I thought I would relay from time to time some of the gambling scenes I have witnessed over the years. Not that I am some big time gambler but have seen a lot thru the years.
Two locals, Ryan and a player from Chicago, were playing 9 ball, races to 11 for 1000 jellybeans. Both of these players have grown up gambling from the time they could count to 10. Ryan's father is a well known St Louis pool icon (for lack of a better word) and instilled just a tad bit of heart into his son. Here is the story:
The first set- nothing goes Ryan's way and he loses 11-0. It was a complete wipe out and he never had a chance. Without hesitation, Ryan pulls a quarter out of his pocket and says call it, ready to play a second set. Now this act of confidence was the first of two points that Ryan made that day which swayed the final result of this story that you will read. I need to add that Ryan was betting his own money (maybe with a small corporation involved in part of the bet) and Chicago player was getting staked. The other player's backer puts up the cabbage for the second set and they carry on.
Ryan wins the second set 11-0 equaling the blanking he had just received. I'm sure the Chicago player and his backer's head were spinning thinking they had a sure 2000 win for the day before the start of the second set. Obviously Ryan had other intentions.
They carry on to a third set, again same wager. This time it is much closer as the score remains close throughout. Ryan gets to the hill first but the other player joins him on the next game and the score is tied 10-10. The other player's backer asks Ryan if he wants to start over and double the bet or increase the bet. Ryan answers without hesitation - no I want to play one game for 1000. The other player's backer asks him again trying to convince him - don't you want to start over??, my man is breaking. Again Ryan answers - no I want to play one game for 1000.
Now we have reached the second act that Ryan took that day to get paid. His brashness and gamble was more than player and his backer wanted. The other player's backer tells Ryan - we are not going to play one game for 1000. Ryan replies - well that is what I want to do. If you don't want to play and the money is obviously posted, you can buy out for 200. The backer agreed and hands Ryan 200.![]()
I look at this like a poker problem.
There is $2,000 in the pot.
The backer is offering $1,200 to get out of the bet.
The players are pretty evenly matched...they are 21/21 in games.
They play good enough that the break is an edge.
The backer must feel his player is worse than a 3/2 under-dog...
....even with the break advantage!
But he backed him even up.
And wanted to double the bet.
The backer is out to lunch..not a good life decision.
The backer isn't ready to play backgammon, where you should take a
cube when you're a 2/1 under-dog...the man who takes the cube
loses a lot less money in the long run.