SHARKING is a myth............

JoeyA

JoeyA

Efren's Mini-Tourn BACKER
Silver Member
Recently one of Louisiana's best players was howling like a hyena, trying to match up with another player, WHILE I was gambling at a table nearby. It was a tough match for me and his constant yelling and the constant squealing was getting to me. I played for a few hours and broke even for the night so I feel like I kind of overcame the sharking.

This player is known for his sharking ability and almost always outsharks anyone who plays his game. On another subsequent night, he was gambling at stakes much higher than I played for and was feeling the heat with a much better visiting player and was not playing well. There were some card players having a good ole time and everyone now and then one of them would let out a shriek, not as loud as the hyena screech but loud anyway. Once at the local player was just about to shoot with cue in hand behind the line, a straight in shot with simple stop shape, he heard the card player's wail and hit the object ball right into the rail.

Yeah, you're supposed to be able to fade that kind of crap if you are a gambler, right?

I heard that he got sharked after I left by a sweat-bettors head bob but I never saw that. Really, you're supposed to be able to ignore all of those silly distractions?

Sharking and aiming systems are just a couple of myths. Real pool players don't use aiming systems and sharking doesn't bother them. :killingme: :winknudge::ok::rotflmao::rotflmao: :lmao:
 
JoeyA said:
Recently one of Louisiana's best players was howling like a hyena, trying to match up with another player, WHILE I was gambling at a table nearby. It was a tough match for me and his constant yelling and the constant squealing was getting to me. I played for a few hours and broke even for the night so I feel like I kind of overcame the sharking.

This player is known for his sharking ability and almost always outsharks anyone who plays his game. On another subsequent night, he was gambling at stakes much higher than I played for and was feeling the heat with a much better visiting player and was not playing well. There were some card players having a good ole time and everyone now and then one of them would let out a shriek, not as loud as the hyena screech but loud anyway. Once at the local player was just about to shoot with cue in hand behind the line, a straight in shot with simple stop shape, he heard the card player's wail and hit the object ball right into the rail.

Yeah, you're supposed to be able to fade that kind of crap if you are a gambler, right?

I heard that he got sharked after I left by a sweat-bettors head bob but I never saw that. Really, you're supposed to be able to ignore all of those silly distractions?

Sharking and aiming systems are just a couple of myths. Real pool players don't use aiming systems and sharking doesn't bother them. :killingme: :winknudge::ok::rotflmao::rotflmao: :lmao:
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They can do all the sharking they want to do, but when it is the other way around they cry like a big baby. They can dish it out but cannot take it. Good thread, JoeyA.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
 
Sharking will make a real player play much better. When I am sharked adrenaline kicks in strong. My mouth gets dry, my heart rate doubles and I tremble but I don't miss. I do have to force myself to slow down. when the sharking first starts I go to the bathroom to empty my bladder, wash my hands really well and get my heart rate under control. During this break I remind myself that the other player lacks confidence and is misdirecting his concentration. I also remind myself that I'm now highly motivated primed to destroy. While the other player is shooting I never speak or move.

When I was younger sharking could break me. I would obsess over the bad sportsmanship and unfairness of it all. The epiphany that changed my attitude happened after watching Cliff Joiner being sharked without mercy in a 5 ahead 9 ball money match. When the sharking started I thought there would be a fight but Joiner seemed to be unaware that sharking was taking place. He was too busy running out the set. Thanks, Cliff.
 
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BlindWizard said:
Sharking will make a real player play much better. When I am sharked adrenaline kicks in strong. My mouth gets dry, my heart rate doubles and I tremble but I don't miss. I do have to force myself to slow down. when the sharking first starts I go to the bathroom to empty my bladder, wash my hands really well and get my heart rate under control. During this break I remind myself that the other player lacks confidence and is misdirecting his concentration. I also remind myself that I'm now highly motivated primed to destroy. While the other player is shooting I never speak or move.

