SHARK Tactics

[Gregg]

How can I intentionally shark someone?

Either blatantly or indiscriminately?


Me, myself, I take pride in my game, and would never do this during a competition.

But what if my competitor were not so scrupulous?

What if they didn't have the same moral integrity, or strict regard for what is considered right or proper during the course of a match?

Some people take great pride in their ability to shark their opponent, and have it down to an art form.

I would like to know some of the things you may have done, or have experienced, or have heard of, that someone may have done to take their opponent off of their game.

Learning from others experiences may help SHARK proof all of our games, something that I think every AZer should strive for!

 

[BillYards]

I was in Vegas at the VNEA nationals and was a fairly accomplished player, playing in 8-ball singles... We started the match and I missed a ball or two and the other player came over and asked me "Oh, is this your first tournament?", which really made me mad and made me think I was playing poorly... I lost the match without a fight.

Later that day... I bought a book... "Point the Way" by the Monk... he suggested saying that exact phrase to an opponent to shark them. I was sooooo mad that I was sharked like that. Not at my opponent, but at myself. It was a great lesson and it improved me.

That guy would not beat me with sharking again.

I don't use any blatant sharking tactics.... or at least I try not to!

 

[Njhustler1]

A very subtle, indiscriminant tactic that I use is to stare my opponent in the eyes while he's shooting a long shot, rather than stare at the ball or the pocket. For some reason they always look back at you and it throws them off. I can't explain it but it works.

 

[Gregg]

I almost forgot this one, where a guy accused me of "cheating".

I like to walk to the other side of the table for a bank shot, to try and get a feel for the angle, and I like to touch the cloth so that I can visualize where the object ball must hit on the rail when I get back behind the cue ball.

My opponent took the opportunity to accuse me of cheating, by marking the cloth where the object ball had to hit. Not on is this stupid (I could have marked the wrong spot, or missed it while shooting), there was no visible mark on the table, with chalk, or talc, or whatever. I recognized right away. He did some other not so obvious things, but I could tell he was trying to get into my head.

Sometimes you have to set your mind like a steel trap in order to avoid the mind games some of these guys try to pull.

 

[Flex]

I was in Vegas at the VNEA nationals and was a fairly accomplished player, playing in 8-ball singles... We started the match and I missed a ball or two and the other player came over and asked me "Oh, is this your first tournament?", which really made me mad and made me think I was playing poorly... I lost the match without a fight.

Later that day... I bought a book... "Point the Way" by the Monk... he suggested saying that exact phrase to an opponent to shark them. I was sooooo mad that I was sharked like that. Not at my opponent, but at myself. It was a great lesson and it improved me.

That guy would not beat me with sharking again.

I don't use any blatant sharking tactics.... or at least I try not to!

Best way to deal with that is to stare back at them, and smile coyly.

Above all, don't let it upset you.

I had a fellow try that kind of stuff on me not too long ago, and I just kept an icy look on. He asked me a question, along the lines of "Don't tell me you missed that on purpose"... which I had, but my stony look unnerved him. Some people I guess are susceptible to that sort of stuff.

There are so many shark techniques out there that it probably isn't a good idea to circulate them, so, on this one, I'm going to abstain.

Flex

 

[Gregg]

There are so many shark techniques out there that it probably isn't a good idea to circulate them, so, on this one, I'm going to abstain.

Flex

Sorry, but I must disagree.

Many people, including myself, my be totally unaware that they are being sharked, until it's too late.

Awareness is the best prevention.

Not talking about it will do nothing to make it go away.

Nor will in create a new breed of SHARKS! IMO.

 

[BillYards]

A very subtle, indiscriminant tactic that I use is to stare my opponent in the eyes while he's shooting a long shot, rather than stare at the ball or the pocket. For some reason they always look back at you and it throws them off. I can't explain it but it works.

Shoot! I use that one too! Hahaha! It DOES work, long shot or not! I have never seen them look back at me, but they have a 6th sense that senses that you are looking at them, and they miss! Yep.

 

[renard]

I know a guy who will watch you shoot in a pressure or traffic layout situation. As you line your body up for the shot in preparation to bend over he will get in your line of sight. (He usually times it as you are bending over to place your bridge hand down.) He will bend down "as if" to see if it goes, looking right at you (180 opposite.) He usually stays just long enough in your line of sight to disrupt your shot. The shooter being interupted gets back up and goes thru the procedure again. As soon as the bridge hand is on the table he will ask, "Where are you calling it?"

Most everyone that is used to playing him tells him before hand, "Do you want to look at this? I'm calling the two ball in the right corner pocket."
To which he replies, "Your OK...hold on let me see..."

It's too funny...

 

[Jimmy M.]

Sorry, but I must disagree.

Many people, including myself, my be totally unaware that they are being sharked, until it's too late.

Awareness is the best prevention.

Not talking about it will do nothing to make it go away.

Nor will in create a new breed of SHARKS! IMO.

If you're unaware that you're being sharked then it isn't working anyway. You're probably better off not being aware because, once you are aware of what they're doing, then it could bother you.

 

[Black-Balled]

If you're unaware that you're being sharked then it isn't working anyway. You're probably better off not being aware because, once you are aware of what they're doing, then it could bother you.

Damn your Jedi wisdom!

 

[supergreenman]

An exceptionally good sharking tactic is to eat baked beans or chili with beans. Lots of them!!!!!!!! Then hold your gas in till your opponent seems to have the upperhand then let out a really good ripper.

