Rules Question - Does breaking down your cue mean loss of game?

[West Point 1987]

It seems like most tournaments these days don't allow concessions...either at the end of the match or any particular game...what's the ruling then?

Many years ago when I was starting out, I used to unscrew my cue a couple of turns when I missed a tough shot on the case ball or even a couple of shots earlier...it was a gut reaction to missing the shot (kind of like slamming your cue down, cussing, whatever), never occurred to me that it was a shark move. Then a more experienced player called me on it and I never did it again. I think some players never realize that it's bad form, they're just frustrated. Then, there are those that are intentionally sharking.

I don't like it when folks concede a relatively easy shot on the 9 (or even the 8!) then the next game they don't...I make it a rule not to ever concede a ball, even SVB will miss cue every once in a while!

 

[SKILLZELITE]

Unscrewing your playing cue during a match, without notifying your opponent, what you're breaking it down for, is a forfeiture to my understanding..

 

[hang-the-9]

the action you describe is a negative mannerism and signals Concede.
however... it is not surrender and in fact it's many times used as a physcological offset to tharwt the opposition into missing.
should that occur, you put that fishpole right back together and go to work!

Concede and surrender are pretty the same thing. It is a loss of game, same as standing up from your chair, moving to the table, picking up balls from the pockets, etc... before the game winning ball is pocketed. Of course 95% of pool players don't have a concept of the real rules so would be tough to argue and win.

 

[FranCrimi]

Unscrewing your playing cue during a match, without notifying your opponent, what you're breaking it down for, is a forfeiture to my understanding..

Exactly right. It's concession of the match. No need to ask the person what their intent is. It's over. If a player needs to change shafts for a good reason then he must announce it before breaking down his cue.

 

[PGHteacher]

Unscrewing your cue, putting balls up, saying “good game”, grabbing the rack etc.. are losses no matter what the reason. There is no need to say anything to your opponent like ask them “concede?”, “you quitting?” or the like. They have done this for a couple of possible reasons 1) They are trying to shark you; the penalty is loss of game you won 2) They are conceding the game; you won. No matter how you slice it you won. I do suggest that people in official circumstances stop shooting this ball I don’t shoot it; I don’t care if it’s a duck w/ CB 1 ft away, I still don’t shoot it.