Take it like a MAN.

Personally I don't say much win or lose, so I guess I'm somewhat even tempered on the outside. On the inside I may have some choice thoughts for myself and my opponent from time to time. If someone I play chooses to say something, it doesn't bother/affect me one way or another. All you can do is control what you can, which are your actions/decisions.
 
I think another part of being a winning pool player is a constant attitude that you're going to win.

There are some people that when they play in a big(er) tourney ask around to see who the local is that they're playing. They either wind up getting psyched out of the match before it even starts, or they sometimes win the match before it starts. Mind set is a huge part of any sport, as it is in pool.

I think one of the major issues with being beaten when you know that you were the favorite to win is that just about every good pool player has an ego the size of a truck. There are very few "nice" champions. Sure, they can be nice off the game, but when they're involved in a match, or soon after the end of a match, they're all less than sweethearts.

Like others have said... its always easier to blame the loss on something other than your own poor play!
 
lodini said:
So, you think I don't win then? That's harsh.

I've never even seen you in the pool room, let alone a tournament. When was the last time you played in a tourny?

Not trying to be harsh at all.

I was referring actually to others in the Miami pool rooms who just never seem to win, and they really dont care about it much. They seem like they could come to play every week, never win and they dont seem to sweat it much.
 
To be clear, I also think people should acknowledge when their opponent beat them through great play.

All I was really trying to say was that it seems to me there is a direct link between those players who really hate to lose with a passion seeming to be the ones winning and those who seem to not really care too much when they lose being perennial losers.
 
lodini said:
Why does it seem that the first instinct for most players after losing a match is to go on and on about how they played so bad, how the equipment was faulty, how they slept wrong last night, how they might be getting a cold, how they were a little tired, how the planets werent aligned right, how the temperature was a bit chilly, how they didnt have their lucky chalk, etc.etc.etc...

And so RARELY does anyone just say "my opponent played a hell of a match."

Does anyone else agree that these excuses are just insulting and disrespectful to the person that just beat you? And wouldn't the loser look like a bigger man by just accepting the loss and moving on?

It isnt that bad IMO-Much worse is the Bark-Fest-challenge-opponent-to-gamble move that is the norm for some after a tournament loss.
 
uwate said:
I've never even seen you in the pool room, let alone a tournament. When was the last time you played in a tourny?

Not trying to be harsh at all.

I was referring actually to others in the Miami pool rooms who just never seem to win, and they really dont care about it much. They seem like they could come to play every week, never win and they dont seem to sweat it much.
I don't know one person who "doesn't care" if they lose... I've never even met someone like that. But I have met plenty of people who can privatize their unhappiness about losing, and not take it out on the winner. In my eyes, those are the winners.

As for me, it's been about a year since I played in a major tournament. (Ladies Spirit Tour) Not sure why that matters though.
 
Flex said:
I think it's humorous that the ladies/women/chicks/whatever on here (in this thread, so far) insist on using this line. Are they speaking only to men, or are they using inclusive language?

What's worse: making excuses or breaking down and crying? For some reason, excuse making isn't as pitiable as boo hoo hooing.

Flex

Both are pitiful, I have no idea what pitiable means.

Just be honest, nothing more nothing less, about how you got beat or lost or don't say anything at all.

Yes, "Man up and take it like a man" is a universal phrase.

Ladies, feel free to use the term, especially when ya walk all over FLEX.
 
Im a big girl. LOL

s'portplayer said:
Both are pitiful, I have no idea what pitiable means.

Just be honest, nothing more nothing less, about how you got beat or lost or don't say anything at all.

Yes, "Man up and take it like a man" is a universal phrase.

Ladies, feel free to use the term, especially when ya walk all over FLEX.

When I lose, I take it like a Man!!!!! I think lodini was not specifically talking about just men. She was talking about men and women!!!!!
Geeze, Flex , dont be so sensitive. LOL
 
s'portplayer said:
Yes, "Man up and take it like a man" is a universal phrase.

Although in some places you should say :

L'homme haut et le prennent aiment un homme !

or

El hombre ascendente y lo toma tiene gusto de un hombre !

or

L'uomo alto e lo prende gradice un uomo !

or

Der hohe Mann und nehmen es m?gen einen Mann !

or one of many other babelfish translations :grin:

Dave
 
I have never lost, that's why I love this game, but I am sure when the day finally comes (it ain't gonna be tonight), and that I actually do lose; I will certainly take it like a MAN!:D
 
Milo said:
When I lose, I take it like a Man!!!!! I think lodini was not specifically talking about just men. She was talking about men and women!!!!!
Geeze, Flex , dont be so sensitive. LOL
Who would have thought I could have offended the men around here? LOL. The phrase it actually a compliment to men, and probably is more offensive to women. Thanks, Milo! You sure do know how to "take it like a man!" LOL
 
sixpack said:
When I lose I almost always say the following:

To the victor: Great shooting.

To everybody else: She just played better than I did.

That's it.

But what I hate is when I lost and I tell the victor "great shooting" and they feel like they need to stand there and argue with me about how poorly they played or that they got lucky. Just say 'thank you' and go on your way. What's the big deal?

~rc


Yep. You got it. I can't stand when they have already beat me then they have to add to it by relating and reviewing their mistakes but then they were able to hold on and beat me anyway. I just want to take out a six inch blade and stab one eye and pull it out and see if I can plunge it in the other eye real quickly before they can react to the first thrust.

