I've been struggling with yelling at myself a lot while playing lately. Usually, I will just shoot something on the fly, screw up a shot, and then have an outline drain, when I KNOW I should have done things differently. This is usually followed by myself calling myself a f*cking idiot or something like that real loud.
I've been told I'm being too hard on myself.
What are your tips and tricks to shut the hell up when playing?
Quoted from radial_head:I've been struggling with yelling at myself a lot while playing lately. Usually, I will just shoot something on the fly, screw up a shot, and then have an outline drain, when I KNOW I should have done things differently. This is usually followed by myself calling myself a f*cking idiot or something like that real loud.
I've been told I'm being too hard on myself.
What are your tips and tricks to shut the hell up when playing?
Turn the game volume up, because it’s impossible for me to play and not call myself a dipshit. If the game’s loud enough you can hardly hear yourself bitching. Also, you can get a Rick and Morty. That game calls you a fucking idiot so you don’t have to say anything.
While I criticize my own playing my biggest issue is swearing when I do screw up. I’d be booted out of a PAPA tournament in a heartbeat for my foul language. I try to work on it when I play but it still comes out.
I don't know, reading between the lines it seems like you could be the type of person who does best when under pressure and is actually motivated by self-rage. Perhaps not the healthiest approach, but for some people (like me) it definitely helps when things REALLY need to get DONE. Maybe the real problem is, you aren't being hard ENOUGH on yourself, lol!
I say embrace the profanity, revel in the rage, and emerge a stronger and better player!
Otherwise you should just get that bark collar or maybe a fifth of Russian Standard, or perhaps consult with your friendly neighborhood "budtender".
Find someone else who does the same thing, and see what a bad look it is.
Watch how others around them (that they can’t see) react to it, see how foolish they look, How people don’t even want to be around them.
Realize you don’t want to look that way yourself.
Quoted from DNO:Find someone else who does the same thing, and see what a bad look it is.
Watch how others around them (that they can’t see) react to it, see how foolish they look, How people don’t even want to be around them.
Realize you don’t want to look that way yourself.
Watch Eric Stone or Adam Becker a few times if you think you are bad radial_head
Either the shot goes where I want or I get yelled at, or the game gets yelled at. Someone's in trouble!
But seriously, I have a bad habit of a sudden "god damnit!" and clapping my hands together after a bad drain. As much as I try to combat it, there's always that bad bounce or deer in headlights moment right when you have the field set up for big scoring.
Maybe try some chewing gum.
If that doesn't work for you, someone might say that you can't play pinball and chew gum at the same time.
There's also the possibility that you can concentrate on the game so intently that you have nothing to say, unless you hit an out lane unexpectedly or tilt.
Quoted from DNO:Watch how others around them (that they can’t see) react to it... How people don’t even want to be around them.
F those guys. Why would anyone want to be around such judgemental pricks, anyway?
Quoted from VALIS666:I have a bad habit of a sudden "god damnit!" and clapping my hands together after a bad drain.
I generally manage to stifle the vocalizations, but I will definitely do the frustration clap after a drain.
Sometimes bad behavior can get in the other players head and throw off their game. Unfortunately it drives some from wanting to compete.
The place that I'm referencing is a bar that I frequent. I can definitely see another patron getting a little freaked out by someone slapping their leg and yelling "GOD DAMNIT YOU FUCKING IDIOT", when you know like, half the room are the local dental hygienists going out for an after work outing.
I tested some tricks out last night and here's one I had never thought of: call every single shot. Every one. Every nudge. Keeps my mouth active and by the time I have a side drain, I'm usually half way through a sentence. Also helped a ton with my shot accuracy somehow.
Unfortunately this has now turned me from "guy at bar who's really angry" into "guy who talks to himself constantly and is scary for a different reason."
Can't win 'em all.
Quoted from radial_head:I've been struggling with yelling at myself a lot while playing lately. Usually, I will just shoot something on the fly, screw up a shot, and then have an outline drain, when I KNOW I should have done things differently. This is usually followed by myself calling myself a f*cking idiot or something like that real loud.
I've been told I'm being too hard on myself.
What are your tips and tricks to shut the hell up when playing?
Yell at the nearest person instead.
You have to read the room. At a bar where you regularly tip the help? By all means, let the profanities rip. Playing in league or a tournament with youngsters around? Yell FRUITCAKE!!! instead of an F bomb. Emotion is part of every sport. The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.
You do have to be able to control it. There's a world class player in my area that's essentially banned from tournament play because he can't control his emotions. Good guy and awesome player, just can't get a handle on it.
I find that I play worse if I’m angry at myself. Maybe the incentive to not yell is just part of “playing better.” The first step in being able to make shots.
Despite what I said earlier, yeah, no one likes to witness a meltdown. I've come close during league when a game reset while I was kicking its ass after coming from behind. Then again when the replacement game, an EM, handed me three house balls for fourth place. Not fun!
I dunno, wear a ball gag while playing? Although that would freak people out without you uttering a sound!
I too have pinball tourettes.
I have learned to live with it.
Since it should be considered a disease, i expect others to put up with it.
Quoted from phishrace:At a bar where you regularly tip the help?
I'm sorry, but are people still going to bars and not tipping at least 10%-20%?
Quoted from PinballAir:I too have pinball tourettes.
I have learned to live with it.
Since it should be considered a disease, i expect others to put up with it.
You're on to something here. I want my NIBs covered by insurance!
Quoted from Electrocute:Shut up and kick like a donkey, show no pity for the dude standing behind you.
Thanks for the laugh!
Quoted from radial_head:I've been struggling with yelling at myself a lot while playing lately. Usually, I will just shoot something on the fly, screw up a shot, and then have an outline drain, when I KNOW I should have done things differently. This is usually followed by myself calling myself a f*cking idiot or something like that real loud.
I've been told I'm being too hard on myself.
What are your tips and tricks to shut the hell up when playing?
Just start saying nonsensical stuff like “farts!” Or “crud monkey!” If you start to make light of the situation it might help.
And 20% should be the starting point of your tip range. 
Quoted from chuckwurt:And 20% should be the starting point of your tip range.
Agreed.
Quoted from chuckwurt:More
Just start saying nonsensical stuff like “farts!” Or “crud monkey!”
Bob Saget!
Quoted from GravitaR:Watch Eric Stone or Adam Becker a few times if you think you are bad radial_head
links? couldnt find any on the U tube... 
Example of a player going off. Trying to find the link to the infamous chair kick. **Found.
http://tiltforums.com/uploads/default/original/2X/3/312e265b48d2ab41bbb09bdf41f861d246c6c9af.GIF
I have 4 kids so I found myself saying things like "fudgesicles" or "dagnabbit". It translates to when I play in public. I also oddly lift my leg when I screw up causing a drain. Best thing about changing words to silly but safe words it that I am creating 4 new pinheads that will also repeat these embarrassing behaviors in public.
Quoted from sventinker:I have 4 kids so I found myself saying things like "fudgesicles" or "dagnabbit".
What a drag it is getting old.
Quoted from sventinker:I am creating 4 new pinheads that will also repeat these embarrassing behaviors in public.
Alright, this kind of redeems it.
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South Berwick, ME
Edmonton, AB
