What is a nice thing to say when you beat someone?

For me it all depends on the person and how well they shot.

Normally most people arn't jerks when I play, if the match is a close one I will shake their hand afterward and say good game then I will tell him "You shoot one hell of a game of pool."

If the match isnt close I simply just say good game or good shooting. If they get offended by it then hell with them.
 
When I'm gambling, i.e., when my opponent chose to play me, I always win-or-lose say, "thanks for the games." It's just sort of a reminder that whatever the outcome I'm appreciative of the competition, which is the way I feel.

After a good or even decent tournament match, I'll say (once again win or lose) "good match." If someone rolls over me, I'll say "good job." If I roll over somebody I'm not really supposed to roll over or somebody plays poorly compared to what I know they're capable of, I'll shake his hand with an empathetic that's-the-way-it-goes-sometimes shrug.

mike page
fargo
 
Your behavior before, during, and after the match I think dictates how your opponent will take what you tell him/her after you win. Of course there will always be jerks no matter how nice you are, but who cares how they feel.
 
Flex said:
At the beginning, "Good luck!" said with some life.

At the end, depending on how the match went for both of us, if we both played well and I won, I may say "Good match!"
In any case, "Thanks for the match" is always good form.
Flex
Click to expand...

I agree, Flex, "thanks for the match" says it nicely.
 
I never say good luck to start, I think that's somewhat like lying, I don't really want them to have good luck. I'll say play well, or have a good match. When it's done, I usually just shake hands and nod.

If the guy is a poor sport I might get a jab in and say something like, you usually play better than that, or have fun on the 1 loss side.
 
WilleeCue said:
I agree, Flex, "thanks for the match" says it nicely.
Click to expand...
I agree. "Thanks for the match" seems appropriate. I also say "good luck" at the beginning of matches. I'm gonna change to "play well". I like that better.

Mike
 
Years ago, back in Chicago, my 6 ended up having to play Richie Idrovo in the hill-hill match. My 6 was pretty strong for a 6, could usually get out from a lot of spots, and played a strong safety game.

So the match took quite a while, well over 20 innings as I recall, which is a lot for a match with Richie. Nevertheless Richie won 5-0. Afterwards, my player said something like "I bet that was the toughest shutout you ever had." Richie didn't respond directly, strongly suggesting that he's had many other tougher shutouts. Might have been nice for Richie to agree.

In any case, since that time, I've used "that was the toughest shutout I've ever had" a few times. You need an opponent with good humor (and to win by a shut out, of course) for this one, though.

Cory
 
The other day when I beat someone in a 1p gambling match, he told me I was an f*cking nit and starting getting in my face. Still not sure why he called me a nit since this is about the tenth time we have played, we usually break even and I am always telling him we can bet more. <shrugs> Oh well this is coming from the same guy that wanted to fist fight another player when he got beat in our local handicapped 9ball tournament. People like this guy make it tough to do anything but unscrew when you beat them. Say anything to them and you find yourself in the middle of an argument.
 
Some probably wonder why I play this guy in the first place. He pays when he loses and I like the matchup. You just have to manage the post match discussion carefully.
 
Last edited:
Linda, like with any other attempt at politicking, you should find something that your opponent does particularly well and make a sincere appreciative remark about that particular attribute or shot that they were successful in pulling off. If you think you would like to emulate that particular nuance, tell them so. It could soothe the the temporary wound that you inflicted, at least sometimes. :-)

And of course, making insincere remarks about anything or how well they played (if they played poorly) will conjure up fire and brimestone or at least a nasty glare. ;-)

Warm Regards,
JoeyA

rackmsuckr said:
When I win a match and go to shake the loser's hand, what is a nice thing to say? I usually say 'Nice match' or 'Good shooting', but a lot of the times they didn't shoot their best and we both know it, and it certainly wasn't a nice match for them. I have had people tell me 'Thanks' when I lose and that sticks in my craw too. If they just got knocked to the B side, then I say 'Good luck in your next match', but what if you put them out of the tournament? I have even said 'I'm sorry', but what I am trying to say is that I am sorry one of us had to lose and I know how crummy they feel, NOT that I am sorry I won.

