Sharking: How to deal with it
- Thread starter philw
- Start date
i have always found a swift kick to the balls usually helps... 
one way i was sharked one day, a pool room owner set up a match between me and a regular.. (i was an out of towner.) not really on the road.. but we like to travel to different rooms..
anyways.. we were playing 8 ball... and the room regular was actually winning.. we exhanged a few sets.. but one set torwards the end, that i had a good chance of winning, i was behind a game or two, but while i was shooting the room owner comes over and starts rasing hell about how i am alot better then the regular and its not fair and and he was just ranting and raving , in the middle of my shot of course.. we both stopped looked at the guy and the regular said to him.. BUT i am winning. and the room owner looked back and said.. Oh.. never mind then.. after that i was completly out of stroke and it took my mind right away from the game and i couldnt win after that.. its funny.. i didnt realize he did it to shark me, till another friend complained on the ride home about how he kept sharking him.. and i relized thats exactly what he did to me.. what a jerk he was...
chris
one way i was sharked one day, a pool room owner set up a match between me and a regular.. (i was an out of towner.) not really on the road.. but we like to travel to different rooms..
anyways.. we were playing 8 ball... and the room regular was actually winning.. we exhanged a few sets.. but one set torwards the end, that i had a good chance of winning, i was behind a game or two, but while i was shooting the room owner comes over and starts rasing hell about how i am alot better then the regular and its not fair and and he was just ranting and raving , in the middle of my shot of course.. we both stopped looked at the guy and the regular said to him.. BUT i am winning. and the room owner looked back and said.. Oh.. never mind then.. after that i was completly out of stroke and it took my mind right away from the game and i couldnt win after that.. its funny.. i didnt realize he did it to shark me, till another friend complained on the ride home about how he kept sharking him.. and i relized thats exactly what he did to me.. what a jerk he was...
chris
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The best way is to tag along a bouncer pal who'll deal with these kind of garbages. another way is to practice and maintain your cool. PROs are usually used to these kind of sharking, no matter how hard they tried to distract a player, it's nothing for them except for 'ol pal' EARL!
. I don't want to say this but Earl loves to shark people as well, but he ain't that good at being sharked. He most often than not, lose his temper and so does his game!
________
. I don't want to say this but Earl loves to shark people as well, but he ain't that good at being sharked. He most often than not, lose his temper and so does his game! ________
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If I know I'm going to end up in a match with someone I've a) had a conflict in the past b) is known for sharking c) is an pain in the lower digestive system
I'll run out to the car and grab my headphones. I would never wear them in a match with someone I respect, but with someone who starts crap I don't have a problem with it.
Half the time I don't even have them turned on.
I'll run out to the car and grab my headphones. I would never wear them in a match with someone I respect, but with someone who starts crap I don't have a problem with it.
Half the time I don't even have them turned on. ???????????
You need to learn how to play through the shark. Once people learn something affects you it becomes an epidemic everybody will be doing it to you. Mental tuffness is a major part of the game. Learning to lose is easy to do we all go through it we first start playing. Learning to win under all conditions is acquired through experience. By the way Chris the room where you got sharked by owner stay away bad spot.
Pinocchio
You need to learn how to play through the shark. Once people learn something affects you it becomes an epidemic everybody will be doing it to you. Mental tuffness is a major part of the game. Learning to lose is easy to do we all go through it we first start playing. Learning to win under all conditions is acquired through experience. By the way Chris the room where you got sharked by owner stay away bad spot.
Pinocchio
I came from a golf background where respect for other players on the course was more important than respect for them off the course.
I don't see a lot of sharking in our league, but occasionally one or two idiots will show up at my favorite weekly tournament. I don't gamble with anyone other than good friends for chump change, because winning money at pool doesn't excite me. This avoids a lot of nonsense.
As pathetic as sharking is, the more you experience it, the easier it becomes to deal with. I look at it as a childish attempt to get my attention and I just shut down and ignore everything the person is saying or doing. I will not respond to anything not directly related to the ongoing game. If what they're doing is so over the top that you have to stop and say something to them, then I'll do it, and try my best to get right back to business.
