Tournament Behavior

T

tom mcgonagle

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I was playing beside a player over the weekend, and the player was, for lack of a better phrase, acting like a fool. He was loud, bouncing the cue ball on the table when he scratched, and carrying on after every missed shot and poor play.

I called him, on his behavior, and he didn't like me speaking up.

I'm no angel, but I could never do the things, this player, was doing. I respect the people playing around me and try my best to offer them every courtesy at the table. I couldn't live with myself if I thought I had caused a player to miss a shot based on my foolish reactions, to a mistake, I had made at the table.

First prize was $800. Do I have the right to cost anyone that kind of money because I'm acting like an a$$hole. I don't think I do.
 
I would have asked the TD to address the issue first, and if that didn't work, I would probably have done as you did.

Steve
 
pooltchr said:
I would have asked the TD to address the issue first, and if that didn't work, I would probably have done as you did.

Steve
Click to expand...

it has been my experience that once in while as a TD you have to make an example or make a statement about this type of behavior.
Myself, I simply do not tolerate. It is disreapectful to everyone involved including the other players, the owner and his equipment, and to the tournament itself!
 
When something like that happens,Go sit down or get a drink,The fact is he maybe an idiot but you dont shoot till your comfortable,take a break ,dont sellout because you have a good excuse.Im not knocking you or anything like that,but keep that in mind,make him wait it, if you want it bad enough
 
Last edited:
Tom, I'm not one to keep my mouth shut either and feel that he should definitely be warned by the TD first. Normally these types of people don't take kindly to being told to pipe down but it is a must.

If you are bothered by his antics, I'm sure others were as well. Glad you had the stones to speak your mind since others did not. I try to be a complete gentleman when I am playing and never show my frustration while at the table or during a match. Of course this is not always easy but I try to act the way I feel I should, with integrity and respect.

Peace, Joey
 
As a TD I give these types of tantrums a warning and with any continued loud argument by the player, they are told that it is an immediate loss of game and if they want to continue arguing, they are out of the tournament.

If they continue after that, they are told that they no longer need bother to try to enter any tournament I am running.

BTW, I am often reminded how Mid West tournament players treat players that are loud and annoying. The players all stop and stare at the offending player. That speaks volumes for the respect of the game and match conditions. And IMO it is the way it should be.

Rail birds chirping and disturbing players are no better and deserve the same treatment. If you want to watch the players play, then at the very least, respect their competitive environment and STFU.
 
I have played people who had varying levels of composure (or lack thereof) over the years, but I distinctly remember one match where my opponent's reactions to her mistakes and my play were completely over the top. It got to a point where I wondered if I might be in physical danger! But I was calm and did not let it bother me. I figured she was really only hurting herself by acting so foolishly, and that if I did let it bother me she would feel like she got in my head.

Another player comes to mind as well. Years ago she played very well, but tended to get quite emotional and let it show. I respected her game and her demeanor off the table, so during a conversation outside of any matches I told her that I thought that once she got a grip on her emotions she would be a great player. I don't know if what I said made a difference to her or not, but she IS less emotional these days (although clearly still has a drive to win) and she has become a really great player.
 
Here's the sick part of the story. This guy bought me in the Calcutta and I ended up making him money for the day.
 
tom mcgonagle said:
I was playing beside a player over the weekend, and the player was, for lack of a better phrase, acting like a fool. He was loud, bouncing the cue ball on the table when he scratched, and carrying on after every missed shot and poor play.

I called him, on his behavior, and he didn't like me speaking up.

I'm no angel, but I could never do the things, this player, was doing. I respect the people playing around me and try my best to offer them every courtesy at the table. I couldn't live with myself if I thought I had caused a player to miss a shot based on my foolish reactions, to a mistake, I had made at the table.

First prize was $800. Do I have the right to cost anyone that kind of money because I'm acting like an a$$hole. I don't think I do.
Click to expand...

I have seen many players do this... they are mad at themselves and show their emotions. I hope you did him a favor - some people don't realize that they way they are acting is uncalled for. Their excuse is, "I was mad at myself, I didn't bother my opponent" because they really don't see that is does indeed bother players around them. Hope your talk helps him!
 
Hi,
Definitely let the TD handle the problem. I spoke up at a tournament in a most respectful way. The guy put a friend of his on me and the rest of the day was miserable. Plus, the director creates a database on the offender and can take appropriate steps to control the problem.
 
sounds like this guy is on the expressway to exile !

there is no place for this kind of crap. if you want to make pool a gentlemans game be it in a tournament or otherwise it is totally unexceptable.

this kind of rude atmosphere is the kind i do not look for. i refuse to play in these types of surroundings. it cannot be enjoyed. a national chain of private billiard clubs would be a nice thing to change the games personallity.:cool:
 
I like a little emotion, it shows people are human beings not robots. Sometimes I laugh when I dog a ball, sometimes I stare at the table for an extra few seconds in disbelief, some guys slam their cues, some talk to themselves. If it sharks you than just wait for them to finish and go on about your business.
 
