Are high dollar sets killing the small action in the pool room??

[Drater]

Only reason I hesitate about what the spot on the game was is because I don't wanna knock anyone's action.

Fair enough.

Back to the original topic of this thread... I've seen a lull in gambling at my place until about mid-January. Since then, however, it's been a mix of $50-$100 9ball races, $20/game 1pocket, and a few scrubs playing $500 sets.

The latter is what I find kinda funny. The most recent was two kids (22 & 27) that don't have the money or the skills to be playing for that kind of cash. To their credit, they came with cash in hand, and didn't need backers. The younger kid lost the 10-ahead 9ball set in about 1.75 hours. The problem is that the $500 was his entire bankroll. Sure, he sent it in (and the railbirds loved it), but he had nothing left with which to hedge his bet.

I suppose we've rarely had the $5-$10/game action at my place. It's always been a little steeper. Personally, I don't like to get off my bar stool if it's not at least $100/set. We have an older gentleman that comes in from time to time that tries to scare up the $2-$5/game stuff, but everyone pretty much laughs at him.

Nowadays, a $20 score isn't going to buy you much. Take out table time and a small bar tab and you're basically a loser. $100+ pays all of that plus gas and a haircut.

I don't think betting "big" like that kills the (local) action, however. People generally bet within their comfort zone. If you catch someone willing to go outside that zone, that's nothing but good for the action.

As a room owner, the thing I *don't* see much of is the league guys gambling. They're a different sort of pool player I suppose, but I think most people would agree that gambling (even for $1,$2,$5/game) helps with focus/concentration. You'd think they'd be all over winning enough money after league to cover their $7 dues and their $6.50 burger & coke. But they don't.

Oh well. Way past my bedtime.

eric

 

[mikeyfrost]

League players don't gamble much and to their credit they probably shouldnt. It is a different type of match when the cash is on the line. I've heard of teams playing for dues that night but nothing more. Let's face it, most of the sharks want to jump all over a good league player if they get the chance.

 

[trustyrusty]

League players don't gamble much and to their credit they probably shouldnt. It is a different type of match when the cash is on the line. I've heard of teams playing for dues that night but nothing more. Let's face it, most of the sharks want to jump all over a good league player if they get the chance.

the blanket statements about "league players" is funny....some of the best player/gamblers in my area ALSO play in leagues. Yes, I mean the guys that you call when roadplayers come in looking for a game. It just must be this area, since on this board "league players" is some kind of mark of a fish...lol. One local won VNEA 9ball in 07, and he has no problem betting it up with the big boys....(and I mean "known" players, like a few mentioned on this board A BUNCH, known for their gamble and game).

 

[Snapshot9]

Answer

The answer to your question for my Region is no, because it is extremely rare to find any sets for over $100 around here. Cheap sets seem to be the thing, and players balk when anyone suggests playing for $50 or $100 a set.

On the other hand, giving up lots of weight on a cheap set does nothing more than let an up-n-comer clock your true speed cheaply. They should have to earn it, and that is done by playing higher dollar sets. Sure it takes them out of their comfort zone, but it 'Ain't no step for a stepper'. It is the traditional way for someone on the rise to get known and a notch in their pool reputation.

 

[Richardson]

the blanket statements about "league players" is funny....some of the best player/gamblers in my area ALSO play in leagues. Yes, I mean the guys that you call when roadplayers come in looking for a game. It just must be this area, since on this board "league players" is some kind of mark of a fish...lol. One local won VNEA 9ball in 07, and he has no problem betting it up with the big boys....(and I mean "known" players, like a few mentioned on this board A BUNCH, known for their gamble and game).

While most the *good* players in most towns play some sort of league, you are not making a good point. In our town for example there is 1,000 league players, and 2 of the 5 top players in town play in those leagues. So the majority of the people who play league fall under this blanket very well.

League players typically dont know how to handle the pressures of gambling or even singles tournament play for that matter. Mostly because the typical league player is a APA 4-5 and who can they beat who is willing to play $100 sets.

 

[trustyrusty]

While most the *good* players in most towns play some sort of league, you are not making a good point. In our town for example there is 1,000 league players, and 2 of the 5 top players in town play in those leagues. So the majority of the people who play league fall under this blanket very well.

League players typically dont know how to handle the pressures of gambling or even singles tournament play for that matter. Mostly because the typical league player is a APA 4-5 and who can they beat who is willing to play $100 sets.

How many of those 1000 league players do you find in a poolhall working on their game??? I mean, sure, there are a ton of league players who come out once a week to get hammered and bang balls, but those aren't the guys who "aren't gambling" at the poolhall. I guess my area is overloaded with leagues, so, just about anyone who plays pool plays in one (APA, BCA, VNEA, CIPL, Shooters, and a couple of house specialty leagues for 14.1). If I were to guess, only 10% or less of the APA guys would wager $100+. The rest of the leagues I would bet would be a significantly higher percentage!! APA seems to be the more social leage around here, but there are still some pretty good players who will play in that also.

