Dead on the money. You may want to act like you weren't waiting on him to shoot to call foul the next time.
Was I wrong for not telling my opponent he's shooting the wrong ball?!?!
- Thread starter fearless
- Start date
Dead on the money. You may want to act like you weren't waiting on him to shoot to call foul the next time.
If it's a friendly game with a buddy or lady then I say tell them, but a money game not until hell freezes over. Do you really think he would have told you,I think not. You did the right thing and what he thinks who cares. He was the dumbhead for not being aware of the layout.
When money is on the line I'll call a foul on anyone, friend or otherwise. If it's league play I will tell the opposing player if they're about to hit the wrong ball. If I stand to lose $100 on a game I will absolutely let my opponent shoot him or herself in the foot as often as they will do it.....nothing like easy money. Don't feel bad about it whatsoever!
Quoted from page one.
It really is this simple.
story
I learned this lesson early on. I was playing in a $5 dollar entry 8 ball tourney. Race to 2, double elim. My first tournament ever so I was nervous. I was up one game. The second game came down to the 8 ball and my opponent was shooting. He scratched on the 8 ball. I didn't really think of it clearly so I got the ball out of the hole and ran my balls out....made the 8 and won the game. He sat in his chair until I was done...I wasn't paying attention! I had won but he wasn't about to stop me from making a stupid mistake....He just let me shoot. After I was told by several people what took place I was mad at first and thought, "this guy is a real ass"...Guess what, I was the ass.....should have been paying attention. I did go on to win that tournament. Got lucky but I you better know I paid attention! I do to this day. That guy and me became friends by the way. He's a good player and a good guy.
I learned this lesson early on. I was playing in a $5 dollar entry 8 ball tourney. Race to 2, double elim. My first tournament ever so I was nervous. I was up one game. The second game came down to the 8 ball and my opponent was shooting. He scratched on the 8 ball. I didn't really think of it clearly so I got the ball out of the hole and ran my balls out....made the 8 and won the game. He sat in his chair until I was done...I wasn't paying attention! I had won but he wasn't about to stop me from making a stupid mistake....He just let me shoot. After I was told by several people what took place I was mad at first and thought, "this guy is a real ass"...Guess what, I was the ass.....should have been paying attention. I did go on to win that tournament. Got lucky but I you better know I paid attention! I do to this day. That guy and me became friends by the way. He's a good player and a good guy.
answer to Fearless
Your friend was probably mad at himself for the overlook and decided to vent improperly toward you. Shake it off. Many years ago, when I was on the road, I was playing in a mostly black pool room in South Dallas. Just twenty dollar one-pocket, which wasn't "just" in the sixties. A couple of shots after the break, I made a super end rail bank and ran seven and out. My opponent yelled "My pocket. Pay up", to which I said "You're full of shit. That's my pocket". He said "you broke the balls from over there, I shot blah, blah." I realzed he was right and, pissed off the way your friend was, blurted at him "If I was shooting at the wrong pocket, why didn't you stop me?" He laughed and said ''Cause you was doing allright." Then everyone laughed.
If I still get a kick out of this story, almost a half century later, it must have been worth the twenty. Keep it nice. Alfie
Your friend was probably mad at himself for the overlook and decided to vent improperly toward you. Shake it off. Many years ago, when I was on the road, I was playing in a mostly black pool room in South Dallas. Just twenty dollar one-pocket, which wasn't "just" in the sixties. A couple of shots after the break, I made a super end rail bank and ran seven and out. My opponent yelled "My pocket. Pay up", to which I said "You're full of shit. That's my pocket". He said "you broke the balls from over there, I shot blah, blah." I realzed he was right and, pissed off the way your friend was, blurted at him "If I was shooting at the wrong pocket, why didn't you stop me?" He laughed and said ''Cause you was doing allright." Then everyone laughed.