Works every time
jk

 

[PlynSets]

Shoot! I use that one too! Hahaha! It DOES work, long shot or not! I have never seen them look back at me, but they have a 6th sense that senses that you are looking at them, and they miss! Yep.

LOL.. I'm surprised that other people know about this as well. I use it in money games occasionally. I've never had someone look up at me, becuase I'm not usually in there direct line of sight of a shot. Usually if you just look at the whites of there eyes it's enough to upset the balance of there subconcious. It's not tecnically "cheating" as your just sitting in your chair out of there line of sight, but I'll be damned if it doesn't work.. LOL You can only use it on a few key balls a set, becuase if you do it too much they become "immune" to it for awhile..

Another great one is to look at the object ball, then look at either one of the rails next to the pocket they are shooting at, then look at the other rail.. Almost every time they'll hit the first rail you looked at. Dunny why? They just do.. Don't believe me? try it. they'll thick it or thin it damn near everytime. Really look at the rails though and don't divert your attention until they are about ready to hit the ball.

I'm pretty immune to all this shit, becuase when I was learning to play my brother (person I played most with) used every dirty trick in the book. He was a hustler for quite sometime, and he used to tell me that by learning this way I'd be less affected by it in the future. Hence the reason why when I'm teaching my g/f, I stand in front of her shots, talk while she's shooting, stare in her eyes, spill beer and every other thing I can subtly think of LOL...

She finally looked up at me the other night stopped stroking, and asked "Are you done talking yet?" I was so damn proud I almost cried.. Not really, but you get the point.

This starts up a serious "moral" debate though as to what's right or wrong etc..

DJ

 

[PlynSets]

If you're unaware that you're being sharked then it isn't working anyway. You're probably better off not being aware because, once you are aware of what they're doing, then it could bother you.

I couldn't disagree with that more.. Many sharks work on a subconcious level so you'd never be aware of it to begin with. Point in fact I think a GREAT SHARK much like a great Hustle is one that you never know happened.. LOL

DJ

 

[Jimmy M.]

I couldn't disagree with that more.. Many sharks work on a subconcious level so you'd never be aware of it to begin with. Point in fact I think a GREAT SHARK much like a great Hustle is one that you never know happened.. LOL

DJ

Could you explain one of those to me?

 

[BillYards]

PlynSets:

Laughed my buns off at your post! Never tried the "rail-rail never-fail" method you described... but sometimes I quietly blow a small puff of air just as my opponent is striking the cueball... imagining the object ball deflecting away from the pocket... it works too!

Use the force, Luke!

 

[Flex]

Sorry, but I must disagree.

Many people, including myself, my be totally unaware that they are being sharked, until it's too late.

Awareness is the best prevention. Not talking about it will do nothing to make it go away.

You can read all sorts of articles on this stuff if you Google it.

However, anytime you're playing someone and they try to irritate you in any way, try to get into your head, make noise or sudden movements when you are at the table, etc. etc., beware, especially if they try to scare or intimidate you, or if someone on a nearby table, or sweating the game does it. You may or may not be the target of sharking.

Usually, the best thing to do is ignore it. Don't let them know they're bothering you. And if it happens when you're getting down to shoot, or are already on the ball, just shake your head, stand back up, and go through your entire pre-shot routine again. If they shark again, repeat your pre-shot stuff. They'll get the message: you won't be sharked.

I have friends who told me in one case their opponent just plain ran at them and shouted when they were down on the shot. At that point, it's time to tell them the match is over. Even if you are ahead. Tell them you won't tolerate that kind of behaviour. If it happens during a tournament, immediately go tell the TD and have him come monitor the situation. You've nothing to lose by acting thusly, and might just win by forfeit.

Flex

 

[BillYards]

I couldn't disagree with that more.. Many sharks work on a subconcious level so you'd never be aware of it to begin with. Point in fact I think a GREAT SHARK much like a great Hustle is one that you never know happened.. LOL

DJ

I have to agree! That's how my sharking incident worked... I did not realize what happened until later.... until WAY too late!

 

[Gregg]

I couldn't disagree with that more.. Many sharks work on a subconcious level so you'd never be aware of it to begin with. Point in fact I think a GREAT SHARK much like a great Hustle is one that you never know happened.. LOL

DJ

I am not trying to be Kind Contradiction of the message board, but I agree fully; The best sharks are very indiscriminate, and you won't know what hit you until way after the match, or until the next day when it suddenly hits you.

 

[Flex]

An exceptionally good sharking tactic is to eat baked beans or chili with beans. Lots of them!!!!!!!! Then hold your gas in till your opponent seems to have the upperhand then let out a really good ripper.

Works every time
jk

That could get you in real trouble in some places. I read not too long ago about someone who blew their nose, or sneezed, something like that, as a spectator near the game. What happened to him? If memory serves, someone there murdered him.

Shark at your own peril...

Flex

 

[NineBallNut]

The one strong mental trait I have in this game is the ability to not only be able to cooly ignore this stuff, but the ability to banter back with them and engage in what ever they are using to try to shark me. Nothing pisses a player trying to talk to you in the middle of a pressure shot like smiling at what they said and coming back at them with some quick riffs and drillin that ball right in the center of the hole.....lol

Seems like every player I play regularly here is like that. They can talk while your shooting but boy if you do it to them, They go off..