Why is sharking considered such bad form on this forum?

[9BallPaul]

Not looking for a flamefest here, but hoping for an intelligent conversation.

I've hung around AZ long enough to see a real bias against sharking -- in other words, using deceit to score a win. Poker stars at the moment are celebrated as heros, and nothing is more revered in poker than taking down a pot on a bluff.

So if a pool player uses a little deception to lure a sucker into a match, why is that wrong? I came up in the '60s, when we lived by the rule that you get what you bargain for. Sometimes you win, sometimes not.

If the other guy is hustling me, my fault for not figuring it out.

Sure, in tournament play, you gotta abide by the rules you signed up for. Anywhere else, if I can gain an advantage with a well-timed wisecrack, I'll do it. Pool is more than a physical game. It's mental too -- not unlike a streetfight.

Nowadays, with everyone worried about pool's image, seems like sharking is on the outs. Yet look what goes on in poker games, and I won't even get into the sharking in golf, which is enormous.

And when I started playing Little League, I came up as a catcher, Learning to chatter was just as important as the throw to second. Maybe more, in those days. So why is it bad form in pool.

And if I play a little off-speed to lure in a sucker, is that my fault or his? Just asking is all.
--------------


Step right up, son, let's play some 9-ball!

 

[manwon]

Not looking for a flamefest here, but hoping for an intelligent conversation.

I've hung around AZ long enough to see a real bias against sharking -- in other words, using deceit to score a win. Poker stars at the moment are celebrated as heros, and nothing is more revered in poker than taking down a pot on a bluff.

So if a pool player uses a little deception to lure a sucker into a match, why is that wrong? I came up in the '60s, when we lived by the rule that you get what you bargain for. Sometimes you win, sometimes not.

If the other guy is hustling me, my fault for not figuring it out.

Nowadays, with everyone worried about pool's image, seems like sharking is on the outs. Yet look what goes on in poker games, and I won't even get into the sharking in golf, which is enormous.

Step right up, son, let's play some 9-ball!

So if a pool player uses a little deception to lure a sucker into a match, why is that wrong?

Paul, at least where I come from luring suckers into a game is not considered Sharking, the term I have always used for doing this is Hustling, and I think most people have done this one way or another at some point.

Sharking at least from my perspective, is intentionally distracting a person while they are shooting. Sharking can be done by the opposing player, or by an individual or individuals on the rail. Sharking where I come from, is equal to cheating and I have seen people get severely injured for attempting it during money match's. In most cases people resort to Sharking because they know that they do not have the Nuts in the game they are playing.

Just my thoughts

 

[Jaden]

He is exactly right.....

me thinks you got your terms mixed up......


Sharking: intentional distracting of opponent through nefarious means.

Hustling: convincing a sucker he's a whole lot better than he thinks or that you're a whole lot worse than you are.

Jaden

 

[sjm]

So if a pool player uses a little deception to lure a sucker into a match, why is that wrong? I came up in the '60s, when we lived by the rule that you get what you bargain for. Sometimes you win, sometimes not.

You are obviously referring to hustling, not sharking.

Anyone who, by misrepresentation of facts pertinent to an investment, induces another to make an ill-advised investment, is on very shaky moral ground.

Anyone betting on a pool game against an unknown opponent is making an investment.

In the world of finance, there's a word for such misrepresentation, and that would be "fraud," and it's illegal for all the right reasons. In the world of pool, inducing ill-advised investments through misrepresentation may not land you in jail, but it is, in the eyes of many, unethical.

 

[ShootingArts]

sharking

You are right that it is no different than a catcher's chatter but sharking, by which I mean trying to interfere with a shot, is a classless act in pool. I have seen sharkers casually knocked ass over tea kettle and I have "accidentally" hit them with a stick or ball myself. Different people get upset by different levels of sharking so you never know what the reaction is going to be.

