Underplaying your ability in league
- Thread starter justnum
- Start date
You know as well as the rest of us that's not why people undershoot their abilities
in a handicap league.
in a handicap league.
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League-play stalling????? To what ends? I've heard it all now. Sorry dude but the idea is kinda nuts really.
I do it all the time......just not on purpose 
Every league is a fun league. Why else play? I understand the sentiment of not wanting to beat up on folks who may be just learning the game, but I don't necessarily agree with it. When I was learning the game, I looked forward to advancing my game to a level where I could compete & win against the tough players. I always have & still do enjoy seeing somebody play the game well, even if it means me losing. Don't rob the new players of it. We have enough cupcakes as it is. Whoop their butts!
Every league is a fun league. Why else play? I understand the sentiment of not wanting to beat up on folks who may be just learning the game, but I don't necessarily agree with it. When I was learning the game, I looked forward to advancing my game to a level where I could compete & win against the tough players. I always have & still do enjoy seeing somebody play the game well, even if it means me losing. Don't rob the new players of it. We have enough cupcakes as it is. Whoop their butts!
In a handicapped league? Nope. In an even up race in a cheap tournament, yes, I'm sure many of us have let a weaker player win or missed to let them shoot.
Just letting someone win in a handicapped league would raise them up needlessly and would lower your handicap, so you are not just cheating the handicap system, you are also making the other guy potentially go up. What's the point of being nice and letting someone win or play closer to you than they normally would if they now need to play at a higher level than they can?
Just letting someone win in a handicapped league would raise them up needlessly and would lower your handicap, so you are not just cheating the handicap system, you are also making the other guy potentially go up. What's the point of being nice and letting someone win or play closer to you than they normally would if they now need to play at a higher level than they can?
As an adult if I play my nieces, nephews and cousins in a game, I will not play them full strength.
It doesn't matter if the game is hide and seek, mario kart, basketball or wrestling, I just let them win most of the time.
I feel the same on league night, sometimes its easy to spot a weaker player. I think by letting them win, it helps them deal with how horrible life is (occasionally there are spoiled people but I don't meet them often).
Its not so much letting them win, as it is knowing they have to play the game with a different attitude to keep up. When I see them stick it out in a match it makes it worthwhile for me to miss a few shots or leave some hangers.
It doesn't matter if the game is hide and seek, mario kart, basketball or wrestling, I just let them win most of the time.
I feel the same on league night, sometimes its easy to spot a weaker player. I think by letting them win, it helps them deal with how horrible life is (occasionally there are spoiled people but I don't meet them often).
Its not so much letting them win, as it is knowing they have to play the game with a different attitude to keep up. When I see them stick it out in a match it makes it worthwhile for me to miss a few shots or leave some hangers.
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Letting them play closer feels more exciting, than a shutout.
And if its close enough they might try a little harder than to give up entirely.
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I do it all the time......just not on purpose
Every league is a fun league. Why else play? I understand the sentiment of not wanting to beat up on folks who may be just learning the game, but I don't necessarily agree with it. When I was learning the game, I looked forward to advancing my game to a level where I could compete & win against the tough players. I always have & still do enjoy seeing somebody play the game well, even if it means me losing. Don't rob the new players of it. We have enough cupcakes as it is. Whoop their butts!
I don't enjoy seeing strong players with "lousy" attitudes during a match thinking they are a Hall of Famer who never misses shots.
A player with poor table manners will get a beating with some righteous shots just to let them know the difference in skill level. But players that actually go to the room to socialize a little bit, somehow that wins me over some.
My job doesn't provide a lot of social activity so maybe its just me.
This would depend if your league marked misses as a ding against your skill. And if you were sure you would win anyway.
In the USAPL I play in, there is no marks for misses or safes like some leagues do. You win, you get a bunch of points, you lose you get some points for the balls you made.
I don't think you should dangle a carrot in front of someone for them to want to play. They should know they are bad compared to good players and want to get better. If they can't handle losing to a better player, they will never be a player.
What I do with new players that are clearly just starting or think they are good but really have no idea is to teach them. After the match I usually try to spend 10-15 minutes with them going over some things they can improve on or start fresh with their mechanics. Sometimes that makes them want to come back to learn more and get better, sometimes we never see them again. I think those players that we never see again join the APA
I don't like playing people that are letting me get to the table, I never know how to play them. Do I goof off like they are, or try and win when I know I am only winning because they are not trying? I'd rather know how I would do against their normal game vs my normal game. But not everyone has the ability to handle something like that. I don't feel any pride in winning when the other player played badly against me, I'd rather play well and lose than play OK and have them play badly so I end up winning while not playing up to my level, or even playing like I can but only winning because they fell on their ass. Beating SVB in a tournament when he gives you 6 games going to 9 and then scratches on two 9 balls is not beating SVB.
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I think people that stall , eventually put weakness in their game.
Just my opinion from observation.
Just my opinion from observation.
Says you! I'm telling everyone I whipped him in a race to 9 :thumbup:
The sentiment seems that players in leagues are divided, some want to get better and some just play.
Not everyone can win the league championship. Having fun weekly is much better than only having fun if you win the championship.
I enjoy watching people attempt shots, they are intimidated by. Or seeing them talk trash after pocketing a few shots. Its like watching someone build confidence very slowly.
What is unpleasant is if they use that attitude in the wrong moment. Mainly sharking. I dislike sharking but I love watching growth.
Its a big ask for league players to encourage new players, its been a few decades already and the pool scene gets smaller each year.
I've seen several cable programs where people are paid to play video games of real life sports. The next generation of pool players are sticking to traditions that don't appeal to younger people. It is broke and the way it was is never going to work again.
Not everyone can win the league championship. Having fun weekly is much better than only having fun if you win the championship.
I enjoy watching people attempt shots, they are intimidated by. Or seeing them talk trash after pocketing a few shots. Its like watching someone build confidence very slowly.
What is unpleasant is if they use that attitude in the wrong moment. Mainly sharking. I dislike sharking but I love watching growth.
Its a big ask for league players to encourage new players, its been a few decades already and the pool scene gets smaller each year.
I've seen several cable programs where people are paid to play video games of real life sports. The next generation of pool players are sticking to traditions that don't appeal to younger people. It is broke and the way it was is never going to work again.