What to do?

davidhop

davidhop

Grade A choke master
Silver Member
I am the best pool player in my area, not bragging, but in the very small place where I live, talent is very limited and most of the best players will make the two hour drive to go somewhere else to play. Anyway, the problem that I am having is this: Everybody wants to play against me. I try to be a nice guy, but take last night for example. I only had about an hour to play. I go to the pool room for some serious practice against the ghost. As soon as I go through the door, a couple of guys start yelling, "Lets play, lets play....." I told them that I had rather play by myself, as I am trying to get ready for the team championships in Vegas next month. They kept on and on until I relented to one of them. After about ten minutes, he gets a call on his cell phone. I told him that I was in a hurry, and he said to just give him a minute and he would shoot. When I told him that I did not have that long, he starts shooting with one hand while still talking on the phone! He did this for at least a half hour!!!
Does anyone else have that problem? How can I make them understand that I REALLY would rather be playing by myself? I don't waqnt to hurt anyone's feelings, but I have got to do something. It is getting out of hand.
 
Start asking to play for money.

5 rack sets, 10 a rack. Money on the table.


I would expect requests to fall off sharply and nobody will be talking on their phone and shooting with one hand.

At the very least, the ones who want to play will step up their game.


Dave
 
davidhop said:
I am the best pool player in my area, not bragging, but in the very small place where I live, talent is very limited and most of the best players will make the two hour drive to go somewhere else to play. Anyway, the problem that I am having is this: Everybody wants to play against me. I try to be a nice guy, but take last night for example. I only had about an hour to play. I go to the pool room for some serious practice against the ghost. As soon as I go through the door, a couple of guys start yelling, "Lets play, lets play....." I told them that I had rather play by myself, as I am trying to get ready for the team championships in Vegas next month. They kept on and on until I relented to one of them. After about ten minutes, he gets a call on his cell phone. I told him that I was in a hurry, and he said to just give him a minute and he would shoot. When I told him that I did not have that long, he starts shooting with one hand while still talking on the phone! He did this for at least a half hour!!!
Does anyone else have that problem? How can I make them understand that I REALLY would rather be playing by myself? I don't waqnt to hurt anyone's feelings, but I have got to do something. It is getting out of hand.
Click to expand...


Tell one of the guys in there that you would like to have a pretend money game where he's betting against you playing the ghost. Keep score and that way if anyone asks you to play you can tell them, I'm sorry but I have a money game right now. This also works if you and a friend are at a busy tournament and you and him want to practice with no one else joing the table. I see this alot where 3 and 4 people are sharing a table before the tournament starts. My friend and I will play a pretend money match, fliping the coin or leging for break. Always put the coins on the table to keep score. If people see this they usually won't bother you guys or if someone does you tell them your gambling and they will leave you alone.
 
Tell them that you are devoting a certain amount of time to practice, for an up coming tourney. And perhaps afterwards you’d be will to play some.

Or, like Mr. Wilson said, ask them how much they’d like to play for.

Or if they are a bunch of clowns, tell them like it is. Banging balls around against someone that can’t make two balls in a row isn’t good for me or you, nobody gains any experience.

Rick
 
davidhop said:
I am the best pool player in my area, not bragging, but in the very small place where I live, talent is very limited and most of the best players will make the two hour drive to go somewhere else to play. Anyway, the problem that I am having is this: Everybody wants to play against me. I try to be a nice guy, but take last night for example. I only had about an hour to play. I go to the pool room for some serious practice against the ghost. As soon as I go through the door, a couple of guys start yelling, "Lets play, lets play....." I told them that I had rather play by myself, as I am trying to get ready for the team championships in Vegas next month. They kept on and on until I relented to one of them. After about ten minutes, he gets a call on his cell phone. I told him that I was in a hurry, and he said to just give him a minute and he would shoot. When I told him that I did not have that long, he starts shooting with one hand while still talking on the phone! He did this for at least a half hour!!!
Does anyone else have that problem? How can I make them understand that I REALLY would rather be playing by myself? I don't waqnt to hurt anyone's feelings, but I have got to do something. It is getting out of hand.
Click to expand...

Look if people don't undrestand that u jus wanta hit balls .Then get on your table and get to talkin on the phone pull up and tell then thay have to go ..Be nice at first and if the does not work .jus be firm..i works be be nice and if all fail Tell the put up the cash and then we can play ..it helps u get that gas money and table time .. :(
 
davidhop said:
I try to be a nice guy, but take last night for example. I only had about an hour to play. After about ten minutes, he gets a call on his cell phone. I told him that I was in a hurry, and he said to just give him a minute and he would shoot. When I told him that I did not have that long, he starts shooting with one hand while still talking on the phone! He did this for at least a half hour!!!
I don't waqnt to hurt anyone's feelings, but I have got to do something.
Click to expand...


If you've got to do something...then do it. You should have grabbed that goddamn phone out of his hand and stomped on it until it was in a million pieces. In my opinion, that was just hurting the phone...not his feelings.
However, it would have gotten YOUR feelings across.

Now, with a reputation as a bona fide psycho, I think ALL of them would be thinking twice about hounding you to play.

