How does your opponent's demeanor affect you?

1andDone

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I've had several experiences when my opponent's demeanor affected my play tremendously. One time in particular my opponent started crying and whining, out of the blue, about rolls, temperature, atmosphere, getting sharked, etc. It seemed the more he cried, the worse I played.
Another time, another opponent, we had been playing for a few hours and the coin was wearing a trench in the cloth between 0 and 1 on both sides. Then, a guy comes in, sits down to watch, and he is a friend of my opponent. As soon as this guy comes in, my opponent's demeanor changed. Suddenly, this game became a "waste of his time." He started hammering every shot, missing badly, and singing loudly, "I just don't give a sh*t!" or, "no one will bet any real f--king money on this bitch!" I suppose I should mention that he called me to play and we always played for the same wager. Now, when all this started happening, again my play declined. I found myself not giving a sh*t. It kinda pissed me off because we had both been focused and playing well until this guy came in who, evidently, made my opponent embarrassed to betting so small.

I'm curious to know how some things affect others. How do you handle a hostile opponent? How do you get your nerves and focus after a grueling match up of barking back and forth? How do you handle a whiner without being a complete a-hole? The perfect match is in a library setting, with soft ambient music, and neither player speaks. That never happens so what do y'all do to stay focused in different conditions?
 
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Triple Smart

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I can relate in a sense....there is ONE player that i play fairly regular. He is very quiet, doesnt say much. He will sort of shark me when im in the process of a run out by walking up and counting his balls or mine in my pocket, while im at the table. That crap doesn't have much of an affect on me. The biggest issue i have with him is he plays so tight! He will turn down a 3 or 4 ball run to shoot a safety! I mean an EASY run. He only plays ME this way. Not the others he plays. This guy totally has my number lol. He is an older fella. Can out shoot him by leaps and bounds but theres something about him that breaks me down.
 

NH Steve

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I do think with pool a lot of issues are contagious -- but like with any virus, the symptoms vary from person to person. However, I do like it when my opponent puts their "loser" hat on, so to speak -- you know, when the excuses and moaning come out -- I don't mind cleaning up after that and I am all full of condolences and sympathy, lol. I think the two things that bother me most are slow pay, and/or physical threats -- especially versus a good player since they are tough enough to beat anyway. I like tough competition but not that kind.
 

1andDone

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I do think with pool a lot of issues are contagious -- but like with any virus, the symptoms vary from person to person. However, I do like it when my opponent puts their "loser" hat on, so to speak -- you know, when the excuses and moaning come out -- I don't mind cleaning up after that and I am all full of condolences and sympathy, lol!

That is usually the way it works for me as well. But this time in particular the whining and crying went to such extremes that I just couldn't block it out or feed off of it anymore.
My demeanor at the table is something in which I have always taken pride. These two examples in the original post are times when I almost "lost it" when it comes to demeanor.
 

petie

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People wonder why pool has never made the big time like golf and tennis. This is one of the reasons. Common etiquette is not universally observed. These moves which are conceived and performed solely to distract your opponent when it is not your shot or your turn at the table, are low class. They do not appeal to ones better side. Instead of being the behavior of champions and therefore worthy of emulation, it is the behavior of chumps and losers and not worthy of inspiring someone to play the game.
 

Jeff sparks

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It's not always true, but generally when they are crying & whining, it's because they are getting beat, & in their minds they have to lay it off to something other than the fact that they are outclassed.

I agree with them about how unlucky they are and how they are getting all the bad rolls. Hey, if they want to mire themselves down with self pity and have a good excuse to lose to me, who am I to stop them!

Now if they are using this as a shark tactic, or an irritant towards me, and it's a tough game, I put a stop to it, I let em know immediately, that s--- don't fly with me! Conversely, if I have the brazillians, I simply ignore it and take the cash.

Hey I'm amphibious.
 

wgcp

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demeanor

demeanor

I have played 1anddone an awful lot of one pocket...and yes he is correct about how he plays...he concentrates on every shot, shoots the correct shot over 90% of the time and is a gentleman at the table...In other words a fun guy to gamble with and play one pocket for hours at a time...one of our sessions lasted 14 hours...

I hope it wasn't me who sharked him...I tend to grip the slate, trying to put fingerprints in it when someone starts to whine about the table, balls, weather...etc... But should I have been on a drunken extravaganza...playing pool...and generally screwing around... I publically apologize...

I have at times been known to be rude, crude and socially unacceptable...especially when Jack is helping...

B
 

1andDone

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I have played 1anddone an awful lot of one pocket...and yes he is correct about how he plays...he concentrates on every shot, shoots the correct shot over 90% of the time and is a gentleman at the table...In other words a fun guy to gamble with and play one pocket for hours at a time...one of our sessions lasted 14 hours...

I hope it wasn't me who sharked him...I tend to grip the slate, trying to put fingerprints in it when someone starts to whine about the table, balls, weather...etc... But should I have been on a drunken extravaganza...playing pool...and generally screwing around... I publically apologize...

I have at times been known to be rude, crude and socially unacceptable...especially when Jack is helping...