Sharking is a part of baseball, it shouldn't be a part of pool. I can't give a good reason why, just the different ethics or mores of the two games. Nothing wrong with it in baseball, nothing right about it playing pool.

Hu

Not looking for a flamefest here, but hoping for an intelligent conversation.

I've hung around AZ long enough to see a real bias against sharking -- in other words, using deceit to score a win. Poker stars at the moment are celebrated as heros, and nothing is more revered in poker than taking down a pot on a bluff.

So if a pool player uses a little deception to lure a sucker into a match, why is that wrong? I came up in the '60s, when we lived by the rule that you get what you bargain for. Sometimes you win, sometimes not.

If the other guy is hustling me, my fault for not figuring it out.

Sure, in tournament play, you gotta abide by the rules you signed up for. Anywhere else, if I can gain an advantage by making a wisecrack at just the right time, I'll do it. Pool is more than a physical game. It's mental too -- not unlike a streetfight.

Nowadays, with everyone worried about pool's image, seems like sharking is on the outs. Yet look what goes on in poker games, and I won't even get into the sharking in golf, which is enormous.

And when I started playing Little League, I came up as a catcher, Learning to chatter was just as important as the throw to second. Maybe more, in those days. So why is it bad form in pool.

And if I play a little off-speed to lure in a sucker, is that my fault or his? Just asking is all.
--------------


Step right up, son, let's play some 9-ball!

 

[dirtypool40]

Some above have posted that we may be mixing terms.

SHARKING in golf would amount to coughing as your opponent swings on his drive, or walking past his line as he strokes a putt.

SHARKING is WEAK!!!

A "SHARK" contrary to the public's perception, is not a good player, but a discourteous hack, who resorts to cheating, not superior skills, to win.

You also hear it called a "move" as if that makes it more respectable. Excessive slow play or arguing over an obvious call or known rule to try and get someone's head out of a game are common examples.

Usually it stems from a lack of confidence that you can win on skill and heart alone, and is a tell for lack of either of both.

 

[ironman]

Not looking for a flamefest here, but hoping for an intelligent conversation.

I've hung around AZ long enough to see a real bias against sharking -- in other words, using deceit to score a win. Poker stars at the moment are celebrated as heros, and nothing is more revered in poker than taking down a pot on a bluff.

So if a pool player uses a little deception to lure a sucker into a match, why is that wrong? I came up in the '60s, when we lived by the rule that you get what you bargain for. Sometimes you win, sometimes not.

If the other guy is hustling me, my fault for not figuring it out.

Sure, in tournament play, you gotta abide by the rules you signed up for. Anywhere else, if I can gain an advantage by making a wisecrack at just the right time, I'll do it. Pool is more than a physical game. It's mental too -- not unlike a streetfight.

Nowadays, with everyone worried about pool's image, seems like sharking is on the outs. Yet look what goes on in poker games, and I won't even get into the sharking in golf, which is enormous.

And when I started playing Little League, I came up as a catcher, Learning to chatter was just as important as the throw to second. Maybe more, in those days. So why is it bad form in pool.

And if I play a little off-speed to lure in a sucker, is that my fault or his? Just asking is all.
--------------


Step right up, son, let's play some 9-ball!

All I can say is that thingss change. Sharking ain't nothin like it used to be. SOme of these guys would have had a nervouse breakdown years ago.

 

[dacue]

So if a pool player uses a little deception to lure a sucker into a match, why is that wrong?

Paul, at least where I come from luring suckers into a game is not considered Sharking, the term I have always used for doing this is Hustling, and I think most people have done this one way or another at some point.

Sharking at least from my perspective, is intentionally distracting a person while they are shooting. Sharking can be done by the opposing player, or by an individual or individuals on the rail. Sharking where I come from, is equal to cheating and I have seen people get severely injured for attempting it during money match's. In most cases people resort to Sharking because they know that they do not have the Nuts in the game they are playing.

