tips on dealing with haters?

There came a time when I had to stop playing at the bar. There were 3 tables there, and while I never really had anything but friendly interactions with people, pretty soon the piles of quarters on the rail would migrate to one of the other tables. I get it. I got it, and I moved on.

Sadly I'm at that point in my APA area. We have a fairly weak area without any high level players. Some of the people like having a player like me playing. While I rarely lose, I am very open to sharing info, helping people, coaching, etc. Still, some people take the attitude of "its not fair. this isn't even fun. etc. etc." Obviously they are not familiar with the level of play of people like Brian Parks, Dustin Gunia, Ernesto Bayaua, etc. Its a shame really. It is essentially an unknowing admission that not only is our area fairly weak, but we want to make sure to keep it that way.

KMRUNOUT
 
slaughtering people for fun. thats fun? playing in a small bar tournament and using slow tactical play to win is smart. no wonder people are hating some of you.

try making friends. life becomes fun.
 
Jimmy C-Note said:
You describe yourself as a good guy and probably are but it sounds like you are way beyond the capabilities of most, if not all the people you are playing at this bar.They know it and they know you know it.That is going to bring haters out of the woodwork.Having said that, I do not understand your attraction to this situation. Good competition is what keeps me interested in the game. Good luck with your dilemma.
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I was wondering the same. People ask me what I get out of playing APA. That answer is easy: I like my team, I like coaching them and helping them and trying to max out the overall performance of the team. I like the Singles and Masters events the APA does, and that requires playing regular league. I am not really playing for the weekly competition, except in so much as I am required to be somewhere hitting balls once a week, which helps keep me in stroke. But there are many other aspects of APA that appeal to me.

In the OP's situation, I don't see the payoff. Perhaps the OP could consider making it partners on that bar table. At least then more people are playing, and he isn't monopolizing the table so much.

KMRUNOUT
 
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Give these guys a break once in a while....even some lessons.
...and move around
 
If you are as good as you say. Play opposite hand. This will solve you dominating the table issue and you may make a friend or two along the way.
 
Good points. But I think you guys misunderstood:
I'm not as good as you guys think. ANY pro would destroy me race to 5. There are at least 2-3 players on any night that are almost as good as me but I still beat them. It's even harder to play random bar players sometimes because if my break is not working it's not like they are running to the 8 and leaving me a wide open table- I have to navigate through traffic and if I'm going for it I have to get out because even the random player with the weirdest stroke can catch a few lucky rolls and run 6 balls on a barbox. So it's actually challenging to run the table all night. I try not to play too many safeties to move the line quickly unless im playing a strong player and I dont wanna take chances. I used to get emotionally exhausted by the end of the night and finally learned how to not hyperfocus for hours. I really mastered that Effen / Shane chill state of mind calmly walking around the table vibe. It helped my game a lot.. I never choke. Why I play there? A LOT of people watch which makes it more fun than doing drills at an empty pool room. I'm in pressure situations all the time with people sharking me, screaming, etc so it helped my mental game a lot and this place keeps making me better because I'm not playing people I'm playing the table. I try not to have many break and runs but once they shot I'm playing the ghost and it's still challenging. I can make the shot and have the cb break up the cluster but w no insurance ball I might get hooked, I'm still not that good. I don't care who you're playing running the table for 5-6 hours is challenging for any non-pro if you don't believe me try it. It's not a walk in the park because you cant lose focus, one mistake and you're done.
I tried offering advice I don't do that anymore unless I know them well, some get really upset especially if they really suck.
Also it's not like peole come there to play casually w friends. These are pool junkies who suck at pool who come there to run the table. THEY WANT TO TAKE ME DOWN desperately. They wait an hour for a chance to beat me. If I give up the table the next guy in line is bumbed out he didnt get a chance to beat me. Also some really love me in there im like a little rockstar to some but the haters are the worst. Also I tried playing with one hand once and that was a disaster she started screaming at me and said I was being extremely rude and disrespectful and she said that's why nobody likes you because you're a piece of sht. Then she moved all the balls around and walked away. I laughed it off and few came up to me and and said she was crazy but that's he type of stuff I deal with there on the regular. A few asked me to train them, since Im not a pro I dont charge but I dont train people anymore because I took this one guy from beginner to strong amateur then he decided he was better than me and didnt want any more tips and kept trying to play me for money. I told him he wasnt ready he insisted. I took his money now he doesnt want my help anymore and it's a little weird we're not as cool.. Anyway, sorry I'm rambling.. I guess any scene once you're in the spotlight there will be drama. I don't do big tourneys because I don't want to get sucked into training 7hrs / day, w/out that you cant win because I'd have to play champs- I dont wanna make pool my life I rather make easier money elsewhere. Pool money is hard money. Oh the reason most haters get upset because they all think they are the ones who are gonna beat me and they focus and try really hard but I always win. Not sure what they are thinking I don't think they understand pattern play, being on the right side of line etc so they dont understand why they are losing and get angry. I cant be the only one dealing with this, do you guys not know what im talking about? Sometimes I wonder how everyone loves the SVBs but a lot of pros prob secretly hate him, Jason Shaw can't be his only hater. I always say I got lucky when people compliment me that's the only thing that seems to work, it chills people out. Also I really hate losing, maybe that's why I don't play real tourneys.
 
