Sportsmanship?

Question

I was watching a 9-ball match earlier today and I saw a guy give himself terrible shape on the 7-ball. So the guy tries to hit the 7-ball and misses. Then instead of giving his opponent ball in hand, he forfeits the rack and grabs the balls and starts racking for the next game. How do you feel when somebody does this to you? In my opinion, I think that kind of behavior should constitute a forfeiture of the entire match. This is the kind of juvenile, whiny behavior that gives pool a bad reputation. Any similar stories of poor losers? M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

Answer 1

Yeah Straight that is pure BS I like it when the swipe the balls with their stick then look at you like its your fault.I just start laughing that really gets them.But yeah they are just being PRs about it

Answer 2

Depends on the situation to me. In league or tournament play all balls should be pocketed, period. Even the 6inch hanger and the person losing the rack should sit quietly and watch.

However when I am just hitting or playing 1 on 1 with someone why not speed the play along? This is much like a "gimme putt" in golf. If both players realize that no slight is intended I see no problem.

I did see one answer that talked about unscrewing before the end of a match and I have played in tournaments where if your opponent unscrewed during your shot you could simply stop and be declared the winner, again I would have no prob with that as a common rule.

The worst example of this poor sport problem occurred to me during a fairly large calcutta tournament. I had 4-5 balls left all open with ball in hand and my opponent started to walk away from the table, still kind of looking but going half way across the club. I asked the director if the player was forfeiting and he said that he did not think so. As I was on the hill and match winner if I won I waited (no shot clock) and finally the director had to call for my opponent on the PA to return and finish. The other guy was embarrassed and kinda mad but who cares he was the one who started the shark move...don't think he could hardly hold his stick next match.

Luck

K

Answer 3

In my opinion, they should lose that rack, ans the next! I seen this happen right in front of me at a pro tourny a few years ago, and they gave cj a warning, that if it happend again that he will forfeit the match, or the next 3 racks, i forget?  I don't like considure of any type, as if there are balls out there to shoot, i want to shoot them, and stay instroke, to learn the charactists if the table during a match, as it is my right to. im not a prick about it, but just the way i feel about it.

Answer 4

Can't say that I am perfectly clean on this issue....but never have done it to insult the opponent in any shape form or manner....putting myself in that situation to give up a match is my fault and not yours....I really do not see anything wrong with it but every situation would be different.....it would have to be a rule that had been covered prior as to it maybe constituting a forfeit....we have one that states that you cannot concede the game.....you have to for example shoot the nine even if a "fat" duck in front of the pocket....if you don't you lose that game and the next one.....I have a little of "John McEnroe" in me but I don't insult or throw it back to the opponent...........MAYBE! that is why my game doesn't get me on TV!

Answer 5

The forfeit was OK, the way he acted was childish.

Also, I don't like guys who break down their cuestick before the game is over, as if to say "Surely you'll make THIS shot!"

There are some silly goings-on in darts at times, too.

When it stops being fun, win or lose, try another game!!

NOBODY respects a whiner!!

Sportsmanship should always be paramount in any game or sport.

Folks who don't practice this seem small and pathetic. It usually carries over into their daily lives, as well.

How sad!

Fortunately for us all, poor sports are in a small minority.

Cheers to you, M8!