Once a person deliberately tries to shark me, I lose all respect for them. There is no future as a friend or aquaintence on any level.
I don't see a lot of sharking in our league, but occasionally one or two idiots will show up at my favorite weekly tournament. I don't gamble with anyone other than good friends for chump change, because winning money at pool doesn't excite me. This avoids a lot of nonsense.
As pathetic as sharking is, the more you experience it, the easier it becomes to deal with. I look at it as a childish attempt to get my attention and I just shut down and ignore everything the person is saying or doing. I will not respond to anything not directly related to the ongoing game. If what they're doing is so over the top that you have to stop and say something to them, then I'll do it, and try my best to get right back to business.
Once a person deliberately tries to shark me, I lose all respect for them. There is no future as a friend or aquaintence on any level.
I played 90% barbox for almost 50 years...mostly in the NY, NJ, and FL areas. I would run into sharking almost everyday and night. Since I hustled alone and rarely had a bouncer with me I just ignored it for the most part. If it got too bad I would follow the guy into the bathroon and shove my gun in his face telling him if he did it again I'd shoot him right at the pooltable. Yes I was a nut job back then.
I thought I was a gangster. I use to hang around with old mob guys in East New York, South Ozone Park, Long Island, and Shepshead Bay. Also I think I watched way too many Untouchable shows. Johnnyt
I thought I was a gangster. I use to hang around with old mob guys in East New York, South Ozone Park, Long Island, and Shepshead Bay. Also I think I watched way too many Untouchable shows. Johnnyt
I read somewhere that in some bars those who become a problem have been set upon by women from behind, with a very well placed kick that tends to make them drop to their knees. I actually saw one woman practicing the technique while a guy was down for his shot. 
... She didn't kick him though. Scary.
... She didn't kick him though. Scary.
Pinocchio said:
oh yeah.. i know that.. its a great pool room.. but not some place to play for money especially against a regular...
chris
In my experience, I've learned that the best possible way to deal with sharking is to show that it doesn't affect you. St. Thomas, unfortunately is populated by bar players who haven't had any exposure to the real pool world, and who believe that if they're gambling their money, anything goes! As such, I've been treated to some real doozies!
There is a guy around who is only an average player, but who gambles high and hard, and is famous for his over-the-top sharking techniques (I mean this guy will get right in the line of your shot or park 12 inches from your left ear and start barking about how you can't make this shot, that you got a lot of dog in you, offering to bet $500 that you can't make such and such a shot, etc.) One day I decided to fix him, and I offered the classic sucker bet--nine ball for $300 a game, I would give him the one and out, in exchange for the breaks and ball in hand after the break (as I said, most of these guys have had limited exposure). I ran five racks on him this way, and by the third or fourth rack he was silent as a shy church mouse (he quit after the fifth rack)! He has never played me again, but if I'm in action and he's in the house, I never have to worry about having a backer!
There is a guy around who is only an average player, but who gambles high and hard, and is famous for his over-the-top sharking techniques (I mean this guy will get right in the line of your shot or park 12 inches from your left ear and start barking about how you can't make this shot, that you got a lot of dog in you, offering to bet $500 that you can't make such and such a shot, etc.) One day I decided to fix him, and I offered the classic sucker bet--nine ball for $300 a game, I would give him the one and out, in exchange for the breaks and ball in hand after the break (as I said, most of these guys have had limited exposure). I ran five racks on him this way, and by the third or fourth rack he was silent as a shy church mouse (he quit after the fifth rack)! He has never played me again, but if I'm in action and he's in the house, I never have to worry about having a backer!
Pinocchio said:
I agree completely. Right or wrong, sharking will always be a major part of the game and learning how to deal with it is part of being able to play well. Sharking is difficult to put your finger on. There are times when your opponent is really trying hard to shark you, but you aren't affected. Other times, the littlest thing will put you off. Many times you shark yourself.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that getting sharked is self-induced. If something bothers you, its too late to do anything about it. You can respond to it and try to reverse the shark, but it has already affected you in that you are aware of it and thus are distracted by it. It may or may not affect your performance. When it does, you'll blame the sharking for your poor performance. When it doesn't, you won't even think about it.
