What's your take on people that won't gamble?
- Thread starter poolplayer2093
- Start date
C'mon Lewis, I was just talking out of my asss back then.
I don't have a problem with people who only gamble or don't gamble. It is all a matter of personal preference. I do however, have a problem with the people who do not go away after someone has told them No that they do not want to gamble.
I wish I had 10 bucks for every-time that I have told some pool player that I was not interested in gambling and have them hover around like a horny monkey and keep pestering you like that was going to change the reply.
I wish I had 10 bucks for every-time that I have told some pool player that I was not interested in gambling and have them hover around like a horny monkey and keep pestering you like that was going to change the reply.
Have played it both ways
When I was single, and played daily I always played for some amount of money, but even when I lost I always had money left in my pocket. That's the difference in amount of cushion a person may or may not have when being single and a pretty good player.
Now that I'm married, I allow myself a certain pre-determined amount of money for playing pool every week. So, if I lose it all in one night gambling, I don't play for the rest of the week.
Here's where I am: At one time, I was a very good player. Maybe even shortstop speed. Got married, had kids and now after a 5 year break, trying to get back to where I was. As a man who respects pool culture, I'm wanting to play other strong players, and I wish I were able to put forward the cash I need to get the stronger players to the table. That's how the system works, and I respect that. But at the same time, I'm only allowed a certain amount of cash to put towards playing, so every week I'm faced with do I put the money on the line for the time to play with the stronger players again and risk having this be the only night of pool I play this week? Or do I set the money aside for 4-5 days of practice sessions that I know I need, and hope that I can still find somebody of good speed to play for simple practice.
I've been approached several times a night to play for money, and it tears me up to have to turn it down. I've felt like every thinks I'm a nit, and the feeling sucks!! I've been on your side of the room to. I HAVE AN AGENDA NOW!! Additionally, when I go to the club, I'm not there to eat, drink, socialize, hit on women or anything else. I AM THERE TO PLAY/PRACTICE. Nothing else. It wouldn't faze me a bit if the club I played at had nothing but tables and a coke machine! No music, no food, no women (well maybe), and no thugs! I want balls and a table, and I will gladly pay for my table time and my diet coke that I will milk for a 4 hour practice session! And until I can get my game back to where I believe it can be, I will have to remain a "nit". But when I get the game back, I'll be more than willing to jump in and play. In the meantime, those that think I'm a nit and that "I need to get the F*&ck out of the pool hall" can #$ck on my stick! I respect your culture, have and will be a part of it again, and will continue to respect your culture while leaving you to do what you do. Now respect mine.
dave
When I was single, and played daily I always played for some amount of money, but even when I lost I always had money left in my pocket. That's the difference in amount of cushion a person may or may not have when being single and a pretty good player.
Now that I'm married, I allow myself a certain pre-determined amount of money for playing pool every week. So, if I lose it all in one night gambling, I don't play for the rest of the week.
Here's where I am: At one time, I was a very good player. Maybe even shortstop speed. Got married, had kids and now after a 5 year break, trying to get back to where I was. As a man who respects pool culture, I'm wanting to play other strong players, and I wish I were able to put forward the cash I need to get the stronger players to the table. That's how the system works, and I respect that. But at the same time, I'm only allowed a certain amount of cash to put towards playing, so every week I'm faced with do I put the money on the line for the time to play with the stronger players again and risk having this be the only night of pool I play this week? Or do I set the money aside for 4-5 days of practice sessions that I know I need, and hope that I can still find somebody of good speed to play for simple practice.
I've been approached several times a night to play for money, and it tears me up to have to turn it down. I've felt like every thinks I'm a nit, and the feeling sucks!! I've been on your side of the room to. I HAVE AN AGENDA NOW!! Additionally, when I go to the club, I'm not there to eat, drink, socialize, hit on women or anything else. I AM THERE TO PLAY/PRACTICE. Nothing else. It wouldn't faze me a bit if the club I played at had nothing but tables and a coke machine! No music, no food, no women (well maybe), and no thugs! I want balls and a table, and I will gladly pay for my table time and my diet coke that I will milk for a 4 hour practice session! And until I can get my game back to where I believe it can be, I will have to remain a "nit". But when I get the game back, I'll be more than willing to jump in and play. In the meantime, those that think I'm a nit and that "I need to get the F*&ck out of the pool hall" can #$ck on my stick! I respect your culture, have and will be a part of it again, and will continue to respect your culture while leaving you to do what you do. Now respect mine.
dave
If you were a pro your post would read "Damn fans, I wish they would leave".