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DaveK said:
Maybe ask somewhere else ... where they understand you.


Dave
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Not their fault I didnt explain it right. It's not like I'm destroying beginners who are there to casually play with their dates. I'm beating people who are there to beat me and it's making me a better player just wish they didnt take it so personally. Maybe it's the booze that's bringing the worst out of these haters who knows.
 
Mustardeer said:
Not their fault I didnt explain it right. It's not like I'm destroying beginners who are there to casually play with their dates. I'm beating people who are there to beat me and it's making me a better player just wish they didnt take it so personally. Maybe it's the booze that's bringing the worst out of these haters who knows.
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Sorry to break it to you, but it is certainly NOT making you a better player to beat up on weaker players who are just wanting to have a few drinks and have a good time.
 
Jimmorrison said:
You might want to consider finding another venue. Dominating the table, open to close, can't be fun for anybody, even you.
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This.

Also, the word "hater" is stupid. People who throw the word HATE around must not understand the definition. Hate is generally reserved for a few specific things. Just because people think you're a douche doesn't mean they hold you in high enough regard to be deserving of their hate. Sorry to hijack, I'm just tired of people using that made-up word.
 
Mustardeer said:
Just curious how you guys deal with this.

My speed: semi-pro on a good day if I get a lucky roll here and there. Won lots of tiny tourneys.. No issues at tourneys but they take too long so stopped doing them.

Mostly play at this pool bar, mostly bar and league players. All ages, sexes, etc. Mostly hipsters, millennials and radical feminists. One barbox, winner gets to keep the table. Bca rules. Always a really long line to play but everyone waits and everyone wants to run the table.

There have been many nights where I run the table from opening to closing. If I lose, people literally celebrate and make a scene. ( A lot of railbirds at this bar ). I'm not talking about action we play for nothing.

I try to shake everyone's hand, no ego, I smile after each game, basically I try to be as cool as possible with everyone. Some are really respectful, lots of compliments. But. Some regulars straight up hate me. Mostly girls who play center ball and shoot at everything. People who barely know me or don't know me at all would come up to me and say really disturbing disrespectful things. Many regulars don't shake my hand after. Usually female players but men too. These are people who waited an hour and a half to play, took 1 shot and got off the table. Then waited another hour to play and I broke and ran out on them. ( it's always a race to 1 winner breaks ). I've had people flip me off, refuse to shake my hand etc. I've seen it all. The worst is when they don't say much but I can feel the hate. It's definitely real, not in my head. I used to care to figure out why they hate me but try not to even think about it.

Is this normal and is there anything I can do to convert haters into regular people?

Or do I just ignore this? I tried everything. I used to give up the table to the biggest haters but that didn't solve anything. Tried kissing their ass, that didn't work either. Tried talking it out, that didn't work either. I refuse to lose on purpose to make someone feel great. Any tips? People generally like me outside of the pool scene. Also some of the regulars who are really cool with me are turning on me because a lot of haters talk a lot of trash behind my back, who knows what rumors they are spreading... Fyi I have a big heart and those in my life who know me well love me.
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How do you score against the 9 and 10 ball ghost with BIH after the break on 9' pro-ams with 4.5" or smaller pockets when racing to at least 7?

Just curious. That will give "some" on here an idea of your level of offensive play.

Rake
 
Patrick Johnson said:
Sorry, but it’s a dick move to dominate the only table just because you can (among bangers, no less). Limit yourself to a few wins in a row and then give up the table and get in line with everybody else. Might even make some friends.

pj
chgo
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^^^^ This.
 
Patrick Johnson said:
Sorry, but it’s a dick move to dominate the only table just because you can (among bangers, no less). Limit yourself to a few wins in a row and then give up the table and get in line with everybody else. Might even make some friends.

pj
chgo
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I agree.... nobody even does this on their home table. Let someone else play, go grab a beer or take a whiz, don't act like you are doing them a favor be giving up the table, just say you need to get a drink, whatever.
 
jrctherake said:
How do you score against the 9 and 10 ball ghost with BIH after the break on 9' pro-ams with 4.5" or smaller pockets when racing to at least 7?

Just curious. That will give "some" on here an idea of your level of offensive play.

Rake
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I could prob BARELY beat the ghost with BIH on a valley barbox. Not even the diamond. I would lose badly on a 9' with tight pockets. But if I didnt have to make them in rotation and just run 9 balls straight pool style I'd beat the ghost race to 7. Like I said I'm not as good as yall think. Just slightly better than the best players there. But the only one who can run the table all night, everyone else loses after 4-5 games. If I put together a 2 pack ( 8-ball ) on a 7' it's a big deal for me and I'm happy. 1 break and run is nothing though. 1 in 5-6 games I come up dry on a break. That should give you an idea.
 
If you're only there to play pool -not socialize, then don't get butthurt when people don't like you.
I already don't like you.

just joking, no offense...
 
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