What is the right thing to do?

Tin Man

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OK- It's hill-hill, and your opponent is running the table playing a set of 9 ball. He makes it all the way until just the 8 and 9 ball are left on the table, and they are both hanging in the pocket.

Suddenly, you realize that he doesn't see the 8 ball hanging deep in the jaws. He gets down and lines up the 9 ball, preparing to shoot what he believes is the game winner.

Question- do you stop him, or just wait for him to shoot it in and call a foul?
 
I wouldn't hold it against my opponent if he/she didn't tell me. That's just carelessness on my part. Why should my opponent lose the set because I'm not paying attention?
 
Tin Man said:
OK- It's hill-hill, and your opponent is running the table playing a set of 9 ball. He makes it all the way until just the 8 and 9 ball are left on the table, and they are both hanging in the pocket.

Suddenly, you realize that he doesn't see the 8 ball hanging deep in the jaws. He gets down and lines up the 9 ball, preparing to shoot what he believes is the game winner.

Question- do you stop him, or just wait for him to shoot it in and call a foul?

I'd like to think that my integrity is more important than anything, ... but, please, first tell me who I am playing against, for how much, and whether I am winning.

In most cases I would tell him.

Jim
 
I've stopped someone in a similar situation in a league match, but if there's a lot at stake, I don't think it's wrong to let him foul.
 
Tin Man said:
OK- It's hill-hill, and your opponent is running the table playing a set of 9 ball. He makes it all the way until just the 8 and 9 ball are left on the table, and they are both hanging in the pocket.

Suddenly, you realize that he doesn't see the 8 ball hanging deep in the jaws. He gets down and lines up the 9 ball, preparing to shoot what he believes is the game winner.

Question- do you stop him, or just wait for him to shoot it in and call a foul?
No matter what the score, if I see it - I tell him. That is just the way I am.

BVal
 
I have to tell the truth here. If I'm playing someone that I know, for friendly stakes, I would tell him. If I'm in the box with some killer for serious cheese, however, there's no way I'm going to help him by pointing out what he should have noticed--I don't care what the score is!
 
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Really?

OK, people that think it is wrong to let him shoot the wrong ball, WHY?

I am ok with calling foul on yourself, etc. But if it my opponents inning, why am I responsible for making sure that he is not about to commit a foul? What if we are playing 9 ball, he has ball in hand, and is preparing to run out when there is an easy 9 ball combo. Do you need to point it out?
What if he is hooked and is attempting an impossible kick, do you recommend to him that he ties up balls? At what point do you draw the line, and allow him to be responsible for his behavior?

(By the way, I have a good friend- Muckadoo- who is the most ethical person that I have ever met. He would also let them shoot, and looks at it as a choke, the same as missing an easy 9. If it wasn't hill-hill, he probably wouldn't have made that mental error, so the loss was due to the lapse of concentration due to pressure, not poor sportsmanship.)
 
I must be in the minority here. In a friendly match, sure I'll say something.

If something's on the line--anything at all, then no, I won't say anything. And I don't think it's unsportsmanlike or unfair at all. I am not responsible for my opponent not paying attention to the table or which ball to shoot.
 
It has nothing to do with integrity for me. When you ask me a question like that it's the same to me as saying

"would you show your opponent the 3-rail kick it takes to get out of the monster safe you just played?"

I'm not here to help my opponent. I want to beat them. I won't cheat, I won't shark, and I don't hustle.
 
There's nothing unethical about doing nothing in this situation.

I come to my matches as prepared as I can be. That includes being mentally prepped and pay attention to my table.

I'ts not my fault, nor does it impune my reputation by letting him/her play their shot.
 
Tin Man said:
OK- It's hill-hill, and your opponent is running the table playing a set of 9 ball. He makes it all the way until just the 8 and 9 ball are left on the table, and they are both hanging in the pocket.

Suddenly, you realize that he doesn't see the 8 ball hanging deep in the jaws. He gets down and lines up the 9 ball, preparing to shoot what he believes is the game winner.

Question- do you stop him, or just wait for him to shoot it in and call a foul?

You say nothing. You are supposed to be sitting in your chair since your inning is over. It is the responsibility of the shooting player to be aware of what is on top of the table. He commits the foul, you call it, and he has to sit down and sulk on his error.

Plain and very very simple.
 
PoolBum said:
I must be in the minority here. In a friendly match, sure I'll say something.

If something's on the line--anything at all, then no, I won't say anything. And I don't think it's unsportsmanlike or unfair at all. I am not responsible for my opponent not paying attention to the table or which ball to shoot.

I'll remember that when I come out to LA! How much are we playing for anyway, and how many balls are you gonna give me? :D

(Watch, you guys! I bet he comes back with the Grady Matthews reponse!:D )
 
Personally, I would let the other player know.

However, let's say it's a professional match that's being refereed. Would the ref tell the other player? Probably not... so why would it be your responsibility to say anything? So, I don't think it's necessarily wrong not to say anything.

However, I always will tell the other player if they are about to shoot the wrong ball as a courtesy.
 
If something's on the line--anything at all, then no, I won't say anything. And I don't think it's unsportsmanlike or unfair at all. I am not responsible for my opponent not paying attention to the table or which ball to shoot.

I'm with the bum on this one...If its friendly then I point it,poke fun and call him an idiot in a joking kinda way ect.

If I'm playing a race to 5 for 5 whole dollars I wouldn't say a word....and my buds give me s*it for being a tick to honest ect all the time,but to me this IS the ethical thing to do.Its his table,his bet and his shot.
I wouldn't be talking to mess him up?Why would I start talking to help him out.

It simply has nothing to do with me.I'd wait,watch and win if he plays the nine.

(I'll agree its choking and considering it as such make it part of part of the game/wager)
 
Tin Man said:
OK- It's hill-hill, and your opponent is running the table playing a set of 9 ball. He makes it all the way until just the 8 and 9 ball are left on the table, and they are both hanging in the pocket.

Suddenly, you realize that he doesn't see the 8 ball hanging deep in the jaws. He gets down and lines up the 9 ball, preparing to shoot what he believes is the game winner.

Question- do you stop him, or just wait for him to shoot it in and call a foul?

What do you think is the right thing to do? There are only two ways to go, either you are honest or you are dishonest, it is just that simple.

This also go's hand in hand with how you are perceived by others. They either have respect for you or they have none, and this is based on you actions.

Long term you get what you give, if you act in this manner, you can also bet that the same thing will happen to you, it is just the law of averages.
 
You don't say anything, period. It's his responsibilty to pay attention when he's shooting. If he shoots the wrong ball shame on him. Now it's my turn to shoot!:D
 
Samiel said:
However, I always will tell the other player if they are about to shoot the wrong ball as a courtesy.

I don't get it... if they are shooting the wrong ball as a courtesy, isn't it a little rude to reject that courtesy?

Ken
 
manwon said:
What do you think is the right thing to do? There are only two ways to go, either you are honest or you are dishonest, it is just that simple.

This has nothing to do with honesty.
 
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