The more often you deal with it, the less it will affect you. We're always looking for an excuse for our failures.
I agree with the other posters here in that you have to learn do deal with it. I also do not think anyone is shark proof either. With the sharking, barking, and woofing at a constant for an extended period we can grow thicker skin. But that atmosphere is usually not the norm (unless your in St. Thomas.)
Here is what I try to do to shark proof my game. First I get up from the table, and take time to think this one out. I mean make an excuse to shape a tip, tap a tip, take a piss, anything to by time to ask yourself some serious questions.
Once something or anything gets under your skin it is going to be hard to perform at your 'A' game.
Whatever that reason was it got under your skin your not going to, "Just forget about it." Your mind will not let you forget. If I say, "White elephant" how can you forget that even? The point is your mind perceives a problem and only you can defuse the problem in your head. You do this by asking yourself serious questions with serious answers.
For example: Did these guys mean to shark me? No probably not, but they wouldn't be broken hearted either if it effected me. They know etiquette and I know in other circumstances they practice it.
Why not now? I think this guy sees that I have a good chance to get out from here so hes trying a little semi-shark on me now. Its easy to deny so he's saying to himself what the hell.
He's scared its over, so he believes in my ability. Not only that but he has shown me he has a little snake in him. I'm gonna show him he indeed needs to be scared.
OK, my tips done... time to kick ass.
You have to calm yourself down as early as you can (don't let it build.) Also don't start shooting until you believe you have resolved the issue in your head. Take that obstacle (negative) and turn it into motivation (positive.) Keep in mind you will be more emotionally keyed up during all of this. While you are reasoning away with your questions take some deep breaths and let them out slowly.
Most people will just dwell on the problem until it eats up their game. Take the situation head on in your mind and turn it around to help you.
All of this is easier said than done. It will take plenty of mental practice. Look at it this way. Every time we play pool we learn something. Take that negative and turn it into a positive.
Here is what I try to do to shark proof my game. First I get up from the table, and take time to think this one out. I mean make an excuse to shape a tip, tap a tip, take a piss, anything to by time to ask yourself some serious questions.
Once something or anything gets under your skin it is going to be hard to perform at your 'A' game.
Whatever that reason was it got under your skin your not going to, "Just forget about it." Your mind will not let you forget. If I say, "White elephant" how can you forget that even? The point is your mind perceives a problem and only you can defuse the problem in your head. You do this by asking yourself serious questions with serious answers.
For example: Did these guys mean to shark me? No probably not, but they wouldn't be broken hearted either if it effected me. They know etiquette and I know in other circumstances they practice it.
Why not now? I think this guy sees that I have a good chance to get out from here so hes trying a little semi-shark on me now. Its easy to deny so he's saying to himself what the hell.
He's scared its over, so he believes in my ability. Not only that but he has shown me he has a little snake in him. I'm gonna show him he indeed needs to be scared.
OK, my tips done... time to kick ass.
You have to calm yourself down as early as you can (don't let it build.) Also don't start shooting until you believe you have resolved the issue in your head. Take that obstacle (negative) and turn it into motivation (positive.) Keep in mind you will be more emotionally keyed up during all of this. While you are reasoning away with your questions take some deep breaths and let them out slowly.
Most people will just dwell on the problem until it eats up their game. Take the situation head on in your mind and turn it around to help you.
All of this is easier said than done. It will take plenty of mental practice. Look at it this way. Every time we play pool we learn something. Take that negative and turn it into a positive.
With the following, there is "fun sharking" when you are playing friends for fun. But then there is nasty sharking such as in a tournament situation. I don't care about the fun sharking and I do it myself to friends (Usually very obvious sharking like standing in front of pocket and saying miss! miss! miss!).
