Should shortstops be banned from local bar box tourneys?

[Poolfiend]

Probably the best one to learn.

But I don't think I have ever gleaned any tidbits of knowledge from watching a great player roll over me. It does help open your horizens to how the game can be played.

In thinking about our local tourny, there is no handicap - pay your money and take your chances. I have been dead money almost all the time, but recently have reached the first or second round of the money payouts. I would like to think that I have ratched my game up a notch or two and learned how to play when a miss usually means a loss. Good experience. There is a difference in knowing how to play the game and knowing how the game is played.

But I also KNOW that barring a bout of E. coli in the kitchen, there is probably no way that I will buck the astronomical odds of beating 3 or 4 of the best players en route to winning the tournament. If I am on top of it, and the better players are not; I can usually get one, but not two or three in a row. So --- I guess as long as a player knows their role and is comfortable competing, then why mess with barring players? Keeping things 'even' with handicapping usually bring more trouble than it's worth.

A rising tide floats all boats. Ever notice how good players in an area are surrounded by good players? Competition drives performance and a good player makes those around them elevate their games. A Short-stop, if truely that, can help all players strive to become more proficient at this 'game'.

JMO.

Another important lesson.

I think I understand what you are saying. You've never learned some shot that you didn't know existed before by playing better players. What you do learn is to bear down under pressure and play your absolute best on every shot.

 

[accustatsfan]

Pool is the only thing I know of where the better you get the more you're penalized.

I don't think the bars are always at fault bar owners set the format to draw customers. I think it's unusual to meet a bar owner who really understands pool. They usually follow the loudest mouth in the bar and that becomes the format.

A 5 or 10 dollar entry fee to play better players is a steal I thought the point was to get better, love of the game etc.

Learning from better players is how you learn I've had more fun playing in tournaments I didn't stand a chance of winning than from winning local bar tournaments.

Either they're whiners or the match director doesn't know how to handicap.

Finally its low class to win the tournament and not thank the match director and tip the bar tender.

 

[accustatsfan]

I just realized a way to get the better players to quit. I was on hard times and the local tournaments were the best (legal) way to make extra money (90 or more for first place).

I won 3 in a row in one bar they shut it down; 3 times in another bar they shut it down.

Finally the 3rd bar decided to run a tournament where you had to shoot with a broom stick I thought that was an insult to pool and quit so I guess they won.

 

[Doug]

Interestingly the vast majority of these posts are from the viewpoint of what is good or bad for players and not what is best for the bar or business. If the business is run properly it will do whatever works best for the majority of its customers and is most profitable from a business standpoint regardless of who it offends. At every tournament in the country with very rare exceptions, the best players spend the least amount of money at the bar. In addition to putting in time to improve their skills they have learned that alcohol compromises their chances to play their best and if showcasing their skill is really important let them enter tournaments where top rated players will be. Maybe the bar owner can put the winnings of the repeat winners in an escrow account which they can have when they beat the next road player passing through town. After all playing against the best players and not cherry picking is what's important isn't it? Lastly, open your own bar and run it as some have suggested and see how long the fun lasts.

 

[Chi2dxa]

It is MHO that you play the table not the person. I have learned so much from watching great players and asking them to show me different shots. If a person does not want to better his or her game and keep playing bums so be it.

 

[poolplayerpatti]

I agree on your point about playing the best players and elevating your own game, heck why not humble yourself and learn something? But of course there is that stigma of the pool ego and it is everywhere. There is always one or two or more players who always take the money home anywhere there are local tournaments and I have never heard of anyone being banned. I have seen where a tournament is only for up to certain handicaps or total points to level out the playing field.

 

[Poolplaya9]

The handicapping and sit out a week are good ideas that I will try - maybe just make him give up all the breaks.

FYI - this shortstop took 2nd out of over 2000 in the BCA in Vegas a couple years ago, didn't do very well in Masters division this year though.

Thanks for all the input.

I'd think this one through before trying it. This could end up working in his favor instead of being a disadvantage, depending on the skill level of the rest of the players (especially if they are not capable of running out or playing a good safe).

 

[acedotcom]

I play in bar tourney at a local pub 5 minutes from my house every Friday nite. The atmosphere is frothy and for most of us players the get-together is more social than serious. Of course, hot shots from the local pool rooms frequently show up hoping to steal the prize money. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. If they drink beer and socialize with the regulars, they are welcomed. If they sit in the corner and make it clear they are only there for the money, then the locals develop an attitude. There's one guy who plays in many of the Florida pro tour stops who has won this bar tourney as many as 5 weeks in a row. No one minds because he's a nice guy and the rest of us are just there to have some fun.