Taking Money From A Kid

[HawaiianEye]

I used to go into every bar and pool hall in town and rob everybody playing pool when I was around 15. They all jumped on the table trying to beat a "kid" with money. I left with their money WAY, WAY, WAY more times than anybody left with my money or my backer's money.

The guy who owned the pool hall where I worked sent me in cabs all over town looking for action. Whenever anybody came into the pool hall wanting to play when I was working, he'd tell me to stop working and take whatever money I needed out of the register and go play them.

 

[JB Cases]

A bit of a frowned upon subject in these parts but I want your thoughts on playing kids for money. A situation arose yesterday where I played a 15 year old for a bit of money. All these local types were hyping this kid up saying he is a future snooker star and how he makes centuries for fun so I asked the kid if he wanted a game. He had a sort of big fish in a small pond attitude and thought he was better than what he was. Don't get me wrong, he was a good junior player but wasn't going to improve any further without excellent guidance. So, we played a frame of snooker and I was chatting with his dad and uncle throughout and the topic of him playing me for money came up. His dad said we should play the best of 13 frames for 500, and an extra 50 for every frame difference there was. We agreed on some T&C's and the kid got a 2 frame advantage and a free ball each frame. It didn't help him much and it ended with him losing 7-3. Afterwards the kids dad paid up and I offered to give him some much needed advice. Technically he was solid but lacked experience and made some wrong decisions so I was setting up shots he played wrong against me and was showing him how I would have played them. The kid didn't want to know. He was adamant his way was the best. At this point I thought eff it, I'm out.

Afterwards I can't help but feel bad about taking money off a kid who never stood a chance, that's why I offered my advice to try and sort of give setting back. See it as a very expensive lesson if you will. I know it was his dad's money he was playing with and his dad didn't seem at all bothered. He was actually very grateful of me offering advice. I left the dad my phone number and told him once his son got over it to give me a call and we can arrange some sparring sessions and I'll try show him a thing or two. I would normally just take the money and call it a day but I felt guilty. I'm sure I'll get over it.

Anyone ever had similar experiences?

I try not to play minors for money because of this and other situations. I don't think parents should exploit their kids and let them gamble.

You did the right thing by offering them advice.

In the future just tell them if he can't beat you for free he can't win for money.

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[JB Cases]

Have you ever had that, though? I don't know a single player who ever talks about any shot not of their own. Proper pisses me off, that.

Maybe that's your problem....your circle of friends is really stingy with sharing. I gamble a lot and often talk over the game and certain shots afterward with my opponent.

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[Pidge]

I try not to play minors for money because of this and other situations. I don't think parents should exploit their kids and let them gamble.

You did the right thing by offering them advice.

In the future just tell them if he can't beat you for free he can't win for money.

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I'm not going to make a habit of it. I don't believe playing for money will make you a better player, but playing the right people who will offer you advice whether you win or lose will make you better. If you can find someone like that to play for free then it's a bonus but growing up I had to pay quite a bit of money to get that kind of after game talk.

I've since played the kid a few times after the dad gave me a call. I must have caught him on a bad day because he is a polite young man. Not as good as he thinks but you need confidence to succeed in this game. I wasn't really giving him lessons, just showing him how the top players pick apart patterns in snooker. I wish I got this info for free at his age.

I'm with you, I often talk about shots with my opponents. Even if I hammer them I'm always open to advice on how they would have played a shot. It doesn't hurt to ask and listen.

 

[sonny_burnett]

I paid my dues. Everyone I know did the same.

Part of the process of improving.

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[Tennesseejoe]

To the OP: Do you think the kid will come back and keep playing pool? Or do you think he will give it up and find something else to do?

I have seen to many kids quit a beautiful game because older/better players try to take advantage of them. Some players only play kids for their money.

That is the question I ask myself. Sounds like you did the proper thing.

 

[poolplaya1976]

I like this post. I think it's okay since his dad was there. If it was just the kid being stupid and you're an obvious lock I think it's unethical.

A friend of mine who is in his late 20's now said when he was 15 he lost $750 to an 50 year old guy at the pool hall who he was "friends" with. I know this guy and to this day I think he is a piece of crap for doing that.

Every situation is different though...

I personally feel guilty taking money from most people b/c most people I play are struggling financially. However I only play for $20 sets most of the time. I'll usually just cut them a break at the end and just have them pay the table time or whatever. I'm nicer than most though.

dumb to gamble at all then....if you lose, you pay...if you win, you don't collect

 

[FranCrimi]

The father is a dirt bag for pimping out his kid like that, and the kid's attitude reflects his unfortunate upbringing.

I feel sorry for the kid. The damage has already been done.

No, I'd never play a kid for money, nor would I bet on or against one. It's just wrong.

 

[His Boy Elroy]

Fran,
Many years ago I saw a Charlie Rose show where one of the segments was on pool. He had a pool table set up along Mixerak, Sigel, Balukas, and you. Charlie asked the 2 guys what was the most they had won in a money match. I forget what their answer was, but it was an enormous sum in both cases. I forget what Balukas said. He then asked you and I think you said, "A bag of oyster crackers." Does my memory serve me right.

 

[FranCrimi]

Fran,
Many years ago I saw a Charlie Rose show where one of the segments was on pool. He had a pool table set up along Mixerak, Sigel, Balukas, and you. Charlie asked the 2 guys what was the most they had won in a money match. I forget what their answer was, but it was an enormous sum in both cases. I forget what Balukas said. He then asked you and I think you said, "A bag of oyster crackers." Does my memory serve me right.

I don't really remember. It's possible I said it as a joke. My guess is it had to do with what Jean said.

 

[hang-the-9]

As the father of a 15 yr old that is good enough to beat a decent number of players, I don't think winning money off the dad that said you can play his son is an issue. The only thing that may be iffy is the morality of getting a younger kid involved in a playing for money situation, which may lead him to be one of those jerks in the room that say "I don't put my cue together unless it's for blah amount", or "I can't play serious unless we put money up". If done right, I don't see any issues.

Several times I wanted to tell some guys that were playing when one was being all cocky about playing for money and how great he was that I have a 15 yr old that I'd put up against him LOL If he lost, he'd lose, but it's not his money. And if my son had a job and decided to play for his money, that is up to him to lose or win. But if he loses he better learn the lesson and not just whine how it was not his fault. I would not have any bad feelings about someone beating him as "taking money from helpless kids". Past 12 or so, they can think on their own pretty well, especially if playing for a while, he'd know if he was being baited by someone faking a bad game to win money. And I should also, if someone tried to hustle my son, I would not let him play, and in that situation I'd think whoever was doing it was an asshole.