I will not tolerate sharking during tournaments and I don't do it myself. If someone does shark me, I expect to win. Usually this is the only way they can win - by trying to make their opponent play worse. I on the other hand devote my energy to practice (not sharking), so I ususlly have the advantage.
Sharking can be very obvious. For example your opponent stands in front of the pocket you are aiming at and waves his arms in an attempt to distract you.
Or sharking can be quite subtle. You may be a favorite to win a tournament and about half way through the tournament, you have lost one match. Another favorite to win comes up to you and says "Have you won all your matches so far?" Well that guy knows darn well you lost a match. You saw him watching you play the match you lost...
If you go look at the player chart, you will see you play that guy next! So he is sharking you ahead of time. Trying to get you to think about losing rather than thinking about winning. The way to answer his question is to say "Yes, I have won all my matches so far!" If he says "I thought I saw you lose a match.", then say "If you know I lost a match, then why are you asking me?" Think about all the matches you have won to counter his shark.
Then before playing, your opponent may say "I've been watching you play. Is that a new grip you are using?" (He is trying to get you to consciously think about your grip while shooting which can throw you off.) When opponents I am about to play say stuff like this to me, I say "Are you sharking me?" They always deny everything, but clam up after that.
There is an out of print book on psychological sharking tactics. (Not specifically for pool.) It is "The Theory and Practice of Gamesmanship" by Potter. Interesting book.
Get used books here...
http://used.addall.com
In general, following are things people will do to shark...
Anger (Making your opponent angry)
*Wrongly accusing your opponent of cheating; accusations of improper lag, improper coin-flip, improper shot, etc.
*Accusing your opponent of something they did not do or did not intend to do.
Concentration (Disrupting your opponent's concentration)
*Doing anything vocal or making noise while your opponent shoots, is approaching the table to shoot, is studying the table for next shot, or is racking balls for next game. This includes talking to other people during the match.
*Any comments or questions about your opponents playing/shooting good or bad.
*Asking opponent why they are aiming at the wrong ball when they are aiming at the correct ball.
Distraction (If what you are doing would distract you while shooting, it probably distracts other players)
*Moving deliberately within the shooter's field of view.
*Standing where opponent needs to be for next shot.
*Waving your hand while your opponent is shooting or about to shoot.
*Standing at the table, especially behind the target pocket.
*Chalking your cue at table when it is your opponents turn to shoot.
Psychological Tactics (Upsetting your opponent or disrupting their confidence)
*Using psychological "tactics" before the match/tournament begins - Negative implications/comments/questions to players you may play in future games.
*Statements, implications, or questions about your opponents missed shots in prior games - Trying to make your opponent think about their poor shooting.
*Statements, implications, or questions about your opponent's losses in prior games - Trying to make your opponent think about the previous game they lost.
*Statements, implications, or questions about your opponent's exceptional playing abilities - Trying to make your opponent overconfident.
Unsolicited Instruction (Telling your opponent how to play better)
*Any statement about how to play better, what bridge to use, grip to use, etc.
*Coaching your opponent. Don't coach other players unless they ask for advice. Unsolicited coaching is a shark.
*Criticizing your opponent’s game.
I will not tolerate sharking during tournaments and I don't do it myself. If someone does shark me, I expect to win. Usually this is the only way they can win - by trying to make their opponent play worse. I on the other hand devote my energy to practice (not sharking), so I ususlly have the advantage.
Sharking can be very obvious. For example your opponent stands in front of the pocket you are aiming at and waves his arms in an attempt to distract you.
Or sharking can be quite subtle. You may be a favorite to win a tournament and about half way through the tournament, you have lost one match. Another favorite to win comes up to you and says "Have you won all your matches so far?" Well that guy knows darn well you lost a match. You saw him watching you play the match you lost...
If you go look at the player chart, you will see you play that guy next! So he is sharking you ahead of time. Trying to get you to think about losing rather than thinking about winning. The way to answer his question is to say "Yes, I have won all my matches so far!" If he says "I thought I saw you lose a match.", then say "If you know I lost a match, then why are you asking me?" Think about all the matches you have won to counter his shark.