Unlike most on here, I'm now starting to charge for advice. That'll be $50.
 
drivermaker said:
If you've got to do something...then do it. You should have grabbed that goddamn phone out of his hand and stomped on it until it was in a million pieces. In my opinion, that was just hurting the phone...not his feelings.
However, it would have gotten YOUR feelings across.

Now, with a reputation as a bona fide psycho, I think ALL of them would be thinking twice about hounding you to play.

Unlike most on here, I'm now starting to charge for advice. That'll be $50.
Click to expand...

Hey dm I don't think you should be giving out that kind of advice, but I like your new policy. That will be $75 :D
 
drivermaker said:
Why do you feel you're able to charge more than me? :confused: :mad:
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I didn't but I knew you was going to ask that (more advice) so I charged in advance. My rate of course is much less than yours, only 37.50 a pop :-))

u like that? :D
 
TheOne said:
I didn't but I knew you was going to ask that (more advice) so I charged in advance. My rate of course is much less than yours, only 37.50 a pop :-))

u like that? :D
Click to expand...


Actually, with you...I don't know what 37.50 is. The way you're boppin' around from one day to the next, it could be yen, rubles, sheckles, pound, euro, boro nuts, or coconuts. What a ride you're on! Havin' fun??
 
drivermaker said:
Actually, with you...I don't know what 37.50 is. The way you're boppin' around from one day to the next, it could be yen, rubles, sheckles, pound, euro, boro nuts, or coconuts. What a ride you're on! Havin' fun??
Click to expand...

Oh yes dm, thanks for asking. In Seoul still, bummped into Mad Max in a disco again last night. But I fly to Beijing Friday, thats if I don't get shot tomorrow at the DMZ. I thought I might go and see it while I'm here, apparently I will get to see a line down the middle of a hut with the north on one side and the south on the other, of course Ive got to step my foot over he he

Fingers crossed for me lol, random shooting incidents when some guy gets twitchy every couple of years - its long over due!

:eek:
 
TheOne said:
I thought I might go and see it while I'm here, apparently I will get to see a line down the middle of a hut with the north on one side and the south on the other, of course Ive got to step my foot over he he

:eek:
Click to expand...

Well,……. If you’re going to be that daring, you should roll a 9 ball across the line and then roll it back across from the other side. Then you could say that you played a little 9 ball there too.

Rick
 
This has happened to me before.
He said "Just give me ONE MINUTE"
I gave him a minute (actually 72 seconds)
Then i just re-racked the balls and went back to playing by myself.
He wanted to know "wtf i was doing"
I told him, "your minute was up"
He walked off... still yapping on his cell phone...

And i've put that into practice plenty of times...
Works everytime...
 
davidhop said:
I am the best pool player in my area, not bragging, but in the very small place where I live, talent is very limited and most of the best players will make the two hour drive to go somewhere else to play. Anyway, the problem that I am having is this: Everybody wants to play against me. I try to be a nice guy, but take last night for example. I only had about an hour to play. I go to the pool room for some serious practice against the ghost. As soon as I go through the door, a couple of guys start yelling, "Lets play, lets play....." I told them that I had rather play by myself, as I am trying to get ready for the team championships in Vegas next month. They kept on and on until I relented to one of them. After about ten minutes, he gets a call on his cell phone. I told him that I was in a hurry, and he said to just give him a minute and he would shoot. When I told him that I did not have that long, he starts shooting with one hand while still talking on the phone! He did this for at least a half hour!!!
Does anyone else have that problem? How can I make them understand that I REALLY would rather be playing by myself? I don't waqnt to hurt anyone's feelings, but I have got to do something. It is getting out of hand.
Click to expand...

Tough situation, but if you're only playing the ghost to prepare, you're making a mistake. Even ifthere are only weak players around, you should practice with them at least some of the time. Even if you don't gamble with them, give them a big enough spot that you'll have to play well to win. There's a "B" player I often play against and I give up four on the wire going to eleven even though we don't gamble. forces me to play well to win. There's a "C" player that I give seven games on the wire to eleven, and it comes out about even, though we don't gamble.

Playing the ghost will help you, but it won't help your moves game. Defense, kicking and two way shots are a big part of the game, and these skills cannot be fully developed with having an opponent.

Give up a big enough spot and you may not find playing some of them so objectionable and unproductive.

Of course, sounds like you should be making that two hour drive at least occasionally to seek out some stronger players.
 
Yes, as a matter of fact I do try to make that two hour drive at least once a week, if not twice. It really does help to get in a different atmosphere and play different players.
Also, I understand what you mean when you say that the ghost is not the best practice, I have to agree with that completely. This is just a drill that I go through once a week or so, and it has become a habit.
The problem is not just that these other people can't play well, it is that they are always wanting me to try out their new cue and see if I think that it hits well, or show them how to stroke this shot to get the ball to do this.....You get the picture.
You see, I want to make the sport of billiards fun for the beginners. I want to help them learn. I remember when I was just beginning. It seemed like everyone just wanted to play me to get my money. I want these people to enjoy learning, but at the same time I need a little time for some practice myself.
The best idea that I have seen posted here was from amc4. I really like the idea of the gambling against the ghost idea. I have the perfect person in mind to help me.This way, no one gets their feelings hurt, everybody is happy, and I get to practice my way.
 
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