for this ringer. His best game is straight pool. He had been watching me warm up, and when that happens I figure who ever's doing the watching is probably trying to figure out how to match up with me to lighten my load.

In any case, this fellow is a ringer, and shoots more or less at the same speed as Larry Schwartz. He totally dissected his opponent in the first match, a fellow who's way better than me, too.

But it was a handicapped match, and my opponent had to go to 9, while my race went to 3. This guy though could break and run several racks without a problem. Beautiful game, picture perfect stroke, the epitome of concentration. LOOKS like a pro...

So I was psyched up for the match, and played him the very best I could. A very tight, no chances taken match. And he laid some safeties, wow, that fortunately I got out of.

In the end, I won the match, fair and square, no goosing the 9 ball at all. I won my 3 before he won 6. Was I high after that, or what??

In the end, John complimented me and I did the same to him. Winning that match was a milestone for me, and that night I ended up winning the tournament, ahead of 26 other players.

The fact is, John is a gentleman, and everything about him says that. He lost to someone much, much weaker than he, yet he remained a gentleman. Do I sing his praises? Of course I do!

People like John are an inspiration to me, and hopefully to many others.

Next time I draw him in a tournament, I'll play him just as tough as I can, as he will me. That's the way to excellence...

Cheers!

Flex

 

[deadstroke7]

I always thought it was said best --

How he wins will show you something of a man's character, and how he loses will show you all of it.

I have always like that and try to be gratious in winning and courteous in defeat, just in my dealings and honest and fair in this game called life.