setting the cue down

F

FoodEater

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I figured I should post this to see if its just me or does this happen to everyone else?

When I am in the middle of a game and it looks like I am going to get out, my opponent will wait until I have a shot that is aimed at the general direction where he is sitting and then set down his cue. The funny thing is how often this happens. during a tournament small weekly tournament I would bet it happens alteast 3 matches that night.

Why do they wait to set thier cue down while I am able to see them? Is it suppose to mess me up and make me miss? is it coincidence? Anyone notice the amount of times this happens?
 
Could be, could be not.

I know that when my opponent is at the table, and I suspect he's going to be out, I tend to set my cue down. I don't do it necessarily while I'm in his line of sight or anything. Might be this guy you describe is doing the same.

If it bothers you, wait for him to set the cue down, then stand up, look at the shot again and re-focus before going back down and taking the shot. Don't let his action influence your focus.
 
I think the issue here is with you, not the shooter, IMO.

I do this too. If I feel like I am going to get another turn at the table, I will stand (out of the line of sight and away from the table).

If I am playing a good shooter, or don't think I will get another shot soon, I'll normally sit down, and either hold or put my cue against a corner or such.
 
sounds like they are in your head. which is exactly their intention. you have to go to the table expecting that to happen and setting your expectations of their sportsmanship as low as possible.
 
Don't think so ...

that just happens to be the time he realizes that you are probably out, and he won't be shooting anytime quick.

I often realize when my opponent is going to miss, whether from bad position or a tough shot that they are weak on or a jump shot, and often get my cue from the cue holder because I know I will be shooting real soon.

It probably is nothing personal, just business .... lol
 
thanks for the reply scott, and interetingly enough I have actually waited for the shot that was in his view, and gave the shot about 8-9 seconds to see if he set his cue down, but they never mind waiting until I am down on the shot to set it down..in all honesty it doesnt mess me up, I just find it very strange that the behvaior can be so consistent from player to player... thx again!
 
You mean there's other people around when you're shooting? :eek:

I thought they all just dissappeared untill I either won or missed.

That is what it should seem like if you're in the proper state of mind.
 
supergreenman said:
You mean there's other people around when you're shooting? :eek:

I thought they all just dissappeared untill I either won or missed.

That is what it should seem like if you're in the proper state of mind.
Click to expand...


damn, your absolutely right supergreenman.. but now I have myself watching for this just to see if it happens, your right I should be paying attention to the table..
 
Why are you looking at the player or surrounding? Try to focus on the shot and don't let the sharking take you out of your game. Now if he breaks down his cue just get up and shake his hand and thank him for ceding the game.
 
It could be an accident. I used to do stuff like that by accident because I was trying to be polite. That sounds backwards, but I will explain...

Say I'm sitting there holding my cue like you described. A few shots go by, and eventually I notice that I'm in my opponents line of sight. Suddenly, I'm very conscious of the fact that I'm holding my cue and worrying about slight movements that might be a distraction to my opponent. So, I set my cue down, and fold my hands trying to sit perfectly still.

Another example, would be moving to a different seat to get out of the opponent's line of site.

Well, eventually I started realizing that these actions are usually more distracting than simply continuing to hold the cue, or continuing to stay in the seat that is in his line of sight. So now I try to set my cue down as soon as my turn is over, and sit still, and never change seats unless I'm physically in the way of the backswing for a shot.

Too bad there were probably people who assumed I was trying to shark them, when I was really trying to go out of my way not to. C'est la vie.

If your opponent does this to you, is it best to assume it was misplaced courtesy? Maybe that way, it won't get under your skin?
 
It's Stuperstition.

If you hold the cue in your right hand your opponent will run out.
If you hold the cue in your left hand your opponent will miss but hook you.
If you set your cue down your opponenet will miss and leave you a good shot.

Wait until about the 5-ball, set your cue down and you will get a 4 ball out everytime...:D
 
supergreenman said:
You mean there's other people around when you're shooting? :eek:

I thought they all just dissappeared untill I either won or missed.

That is what it should seem like if you're in the proper state of mind.
Click to expand...

Yep. I have enough trouble trying to pocket balls and move the cue ball around the table without worrying about what people are doing around me. I look at the table next to me on some shots to make sure I'm not interfering with their game but that's about it. Maybe if I get really good I will start looking around although I doubt that I'm missing much.
 
Snapshot9 said:
that just happens to be the time he realizes that you are probably out, and he won't be shooting anytime quick.

I often realize when my opponent is going to miss, whether from bad position or a tough shot that they are weak on or a jump shot, and often get my cue from the cue holder because I know I will be shooting real soon.

It probably is nothing personal, just business .... lol
Click to expand...


I seem to be in the minority here, but getting ready to shoot while expecting the player to miss is the definition of sharking in my book. My teammate does the same thing and it is the only thing that can bother me. By doing this, you are telling the guy that he can't make the shot and getting him thinking about you, not his shot. I have read a lot of your posts and you seem like a nice guy, so I assume that there is no mal-intent here. I find great satisfaction making a shot while my opponent is getting ready to shoot. I am learning to turn it in to motivation instead of getting upset.
 
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