Just my thoughts

What he said! I have seen a few guys get their ass kicked for sharking a guy in a money game. It just an't cool:angry:

 

[ribdoner]

Hustling is cool while sharking may result by enduring 17 reps of mo-fo on your melon

 

[Da Bank]

me thinks you got your terms mixed up......


Sharking: intentional distracting of opponent through nefarious means.

Hustling: convincing a sucker he's a whole lot better than he thinks or that you're a whole lot worse than you are.

Jaden

i'm your huckleberry

 

[dirtypool40]

My Dad is THE single fiercest competitor I have ever seen. I mean, if you let him play in the 65 and older "hit and giggle" tennis league, he's throwing elbows even though he could beat them all flat without it.

He's also one of the WORST SHARKS I've ever seen. He CANNOT play it straight. ALL IS FAIR with him. He wants to win, and wants to beat you and see you lose so badly, NOTHING IS OFF LIMITS, and which sport has nothing to do with it.

I have seen him lay down world-class sharking "moves" in everything from golf to checkers, to ping pong, to pool, to basketball.

The reason I bore you with all this is that as much as I think it's weak, and having to grow up playing him everything made me better, I accept that "back then" this underhanded "cheating" was just one of the skills you developed....

....in case the others came up short.

 

[chin0]

I don't know if I am correct, but this is my opinion. Hustlin' is fine, because it happens and it is part of the game we decide to participate in. While being hustled, the players are tested for thier skills and everything is fair and square. If one opponent sharks the other by doing certain activities to make their opponent miss or loose, that is not a battle of skill, but cheating a crazy girl into taking off her clothes by telling her casper is in her clothes.

 

[softshot]

lets light a fire here....

If your mental game is so weak.. that cheap antics can cause you to "loose your stroke "... or give you the twitch or some other such nonsense... you are probably not very good...

if your game is so weak that intimidation, distraction, and dirty tricks are all that you got in the bag..... you are probably not very good..

if you can't fade a smart ass comment and still make your ball..... you were going to lose anyway..

as soon as you can't handle the head games....... go play in bars for 6 months and desensitize yourself to this low brow crap...

SUCK IT UP AND SHOOT....WTF????

 

[jasonlaus]

Not looking for a flamefest here, but hoping for an intelligent conversation.

I've hung around AZ long enough to see a real bias against sharking -- in other words, using deceit to score a win. Poker stars at the moment are celebrated as heros, and nothing is more revered in poker than taking down a pot on a bluff.

So if a pool player uses a little deception to lure a sucker into a match, why is that wrong? I came up in the '60s, when we lived by the rule that you get what you bargain for. Sometimes you win, sometimes not.

If the other guy is hustling me, my fault for not figuring it out.

Sure, in tournament play, you gotta abide by the rules you signed up for. Anywhere else, if I can gain an advantage by making a wisecrack at just the right time, I'll do it. Pool is more than a physical game. It's mental too -- not unlike a streetfight.

Nowadays, with everyone worried about pool's image, seems like sharking is on the outs. Yet look what goes on in poker games, and I won't even get into the sharking in golf, which is enormous.

And when I started playing Little League, I came up as a catcher, Learning to chatter was just as important as the throw to second. Maybe more, in those days. So why is it bad form in pool.

And if I play a little off-speed to lure in a sucker, is that my fault or his? Just asking is all.
--------------


Step right up, son, let's play some 9-ball!

If some of the guys in poker talked to ME the way they do to other guys one of us would have their a$$ handed to them. Unacceptable(WTF can't spell this tonight) behavior in my opinion, tv or no tv disrespect somebody else and get your a$$ handed to you. Like they say in the old days half these guys couldn't EVER keep their money without getting robbed, with all the pretty boys probably a few rapings also

 

[poolplayer2093]

So if a pool player uses a little deception to lure a sucker into a match, why is that wrong?

Paul, at least where I come from luring suckers into a game is not considered Sharking, the term I have always used for doing this is Hustling, and I think most people have done this one way or another at some point.