When I was younger sharking could break me. I would obsess over the bad sportsmanship and unfairness of it all. The epiphany that changed my attitude happened after watching Cliff Joiner being sharked without mercy in a 5 ahead 9 ball money match. When the sharking started I thought there would be a fight but Joiner seemed to be unaware that sharking was taking place. He was too busy running out the set. Thanks, Cliff.
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Cliff never worries about being sharked. I am glad you picked that up from him.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
 
I feel that the ability to be sharked is a weakness in ones game.. and once it is known as your weakness.. (i.e. getting upset) you will see A LOT more of it..
as soon as he knows its getting to you... you're cooked
 
sharking

Man you guys really know this sharking thing!
I just carry a roll of duct tape. Then i wash my hands.




Silence is golden But duct tape is silver;)
 
softshot said:
I feel that the ability to be sharked is a weakness in ones game.. and once it is known as your weakness.. (i.e. getting upset) you will see A LOT more of it..
as soon as he knows its getting to you... you're cooked
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I agree with this. The best way to counter it is to not let it get to you.

Also if someone tries to shark me I see it as a weakness in THEIR game. They must feel like they can't win on skill alone.
 
internet sharking LOL

I am all against sharking . but somtimes dammit ya just got to do it.

A az member went give me green rep but red reped me by mistake.
after we figured out it was just a goof up .
we said if we ever cross paths we would shoot some pool.
If these pool games ever happen im going to razz the shit out of him over the red rep. every shot for the first game or so .

Even old sharks have teeth.:D

people try to shark me all the time.
most by talking while im shooting or walking to or around the table while im in the middle of a stroke. My best reaction just lay my cue in the middle of table and just sit down and listen to the person trying to shark me .
then maybe go to the rest room or go get another drink.
talk to someone else or say dont mind if i make a phone call.

Most of the time the person has been drinking .
and is or just acting a little tipsy so makes you think we there just drunk let it go. .

but if nothing else works think silver
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLui0vohcyo
have a great day
MMike
 
Silence is Golden.
Duct Tape is Silver.

A couple of long cable ties and he will stay quiet in your trunk for the ride out of town.
 
trunks

Blue Hog ridr said:
Silence is Golden.
Duct Tape is Silver.

A couple of long cable ties and he will stay quiet in your trunk for the ride out of town.
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i will put the cable ties right next to the duct tape and bodie bags :thumbup:


Terry how you been . ps i figure out why the call you blue hog rider.
after riding your bike for ten minute up there in minus 20 below you turn blue. :grinning-moose:
MMike
 
I came up playing in a bowling alley that had a corner devoted to pool tables and video games. Between the video games blaring, bowling balls bouncing off the lanes, pins crashing, drunk bowlers yelling at each other, and kids (who's parents evidently thought the place was a daycare) coming up and begging for quarters for said video games, it was pretty easy to develop selective hearing and steady nerves. That combined with the fact that I wear a cap when I play, which blocks out most everything except the surface of the table when I'm down on a shot, makes me awfully hard to shark. It still happens occasionally, though. Maybe once every couple of years somebody will get me. It irks me, but it's part of the game. The worst is when a railbird gets in on the action because they've got a $20 sweat bet on a $500 set or the finals of a tournament. :rolleyes:

Aaron
 
Aaron_S said:
I came up playing in a bowling alley that had a corner devoted to pool tables and video games. Between the video games blaring, bowling balls bouncing off the lanes, pins crashing, drunk bowlers yelling at each other, and kids (who's parents evidently thought the place was a daycare) coming up and begging for quarters for said video games, it was pretty easy to develop selective hearing and steady nerves. That combined with the fact that I wear a cap when I play, which blocks out most everything except the surface of the table when I'm down on a shot, makes me awfully hard to shark. It still happens occasionally, though. Maybe once every couple of years somebody will get me. It irks me, but it's part of the game. The worst is when a railbird gets in on the action because they've got a $20 sweat bet on a $500 set or the finals of a tournament. :rolleyes:

Aaron
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I agree. People who aren't accustomed to a noisy environment are more easily sharked than others. I played in a pool hall in North St Louis where sharking was just part of the environment. If a stranger came in the place and started trouble with a regular player the other guys would have come to his aid and yet they sharked each other all the time. It was just part of the game. Take a guy who is used to that and put him in a quiet pool hall where nobody is talking and he would probably be sharked by the silence.

