UK 8 Ball
Topic: Worst Cuesport Experience?

I just thought I'd share a nasty little experience I just had and see if other people have had any similar experiences.

So, I quit Facebook and social media in general because I don't like the potential for abuse. I've had people try and intimidate me through it in the past after I've made innocent observations on how things could be better in regards to the games and competitions.

I'm entitled to an opinion, or so I thought! I've been a victim of anonymous cyber bullying before for not being "one of the boys" and from time to time I've had threats. People that know me from here know that I respect my opponent and play to win. I keep myself to myself more often than not and maybe this makes me a soft target.

Anyway, on to tonight. I quit English Pool three years ago but I still keep up with some of the lads that play it that I regularly get out and about with off of the table. They suggested that I come to the finals night as "a lot of people have been asking about you and it'd be nice for you to catch up with them" and I thought why not. The early games were fine and I had a bit of fun chatting but some of the better players in our league from one of the top teams come in and start calling me every name under the sun. It's 4 lads and they probably total in at about 70st collectively. They're accusing me of calling them through Facebook and before I can explain that I had no involvement they're within touching distance and I somehow never sustained any serious damage. Luckily for me good folk kind of saved me tonight. I had absolutely nothing to do with the Facebook slurs and to be fair I'm still shaking now. I hate confrontation and I was already a pretty anxious person but I don't think I can be around the cuesports in town now for my own safety. I think I have to completely remove myself from the scene because next time I may not be so lucky.



Who can recommend a good self defense or martial art so I can learn to handle myself?



Hopefully I can have a good weekend away in Barnsley and relax a little now...

Tae-Kwon-Do is always good

Worst cuesport experience for me? Entering any Rileys club in the midlands lol

I'm quickly learning that you just have to accept the clubs and try your best and play what you can, when you can...

From my experience the american game is lot more friendly and pretty much everyone makes you feel welcome.
I'm sure you'll enjoy this weekend in Barnsley, i'll be there and although some people say i look intimidating with my shaved head and arms full of tattoo's i am very Friendly.

Keep a look out for me and maybe we can have a pint. (Darren BTW)

There is some form of confrontation nearly every week in our English pool leagues (mostly aimed at myself being the controversial character that I am, lol). The reality of it is that everyone thinks theyre some kind of superstar in front of their mates and a few a few beers, just some people tend to take the game too seriously and get annoyed at every little thing...

Having experienced both games. There seems to be more serious players in 9-ball. Not sure its the expense of playing american pool and the equipment, compared to playing 8-ball with a £40 cue?

But yes 8-ball is more beer and more macho. It seems as its a team game too. This encourages the pack mentality as opposed to 9 ball which is usually singles and hence more friendly.

Got to agree with the comments on here about 8 ball. Regarding self defense the best form of defense is to just walk away and don't get involved or even feel you need to defend yourself against any criticism.

It's taken a while but I've now got to the stage where I really don't care at all what most people say, especially pool players. Its the important people in your life - friends and family that matter. Just ignore the idiots. And don't feel bad or question yourself - its them that have the problem not you.

Oh... and my worst cuesport experience.... That would be very similar to your story. Dealing with drunken idiots at 8 ball league matches. It's not even a proper game FFS.

Take up snooker or US Pool is my advice.

People like marbles because loads of people believe they are really good at it. Of course they are.... its bloody simple and just about anyone who can point a piece of wood in a straight line would be good at it. Game is a total nonsense but you have to discover US Pool to realise that.

best self defence is brazilian ju jitsu mate its perfect and a year at that you will be confident to take on bigger guys. some mixed martial arts too to mix in ju jitsu with basic punchin is useful too. but lee is right better to just walk away from danger although being good in self defence does open it up to give you confidence to give ur opinion back.

also agree with riggers about 8 ball, i was around 9 ball scene for last 2-3 year n found every1 so friendly and take banter in good spirit. few pool halls have closed in last 12 month so ive found myself back playing local snooker and 8 ball but the people around the 8 ball scene really dont seem to take banter and seem more touchy and political in every way which is reason i moved to 9 ball 3 year ago.

weighin up my cuesports options i think its gunna be snooker to get my potting eye goin and start going to escape at barnsley and getting back into 9 ball and sack that 8 ball trash off

I just read the full topic and it's comforting to hear what you all had to say on the matter.

I've decided that I can no longer be a part of the English Pool, Snooker and Billiards scene in my town. People have offered me a place in top Billiards and Snooker teams (despite me not being so hot as I've never really played much) but I can't be a part of it as so many of the idiots at the top of the Pool league also plague those two games! I was on the verge of trying my hand at Pool again as there doesn't seem that much at the grassroots level for me in American Pool given my location. The plan was to play with a team of "nice guys" that realistically wouldn't be winning anything but whose company I enjoy. The reality is that I don't want to be around the idiots anymore. Looking at them even makes my blood boil because I know what they represent to me. They are truly the epitome of big fishes in a small pond! In recent times I've tried to ignore the verbal abuse while I've been at the table and sure, I've managed to win more than I lose in those circumstances and play a lot better than I've seen any of those pricks play! The thing is though, one thing I can't stand is a bully. They keep poking me like a caged bear with a stick and eventually I'm going to say something. When I do the usual situation is that some monster stands up and wants to be a hard man and "protect" his friend, like I'm the villain for standing up for myself.

I'm calling in to have a chat with the staff at a self-defense class tonight and we'll see if I want to go any further with that. At the very least it'll be a new experience and at best it may give me the knowledge and confidence to KNOW that I can protect myself the next time people try and intimidate me. 90% of our local leagues are full of good lads but that 10% seems to exclusively be the guys at the top of the (admittedly short) tree!

I'm going to be a part-time guy with the cuesports now anyway. I can play competitions when I think there is value and just enjoy the game.

brazilian jujitsu mate perfecto, its designed for smaller guys to beat bigger guys through technique and not strength