Kodak Moment

NewStroke said:
I have recently starting wearing elf shoes and hat with bells on them. Every time I miss, I jump up and down. It's really relaxing to me.
Click to expand...

This I would really like to see....:eek:

Played in a tourney at Atlanta over the weekend...two railbirds and stake horses were sitting directly behind the player chair at my match jabbering about my match with their horse...they weren't being loud, just very distracting as this was a local favorite...I turned around and asked them to be a little more considerate, they apologized, turned out to be nice guys that meant no harm...and their horse was a good one...:cool:

I learned that you don't have to wait until that you are mad and disgruntled...go ahead and speak up, sometimes they don't realize the degree that they are at and simply need a request...

If this doesn't work you can always request for Crawfish to stab 'em...
 
Last edited:
I have been guilty on occasion of "scolding" myself loud enough for others to hear. I agree that this type of behavior, however, is deplorable, and should not be tolerated. By the same token, this should never cause anyone to lose a match unless he happened to have an outburst when they are shooting a key shot. If it is a matter of just being bothered, then I agree the thing to do is to say something to them *before* there is any cost to you.

I personally believe that you should approach the player directly rather than immediately involving the TD. This sort of feels like tattling, and you should at least give the guy a chance to smarten up. Also, I think the best way to do it is quietly, so only he hears: "excuse me, could I have a word with you?" There is no real need to humiliate the guy in front of the room, and it is unlikely to go well if he feels defensive. If he is unresponsive to your polite request, I would let him know that you wanted to say something to him first before approaching the TD, but if he doesn't care then you will have to do what you have to do, and then go tell the TD. If the TD doesn't do something about it, that's a whole different issue.

Anyway, I think you were right to say something. I think this would apply to any situation in which a person was being overly loud and belligerent. Sometimes I know when things are going badly for me, and my concentration is poor, little things will bother me that normally wouldn't and shouldn't. So I would have to make sure I wasn't irritated by sounds that would be expected and reasonable in a poolhall (someone shooting balls on the next table, a speaking-tone discussion about how to play a shot, etc.) It is those sounds that erupt above the din of sound in the room that are to be policed.

My $0.02

KMRUNOUT
 
I agree with what Lewis said! It's the TD responsibility to run a quality tournament for all and to protect the equipment of the host room. When I ran tournaments in the 90's I used the 3 strike rule. I told every player at the players meeting they were on 1 warning, if I came up to them during a tantrum or disrespecting their opponent I will say nothing but put my hand on their shoulder and hold up 2 fingers, if they say a word I will push the balls in the pockets and your forfeited out of the tournament. Thank goodness I never had to do that, but some did make the 2 strikes. Unfortunately this is the only to get some players attention. I also told them if they wanted to bang their sticks on the tables, just go out side and bang their heads on the concrete columns, because thats where the problem is.

I'm sure Lewis will know some of the player that received the 2 strikes around the Texas area.
 
I believe it's the responsibility of the TD and the staff to monitor the tournament and be aware of any disturbances before they get out of hand.

I know that with some of the smaller tournaments usually only one person is involved in running it and they are usually controlling the board.

Most times that I have spoken to an individual about their behavior it usually got ugly. But I've always felt that to be my first option rather that to go the TD. I try to be respectful in a way so that I don't offend them if they are not aware of their behavior.

Danny K's in our area always has a staff on duty in their larger tournaments to make use that players are seated and quiet when their opponent is at the table. This is the way a tournament should be ran.
 
mikeyfrost said:
I like a little emotion, it shows people are human beings not robots. Sometimes I laugh when I dog a ball, sometimes I stare at the table for an extra few seconds in disbelief, some guys slam their cues, some talk to themselves. If it sharks you than just wait for them to finish and go on about your business.
Click to expand...

There's a very thin line between having emotion and just being a total mannerless ass clown. Hopefully you can see the difference. Just because someone doesn't melt down when they miss, or doesn't jump through the rafters after making a good shot, doesn't mean they're a robot.
MULLY
 
Tom In Cincy said:
As a TD I give these types of tantrums a warning and with any continued loud argument by the player, they are told that it is an immediate loss of game and if they want to continue arguing, they are out of the tournament.

If they continue after that, they are told that they no longer need bother to try to enter any tournament I am running.

BTW, I am often reminded how Mid West tournament players treat players that are loud and annoying. The players all stop and stare at the offending player. That speaks volumes for the respect of the game and match conditions. And IMO it is the way it should be.

Rail birds chirping and disturbing players are no better and deserve the same treatment. If you want to watch the players play, then at the very least, respect their competitive environment and STFU.
Click to expand...

Tom speaks the truth, I once witnessed him kick out a player for being unruly. It was good for me because I put that player's opponent in the tournament and ended up getting my money back. :)

I don't really get bothered by this kind of stuff in matches as it is a regular occurance in some of the pool halls that I have frequented, but I would prefer it to be quiet.

Actually, these loud guys are often the best action because they have gigantic egos and break down easily.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top