And how about at the beginning? I had one gal who just hates me on our regional tour and one time, she refused to shake my hand before the match. I was left there with my hand in the air. She said I really didn't mean it when I wished her 'Good Luck', or 'Play well' or even 'Have fun' or 'Have a good one." I thought that was terrible as I am pretty conscientious about being a role model for up and coming players and kids.

Anybody have some nice beginning and ending words for your opponent?
Click to expand...
 
Hello and goodbye

I usually start the match with "Play well" and end it with whatever seems appropriate. That "play well" is sincere as I want to have a good, competitive match not just roll over someone. And if they're better than me, I want them to play well so that I can learn something and they can't have an excuse if I win. :D I think that the rolls even out over time so good luck doesn't really make it for me.

Responses after the match include: Great shooting, you couldn't get a roll the whole match, I really enjoyed our match, good luck the rest of the tournament, see you in the finals and when I've really gotten spanked I've said, I think I have a few more clocks that need cleaning if you're gonna be here later.

Brian in VA - really enjoyed this thread, Thanks Linda!
 
I don't know about you guys, but I rarely feel good about it when I lose. When my opponent says something to me afterward it never really makes it feel any better. I lost. Big deal. I'd rather not be patronized. I just always assumed that my opponents felt the same way when I beat them so I rarely try to offer any sort of consolation. If I really got lucky to win a match, I may acknowledge that I got some rolls but that's about the extent of what I might ever say after winning a match.
 
I agree, both of you were in the same match so you know who got the rolls, or whose break was working or who was playing better, there is no need to repeat it. I go with a firm handshake, nod and "good luck in your next match" if it's in the winner's bracket, on the losers side I say "I got lucky". Seems to work for me, haven't been punched in the face yet...................yet I say.
 
Cory in DC said:
Years ago, back in Chicago, my 6 ended up having to play Richie Idrovo in the hill-hill match. My 6 was pretty strong for a 6, could usually get out from a lot of spots, and played a strong safety game.

So the match took quite a while, well over 20 innings as I recall, which is a lot for a match with Richie. Nevertheless Richie won 5-0. Afterwards, my player said something like "I bet that was the toughest shutout you ever had." Richie didn't respond directly, strongly suggesting that he's had many other tougher shutouts. Might have been nice for Richie to agree.

In any case, since that time, I've used "that was the toughest shutout I've ever had" a few times. You need an opponent with good humor (and to win by a shut out, of course) for this one, though.

Cory
Click to expand...

I rarely get a shutout, but this did give me the idea to say "Tough match" afterwards. If I say it with a shrug then they will know I am commiserating with him/her. If the match was close and we both played well, I can say it with the emphasis on the 2nd word and they will know that I appreciated the competition and they put up a good battle.

One time I wished someone good luck at the start and lost the match due to some ugly rolls and afterwards, they said it was my fault for losing. When I asked why, he said because I had wished him good luck! :rolleyes: So now I usually say, "Have a good one" or "Play well".
 
I always liked to say something a little backhanded, like I'll keep it warm for you, I hate hearing good luck, especially in 9 ball....I want to win on skill not BS luck...I'll get the time keeps em happy as well...
 
iconcue said:
i didnt say it wouldnt be possible to offend someone with the line.
i said they couldnt spin it to mean something offensive.
Click to expand...

Oh I know I'm just messin with ya.:p Didn't mean it in a bad way, sorry if it came out that way.:)

-Will
 
I like this one

Starting saying: "Let's do it." or "Let's do this."

I'm going to steal the above line.

I was staking a guy and we came up winners, the other guy who was loser said, "Thanks for the action"

I thought that was pretty classy.

Ken
 
I usually introduce myself if I'm playing someone I've never played before...if I know them, like in a weekly tourney....I sometimes just start playing or I will wish them luck...meh, I'm beginning to not do that even

I always shake hands at the end of a match...don't say much unless they say something..
________
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top