Sharking at least from my perspective, is intentionally distracting a person while they are shooting. Sharking can be done by the opposing player, or by an individual or individuals on the rail. Sharking where I come from, is equal to cheating and I have seen people get severely injured for attempting it during money match's. In most cases people resort to Sharking because they know that they do not have the Nuts in the game they are playing.

Just my thoughts

sharking is distracting someone when they're trying to shoot

 

[chilli66]

All I can say is that thingss change. Sharking ain't nothin like it used to be. SOme of these guys would have had a nervouse breakdown years ago.

What used to amaze me was pro snooker players back home in the UK. You see them on TV getting put off if a mouse farts, yet the clubs they learned their trade in were noisy as hell! Sure, there's more at stake in the big leagues but wouldn't you think they'd learn how to deal with distractions?

Hell, my way of dealing with it was always to ignore the sharker until I was finished at the table and then to say "Sorry mate, what were you on about?"

 

[softshot]

lets light a fire here....

If your mental game is so weak.. that cheap antics can cause you to "loose your stroke "... or give you the twitch or some other such nonsense... you are probably not very good...

if your game is so weak that intimidation, distraction, and dirty tricks are all that you got in the bag..... you are probably not very good..

if you can't fade a smart ass comment and still make your ball..... you were going to lose anyway..

as soon as you can't handle the head games....... go play in bars for 6 months and desensitize yourself to this low brow crap...

SUCK IT UP AND SHOOT....WTF????

lets try again on the top of the new page

 

[chin0]

Here is what I experience today at the Pool Room. Two older gentlement (They looked more like dirty farmers) came in and while I was down shooting, one walked directly in my shooting line and the other walked behind me and knicked my shoes because he sort of dragged his feet. I didn't make much of it because they were older guys and I was raised to respect my elders. So as I keep shooting, one of them, I call Green, was shooting, his jeans were right under his a$$, and his shirt wasn't long, so when he bends to shoot, his a$$ was literally hanging out with no underwear, which was very distracting and that is putting it lightly as well. The other elderly male which I would refer to as Glass, he was shooting and screaming racial slurs, one that I heard very clearly was ,"Dammit, god damn cotton pickers!" I heard and was also very istraught by his language, but anyhow, that was what made me leave early today.

 

[softshot]

Here is what I experience today at the Pool Room. Two older gentlement (They looked more like dirty farmers) came in and while I was down shooting, one walked directly in my shooting line and the other walked behind me and knicked my shoes because he sort of dragged his feet. I didn't make much of it because they were older guys and I was raised to respect my elders. So as I keep shooting, one of them, I call Green, was shooting, his jeans were right under his a$$, and his shirt wasn't long, so when he bends to shoot, his a$$ was literally hanging out with no underwear, which was very distracting and that is putting it lightly as well. The other elderly male which I would refer to as Glass, he was shooting and screaming racial slurs, one that I heard very clearly was ,"Dammit, god damn cotton pickers!" I heard and was also very istraught by his language, but anyhow, that was what made me leave early today.

I guess I am different than other people... that would have just pissed me off....I would have ran balls right down his throat....I wouldn't show him so much as the shine on one of his balls...

I'd have forced him to get sick of it and quit...... and if he had to bum money to pay for his last beer even better.....

you don't run from ignorant fools ... you take their money.. and THEN you run...:thumbup:

 

[chin0]

I guess I am different than other people... that would have just pissed me off....I would have ran balls right down his throat....I wouldn't show him so much as the shine on one of his balls...

I'd have forced him to get sick of it and quit...... and if he had to bum money to pay for his last beer even better.....

you don't run from ignorant fools ... you take their money.. and THEN you run...:thumbup:

Haha, as much as I want to take the old guy's money and as unethical and cool that sounds, you can only take money from people when you are good and though i can beat them, I am not good :grin: but great idea :thumbup: