Pool is a beautiful game: equal parts precision, psychology, and composure. And when money’s on the line or pride is at stake, it’s easy to justify doing whatever it takes to win. But there’s a line between playing smart and playing dirty. Some players know exactly where that line is, and spend most of their time tiptoeing across it. This article isn’t about calling out individuals; it’s about recognizing toxic behavior, learning how to handle it, and striving to be the kind of player others respect, both on and off the table.
The Rack Incident
A few years ago, I played a guy in a local tournament who was already known for being difficult. Argumentative, combative, always looking for some kind of edge not through better play, but through pressure. When we drew each other in the bracket, I figured it might get weird. I was right.
I use a personal template rack in tournaments. It’s faster, more consistent, and within the rules, as long as you offer it to your opponent as well. That’s the tournament standard, and I’ve always respected that. I placed the rack down for the first game and offered to let him use it.
He refused. Not only did he want to use the wooden triangle rack, he insisted that I had to use it too. He claimed the rules required both players to agree on a personal rack, and since he didn’t, I wasn’t allowed to use it.
Now, I knew the rule. And more importantly, he knew the rule. He wasn’t confused. He was just trying to get under my skin. He wanted to start an argument, get in my head, make me second-guess myself. That wasn’t gamesmanship. That was sharking.
I calmly explained that I was within my rights to use the rack, as long as I offered it to him too (which I had). I didn’t escalate. I didn’t bite. I consulted with the tournament director, confirmed I was correct, and moved on. He grumbled, of course. But the match proceeded.
That exchange didn’t win or lose the match. But it was a clear reminder that not every opponent is interested in a fair fight. Some are just looking for cracks they can exploit—psychological, procedural, or emotional.
You Know the Type
You’ve seen him. Maybe you’ve played him.
He’s the guy who always seems to have a problem with something… your chalk, your bridge, your rack, your rhythm. Doesn’t matter what it is, he’ll find a reason to make a fuss about it.
You’ll spot him in leagues, local tournaments, money matches. Heck, even a few pros dabble in this behavior from time to time (no names, of course). He’s not just competitive, he’s confrontational. Always toeing the line between gamesmanship and something else entirely.
And here’s the thing: it’s rarely about the rulebook. He’s not trying to protect the integrity of the game. He’s trying to throw you off yours.
He’ll challenge things he knows are fine. He’ll act like you’re the one being difficult. It’s a performance, and the audience is you; frustrated, flustered, and missing balls you normally don’t miss.
This is a shark. Not because he’s good (though he might be), but because he’s looking for blood in the water. And he’s hoping your focus, your patience, or your confidence is the first to break.
And they don’t all have to be blatant sore losers. Some are charming, casual, even complimentary. One guy I played was very friendly, almost too friendly…
The Compliment That Wasn’t
He smiled a lot. Joked between games. Seemed relaxed. I figured, hey, maybe this is just a chill match…
Midway through, after I drained a clean long straight-in shot, he says:
“Man, you’re amazing with those shots. Just deadly with ’em.”
It sounded like a compliment. Harmless, right?
But then I stepped up to the next long shot… and missed it. And the one after that? I overthought it. Suddenly I wasn’t just lining up the shot, I was thinking about how he’d complimented me, and wondering if I’d live up to it. Or if I’d choke.
Turns out, that was the plan.
After the match—thankfully, I still managed to win—he admitted it. Told me straight up:
“Yeah, I was just trying to get in your head a little.”
He said it with a grin, like it was all part of the game. And hey, maybe for him, it was. Some folks see that kind of psychology as fair play.
But to me? That wasn’t a compliment. That was a quiet little dagger disguised as praise.
It wasn’t aggressive. It wasn’t confrontational. But it was calculated. It made me realize that sharking doesn’t always wear a scowl, it can show up with a smile.
That experience opened my eyes. Up to that point, I mostly thought of sharking as something loud or obvious. Arguing calls, standing in someone’s line of sight, huffing and puffing during your runout. But that guy taught me something important:
Sharking comes in many forms. Some are subtle. Some are theatrical. Some are so casual, you don’t even realize what’s happening until you’re already rattled.
So let’s break it down. Here’s a field guide to the most common sharking tactics you’re likely to run into; some blatant, some sneaky, all designed to knock you off your game.
The Sharking Field Guide: Tactics That Mess With Your Head (And How to Spot Them)
1. Twisting the Rules
“You can’t use your own rack unless I agree to it.”
This is one of the classics. A player misstates a rule—intentionally or conveniently—to throw you off or start an argument. It’s not about the rule itself; it’s about control and disruption.
What to do: Know the rulebook. Calmly state the rule, offer a director’s input if needed, and don’t argue longer than necessary. Stick to the facts, not the emotions.
2. Phantom Fouls
“I think you double-hit that one.”
Even when there’s clearly no foul, a shark might call or imply one to get under your skin. It forces you into defense mode, even if you’ve done nothing wrong.
What to do: Ask to call a third party before the shot if there’s potential for controversy. It’s standard etiquette in serious play, and it shuts down this tactic before it starts.
3. The Friendly Mind Game
“You’re amazing with those shots.”
As I mentioned earlier, these comments seem like compliments, but they’re timed to disrupt your confidence. You start second-guessing instead of playing freely.
What to do: Recognize it for what it is. Smile, say thanks, and clear your mind before the next shot. Don’t let someone else’s words take the wheel.
4. Physical Distractions
- Standing just in your peripheral vision
- Walking during your stroke
- Making sudden movements or noises
- Lingering near the pocket you’re aiming for
This tactic plays on your natural instincts to notice motion or anticipate interference. It’s more common than people admit.
What to do: If it’s blatant, politely ask them to stay still while you’re down on the shot. If they refuse, bring it up with the tournament director or league rep.
5. Passive-Aggressive Comments
“Wow, didn’t think that one would go.”
“You meant to do that, right?”
“I guess it’s just your day.”
They sound like small talk, but they’re designed to make you question your own competence, or make your success feel illegitimate.
What to do: Don’t engage. Let it slide, and focus on your routine. If it continues, feel free to say, “Let’s keep it respectful, yeah?”
6. Excessive Rule Lawyering
“Actually, the cue ball has to be inside this exact spot…”
“Your tip brushed the felt.”
Sometimes the goal is to create friction over minor infractions or interpretations, often to disrupt momentum or rattle a less experienced player.
What to do: Know when to fight and when to let it go. Some arguments just aren’t worth having mid-match. Save it for after if needed.
7. Time Manipulation
- Slow play to frustrate you or break your rhythm
- Speeding up when you need a second to breathe
- Constantly double-checking racks, re-chalking, or re-approaching the cue ball
It’s not illegal, but it’s strategic. Sharks know tempo matters.
What to do: Stay grounded. Breathe between turns. Don’t let their rhythm override yours.
8. Gear Drama
“Your chalk smells weird.”
“That’s a weird tip. You sure that’s legal?”
They’ll question your cue, chalk, bridge, rack, case… whatever they can. It’s a way of making your equipment feel foreign or wrong , just when you need to trust it most.
What to do: Don’t defend what doesn’t need defending. Say, “It works for me,” and carry on.
9. Social Distraction
- Talking to spectators while you’re shooting
- Whispering to friends at key moments
- Making jokes or commentary loud enough for you to hear
This is designed to break your bubble and make you wonder what’s being said.
What to do: Block it out. If it’s disruptive, don’t hesitate to ask for quiet or inform an official.
10. Feeding Your Tilt
This one’s sneaky. If you show frustration—cue taps, sighs, angry muttering—they’ll feed it.
“Tough roll.”
“You’re getting in your own head.”
“Hate when that happens.”
They want you to implode.
What to do: This is where your self-awareness is key. Don’t give them anything to feed on. If you feel yourself slipping, take a walk, take a breath, reset.
Owning My Own Tilt
I’ll be honest, I’ve lost matches where the only person sharking me… was me.
There have been times I’ve slammed the butt of my cue into the floor after a bad shot, or tapped the table a little too hard. I wasn’t trying to distract anyone, but frustration has a way of leaking out. And once it does, it gives your opponent a signal: he’s rattled.
One time, I let a few micro-aggressions show. Small signs of frustration, nothing overly dramatic. My opponent noticed, and instead of just focusing on the match, he started mocking me. Loud, exaggerated versions of my reactions, putting on a show for his friends. Full-on mimicry at the other end of the table.
That wasn’t gamesmanship. That was pettiness.
The better response—the one I would’ve respected—would have been to tighten the screws with smart play. Lock me up with brutal safeties. Let my own tilt destroy me. That’s what a seasoned, strategic player does.
