Fact or Fiction: Gambling Makes You A Better Player

B

BasementDweller

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have heard ever since I started playing pool that you have to gamble to get better. I have never found this to be true and I was just thinking about it today. I have come to realize that the only way that I can get any better is by putting in the time on the practice table. This improvement can be confirmed by playing in a tournament or gambling with others, or just playing with others (oh the horror). However, I cannot recall a time when a shot that I was previously unable to make, I all of sudden was able to make simply because I had a few dollars on the line. What gambling, tournaments, and competition in general does for me is it helps me maintain my focus, nothing more and nothing less. So while maybe I am able to play my best while competing I don't really believe I am improving simply because I have something on the line.

The fact that you can play better under competitive conditions leads you to believe that you are improving. What is more likely is you're just playing closer to your maximum potential. In order to improve you have to pair your competition with actual practice. Now this probably doesn't apply to those that are living in the pool room and matching up 8 hours a day. In these situations the competion and practice time are combined.

Anyway, this is coming from someone that doesn't get out much so take it for what it's worth. I'm just tired of hearing you have to gamble to get better.
 
Gambling can make you a better player under pressure. It can't add knowledge about what shots to take or make your stroke straighter. Gambling, like practice and tournaments, has its usefulness, but simply gambling wont necessarily make you a better player, just like shooting L drills 10 hours a day wont make you a champion. Of course there are people who gamble all the time and can't play a lick like Dippy Dave. In fact, from what I've seen, people who gamble while often relying on heavy spots tend to plateau more often. The best players are often the players who have experience and learn from practice, tournaments, and gambling because you can gain different skills in each area.
 
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I have to agree with what Masayoshi says above. ALL 3 together adds something to YOUR game as a whole.

Practice instills muscle memory and adds knowledge the more you do it.

Gambling instills a 'Never say Die' attitude as no one ever wants to loose cash. It also helps with pressure situations.

Tournaments have a mix of the above, as everyone who plays competetive pool wants to be a Champion. You dont enter tournaments to reach the last 16 etc, you enter as you believe in yourself that you could take down the competition. But, there are a few (myself included) who like to play competitions to add more experience as a whole.

All the above is my own opinion ;)
 
Masayoshi said:
Gambling can make you a better player under pressure. It can't add knowledge about what shots to take or make your stroke straighter. Gambling, like practice and tournaments, has its usefulness, but simply gambling wont necessarily make you a better player, just like shooting L drills 10 hours a day wont make you a champion. Of course there are people who gamble all the time and can't play a lick like Dippy Dave. In fact, from what I've seen, people who gamble while often relying on heavy spots tend to plateau more often. The best players are often the players who have experience and learn from practice, tournaments, and gambling because you can gain different skills in each area.
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Let's face it, not many are going to be champions anyway. It just doesn't happen. There aren't many pro players when you look at the pool world anyway. There are others who could turn pro but what is the incentive?
What gambling is going to do is teach you more quickly what you need to know about pressure situations. But again if Tournaments aren't your thing or gambling, what does that matter? Those who aren't super competitive aren't going to get much better as a rule. That is just life.
Those who don't want to put it out there and find out, well like they say, you don't run with the pack if you pee like pup!
 
BasementDweller said:
I have heard ever since I started playing pool that you have to gamble to get better. I have never found this to be true and I was just thinking about it today. I have come to realize that the only way that I can get any better is by putting in the time on the practice table. This improvement can be confirmed by playing in a tournament or gambling with others, or just playing with others (oh the horror). However, I cannot recall a time when a shot that I was previously unable to make, I all of sudden was able to make simply because I had a few dollars on the line. What gambling, tournaments, and competition in general does for me is it helps me maintain my focus, nothing more and nothing less. So while maybe I am able to play my best while competing I don't really believe I am improving simply because I have something on the line.

The fact that you can play better under competitive conditions leads you to believe that you are improving. What is more likely is you're just playing closer to your maximum potential. In order to improve you have to pair your competition with actual practice. Now this probably doesn't apply to those that are living in the pool room and matching up 8 hours a day. In these situations the competion and practice time are combined.