Then before playing, your opponent may say "I've been watching you play. Is that a new grip you are using?" (He is trying to get you to consciously think about your grip while shooting which can throw you off.) When opponents I am about to play say stuff like this to me, I say "Are you sharking me?" They always deny everything, but clam up after that.
There is an out of print book on psychological sharking tactics. (Not specifically for pool.) It is "The Theory and Practice of Gamesmanship" by Potter. Interesting book.
Get used books here...
http://used.addall.com
In general, following are things people will do to shark...
Anger (Making your opponent angry)
*Wrongly accusing your opponent of cheating; accusations of improper lag, improper coin-flip, improper shot, etc.
*Accusing your opponent of something they did not do or did not intend to do.
Concentration (Disrupting your opponent's concentration)
*Doing anything vocal or making noise while your opponent shoots, is approaching the table to shoot, is studying the table for next shot, or is racking balls for next game. This includes talking to other people during the match.
*Any comments or questions about your opponents playing/shooting good or bad.
*Asking opponent why they are aiming at the wrong ball when they are aiming at the correct ball.
Distraction (If what you are doing would distract you while shooting, it probably distracts other players)
*Moving deliberately within the shooter's field of view.
*Standing where opponent needs to be for next shot.
*Waving your hand while your opponent is shooting or about to shoot.
*Standing at the table, especially behind the target pocket.
*Chalking your cue at table when it is your opponents turn to shoot.
Psychological Tactics (Upsetting your opponent or disrupting their confidence)
*Using psychological "tactics" before the match/tournament begins - Negative implications/comments/questions to players you may play in future games.
*Statements, implications, or questions about your opponents missed shots in prior games - Trying to make your opponent think about their poor shooting.
*Statements, implications, or questions about your opponent's losses in prior games - Trying to make your opponent think about the previous game they lost.
*Statements, implications, or questions about your opponent's exceptional playing abilities - Trying to make your opponent overconfident.
Unsolicited Instruction (Telling your opponent how to play better)
*Any statement about how to play better, what bridge to use, grip to use, etc.
*Coaching your opponent. Don't coach other players unless they ask for advice. Unsolicited coaching is a shark.
*Criticizing your opponent’s game.
Thanks for all the response. I really like a lot that you have said Renard making sure you don't let the irritation build up and controlled breathing to help you relax. Good points but in throwing the thread out there I was also hoping to hear some of the ways people have sharked others I think there is many ways other than physical sharking I.E. Questioning the score etc.renard said:I agree with the other posters here in that you have to learn do deal with it. I also do not think anyone is shark proof either. With the sharking, barking, and woofing at a constant for an extended period we can grow thicker skin. But that atmosphere is usually not the norm (unless your in St. Thomas.)
Here is what I try to do to shark proof my game. First I get up from the table, and take time to think this one out. I mean make an excuse to shape a tip, tap a tip, take a piss, anything to by time to ask yourself some serious questions.
Once something or anything gets under your skin it is going to be hard to perform at your 'A' game.
Whatever that reason was it got under your skin your not going to, "Just forget about it." Your mind will not let you forget. If I say, "White elephant" how can you forget that even? The point is your mind perceives a problem and only you can defuse the problem in your head. You do this by asking yourself serious questions with serious answers.
For example: Did these guys mean to shark me? No probably not, but they wouldn't be broken hearted either if it effected me. They know etiquette and I know in other circumstances they practice it.
Why not now? I think this guy sees that I have a good chance to get out from here so hes trying a little semi-shark on me now. Its easy to deny so he's saying to himself what the hell.
He's scared its over, so he believes in my ability. Not only that but he has shown me he has a little snake in him. I'm gonna show him he indeed needs to be scared.
OK, my tips done... time to kick ass.
You have to calm yourself down as early as you can (don't let it build.) Also don't start shooting until you believe you have resolved the issue in your head. Take that obstacle (negative) and turn it into motivation (positive.) Keep in mind you will be more emotionally keyed up during all of this. While you are reasoning away with your questions take some deep breaths and let them out slowly.
