How to Shark An Opponent In A Pool Game

While at a WPA Tournament in Las Vegas in 1995, I watched a true pool shark in action. There were no less than 30 years separating the two players pitted against each other. The younger player was only 18, an obvious prodigy, the older player had seen better days. The older pool player was down 5-0 in a race to 8, playing 8-ball. He walked down to the rack end where the younger player was racking for him and screamed, "You've been loose racking me this hole time, you little... are you trying to steal my money!"This was the most obvious pool sharking I had ever seen. The young player was so shook up he lost the match 8-5. The older player had won the mental battle in true pool shark fashion.One word of caution. If you are going to win by sharking an opponent, you'd better have the game to back it up!

Things You'll Need

• Pool table
• Pool cue
• Eye for detail

Instructions

How to Shark An Opponent At Pool - The Mental Game

1. Watch your billiard opponent to determine what bothers them. Remember, nothing is sacred to a pool shark.

2. Dig at your opponent's pet peeves. If he is a nonsmoker (and you are a smoker), smoke more than usual. Subtly blow the smoke in his direction. Wave the smoke away as if you are trying to help. Imply that the smoke is following him on its own.

3. Find an emotional or sensitive issue for the opponent. Stay on that subject, no matter how much resistance you receive. (Try to play devil's advocate, if you can.) The anger may seem to fuel him at first, but stay with it until he loses focus.

4. Cause a scene in the bar. Speak loudly to annoy your opponent.

5. Bring up personal or business issues a billiard opponent is having. Ask about them in a concerned manner and use extreme care when pursuing this avenue of pool sharking.

Shark An Opponent At Pool - The Physical Game

1. Drop a pool cue to the floor as your opponent is in the back-swing of his shot. This works best for tile floors. If you are standing in front of the pocket when the 'accident' happens it will also work well on carpet.

2. Stand up or sit down suddenly when your opponent is in his back-swing. This is only successful if you happen to sit or stand near the aiming spot of your opponent.

3. Remove chalk from the pool table to prevent your opponent from staying in a pre-shot rhythm. All good pool players have a rhythm to their game. Break your opponent's to increase your chances of winning the match.

4. Rough-house with a friend during an important game or shot. Be careful not to directly involve your opponent. Simply, make him feel ill at ease at the table.

5. Be a poor sport in general. Make a big deal about losing, feel free to throw a small tantrum. Don't scare off any future pool opponents, but make them understand just how much winning means to you. It will surprise you how many people will feel bad and start losing billiard games and money to you.

Tips & Warnings

• Subtly is the key to becoming a successful pool shark. If you outright abuse or mistreat a billiard opponent, no one will play you in the future. Respect is tough to earn in a pool hall, so you must have the game to beat the lesser players. Use pool sharking tactics when you are in over your head or have too much money on the line to lose.

• Practice your pool sharking techniques.

• I can't stress knowing your opponent enough, shark the wrong pool player and you can get hurt.

• If you outright mistreat or abuse a pool opponent, the management of the establishment may ban you.