So, for the BLANKET statement; in my area, the guys betting $100+ - do play in leagues of some sort or another.........

 

[emoney]

big action stirrs the pot for more action and things will work out

 

[Richardson]

Most the good solid players around here play something like BCA/VNEA. Those people are getting qualified for state and national tournaments. Those are the people who are in the pool hall playing/practicing/gambling.

What i am saying is that the majority of league players who are about a 3-4-5 speed in APA terms do not gamble. And those make up 95% of the players in league in general.

Seriously say you have 1,000 league players where you are from, how many will walk into the pool hall looking for action ? Ill bet around here there are 25-30 guys who go out and will post up. And a few of those have to have a lock to be willing to bet anything.

Last night after our league my 4 man team played a little $1-$2 9ball ring game. Was a good time, normally we try to do some friendly gambling to help keep each other in stroke. Most the time its $20 race to 4 8ball sets. Or a $5 a game challenge table.

 

[trustyrusty]

Most the good solid players around here play something like BCA/VNEA. Those people are getting qualified for state and national tournaments. Those are the people who are in the pool hall playing/practicing/gambling.

What i am saying is that the majority of league players who are about a 3-4-5 speed in APA terms do not gamble. And those make up 95% of the players in league in general.

Seriously say you have 1,000 league players where you are from, how many will walk into the pool hall looking for action ? Ill bet around here there are 25-30 guys who go out and will post up. And a few of those have to have a lock to be willing to bet anything.

Last night after our league my 4 man team played a little $1-$2 9ball ring game. Was a good time, normally we try to do some friendly gambling to help keep each other in stroke. Most the time its $20 race to 4 8ball sets. Or a $5 a game challenge table.

I competely get your point, but how many APA 3s and 4s walk into a pool hall PERIOD (unless their league night is being played there)? So, you can't blame them for not betting it up in the poolhall; they aren't there!

The reason I don't like to play for bigger money in sets or games is cuz the guys who want to play them either want to steal (give up or ask for a spot they'll win 75% of the time or more), or they'll be hurting if they lose!! I can afford to lose a couple hundred dollars, but I hate taking it from someone who can't afford to lose it. I love to win, but I'm not like some described in this thread; I don't wanna bust someone. And, yes, I know, that THEY shouldn't bet more than they can afford to lose, but quite a few do, and I don't want to be the one who takes their rent!!

 

[Richardson]

Sadly we only have one pool hall here. The only place with 9fts, they have about 50 tables total. The next best thing we have is a bar with 14 .. 7ft tables. So alot of the people in town actually go to our pool hall.

But i get your point.

 

[crawfish]

Well, I'll be honest, I generally dont play for more than 25$ a set, so if someone wants to double it, i just tell them to move on and try and play someone else for 50$ a set,,,

I see no point in playing beyond my comfort zone, Cuz It's my money and thats that.....

now on the flip side, how are you going to feel when your trying to bump up the bet to 25$ or 50$ a set and the guy comes back and says why dont we play for 200 or 500$ a set???????

I'd imagine you'd probably take a large crap in your pants wondering what you got yourself into........

I might, or I might also have thought that through and wanted him to do that. Trust me, if I don't know someone, I'll shoot some cheese at him and give him some action. $100-200 worth? My record with this ain't that bad, either. Maybe. But, if I go looking for a certain individual, you can believe I have the line right. I might dog it, but I have the right line. And no offense, but I feel I play at a level that I can tell within twenty minutes what I am in. If a guy can lay down and beat me, he deserves to cash out.

Sidenote: I expect someone who has the nuts to get as much as they can into play. If I come and ask you to play, remember, this ain't my first rodeo.

 

[crawfish]

I'm a little behind... Who backed whom? Sounds like Scottyloo stepped in something sticky.

Also, I don't understand the hesitation in posting the spots... Those of us that might want to put someone in the box are going to find out the line anyways.

eric

Dude, you've got my number. Just call me Peckwad. PS. I would've booked a loser on this one.

You know I luv ya. I mean Peckwad with all respect, Eric.

 

[Cory in DC]

I competely get your point, but how many APA 3s and 4s walk into a pool hall PERIOD (unless their league night is being played there)? So, you can't blame them for not betting it up in the poolhall; they aren't there!

The reason I don't like to play for bigger money in sets or games is cuz the guys who want to play them either want to steal (give up or ask for a spot they'll win 75% of the time or more), or they'll be hurting if they lose!! I can afford to lose a couple hundred dollars, but I hate taking it from someone who can't afford to lose it. I love to win, but I'm not like some described in this thread; I don't wanna bust someone. And, yes, I know, that THEY shouldn't bet more than they can afford to lose, but quite a few do, and I don't want to be the one who takes their rent!!