B
The only thing that sharks me when u and I play is your trick floor! I can't seem to find any shoes that won't slide out from under me when I'm stretched out, Lol!
:p
 
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keoneyo

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My position is this: If you are affected in a negative way by your opponents behavior then its your flaw. A professional goes in to extract profit by any means in a most efficient and practical manner. You hope that after you get that profit people will give you respect and admiration for the way you conducted yourself.
Every situation is different and because we are humans, we all react different ways to different things. The pro adapts. He learns to accept the conditions and focuses on doing the job in the most proficient manner.
Work on yourself. Try to control your reactions. Learn to breathe naturally and allow your natural rhythms to not be controlled by others. Then go in there and kill the villain.
If youre an amateur like me though. Who just loves the game. Stop playing with those idiots. Play with those you admire and respect you. Those crybabies are losers and I dont wish to surround myself with them.
 

lll

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this is easier said then done
its you against the table layout in front of you
like in tennis
play one point at a time
play your game
the rest will take care of itself
 

One Pocket Ghost

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My problem is I hate playing guys like Billy I. miller, jtompilot, Clyde, Steve Booth, and several other guys from this site..:mad:...because they're too nice of guys to play with, and that stops me from trying extra hard to win..:eek:..:heh....I like it better playing guys who I don't like - then I play harder cuz I want to destroy them...


<a href='http://www.easyfreesmileys.com/skype-emoticons.html' title='Skype Emoticons'><img src='http://www.easyfreesmileys.com/smileys/free-indifferent-smileys-851.gif' alt='Skype Emoticons' border='0'></a>
 

NH Steve

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My problem is I hate playing guys like Billy I. miller, jtompilot, Clyde, Steve Booth, and several other guys from this site..:mad:...because they're too nice of guys to play with, and that stops me from trying extra hard to win..:eek:..:heh....I like it better playing guys who I don't like - then I play harder cuz I want to destroy them...


<a href='http://www.easyfreesmileys.com/skype-emoticons.html' title='Skype Emoticons'><img src='http://www.easyfreesmileys.com/smileys/free-indifferent-smileys-851.gif' alt='Skype Emoticons' border='0'></a>
...and there are a lot of guys that could be added to that list of likable OnePocket.org opponents. Just look at this past Derby, it was like a love fest -- disgusting, lol. :D:D
 

Fast Lenny

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I have played a ton of bar table pool well because I like to have some cold ones so going into a pool room is not difficult for me to deal with distractions in a hectic or loud environment. I do not like though in a sterile environment of a quiet poolroom if a player I am playing is standing in my view while I am shooting and will usually wait for them to sit down, don't really care if you are out of my view.

If someone is whining, crying, muttering under their breath too much or banging their cue around I just won't play the person again. I really enjoy playing Bernie when I get the chance to, he is quiet and a total gentleman. We have never had an altercation in the countless hours we have played or a disagreement on anything. Respect the game and your opponent.
 

petie

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I have played a ton of bar table pool well because I like to have some cold ones so going into a pool room is not difficult for me to deal with distractions in a hectic or loud environment. I do not like though in a sterile environment of a quiet poolroom if a player I am playing is standing in my view while I am shooting and will usually wait for them to sit down, don't really care if you are out of my view.

If someone is whining, crying, muttering under their breath too much or banging their cue around I just won't play the person again. I really enjoy playing Bernie when I get the chance to, he is quiet and a total gentleman. We have never had an altercation in the countless hours we have played or a disagreement on anything. Respect the game and your opponent.

You hit the nail on the head, Lenny. Background noise is background noise. Sharking is something altogether different.
 

bernie p

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Interesting topic.

I've learned a great deal in the last few years from watching and playing a variety of players from pool room recreational to world class professional, and there is one very striking constant.....at the point that your negative emotions become apparent, you have just put yourself at a distinct disadvantage.

If we are playing each other, and you suddenly start complaining, whining,sharking, etc, .....you have just given me a huge "tell" into your current state of mind. In most instances (99%) the emotion is real, very occasionally feigned. True negative energy can increase adrenaline, quickening the heartbeat, mess with your stroke, and typically result in a completely sub par performance.

I grew up playing competitive snooker against some top players.....and it was the guys that kept their emotions in check that intimidated the hell out of me. They knew how to channel that energy into a positive weapon.

The "tell" clearly indicates you are sufficiently worried that I could possibly beat you. Your opponent clearly believes that their behavior will negatively impact your level of play.....and for a lot of individuals, it does.

At this point, you've just pumped me up by paying me a backhanded compliment.

For me personally, I have learned to find a way to reverse things by putting it back on my opponent by.....let's just call it mental aikido. The trick is to not only clearly convey to your opponent that they have been called out, but now their ongoing thoughts are consumed with embarrassment, guilt, etc. (My all time favorite in this category........I'm hill-hill with Earl and he was his more than usual derogative self- "you can't beat me", "this guy can't play", "who is this guy drinking water while I'm shooting" lol. So I give it back to him.....and....he goes on complete tilt.....and shoots at the wrong hole!:eek::eek: Ya gotta love the man;))

My tactical game is now also going to change. If I sense that you are displaying negative tendencies, I am now going to change the way I play you. For example, if I sense that you are approaching some level of "tilt", and I have say, a 50-50 shoot at my hole or a safety shot, then you most certainly are going in the back of the stack.:lol

In recent tournaments (DCC, US 1 Pkt Open, SBE), I've had to fade this nonsense (sadly), against "professional" players. ( Strickland, Martinez, Lee Van Corteza, Immonen, Hennessey, and many more). In each instance, it started pretty minor and then escalated to an unacceptable level. It is unfortunate, but I've come to expect it from some people who need to win (at all costs) to eat. (Btw, I prevailed in every one of these matches :D)


So, bottom line......welcome the whiners....they are your friends:D

Cheers.

Bernie.
 
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beatle

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geez, simple quit the guy if he isnt fun to play with. or do what i do i make them bet more so it is worthwhile for the crap they spew.

guys that play slow or knock all the balls up table have to play for much more than they are comfortable with and enough to make it worth my time.

but you guys have to learn that sharking is part of gambling and pool isnt the same game as golf or chess.
if they shark you, shark them back ten times as much until they stop it or quit.
 
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