If I still get a kick out of this story, almost a half century later, it must have been worth the twenty. Keep it nice. Alfie
Friday night I was playing in a tournament. I was in a safety battle with my oponent. He contacted his ob but failed to drive anything to a rail. I missed the foul and he didn't volunteer the info. I lost the game and was out of the tournament. If I had been paying attention, I would have had ball in hand and won the game, my bad. I should have been paying attention. I don't think he realized he had fouled either, for that matter. Someone watching our game told me about it later, or I would have never known. Stuff happens. There's always another day, another tournament. I always consider when something like this happens a learning experience.
sportsmanship
Fearless,
As I said before (The rule says it's a foul if he hits the wrong ball)
You are not obligated to tell him he is shooting the wrong ball.
He was an A-Hole for getting mad at you.
Also there is no RULE saying you must tell him.
Would it be sportsmanlike if you told him? Yes absolutely
Rules are in place for a reason. Usually to speed up the game.
Ever see anybody place a cue on the table & take their hands off while aiming? Many rules call this a Foul.
Ever see anybody use the feral to adjust the cue? That’s a foul.
Ever have anybody use excessive time shooting? That can be a foul.
Ever have your opponents friends in the tournament area while your shooting? That not allowed in most tournaments.
Ever have your opponent moving while your shooting? Foul.
All of the above are mostly fouls But do we call them all the time?
Listen like I said you were NOT wrong by the rules for not telling him.
I have no idea how much you were playing for. I have seen a gentleman’s game for $100 set so it all depends on the people.
But I do know I have tremendous respect for my opponents. If it's a new person to the tournament, I treat them how I would like to be treated.
If I’m playing an opponent that has a history of arguing about hits/rules. Then I will stick to the rules.
I use the same rules when I gamble. Unless it's a gambler with a bad reputation.
I hope you understand what I’m trying to say.
You were right within the rules but you don't want to be like the guy everybody hates that argues every match he's in.
Lets keep the sportsmanship & integrity in the game.
If we need a referee at every table this game will go nowhere.
Fearless,
As I said before (The rule says it's a foul if he hits the wrong ball)
You are not obligated to tell him he is shooting the wrong ball.
He was an A-Hole for getting mad at you.
Also there is no RULE saying you must tell him.
Would it be sportsmanlike if you told him? Yes absolutely
Rules are in place for a reason. Usually to speed up the game.
Ever see anybody place a cue on the table & take their hands off while aiming? Many rules call this a Foul.
Ever see anybody use the feral to adjust the cue? That’s a foul.
Ever have anybody use excessive time shooting? That can be a foul.
Ever have your opponents friends in the tournament area while your shooting? That not allowed in most tournaments.
Ever have your opponent moving while your shooting? Foul.
All of the above are mostly fouls But do we call them all the time?
Listen like I said you were NOT wrong by the rules for not telling him.
I have no idea how much you were playing for. I have seen a gentleman’s game for $100 set so it all depends on the people.
But I do know I have tremendous respect for my opponents. If it's a new person to the tournament, I treat them how I would like to be treated.
If I’m playing an opponent that has a history of arguing about hits/rules. Then I will stick to the rules.
I use the same rules when I gamble. Unless it's a gambler with a bad reputation.
I hope you understand what I’m trying to say.
You were right within the rules but you don't want to be like the guy everybody hates that argues every match he's in.
Lets keep the sportsmanship & integrity in the game.
If we need a referee at every table this game will go nowhere.
They're all tests of character
All throughout our day, we're presented with tests of character. It doesn't matter whether we're in church or a bar. When we ignore the rules of proper decorum and lead with our appetites, we fail these tests.
But that's what carves us out as individuals, whether it's letting your opponent foul or sharking him. Whether you let him shoot the wrong ball or wise him up Either way try not to lose fact it's a pool game, not brain surgery.
"The guy said 'He sharked me'. Sharked him? The guy oughtta play in a wax museum. Then, if somebody moves, I'd screw outta town."
Rudolf Walter "Minnesota Fats" Wanderone.
Keep it nice. Alfie
All throughout our day, we're presented with tests of character. It doesn't matter whether we're in church or a bar. When we ignore the rules of proper decorum and lead with our appetites, we fail these tests.
But that's what carves us out as individuals, whether it's letting your opponent foul or sharking him. Whether you let him shoot the wrong ball or wise him up Either way try not to lose fact it's a pool game, not brain surgery.
