Uh, I don't do it on purpose, but I think i do.  Me and my team have a real good time and act like idiots (not mean idiots, just the fun loving people), and i think the fact that we look like we don't take them seriously, bothers the other team.  Not to mention it's hard for them to remain all serious and focused (when they aren't up, we don't do stuff when people are bowling), when you have the goofballs bowling you.

I'd hate to see me and BK on the same team, we are two of the craziest people ever!
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- Andy

I disagree with tenpinrufer's strategy, since I don't consider that good sportsmanship.  

Personally, I just start having way to much fun on the lanes.  I like to toss one a little outside, then quickly "tee up" a shot, and time a swing of my invisible club to the time the ball begins hooking and carries the strike (hopefully)  This is usually enough to set a too serious bowler off, and all you are doing is goofing on yourself.  Besides, it's always fun to take some abuse when one gets stubborn and won't go down.

I also love the Ernie McCracken throw the shot, and turn your ear to the pins to listen for the strike.  It's downright hilarious if the shot doesn't carry though!  
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D <~~~~ Used to be terrible wiffing 10 pins.  Now through much practice, can wiff any single pin spare at any time.

Darrell Guzman
guzmand19 - Yahoo IM and MSN screen names

Edited on 2/24/2005 7:45 AM

If you want to be a cutthroat, you would say it's to stop your opponent from bowling their best, so you could have a chance.  Right there you have to admit that the other guy is better than you.  I like Ron Clifton's advice, of rooting on people you are bowling in match play.  The idea is to beat someone when they are at their best.  Also keep in mind, if you are focusing on ways to mess up your opponent, you are taking your focus off of your own game.

Off the high and mighty road, I find no greater pleasure than beating someone who thinks they have the "inside edge" to my game.  Those are the people who get the "This game is just too easy sometimes" when I know they are rooting against me




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D <~~~~ Used to be terrible wiffing 10 pins.  Now through much practice, can wiff any single pin spare at any time.

Darrell Guzman
guzmand19 - Yahoo IM and MSN screen names

I reserve head games for when I'm bowling against A-holes.  Usually, what I do when I strike, I'll walk off the lanes saying I have this much area (holding my hands 10 to 15" apart) to a teammate.  It's amazing how that will mess with an opponent's head.  Like I said, I only do that if someone wants to be a real jerk on the lanes.
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"Deserve's got nothin' to do with it" -- William Munny

Guzmand19,
            I did not say that I do this. I like most who have written in will never resort to head games. This is a totally offensive game. The ONLY time I will resort to something like this is when I am bowling a moron who cant control his mouth, his actions and his temper and unfortunately, there are too many of them. If you are a gentleman and you are kicking my butt, I will smack your hand after every shot and take my lumps. If you are a moron, it depends on how I feel.
-Tenpinrufer-

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When the tide of life is against you, and the current upsets your boat, don't waste those tears on what might have been, just lay on your back and float!

I dont go out to play head games. However if someone comes at me trying to get me off my game I will pay them back twice.

Threw a strike I needed for the team a couple seasons back---pumped my fist and said "Yes"---barely audible (I thought). 2nd frame next game I left a 2-4-10. My opponent slaps it out from behind the bowling circle. He's chirping at me about how I showed him up. This guy comes across as a bully---so what do you do to a bully? Call them out. I told him "When you start paying for my bowling, you can tell me how to act. Until then, shut up and bowl." He was stunned. He was speechless. He shot 145 that game---I threw the next 9. He never had a chance.

My teammates know me by now---it is not smart to talk to me, you might wake me up.
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Only Losers Feel Pressure
www.thetimekillers.com