Did I Hook You? Who Cares!

Every one has one pet peeve (or more, lol) that really gets under their skin. 

For some people, it's not setting correctly the chalk "up" on the table.  Others it might be someone simply practicing on the table next to their match that really gets them upset.  There are a TON of things I could mention that gets under player's skin, but other people don't even notice or care or even give two thoughts to it.

Mine is simple and easy:  If you hook me, whether intentional or not, when you check out to see if I'm hooked, instead of just walking to your chair, THAT is my pet peeve.

Why not just go sit your ass down?  Do you think it's really cool to get in my way so you can go see if I am hooked or not?  Do you think it shows professionalism and etiquette to check if you just shit-hooked me? 

You will know soon enough if I am hooked or not by how I shoot at the ball.  But my question is this:  DOES IT REALLY MATTER?

If you hook me, what does that mean to yourself as you finally walk to your chair? 

Seriously asking that question, lol.

To me it doesn't mean much because I can still hit the ball either on the edge or with a kick. 

It's even funnier to me (i.e. more annoying) when people walk around the table to check out the shot they left me when they ACCIDENTALLY might have hooked me.  Listen, we have all played pool enough to know when a safe is intentional or we got lucky and hooked our opponents.  No reason to be mean and see if I'm hooked "good" or not by pure luck, lol.

You will never, ever see me "check" to see if I hooked you (intentional safe or not).  It's not even in my being to be that rude to you.  I would prefer to get out of your way and sit down in my assigned seat.  My shot is over; it's your turn.  I go away, you come to the table.  I will know soon enough if you are hooked or not.

What is your pet peeve?

No Pool In Vegas

I went to Vegas last week to hang out with friends who were playing in the BCAPL Nationals.

I had decided a few months ago not to play in the tournament itself, so was only really going for vacation (which turns out I desperately needed but didn't realize how much I needed it) and also to see some friends I only get to see in Vegas every year for that event.

As I made my way to the Rio on Friday morning of the event, which scotch doubles was going on, I slowly made my way into the venue, a tad frightful of how I would feel.  Even I admit I was afraid that seeing everyone play the beautiful game of 8-ball on the fine-ass diamond bar tables was going to pull at my heart strings and made me wish I was playing.

I was surprised - I didn't get even one feeling or twinge of "I wish"! 

I was so relieved! 

It was obvious I had made the correct decision to not play.  I got to just relax on my terms and with no time constraints.  I did not have to worry about setting an alarm clock, did not have to mentally prepare for matches, did not have to rush to the venue, was not stuck in the convention center for hours, etc.  Instead, I got to walk the strip, have great meals with great friends (or solo), sit by the pool, gamble, shop, etc. Oooh, sounds like a vacation! 

While it saddens me a little to break my around-20-year-streak of playing in the event, I was happy to be able to have a vacation not involving pool.  I AM glad the event was going on because I was able to spend quality time with a lot of friends, tho.  For that I am grateful.  Had a lot of wonderful talks and catching up.

Checking Racks of Friends

I had a very interesting conversation with a player the other day.  He was basically saying there are two people he plays regularly that he completely respects their game and never checks their rack.  However, as much as he respects their game, he has noticed that he doesn't quite make as many balls against one of them anymore and he's wondering what is going on.

He shared that he felt like if he checked the rack of this one particular person who he deeply respected (mutual respect, too), that it would actually come across as disrespectful.  And he wasn't quite sure what to do about it.

I took in all of his words and concerns and I expressed my thoughts:  I told him that he needs to do what he needs to do to win his matches.  And if looking at the rack for a split-second will make him feel better about the rack or see if something's going on (like balls aren't touching or crooked rack), that he needs to that. 

I also shared with him that I don't think the other player would consider it disrespectful or even notice anything different.  The player I was talking to looks at everybody's rack anyway.  And he doesn't take a long time doing it - he probably looks at the rack for less than 2 seconds.  He kinda walks by briskly and peers into the rack and then walks quickly away to break.  I think if he studied the rack and was down their deciphering it to death, then yea, the guy would notice all of a sudden.

I'll let you know after they play or match-up against each other if he did indeed check the guys rack quickly or not and how he felt about finally doing that.

But you gotta do what you gotta do and sometimes think of yourself, even if your opponent might feel disrespected.  But I can tell you that I honestly feel this guy won't even care that his rack is being checked.  He knows it's part of the game.

What's also interesting about this is not only that he feels he might make the opponent feel disrespect, but what that makes HIM feel.  It's a fact that affecting someone else's emotions can have a personal effect in you.  And when competing, we need to not be distracted how the other person is feeling because it takes away from our own focus.