How do you view your opponent when they are wearing headphones? I don't mean during practice, but when shooting competitively. Wanted to throw this idea out there to see if anyone thought this was tacky or rude; unsportsmanlike. I personally don't care, however I think you might miss something such as a called shot (or a not called shot).
Thoughts on wearing an ipod
- Thread starter Mister
- Start date
It's the equivalent to people who wear sunglasses in doors
Haha props to that! Pretty hard to take "most" of them seriously. Sure, there might be one or two that can actually shoot but for the most part they are not worth taking seriously. I think there ok to warm up in or whatever and get in the mood, but you need to focus on shooting not whats in your headphone
Agreed. You can listen to music all you want, but I can almost guarantee that if you do a majority of your practicing with headphones in your ears, your play without them will suffer anywhere from a little bit to a ball or more. I feel like if you're bombarding one of your senses (hearing in this case), yeah, it's easier to get out of your own head and let the stroke happen, but you'll also have greater difficulty paying attention on the shots you need to bear down and when trying to fix anything about your fundamental game.
Glendale
Banned
I don't like it one bit! What's next? Spiderman outfit while I have a ghetto blaster tied on my back? This game is going downhill!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ban jump sticks! (getting shorter everyday.)
Ban pattern & 9-ball soft break....wait, just ban 9-ball and make it 10-ball on a 10 ft tight tbl.
Sorry...I got carried away & off track a little. Ipod wearing? NO. JMO
Ban jump sticks! (getting shorter everyday.)
Ban pattern & 9-ball soft break....wait, just ban 9-ball and make it 10-ball on a 10 ft tight tbl.
Sorry...I got carried away & off track a little. Ipod wearing? NO. JMO
Glendale
Banned
In competition, I meant. Do whatever you please while playing for fun :smile:
Here is an example of why Ipods are dumb.
Tournament night 9 ball. Player A asks player B (ipod) is that ball in hand ?
Player B nods his head. Player A picks up the ball. Player B freaks out and says what are you doing, now not wearing his ipod. Player B says i got a good hit. Player A says well, i asked you if it was ball in hand and you said yes.
Start a big fight, and get tournament director involved. People all worried about this, instead of their own match.
End of story, its stupid.
Tournament night 9 ball. Player A asks player B (ipod) is that ball in hand ?
Player B nods his head. Player A picks up the ball. Player B freaks out and says what are you doing, now not wearing his ipod. Player B says i got a good hit. Player A says well, i asked you if it was ball in hand and you said yes.
Start a big fight, and get tournament director involved. People all worried about this, instead of their own match.
End of story, its stupid.
Dont bother me. Big tourneys should ban them but weekly tourneys and gambling I dont care. in face I like when my oppononet wears em. I dont have to talk to him
It's really funny that this topic came up, because I was going to start this thread tomorrow. We are having somewhat of a debate about that where we play right now.
I personally think it's for the mentally weak player...the guys that can't focus without it are weak imo! I don't think they should be allowed in any tourney, period. All they do is cause problems, as Richardson described earlier in this thread.
I personally think it's for the mentally weak player...the guys that can't focus without it are weak imo! I don't think they should be allowed in any tourney, period. All they do is cause problems, as Richardson described earlier in this thread.
In defense of IPODS....
First...to all that say there is a communication barrier....it is not hard for the player to simply take the ear piece out when there needs to be communication between the two players...I have used my ipod several times (maybe 30% of the time I gamble or am in a tournament) and have never had one issue like some have mentioned due to not hearing my opponent...seriously...all u have to do is keep it at a low volume or again...simply take the earphone out when communicating...
Second...IPODS are just like anything else, they can hurt you or work for you. Sure...if you are running around the table singing every lyric to every song then you are probably not focusing and in turn your game will suffer.
I personally like them when playing around familiar voices (people I know) because I have a tendency to allow my focus to be disrupted when I hear these voices. It is almost like I am intrigued as to what they have to say or something. Furthermore, they are great at times when the poolroom is hosting the Barnum and Bailey Circus...for example...at a poolroom I play at a lot...the action table is right next to the front counter...and is surrounded by several chairs and tables for the sweaters...Basically...it is impossible to not have disruptions when it is a busy night...hell...sometimes they even start a card game within 5 to 6 feet of the table which results in a lot of woofing and talking (you know how card players like to talk).
Another great place to use your Ipod would be in the Action Room at the DCC...who the hell knows what scooter and company are going to scream across the room next..
I am respectable when I use my ipod and do not have it so loud all can hear..which I consider rude if my opponent does that while using his ipod...
I disagree with the poster that said they are for the weak...this couldn't be further from the truth...many people have things they do to make them feel more comfortable while playing such as a routine or what not..an ipod is simply a means to allow that person to get into a comfort zone and loosen up their stroke...if somebody tells me they think it is weak and don't feel the heat or any nervousness...i'll show you somebody that has never been in a position to feel pressure...it is human nature to get uncomfortable at times and everybody needs a way to deal with this....
Finally...I've had success using my Ipod in the above mention circumstances...or when I'm playing that opponent that would rather talk about the weather, the news, or analyze every shot by telling me what they "meant" to do in between every shot then focus on the game...