I own my actions. I let frustration show, and that’s something I’ve worked hard to fix. But what he did? That wasn’t about winning the game. That was about winning the moment.
Sometimes It’s Not Sharking. It’s Just Unaware
Not everyone who moves in your eyeline or talks during your backswing is trying to mess with you. Some players, especially newer ones, just haven’t learned the etiquette yet.
I’ve asked people before, “Hey, do you mind staying still while I’m down?”
Most of the time, they say “Oh! Sorry,” and stop immediately.
No drama. No attitude.
So give people the benefit of the doubt, at least the first time. Respect goes both ways, and most players want a clean match just as much as you do.
But if someone pushes back… “I wasn’t doing anything” or “You can’t tell me where to stand”… that’s usually a sign of something else. That’s when the red flags start showing. That’s where your real strength as a player gets tested: not just in how you shoot, but in how you respond under pressure.
How to Deal With Sharks (Without Losing Your Cool)
Sharks feed on emotion. They’re not always the better player, but they want you to play worse. So if you can stay steady and don’t give them the reaction they’re fishing for, you strip away their biggest weapon.
Here’s how I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) to handle it:
1. Know the Rules Better Than They Do
Most sharking starts when someone tries to bend or misstate the rules. If you’ve done your homework, you can calmly and confidently push back without getting pulled into a fight.
“Actually, the rule is that I can use a personal rack as long as it’s available to you, too.”
Keep it simple, stick to the facts, and avoid emotional language.
2. Don’t Engage Emotionally
Snide remark? Friendly jab? Passive-aggressive praise? Let it slide.
Smile. Breathe. Chalk up. Get back to work.
When you don’t react, they’re left shouting into a void. Nothing frustrates a shark more than realizing they’re not getting under your skin.
3. Call for a Third Party When Needed
If you know a shot might be close, or if your opponent has a history of calling questionable fouls, don’t leave it to chance. Ask a tournament director or neutral third party to watch the shot before you shoot.
This protects both players, and keeps the integrity of the match intact.
4. Protect Your Focus
Every player has a pre-shot routine. When you’re dealing with a shark, double down on it.
Re-center. Reset. Use your breathing, your rhythm, your cue prep as a mental barrier between you and the chaos.
Let the match happen on your terms.
5. Keep Your Own House Clean
No matter how frustrated you get, don’t let it spill out onto the table.
Every moment of composure builds momentum in your favor. Every act of frustration hands them an opportunity.
The goal isn’t just to beat your opponent. It’s to starve them of anything they can use against you.
I’m still working on this one 🙂
6. Don’t Match Their Energy
You don’t win a shouting match by yelling louder. You win by staying silent, steady, and deadly on the table.
Let your game do the talking. Nothing shuts down a shark faster than a clean runout and a handshake.
7. Know When to Walk Away
In casual matches or money games, you don’t owe anyone your time, especially someone who disrespects the game or the people playing it.
If it’s toxic, if it’s not fun, if it’s no longer worth it? You can bow out.
“I’m here to enjoy the game. If that’s not where this is headed, I’m good.”
Walking away isn’t weakness. It’s a power move.
Play Hard. Play Fair. Leave a Good Impression.
Pool is a game of precision and pressure. A test of not just your stroke, but your patience, your discipline, and your ability to stay composed when someone’s trying to knock you off balance.
You’ll run into all kinds of players out there. Some are pure class; win or lose, they shake your hand, play tough, and make you want to raise your own game. Others… well, you’ve met them by now.
You don’t control who you draw in the bracket. But you do control how you respond. You can let a shark drag you into the mud, or you can outplay them, outclass them, and walk away with your head high.
I’m still working on it myself. Still learning to stay cool, own my reactions, and win with integrity. Not because it’s easy, but because that’s the kind of player I want to be.
So rack ’em up, play your heart out, and respect the game. Let your cue do the talking. And make sure when you walk away from the table, your opponent remembers the match… not because of what you said or did, but because of how well you played.
Share Your Story
If you’ve been sharked, outplayed, tilted, or tested, I want to hear about it. What tactics have you seen? How did you respond? What helped you keep your cool?
Drop a comment, share a story, or pass this article along to a teammate who’s still learning the ropes. Let’s help each other raise the bar… not just in skill, but in how we carry ourselves at the table.
We all love this game. Let’s protect it and make sure the next generation of players learns how to play hard, play smart, and play fair.
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