I wish fans that bought soda and sat to watch would grow like wildfire.
You see, then people with skills would not have to gamble. There would be money to go around.
Today pool very rarely pays people that have great talent, maybe 1000 people alive have cashed a check for playing a cuesport. Right now even if you do get paid it doesn't pay very well. Most of those 1000 have never seen a check that has over three zero's behind it.
The only way it will ever pay better is if more people come to events, and watch. Prove that our sport is worth supporting with real ads. We need so many fans that they need a new building to hold them all next year. This is how pool players get raises they dont realize that, but it is.
Last, and most importantly! Dont try to make people gamble, it makes pool look like trouble. Pool suffers.
I was sorry to read your somewhat extreme feeling for the way people choose to spend their money and enjoy pool.
I've been playing pool for just about 50yrs. exposed to pool rooms for about 40 of those years. Including owning a room with 18 GC tables and a full bar.
The converse extreme to your initial post would be .... people who gamble at pool are usually pool bums with no life who live in pool rooms except for a brief break to do a joint or go to the casino. No family, no kids, or ... at least no wife any more and no one to go home to.
Ok, now, from my experience, gambling at pool can easily grow to an addiction that will then lead to crude rude mannerisms, arguments, wise ass posturing and perhaps even some verbal or physical conflicts.
You are far far more likely to win enemies or people who talk about you behind your back than you are likely to make any amount of money that will change your life.
For me it's not worth making an eventual enemy over a 20 dollar bill.
I don't have to "go home" from the pool room. Gambling didn't send me home though ... that frigging ear pounding noise you people call music did years ago.
I've been playing pool for just about 50yrs. exposed to pool rooms for about 40 of those years. Including owning a room with 18 GC tables and a full bar.
The converse extreme to your initial post would be .... people who gamble at pool are usually pool bums with no life who live in pool rooms except for a brief break to do a joint or go to the casino. No family, no kids, or ... at least no wife any more and no one to go home to.
Ok, now, from my experience, gambling at pool can easily grow to an addiction that will then lead to crude rude mannerisms, arguments, wise ass posturing and perhaps even some verbal or physical conflicts.
You are far far more likely to win enemies or people who talk about you behind your back than you are likely to make any amount of money that will change your life.
For me it's not worth making an eventual enemy over a 20 dollar bill.
I don't have to "go home" from the pool room. Gambling didn't send me home though ... that frigging ear pounding noise you people call music did years ago.
I love to gamble for a 20 or up to a couple hundred but its not the end of all if i cant. I play with the same people over and over again and i dont think gambling with them (except maybe time or a beer) would be frowned upon. Eveyone in my room is a rec player and (not to boost or brag but the room is full of C/D players)) im one of if not the top player in the room so if people saw me beating on people it would'nt loook good on my part
Also i want to start giving private lessons to the leauge players to help them improve and build up the level of play in the leauge. Therefore i become more of an ambasodor for the room and gambling for money would be out of the question. Time... Drinks with a good spot would be ok
Even if a road player came threw it would be a tough call. If i get beat then i might just lose the faith of the people that look up to my game...
Also i want to start giving private lessons to the leauge players to help them improve and build up the level of play in the leauge. Therefore i become more of an ambasodor for the room and gambling for money would be out of the question. Time... Drinks with a good spot would be ok
Even if a road player came threw it would be a tough call. If i get beat then i might just lose the faith of the people that look up to my game...
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Sorry, Neal, in my opinion gambling is gambling. If a person can't enjoy a night of pool without putting money on the games then they have a gambling problem. If they can't bring out their A game without money on it then they have a gambling problem.
Look, I can't sit here and say that I've never played for money, of course I have, but it surely isn't necessary for me. I play the best I can whether there is money on it or not. I don't feel any extra pressure or need to do better if I'm betting on a game.....and for the most part, no, I don't put money on games.
For myself, I feel worse taking someone's money than I do when I lose my own.
MULLY
I don't mind people not wanting to gamble. I have a few pet peeves though.