"The guy said 'He sharked me'. Sharked him? The guy oughtta play in a wax museum. Then, if somebody moves, I'd screw outta town."
Rudolf Walter "Minnesota Fats" Wanderone.
Keep it nice. Alfie
Again, tell me why you can assume the guy isn't shooting the wrong ball on purpose as a tactical move in the game and wants to give you ball in hand in a stealth manner (perhaps to break out a cluster). You just can't assume these things.... or, you can, but you look like an ass. That is where you need to shove your self appointed "morals" too. This isn't about character, it is about playing pool. You aren't supposed to get out of your chair when the guy is shooting. If you do, great, good for you. Don't tell other people they "aren't passing tests of character" though. This reminds me of religion. Some people don't eat pork. Fine. But don't tell other people it is a sin to eat it.... that is BS. Do what you want and keep your mouth shut when it comes to other (logical) people.
Last edited:
I don't know if I would go so far as to call it BS, but it isn't kosher.
This has been done before...and I've tried to stay out of it.
But I feel obliged to state my opinion.
Honorable competitors ASK FOR AND GIVE NO QUARTER.
I call my own fouls even where 'you snooze you lose' is in effect.
I refuse to let myself away with 'no rail', 'touching whitey', or 'touching
a moving ball'.
..and I won't let my opponent cheat himself on the score or ball count.
But honorable people are still responsible for their own decisions.
I don't WANT my opponent telling me I'm shooting the wrong ball.
If I expect my opponent to help me beat him...........
..where is the honor in that?
This is my opinion and I bear full responsibility for it
regards
pt
But I feel obliged to state my opinion.
Honorable competitors ASK FOR AND GIVE NO QUARTER.
I call my own fouls even where 'you snooze you lose' is in effect.
I refuse to let myself away with 'no rail', 'touching whitey', or 'touching
a moving ball'.
..and I won't let my opponent cheat himself on the score or ball count.
But honorable people are still responsible for their own decisions.
I don't WANT my opponent telling me I'm shooting the wrong ball.
If I expect my opponent to help me beat him...........
..where is the honor in that?
This is my opinion and I bear full responsibility for it
regards
pt
Well said!
In other words "Ask not what your opponent can do for you..." Right, PT109? :grin-square:
Last edited:
Actually, I prefer this quote being as how I have gambled at pool a bit.
"Kruschev reminds me of the tiger hunter who has picked a place on the
wall to hang the tiger's skin long before he has caught the tiger.
The tiger has other ideas."
How many times have we made a good game for ourselves....
..only to find we weren't the only hustlers.:embarrassed2:
You were not wrong...I learned the game by gambling and if your big enough to step up and gamble you should be big enough to know and follow the rules!
Oh the joy of the voice of experience!
There have been some good points made, as far as i'm concerned, anybody can have any opinion they want on this matter, just don't make others out to be dishonorable if they don't do it your way... that is way way out of line, always has been, always will be.
I think if you really want to carefully dissect this argument, you'd have to ask the question.... if I told my opponent he is about to foul, will that always result in a favorable outcome for him?? The truth is, sometimes he may lose the game if you tell him he's about to foul, where he otherwise would have won if you would have shut your mouth (like you're supposed to). It is very presumptive of a player in the chair to make this decision to speak to a shooting player -- why can you assume this will even help him? IT should not be done, and although it is extremely counter-intuitive, I actually find the people who inform others they are about to foul as the offenders (at least to a greater extent) in this situation.
I think if you really want to carefully dissect this argument, you'd have to ask the question.... if I told my opponent he is about to foul, will that always result in a favorable outcome for him?? The truth is, sometimes he may lose the game if you tell him he's about to foul, where he otherwise would have won if you would have shut your mouth (like you're supposed to). It is very presumptive of a player in the chair to make this decision to speak to a shooting player -- why can you assume this will even help him? IT should not be done, and although it is extremely counter-intuitive, I actually find the people who inform others they are about to foul as the offenders (at least to a greater extent) in this situation.
If I were gambling and my opponent informed me I was about to hit the wrong ball I would probably go on tilt!I would prefer just to make a bad hit and give up BIH.