Anyway, this is coming from someone that doesn't get out much so take it for what it's worth. I'm just tired of hearing you have to gamble to get better.
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Well..its true..you have to put something on the line..otherwise you will
not improve..its the fear of loss that makes a great player..if you have
nothing to lose..then..what does it matter?..thats why bangers are just
that..gamblin..like tournaments..allows you to come up to your level of incompentacy..which is the height of your will or concentration of focus..
it is all on a level as to the loss..not the win..to play 1 ball better than
your opponent..fear of loss is much more of a motorvator than any other
form of winning..not to lose..thats what makes a champion!!!...SA
 
I have to agree. Gambling makes you a better player. It has to.

When money comes into play everything changes, that shouldn't change, in a lot of cases. I've seen a lot of lesser players beat better players because the better player had a problem betting on themselves in a pool game.

I often wondered if it was the money or the fact that the better player was on edge because they were being exposed to public scrutiny if they lost. In many cases, I personally think that was the deciding factor.

A case in point.

I've witnessed the same people at race tracks and placing bets on sporting events. They had no problem pushing their money through the window or paying off bookmakers.

When it came to betting on themselves, in a pool room, all bets were off.

I never understood this.

Gambling tells you right away whether you have the heart to be a player or not. It's an instant barometer.

_____________________________________

http://tommcgonaglerightoncue.com
 
There are plenty of great players who don't gamble, like anyone from Germany. I think over time, gambling can improve your killer instinct and handle yourself under pressure. But I don't think you have to gamble to be a great player. Talent and hard work trump all.

I personally find more pressure in tournaments than gambling. In a tournament, you can only lose twice. Gambling, you can lose til you go bust or figure out you can't win. When I put my money in the middle, to me, its gone. I'm gonna fight like hell to get the cash, but you can take a lot of pressure off yourself if you forget the money in the middle and just win.
 
All of the above. An my answer,it will make you a better player to gamble. Simply because when your money is at risk you have to play. Now how easy is that? :rolleyes:
 
tom mcgonagle said:
I have to agree. Gambling makes you a better player. It has to.

When money comes into play everything changes, that shouldn't change, in a lot of cases. I've seen a lot of lesser players beat better players because the better player had a problem betting on themselves in a pool game.

I often wondered if it was the money or the fact that the better player was on edge because they were being exposed to public scrutiny if they lost. In many cases, I personally think that was the deciding factor.

A case in point.

I've witnessed the same people at race tracks and placing bets on sporting events. They had no problem pushing their money through the window or paying off bookmakers.

When it came to betting on themselves, in a pool room, all bets were off.

I never understood this.

Gambling tells you right away whether you have the heart to be a player or not. It's an instant barometer.

_____________________________________

http://tommcgonaglerightoncue.com
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Because at the dogtrack or sports betting they can blame the dog or the players. At the pool table it's all on you. Johnnyt
 
Gambling does not make one's game 'better', as measured solely by making balls: you won't make that long cut shot just coz you are betting a few bucks.

But it does teach you that you won't make that long cut shot without penalty, so you shoot and stop, leaving whitey stuck to the backside of another ball.
 
I believe "PLAYING FOR SOMETHING" could make you play better.......If the something is not a distraction.

Distraction is, your are not on GUARD, and Foolishly PLAY for your CHRISTMAS MONEY, now all you think about during plat is what if I loose the CHRISTMAS MONEY, and if you loose you will be in the
2010-313P--in-the-dogs-house-.gif
with Wife & Kids, with out or with Fido.

JMHO:)
 
Johnnyt said:
Because at the dogtrack or sports betting they can blame the dog or the players. At the pool table it's all on you. Johnnyt
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Amen. You get stung, lose your money.... pride drives you to get better and get your cheese back.....:wink: Course, you still have to practice..... a lot........:)
 
strokerace said:
Well..its true..you have to put something on the line..otherwise you will
not improve..its the fear of loss that makes a great player..
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I totally agree with the OP and just can't agree with the argument above.

It is not the fear to lose that makes a great player, it's its will to win, IMO. The power of gambling in the process of progressing is far over rated here at AZB. The formula is the love of the game, the motivation, the dedication, then practicing and playing times (including gambling, why not).