Most people will just dwell on the problem until it eats up their game. Take the situation head on in your mind and turn it around to help you.
All of this is easier said than done. It will take plenty of mental practice. Look at it this way. Every time we play pool we learn something. Take that negative and turn it into a positive.
thanks to everyone who chimed in and I hope we can get some more feedback on this. Philw
One guy around here is an expert at sharking...
Before a match, he will talk politics to try to get people mad. Talk about political things which get people stirred up. He does this near someone he is about to play. Then the player is mad and thinking politics instead of his game.
Stroking, etc. is unconscious. He will make comments or ask questions about your grip, stroke, bridge, etc. He is trying to get you to consciously think about these things while shooting.
He will loudly talk to other people while his opponent is shooting. The topics he chooses to talk about are usually something which will interest or upset the person he is playing. He is of course trying to get the shooter to think about what he is talking about instead of their game.
Or he will try to make you over-confident. Before he has a match with you, he will tell you he was watching you and that you are the best player in the tournament and are sure to win 1st place.
Basically he is talking, talking, talking. Before and during the match. He is trying to "win with his mouth"!
Other player's sharks...
I was about to shoot and my opponent came up to the table and asked me why I was about to shoot at HIS ball (8-ball). Then after a bit of discussion, he decided I was in fact about to shoot at my ball. (This was just a shark to disrupt my concentration.)
One guy always stands in front of the pocket I am shooting at. He will sway back and forth in an attempt to distract me. Another will stand in front of the pocket and swing his cue left/right.
I always call my shot before shooting. With one guy, you have called your shot, are down and about to shoot, then he will ask which pocket you are calling. (He will even do this with a straight in shot.)
Or they will accuse you of a foul when it was a good hit. They are just trying to get you mad!
Then there are the comments on your shooting. "You should have made that shot. How did you miss that shot?" Or great shot comments while you are in the middle of a run. They will say "Great shot! Boy I wish I could shoot that good!" (Many times this will throw a player off and they will miss their next shot.)
Someone is *not* sharking you if they don't say anything to you before your match with them, and they go and sit in their chair and are quiet while you are shooting. They will compliment you on any good shots you have made *after* the match is over.
Before a match, he will talk politics to try to get people mad. Talk about political things which get people stirred up. He does this near someone he is about to play. Then the player is mad and thinking politics instead of his game.
Stroking, etc. is unconscious. He will make comments or ask questions about your grip, stroke, bridge, etc. He is trying to get you to consciously think about these things while shooting.
He will loudly talk to other people while his opponent is shooting. The topics he chooses to talk about are usually something which will interest or upset the person he is playing. He is of course trying to get the shooter to think about what he is talking about instead of their game.
Or he will try to make you over-confident. Before he has a match with you, he will tell you he was watching you and that you are the best player in the tournament and are sure to win 1st place.
Basically he is talking, talking, talking. Before and during the match. He is trying to "win with his mouth"!
Other player's sharks...
I was about to shoot and my opponent came up to the table and asked me why I was about to shoot at HIS ball (8-ball). Then after a bit of discussion, he decided I was in fact about to shoot at my ball. (This was just a shark to disrupt my concentration.)
One guy always stands in front of the pocket I am shooting at. He will sway back and forth in an attempt to distract me. Another will stand in front of the pocket and swing his cue left/right.
I always call my shot before shooting. With one guy, you have called your shot, are down and about to shoot, then he will ask which pocket you are calling. (He will even do this with a straight in shot.)
Or they will accuse you of a foul when it was a good hit. They are just trying to get you mad!
Then there are the comments on your shooting. "You should have made that shot. How did you miss that shot?" Or great shot comments while you are in the middle of a run. They will say "Great shot! Boy I wish I could shoot that good!" (Many times this will throw a player off and they will miss their next shot.)
Someone is *not* sharking you if they don't say anything to you before your match with them, and they go and sit in their chair and are quiet while you are shooting. They will compliment you on any good shots you have made *after* the match is over.