What Would You Do?

[2wld4u]

You both agreed to shoot by tournament rules before
playing, you never accept the 9 without shooting it,
unless he says something like, 'That's good', or walks
up to the table with his hand out to shake your hand.
Money sets are not the same as tournament sets.
I am with you though, I hate to break even at the end
of a night of playing. I always try to get 1 more set so
someone comes out ahead, or at least to help cover
expenses. I shot 10 ahead sets long time ago
that took 16 hours, and ended up breaking even.
I swore then I would not play that way again, and
I haven't. I only play races, and I am not one of
these players that HAS TO PLAY just because I am there.

I agree, I dont like to play unless its a race, lately I wont play for less than 50$, be it a race to three, 5 or seven, I just cant seem to get in the mood for less... I think beating the same old people all the time has finaly wore me down... my game isnt near as sharp as it could be...


The guy broke his cue down, Id rub it in, if you conceed, even if your oponet misses the 9, you loose... crying about it only shows he was trying to break your concentration...


2wld4u

 

[shinobi]

I've been in that situation a few times. If you feel you can easily ignore it and not let it distract you, then go ahead and shoot the shot. I've learned that it does shark me though, so I don't even try to ignore it. I stop shooting and go to shake the opponents hand. If they act surprised, I politely indicate that it is convention that breaking down your cue means you concede -- otherwise why would you do it? I'll then go ahead and shoot the shot, but not before making them aware that they've been told, and that if it happens again it's a concession.

 

[Williebetmore]

zeeder,
This happened to me in a league match last year, and I didn't know what to do. After long thought I have a definite plan if it ever happens again - very politely start breaking down your cue AS SOON AS YOUR OPPONENT DOES. Don't say anything until he does, then just innocently and earnestly say, "gee, I thought the game was over since you were breaking down; if you want me to shoot it I'll put my cue together again." This is a VERY non-confrontational way to do it. I will never ever ever shoot again when my opponent is breaking down. Whether he is just ignorant or an outright shark he'll get the appropriate message. This is the preferred method according to a road player of our acquaintance. Rules Schmules - who wants to argue about rules????

In response to the advice of other posters to lengthen the sets, I will relay the thoughts of this same road player, who frequently plays short sets to 5 or 7 against players who could NEVER beat him in longer sets or ahead sets. When asked why he risks defeat if the opponent gets lucky, he responded, "you want to get the money changing hands as quickly as possible." Some people are gamblers, some people are lock-artists.

 

[buddha162]

unscrewing cue = forfeit, I see no other interpretation.

-Roger

 

[LowEnglish]

Well, here's my take on it:

First of all, the break-down-you-lose rule is considered a tournament rule. Regardless of which rule book it might be in, I've never seen it enforced in real action. I agree it was wrong of him to do it, and I view it as a cheap "shark manuever". But unless the opponent says "that's good", ya still gotta pot the money ball!

Next, (not that you asked) when playing a weaker player the shorter sets are in their favor. So you kinda messed up by playing a race to 5, IMHO. If you're giving up a spot, whether on the wire or a ball, you need to make the sets longer. Anyone can slop the nine in, then make it on the break or get a good roll for a combo and then he just needs to win 2 to your 5. And it sounds like your advantage over this guy may be small, (though still enough to get out) but then it's even more critical to play longer sets.

Finally, you believe you own this guy, yet you made 2 downward adjustments on the cabbage. That's really odd. 2 for $30.00, then 1 for $40.00 (good), the you guys dropped it to $20.00, then down to $10.00?? With that kind of trend, you'd be playing for free before long. This guy was obviously running out of cash, or was out of his comfort zone, but you DON'T want to kill your action by beating him X-0. He'll remember that you skunked him, not necessarily that it was only 3-games.

If he still thinks he has a chance, try him in a race to 9 (or 11) with 2 on the wire. If you do own him, he's not going to win 7 games to your 9. Since he's Ok with a $10.00 rack, he should be OK with $50 - $100.00 Sets. Ideally, every set would go 6-9 or 7-9.

Back to your real question - the 9 must be made unless your opponent says otherwise or places their cue (or whatever) on the table. His breaking down, though bad sportsmanship, was not the same as telling you that you didn't have to shoot it.

You are dead wrong. If you are gambling and you are on the money ball and the guy breaks down his cue, slap the 9 in the nearest pocket with your hand or the side of your stick and shake his hand. It's commonly known as a shark move, and often it works. If you are dumb enough to shoot it, and you miss, then you are a dumb ass. If the guy starts complaining, say that if you break down your cue, you concede the game, and by putting the 9 in the hole he can't make you shoot it after arguing. If he says you lose because of that, punch his ***** ass and take the money. Im sick of people who do that.

 

[Snapshot9]

On the flip side ...

of something like that, it used to be in money matches
if your opponent conceded a 9 ball shot and you went
ahead and shot it and missed that the game was still
in play, and he could then go ahead and shoot the 9.
I have seen a few arguments over this.