If gambling was a so important factor in the learning process it will be apllied in any kind of activity. This is certainly why we don't gamble on math at school... for an example :grin:
 
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cleary said:
There are plenty of great players who don't gamble, like anyone from Germany. I think over time, gambling can improve your killer instinct and handle yourself under pressure. But I don't think you have to gamble to be a great player. Talent and hard work trump all.

I personally find more pressure in tournaments than gambling. In a tournament, you can only lose twice. Gambling, you can lose til you go bust or figure out you can't win. When I put my money in the middle, to me, its gone. I'm gonna fight like hell to get the cash, but you can take a lot of pressure off yourself if you forget the money in the middle and just win.
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I have to agree . Players that " gamble " at pool are really calculated risk takers. Betting on their ability or lack of ability of their opponent. There are some American pros that don't gamble and play to the top of their game EVERY time they are at the table. Which to me can be harder when you know the person you are playing is not a threat.
They are focusing on the game and not the prize. The prize is just the end result of their focus. The prize is playing "winning pool". An old wise gambler once told me .." if you gamble by necessity you will pay by obligation ".
 
No, you don't have to gamble to get better.......different people are wired differently.....most gamblers will tell you that you have to gamble to get better, and most people that don't gamble will say otherwise....

Gambling will make you a better gambler.....it will help you win for money, it will help you better handicap, and it's definitely a special skill.....

Gambling will not make you a better player......while I'm not a very strong player, I've beaten quite a few gamblers in tournaments and league.....some of them, I beat consistently, even though we are a very even match on paper.....and I've heard several times, "I'm more of a gambler, I play better when money is on the line".....quite frankly, if gambling made them a better player, they'd win regardless....if they have to gamble to win, it's just a crutch.....winners win, whether for money or for pride....

my two cents...
 
billbOK said:
I totally agree with the OP and just can't agree with the argument above.

It is not the fear to lose that makes a great player, it's its will to win, IMO. The power of gambling in the process of progressing is far over rated here at AZB. The formula is the love of the game, the motivation, the dedication, then practicing and playing times (including gambling, why not).

If gambling was a so important factor in the learning process it will be apllied in any kind of activity. This is certainly why we don't gamble on math at school... for an example :grin:
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I was hoping someone would agree. I want to win just as badly as the next guy but there is a big difference between winning and actually getting better. I think people feel like they play better when they gamble and they probably do since they have something on the line but in the process of gambling I don't think you are really improving. Unless of course you are literally doing it all the time. Therefore, you are combining your practice with gambling. Which is probably the most focused practice you can get but I don't think it is very effective. How often do the shots that you really need to practice come up in competition?

I guess my theory is - people have low expectations for their games. When you focus intently (through gambling, tournaments, etc) you tend to play up to your current potential. Playing up to your current potential is mistaken for overall improvement. But to actually raise your ceiling (for lack of a better phrase) of play you really just need to practice more.

That's my theory and I'm sticking with it until further notice or until I win the lottery and can hit the road. :)
 
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There are plenty of players who run racks at will on the practice table but crumble under pressure of a real match

Gambling just helps a person perform closer to their best under match pressure
 
Gambling does not make you play better....period. It exposes you to pressure that you wouldn't have playing for nothing. The pressure either makes you "Bow up or Blow up". There are much better ways to get better gambling should hardly be the first option. I hear gamblers tell new players this all the time, and I just shake my head. Like getting run over by a road player is gonna make a "C" player better. GTFOH...I rank gambling right up there with buying a really expensive cue. You can't buy a game...or gamble your way into being a champion.
 
So you are saying you'd play me safe for fun?

That's mean and there is nothing for you to gain. You should shoot the 4 railer instead....so you can continue your run/ be a 'better' player.:eek::rolleyes::smile:
 
Desmondp said:
There are plenty of players who run racks at will on the practice table but crumble under pressure of a real match
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Not quite true. Players still make the same mistakes and "crumble" on a practice table too with no pressure at all! It is just that those mistakes simply go by without people noticing them. Why is that? Because there was no punishment, no pressure...no lost money, pride, tournament points, whatever...etc, so we tend to forget those.
 
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