But I know that's not the thing to do. Wouldn't be right. So instead I obtained one of those air compressed plunger devices like Mr. Bardem had in the flick, "No Country For Old Men". I just smile and say hold still for a moment please.
 
Take it like a WOMAN

lodini said:
Why does it seem that the first instinct for most players after losing a match is to go on and on about how they played so bad, how the equipment was faulty, how they slept wrong last night, how they might be getting a cold, how they were a little tired, how the planets werent aligned right, how the temperature was a bit chilly, how they didnt have their lucky chalk, etc.etc.etc...

And so RARELY does anyone just say "my opponent played a hell of a match."

Does anyone else agree that these excuses are just insulting and disrespectful to the person that just beat you? And wouldn't the loser look like a bigger man by just accepting the loss and moving on?

So you're saying to "Take it like a WOMAN" is not a good thing, right? :thumbup:

OK a bit more seriously: I think some people try to push people up the ladder (glad for other's successes) while others reach to grab and
throw-off anyone still on the ladder.

So yes I agree that these excuses can be insulting and disrespecting to the person you just beat and I use them as often as I can.

JoeyA (actually I even wish my least liked opponents, good luck)
 
lodini said:
So, you think I don't win then? That's harsh.

Let me clarify what I am saying... I understand being hungry to win, and being upset when you lose. But to me, the most professional and mature players will do their whining in private. Not make feeble attempts at bringing their opponent down by taking credit away from their win. It's just poor sportsmanship.

Even less classy are those better players who after taking a can of a**whup in a tournament from the lesser but victorious player and inquires, "DO YOU WANT TO DO SOME GAMBLING?" or "I bet you wouldn't bet a quarter". When I hear those cry babies, I actually give them my biggest grin, wait a few seconds and then look very seriously and say, "you never know about the gambling" and then they follow me around like a puppy dog in training. :D I do my best to teach them when and where to go to the potty. :wink:

But when a lesser player whines and cries about the rolls I got, I almost always agree with them unless they are a friend and then I tease them and remind them about all of their lucky rolls during that match which didn't help them. :D

JoeyA
 
JoeyA said:
So you're saying to "Take it like a WOMAN" is not a good thing, right? :thumbup:
For the true meaning of the phrase... yes. As in, women are more emotional and wear their hearts on their sleeves. I obviously forgot how PC AZ is! Eeek.
 
Originally Posted by bigshooter
I've always striven to a be a gentleman, I shake the opponents hand, tell them good match and walk off quietly.

I hate excuses and whiners and I have always had an even keeled disposition, it takes a lot to get me upset.

kentw said:
Did you hear about the guy that ran out of a poolhall and jumped in the river and drown true story he blew a shot in st8 pool at 147 to 150 and opponent came in and ran twenty some and out thats bad are you a good player a or above.:mad:

I am not sure I understand the last part, are you asking me if I am an A player or above?

In case you are, right now I am a non player, I have been in and out of the hospital for over a year now and was in poor health for a few years before that so I haven't been able to play at all for quite some time but I will be back up and playing in about 3 months if all goes well with my next surgery.

When I am healthy and play full speed I am at least an A player, many years ago I traveled long distances to a lot of tournaments and usually at least got in the money and squeaked out a few decent wins.
 
lodini said:
No, I am not speaking to men only. ("Take it like a man" is a very commom expression, I didn't make it up, I promise) But I have to tell you that in my experience playing with women, I have heard a LOT more compliments to the winners then excuses from the loser. At least from my experience, the females may take their whining to their friends later on, but won't make it a public display.
i would would have to disagree its been the opposite but thats been from my eprerience, and i dont think there is anything wrong with saying you played badif that was the case , most of the time if i lose a match it was due to my own fault , but when some one plays well i tell them they palyed well, there have been a ton of time where ive lost a match and the person i played only made 5 balls the entire set,
 
lodini said:
Because as a woman, I have met plenty of "real" men who are mature and can handle themselves appropriately in all situations, good and bad.
That's my point. Some women claim to know how a "real" man should behave. Well, how can you? And whose definition of "real" are you using? Just my op, could be wrong.
 
inside_english said:
That's my point. Some women claim to know how a "real" man should behave. Well, how can you? And whose definition of "real" are you using? Just my op, could be wrong.
I guess it's my definition. Based on certain qualities that men have prided themselves on throughout time. Maturity, dignity, sportsMANship, grace, strength, focus... a real role model. Nothing wrong with any of those things... and in my opinion, everyone should strive to acheive that. (and I guess it's also the definition of whoever coined the phrase "take it like a man!")

Please note that I did not include whining like a baby on my list. But again, this is just my list... as a woman, that probably doesn't mean much to the "real men" around here. ;-)
 
This thread (and uwate's comment in particular) reminds me of a quote from the end of the 1955 Sports Illustrated interview that was posted here recently:

"People remember who wins. They don't care about the guy who finishes second. Nice guys don't win. I hate to lose and I hate a good loser." - Willie Mosconi


That interview was the year after his historic 526 ball run and he was at the height of his game. I've never seen footage of that period so I have no idea how he handled defeat publicly after a match.

Robert
 
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