I hate it when you ask someone to gamble and if they say no,even if you offer them a good spot,they are gambling with someone else a few minutes later. I know several local players that won't even play $1 a game with me(yes the action around here is that bad) but will play for money against players they can beat or hold their own against. I'm maybe a B- player so I can't beat up everybody. One thing I think that keeps them from wanting to play me is the fact that most of them are bar box league players and I want to play on a 9 footer,which I play better on. They know I play constantly on 9 footers and they happen to see me shooting good most of the time,which scares them. The thing is I don't shoot like that all of the time.
Also if I ask to gamble,don't say give excuses like you are broke,and then go play some chump who you can beat in your sleep. Be a man and play someone who can give you a challenge. Hell I'd rather you ask for a spot than to give excuses why you can't play me.
Don't ask for a spot if I know you play much better than me. A few local players are bad about this. They will ask for a spot and if you say no,they will say they are sick or old or their ____(insert some body part) hurts. Don't try to hustle me for a spot if I know you should be spotting me.
Finally don't ask me to gamble and when I accept,back out at the last minute saying you were just kidding. This is a pool hall and if you mention any kind of action,you have to assume people are serious about it.
Another thing that kind of gets next to me is when bangers are playing on the 9 footers and the gamblers cannot play. I understand it is part of the business and you can't just ask someone to get off the table if they are paying customers. But it sucks when money walks out the door because there is no table to play on. Don't get me started on bar box action.
I hate bar boxes.
I realize I may be ranting more than usual but it's been one of those days so far.
Does anyone else feel share my experiences or opinions?
I hate it when you ask someone to gamble and if they say no,even if you offer them a good spot,they are gambling with someone else a few minutes later. I know several local players that won't even play $1 a game with me(yes the action around here is that bad) but will play for money against players they can beat or hold their own against. I'm maybe a B- player so I can't beat up everybody. One thing I think that keeps them from wanting to play me is the fact that most of them are bar box league players and I want to play on a 9 footer,which I play better on. They know I play constantly on 9 footers and they happen to see me shooting good most of the time,which scares them. The thing is I don't shoot like that all of the time.
Also if I ask to gamble,don't say give excuses like you are broke,and then go play some chump who you can beat in your sleep. Be a man and play someone who can give you a challenge. Hell I'd rather you ask for a spot than to give excuses why you can't play me.
Don't ask for a spot if I know you play much better than me. A few local players are bad about this. They will ask for a spot and if you say no,they will say they are sick or old or their ____(insert some body part) hurts. Don't try to hustle me for a spot if I know you should be spotting me.
Finally don't ask me to gamble and when I accept,back out at the last minute saying you were just kidding. This is a pool hall and if you mention any kind of action,you have to assume people are serious about it.
Another thing that kind of gets next to me is when bangers are playing on the 9 footers and the gamblers cannot play. I understand it is part of the business and you can't just ask someone to get off the table if they are paying customers. But it sucks when money walks out the door because there is no table to play on. Don't get me started on bar box action.
I hate bar boxes.I realize I may be ranting more than usual but it's been one of those days so far.
Does anyone else feel share my experiences or opinions?
I don't mind people not wanting to gamble. I have a few pet peeves though.
I hate it when you ask someone to gamble and if they say no,even if you offer them a good spot,they are gambling with someone else a few minutes later. I know several local players that won't even play $1 a game with me(yes the action around here is that bad) but will play for money against players they can beat or hold their own against. I'm maybe a B- player so I can't beat up everybody. One thing I think that keeps them from wanting to play me is the fact that most of them are bar box league players and I want to play on a 9 footer,which I play better on. They know I play constantly on 9 footers and they happen to see me shooting good most of the time,which scares them. The thing is I don't shoot like that all of the time.
Also if I ask to gamble,don't say give excuses like you are broke,and then go play some chump who you can beat in your sleep. Be a man and play someone who can give you a challenge. Hell I'd rather you ask for a spot than to give excuses why you can't play me.
Don't ask for a spot if I know you play much better than me. A few local players are bad about this. They will ask for a spot and if you say no,they will say they are sick or old or their ____(insert some body part) hurts. Don't try to hustle me for a spot if I know you should be spotting me.
Finally don't ask me to gamble and when I accept,back out at the last minute saying you were just kidding. This is a pool hall and if you mention any kind of action,you have to assume people are serious about it.
Another thing that kind of gets next to me is when bangers are playing on the 9 footers and the gamblers cannot play. I understand it is part of the business and you can't just ask someone to get off the table if they are paying customers. But it sucks when money walks out the door because there is no table to play on. Don't get me started on bar box action.