I'm the same way. When someone can't afford to lose much, I feel bad if I win and even worse if I lose.

That's why I like $20 one pocket -- it's enough to care about but unlikely to break anyone.

 

[Richardson]

I dont have a problem trying to take anyones money, just hate it when they are firing air barrels.

 

[trustyrusty]

I'm the same way. When someone can't afford to lose much, I feel bad if I win and even worse if I lose.

That's why I like $20 one pocket -- it's enough to care about but unlikely to break anyone.

Cory, I've found away around the feeling bad....I have one buddy who really likes to play but doesn't have a whole lotta money to be throwing around (but likes to bet, and in most cases, over his head). What we do is play for time and tab. If I win he picks up the time, say, a pizza, and a couple of diet cokes, if he wins, I get stuck with his expensive mixed drinks, the time, and pizza...lol. Kinda like odds betting; I always get the worst of it if I lose, but if I win, I was a cheap bet for him. If he's strapped, I get the time and pizza anyway, and we play for the drinks....man, I'm a softy :thumbup:

 

[JoeyA]

Twenty ahead.

I'm the same way. When someone can't afford to lose much, I feel bad if I win and even worse if I lose.

That's why I like $20 one pocket -- it's enough to care about but unlikely to break anyone.

$20 one pocket is good action as long as it is also twenty ahead & I'm winning.

JoeyA

 

[Drater]

Dude, you've got my number. Just call me Peckwad. PS. I would've booked a loser on this one.

I already know the details. Also, I wouldn't have put *you* in the box.

What I will do, however, is take the wild 8 & the snaps @ my place. Get a ride, rob a bank, and let's play.

hugs-n-kisses,

eric

 

[crawfish]

I already know the details. Also, I wouldn't have put *you* in the box.

What I will do, however, is take the wild 8 & the snaps @ my place. Get a ride, rob a bank, and let's play.

hugs-n-kisses,

eric

Look, sweetpants, I meant I would have bet on the wrong guy. Don't go anywhere with that 8 and the break offer.

 

[1on1pooltournys]

Keeping the thread alive

I competely get your point, but how many APA 3s and 4s walk into a pool hall PERIOD (unless their league night is being played there)? So, you can't blame them for not betting it up in the poolhall; they aren't there!

APA is the worst thing to happen to pool. I was in Vegas when they had their national tournament or whatever, and played a guy for 40 a game 8 ball. So I won 2 or 3 in a row, and then the gentlemen won the next game, and I just laid the two 20 dollar bills on the rail, and he ran over and said..."Conceal the money man, we will get kicked out of the tournament if they see us gambling." Of course I was not in the league and will never be in that league, but he did not know that. I thought, WTF, You have to be kidding me. Here we are at the Riv in Las Vegas and your telling me they will bar you from the league if you are caught gambling at pool, something you have control over? Then I recalled that the APA was started by former road player(s)?? and literally was going to go to the controllers desk and just puke on it. That is disgusting. There are absolutely 0 APA players in my area that gamble at all, and none of them work on there game. They all intentionally lose and try to keep the nut teams together and screw people that are just being introduced to pool. What good is this doing for our sport?

FWIW, Keith Bennett is a great guy to gamble with and I think he is hard on himself which sometimes appears he has a bad attitude. I've seen him lose several times and shake the opponents hand in gambling and tournaments.

 

[StormHotRod300]

I might, or I might also have thought that through and wanted him to do that. Trust me, if I don't know someone, I'll shoot some cheese at him and give him some action. $100-200 worth? My record with this ain't that bad, either. Maybe. But, if I go looking for a certain individual, you can believe I have the line right. I might dog it, but I have the right line. And no offense, but I feel I play at a level that I can tell within twenty minutes what I am in. If a guy can lay down and beat me, he deserves to cash out.

Sidenote: I expect someone who has the nuts to get as much as they can into play. If I come and ask you to play, remember, this ain't my first rodeo.

Oh I know what you mean, most guys generally have a good "IDEA" of how someone plays just by seeing them shoot a few balls. And yes I know some guys want the other guy to do the " why not play for $500 "

I think I only had one time when I went WTF did i get myself into lol, and that was in 07, after spending a few weeks getting back into stroke I went to a pool hall and was looking to gamble well a fellow friend got me into a game with a guy, playing some (bca) 8ball. Well he goes to break and just crushes the rack. And I am like who the hell is this guy lol..... Needless to say, We ended up even, and in the end "he" was the one telling his friend "WHat did you get me into this guy runs out from everywhere"

when my friend told me about this, I laughed and said the same thing....But it was basically a Even match I'd win a set, then he'd win one, it was basically whom ever made the first mistake or most that would end up winning.