If you watch a basketball game the fans shark the opposing team constantly especially on free throws. Good players overcome it, some even feed off it and play better.

The only time it really bothers my game is when someone does something so funny I start laughing.
 
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Some of the sharking can be overcome but it is mostly in social situations which can include minor amounts of money for gambling (yeah, everything is relative).

For the most part, I have seen some of the best players in the world, get sharked and shark others. It seems when the pressure is on, the sharking becomes more effective even for the best players in the world.

If it wasn't effective, they wouldn't be doing it. Also, those who are relentless with the subtle sharking seem to be the most effective. The more blatant sharking gets squashed pretty quickly while the subtle sharking builds over time and slowly breaks down the player.

It is what it is.
 
Sharking

JoeyA said:
Some of the sharking can be overcome but it is mostly in social situations which can include minor amounts of money for gambling (yeah, everything is relative).

For the most part, I have seen some of the best players in the world, get sharked and shark others. It seems when the pressure is on, the sharking becomes more effective even for the best players in the world.

If it wasn't effective, they wouldn't be doing it. Also, those who are relentless with the subtle sharking seem to be the most effective. The more blatant sharking gets squashed pretty quickly while the subtle sharking builds over time and slowly breaks down the player.

It is what it is.
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Sometimes I believe we do it unconsciously, and mean not on purpose. I was playing last night and missed a ball, on table 17 where you played one pocket, not happy with myself I turned away to look at the cue display. When I turned back my opponent was shooting right at me. I felt terrible. I hate when I move or say something to someone else as my opponent is shooting. Unfortunately sometimes we forget.

Now doing it on purpose that is totally different. Let your cue do the talking and you motions as the table (lee brett when he is in the box).
 
robsnotes4u said:
Sometimes I believe we do it unconsciously, and mean not on purpose. I was playing last night and missed a ball, on table 17 where you played one pocket, not happy with myself I turned away to look at the cue display. When I turned back my opponent was shooting right at me. I felt terrible. I hate when I move or say something to someone else as my opponent is shooting. Unfortunately sometimes we forget.

Now doing it on purpose that is totally different. Let your cue do the talking and you motions as the table (lee brett when he is in the box).
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Unintentional sharking is the easiest sharking to condone. Unfortunately, when you are gambling with most seasoned veterans, the intentional sharking outnumbers the unintentional sharking by far.
 
JoeyA said:
.... The more blatant sharking gets squashed pretty quickly while the subtle sharking builds over time and slowly breaks down the player.

It is what it is.
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Can you give an example of subtle sharking ? Seriously, I am a just starting entered my 1st league last year.
 
Evolution of Sharking

What has come to be known as "sharking" is any movement, sounds, or talking that could cause a distraction for a player. Back in the late 50's and early 60's, this was known as "talking to him" and was often done by opponents and spectators. It was not considered good form to do this but there was not the pathological dread and inability to tolerate it that I see today. In my grassroots opinion, I really beleive that people who have the aforementioned "pathological dread" are really looking for an extra excuse to miss, fail, or lose and are made sensitive by the extra pressure that comes from gambling or competition. This could be something like gambling with one's own money vs. with someone else's. The one gambling with his own money would obviously be more sensitive. Just sayin' ...
 
I can get used to distractions fairly well, except for bystanders crowding the table and acting like apes in a Viagra testing trial.
Somebody above mentioned not being able to get past sharking that makes them laugh... that's me too. In a pool room at 3am gambling, the tv was on and it was just background noise until, mid shot, I hear a masculine voice say "well **** me in the asshole."
I was not prepared to deal with whatever was on that channel.
 
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