I realize I may be ranting more than usual but it's been one of those days so far.
Does anyone else feel share my experiences or opinions?
One thing sticks out here for me, the spot. Asking for one or giving one. Sorry, I don't gamble very often but when I do there is no spot. I don't give a spot to anyone and I sure as hell ain't taking one. Straight up, race to 5 or 7 or whatever. Handicaps are for pussies. If you need a spot to play someone then you probably shouldn't be playing them because they're most likely going to beat you anyway. And, I'm not saying spots are for pussies like I'm the king of the world in pool. Not at all. I could be up against Efren Reyes and I wouldn't ask for a spot. No way. Sure, 99 out of 100 times he's going to make me his lunch money source, but if I did end up actually winning a set I surely wouldn't feel good knowing I won because I had some handicap. Screw that. I have my pride.
Oh, and I should also say that I don't gamble with people that I know I can beat any day of the week. Not fair to them and I'm not a thief.
MULLY
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Most people are not good gamblers, in fact, most people are terrible gamblers. Those that recognize that they cannot gamble well are, IMO, smart not to. Simple.
I figured out a long time ago that I am not a "good" gambler in most situations. I also like odds on my possible winnings to losings ratios. I see no advantage to gambling in a situation where I have a lot more to lose than I can possibly win.
I'll stick to the financial markets for anything more than small, for interest only, wagers.
PS: Played in, and won, many relatively high "payout" tournaments, but, again, the money odds against my entry fee & calcutta were usually between 10 and 25:1.
Jim
I figured out a long time ago that I am not a "good" gambler in most situations. I also like odds on my possible winnings to losings ratios. I see no advantage to gambling in a situation where I have a lot more to lose than I can possibly win.
I'll stick to the financial markets for anything more than small, for interest only, wagers.
PS: Played in, and won, many relatively high "payout" tournaments, but, again, the money odds against my entry fee & calcutta were usually between 10 and 25:1.
Jim
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You can not get good without gambling. I know, I am a solid 4.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=charlie+bryant&aq=f
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=charlie+bryant&aq=f
I dont play people who wont gamble. A dollar a game AT LEAST. Shoot ive played 1pocket for a dollar a game just to fight off the boredom. No matter how broke you are, everyone can afford that. I just dont completely trust someone who wont put up SOMETHING.
One thing I cant stand is people who SWEAR theyre better than you, but wont put up a nickel to find out. If your not gonna put ur money where ur mouth is then just keep quite.
One thing I cant stand is people who SWEAR theyre better than you, but wont put up a nickel to find out. If your not gonna put ur money where ur mouth is then just keep quite.
Some of us drink water because it's healthier and we value our life a little more.
Some of us don't gamble, because we value our money a little more and we REALLY enjoy the game.
Kudos for you, Jamison, for understanding exactly why pool has such a bad reputation! I knew you had a brain!
We all know folks gamble over football, golf, etc.. But, you don't hear so much about all the drinking and the fights and the bars they're doing it all in. Most of them keep it a bit classier and cleaner, which is why they are much more successful at gaining the approval of the general public. Sponsorship dollars follow things that wreak of success and public approval, not things that make one think of bankruptcy, fights, starving children, homelessness... If people and activities can't show they know how to succeed, few will sink their $$$ into their ventures.
And... Before anyone goes and starts pointing fingers at how Crown Cues or OB Cues or anyone else is sponsoring the live streams that cover pool events, think on this... It didn't take much for us to see which streamers would go places. We put our $$ behind the ones we saw promise in and we obviously picked well.
Why is all that so hard for some pool players to understand? Oh yeah. They aren't drinking water.
Thanks for a great post, Jamison!!
99 out of 100? i'd bet he'd do it 100 our of 100 and i'd give you odds on the money.
playing better players makes you better, even with a spot.
or you're cheap and scared. i value my money a lot. hell the other day i saw a dime in the "take a penny" dish at the local store and palmed it on my way out. i'm crazy cheap but we all gotta pay our dues if we wanna get better.
i wonder how many pros go to be as good as they are without gambling. i've gone up 2 balls easy since i started betting. i know more and think the game way clearer than i used to because i'm always trying to win something.
when you're not risking/gaining anything people tend to do things that they shouldn't. but really who could blame them. if it doesn't work out they don't really lose anything