Ipods aren't for everybody...but I definitely like to have mine with me at all times in case the situation calls for it...!!:thumbup:
First...to all that say there is a communication barrier....it is not hard for the player to simply take the ear piece out when there needs to be communication between the two players...I have used my ipod several times (maybe 30% of the time I gamble or am in a tournament) and have never had one issue like some have mentioned due to not hearing my opponent...seriously...all u have to do is keep it at a low volume or again...simply take the earphone out when communicating...
Second...IPODS are just like anything else, they can hurt you or work for you. Sure...if you are running around the table singing every lyric to every song then you are probably not focusing and in turn your game will suffer.
I personally like them when playing around familiar voices (people I know) because I have a tendency to allow my focus to be disrupted when I hear these voices. It is almost like I am intrigued as to what they have to say or something. Furthermore, they are great at times when the poolroom is hosting the Barnum and Bailey Circus...for example...at a poolroom I play at a lot...the action table is right next to the front counter...and is surrounded by several chairs and tables for the sweaters...Basically...it is impossible to not have disruptions when it is a busy night...hell...sometimes they even start a card game within 5 to 6 feet of the table which results in a lot of woofing and talking (you know how card players like to talk).
Another great place to use your Ipod would be in the Action Room at the DCC...who the hell knows what scooter and company are going to scream across the room next..
I am respectable when I use my ipod and do not have it so loud all can hear..which I consider rude if my opponent does that while using his ipod...
I disagree with the poster that said they are for the weak...this couldn't be further from the truth...many people have things they do to make them feel more comfortable while playing such as a routine or what not..an ipod is simply a means to allow that person to get into a comfort zone and loosen up their stroke...if somebody tells me they think it is weak and don't feel the heat or any nervousness...i'll show you somebody that has never been in a position to feel pressure...it is human nature to get uncomfortable at times and everybody needs a way to deal with this....
Finally...I've had success using my Ipod in the above mention circumstances...or when I'm playing that opponent that would rather talk about the weather, the news, or analyze every shot by telling me what they "meant" to do in between every shot then focus on the game...
Ipods aren't for everybody...but I definitely like to have mine with me at all times in case the situation calls for it...!!:thumbup:
searcyD
Banned
i hate ipods
.....but they are useful when you're in a room during the jukebox's peak. and that's what you'll have to deal with now days. next time I'm in a poolhall, i'm borrowing my poker playing buddies earphones, the ones that swallows your entire ear....when my opponent shoots i'll just bop my head to the music. when he's shooting from the endrail, i'll be at the other, moonwalking....if its the money ball i'll, transition into jumping jacks.
but nah, they don't bother me as long they don't dance.
.....but they are useful when you're in a room during the jukebox's peak. and that's what you'll have to deal with now days. next time I'm in a poolhall, i'm borrowing my poker playing buddies earphones, the ones that swallows your entire ear....when my opponent shoots i'll just bop my head to the music. when he's shooting from the endrail, i'll be at the other, moonwalking....if its the money ball i'll, transition into jumping jacks.
but nah, they don't bother me as long they don't dance.
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I've never seen any serious problems, like a guy freaking out because he didn't hear someone say "ball in hand?" just before I grabbed the cue ball. If I think the other guy isn't paying attention to what I say, and he's using the music as an excuse to ignore me... I will walk up and pretty much be an ass:
"FOUL?" "BALL IN HAND?"
I think people like the one Richardson describes must be kind of dumb and antisocial anyway. If he didn't have the ipod, he'd find some other way to be a pain in your ass. That's the way some people are built.
As for a player being mentally weak if they can't perform without it...
I know a few who will say they like to have one, and a few who say it helps to have one... but I never met anyone who says they NEED to have one. I guess for the very rare cases that a guy can't play at full speed without it, it could be seen as a crutch. But what kind of player am I if I need to take his crutch away in order to beat him? The way I see it, I should be able to win whether he's getting help from the music or not.
Although I don't have a problem with someone wearing a music player, I do have a problem with someone wearing a phone headset simply because it opens the door to cheating. Now, bear in mind, if I'm playing Charlie Williams and he's wearing a headset, I'm not going to assume Mika Immonen is telling him what to do on the other line. However, on the amateur level, I wouldn't be surprised if something like that came up. The only time someone should wear any sort of electronic device is if there is a medical need for it (ie., a hearing device). Other than that, nothing should ever be worn.
I used to think wearing an IPod was a bad thing, but then I noticed when I used it during my APA matches, it blocked out the morons that didn't understand how pool was supposed to be played and other distractions. I don't play it loud, just enough to be background noise. It's been pretty effective as my wins are increasing.
Oddly, when I practice, I don't use it at all.
Oddly, when I practice, I don't use it at all.
I think it's disrespectful of your opponent in competition and show a lack of respect for the game. When was the last time you saw someone at any serious level of competition wearing an mp3 player. Tiger doesn't rock out his Slayer while the other guy is teeing off. Do you think a judge would have much patients for you in a courtroom if you were rocking out when you were supposed to be paying attention? Same deal here. Respect the other person and respect for the game. I also don't have much patients for the people who will talk on the phone for 10 minutes in the middle of a game and not think anything of it. If you don't take the game as seriously as I do, I'm OK with that, I would just rather play someone else.
Quick question, are you really playing anybody when you step up to the table or sit down to watch the other guy shoot?
