i got talked into gambling tonight.
- Thread starter lorider
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What's so bad about playing for money lol. Is done on every sport, just play at your comfort level. Nothing wrong with playing for something in the middle...
Now hustling or sharking is another story... but playing for money, beer, lunch, etc... common man! lol
Now hustling or sharking is another story... but playing for money, beer, lunch, etc... common man! lol
Thanks for all the reply's and I will try to address all the post here.
While it is true that most apa players do not gamble I know several that do in my area and some do it on a weekly basis. I have witnessed or heard of everything from 5.00 a game 9 ball up to a race to ten 10 ball for a thousand and on both 7 and 9 footers.
It's not likely that i am going to be hooked on gambling after this one match. I used to play in bars every weekend in my younger days and if you walked in and challenged a table you were going to have to play for something . That's just the way it was in my area back then .
I have nothing against gambling but I hate to hear of people who lose their rent money or kids grocery money. If you have disposable income and want to gamble at pool that's your business.
The reason I never cared for gambling of any type let alone on pool is because I have always worked hard for my money and never wanted to give it away on a game of chance whether it be casinos...horse racing or pool. I do play the lottery however :grin-square:.
I have never understood the mentality of gambling at pool makes you a better player. I believe drills...practice....or instructions make you a better player....not gambling. Gambling may make you focus and play the best you can at whatever level you currently are.
If you are someone who has to gamble to play their best then you obviously dont play pool for the pure enjoyment of it. When you play a game of pool or any game you should either want to win ....or not. You should not have to rely on money to motivate you to play your best.
My thought process during this gambling match started off as high on adrenalin and pressure during the first few racks. Mostly because I did not want to lose the money... Mine or the other captain who had made a side bet with my opponent for another 20.00. After a few racks I realized I had a little too much pressure and adrenalin flowing that was causing me to miss a few shots that i shouldn't have. Also the g core shaft with the factory Everest tip played a whole lot different than my black dot shaft with a kamuii clear soft that has been my daily player for the last 2 years.
I took a few deep breathes and calmed down and just focused on each shot. Soon the fact that I was playing for money never entered my mind again the rest of the match. I also changed my strategy of trying to have a shootout contest with him to relying more on defense. That turned the match around and I won the last 4 in a row.
The match was never about the money. The money was just a stipulation I add to agree to in order to bust his ego and prove he did not know what he did not know.
I have to hand it to him ...he shot darn good...probably a lil better than i did due to playing with a different cue but his mental game was way below mine.
Will I give him a chance at his money back ? I honestly don't know at this point. I guess it depends on how much smack he talks like he did this time.
While it is true that most apa players do not gamble I know several that do in my area and some do it on a weekly basis. I have witnessed or heard of everything from 5.00 a game 9 ball up to a race to ten 10 ball for a thousand and on both 7 and 9 footers.
It's not likely that i am going to be hooked on gambling after this one match. I used to play in bars every weekend in my younger days and if you walked in and challenged a table you were going to have to play for something . That's just the way it was in my area back then .
I have nothing against gambling but I hate to hear of people who lose their rent money or kids grocery money. If you have disposable income and want to gamble at pool that's your business.
The reason I never cared for gambling of any type let alone on pool is because I have always worked hard for my money and never wanted to give it away on a game of chance whether it be casinos...horse racing or pool. I do play the lottery however :grin-square:.
I have never understood the mentality of gambling at pool makes you a better player. I believe drills...practice....or instructions make you a better player....not gambling. Gambling may make you focus and play the best you can at whatever level you currently are.
If you are someone who has to gamble to play their best then you obviously dont play pool for the pure enjoyment of it. When you play a game of pool or any game you should either want to win ....or not. You should not have to rely on money to motivate you to play your best.
My thought process during this gambling match started off as high on adrenalin and pressure during the first few racks. Mostly because I did not want to lose the money... Mine or the other captain who had made a side bet with my opponent for another 20.00. After a few racks I realized I had a little too much pressure and adrenalin flowing that was causing me to miss a few shots that i shouldn't have. Also the g core shaft with the factory Everest tip played a whole lot different than my black dot shaft with a kamuii clear soft that has been my daily player for the last 2 years.
I took a few deep breathes and calmed down and just focused on each shot. Soon the fact that I was playing for money never entered my mind again the rest of the match. I also changed my strategy of trying to have a shootout contest with him to relying more on defense. That turned the match around and I won the last 4 in a row.
The match was never about the money. The money was just a stipulation I add to agree to in order to bust his ego and prove he did not know what he did not know.
I have to hand it to him ...he shot darn good...probably a lil better than i did due to playing with a different cue but his mental game was way below mine.
Will I give him a chance at his money back ? I honestly don't know at this point. I guess it depends on how much smack he talks like he did this time.
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"What else do you expect from a sandbagger?!!"
Damn straight !! :grin-square:
Mighty dumb to think some one is a sandbagger and the challenge them to a straight up even race.
Dude....that's deep ..
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Hi buddy,
very first: it s a difference to "gamble" or "to play to win". If you play for money even players- or "a bit" stronger opponents it s just about gettin yourself out of the comfort zone--- and then finally how you handle this.
Many recommend to gamble "to get mentally tougher"-- well- it s just about your own attitude. You can also see it as a sport and never gamble. There are enough exmaples, who are fine with this-- and (just my serious own opinion) for me it s the way to see it as a sport.
I have no problem with playing for money, if the circumstances are plain serious- to just let two players have a real fair game, without these sharking kiddy stuff-- where some clowns just start to make the other part crazy, angry or whatever.
i know, that many ppl like those "road stories" about how someone being sharked, and talking about how high the stakes are etc. -- but each to its own.
How Deanoc said: there is a border-- and if you don t know who you are- and what YOU want-- what YOU expect from this "game" (i say sport)...then you or any other player has a problem.
I have seen so many (also fanastic great players) players being torn down, jjust because they re not used to get mentally abused, intimidated. it s not just everyone s thing.
Everyone has to learn for himself, if he really likes to gamble- or if he s seeing really a sense in it.
Makin a living from pool on the road...well-- i have my very own sense about that. It s brutal-- and I strictly recommend everyone to get rid of such an idea.
That won money tastes twice as much better than earned money--- ok
I love to watch a big match between two great sportsman-- no matter how high the stake is-- if the players just try to demonstrate their abilites- and the pure skill will decide--- and not the circumstances around it--
I know enough guys, who say gambling is the way to get better--- but if I see some ppl already recommending teenagers to play for money.....i can drive nuts. again- that s about attitude, and for me it s the wrong way-- my own attitude. I ve seen too many guys around me who are just got lost outthere and finding themselves later in their life at a point- which is nothing but a one way street.
anyway- you gave that guy the right answer- funny story- and one thing i already loved to read: that you just played for the money that YOU have to gamble for. This is imo the very first thing you have to learn.. that if you play for money, it SHOULD be your OWN money.
And i don t know that many players who play for their own money
Like Bert K says: there are talkers and do ers -- and once you start to really gamble....you should be a Do er! If you re just a Talker.....you end like your opponent. I ve seen never make a Talker being able to talk a ball into a pocket
Very insightful post and I agree completely
It's an allusion.