Gambling Adjustment

Samiel

Samiel

Sea Player
Silver Member
Hi all! I'm sure we've discussed this in the past, but now with the age of the Internet and FargoRate, maybe things are a little different.

When you're gambling and if you're winning or losing, how and when do you adjust if at all?

For example, let's say I'm playing a roughly even opponent some One Pocket even. After winning 5 games in a row, he wants to adjust to 9-7, which I think might be out of line. Do you wait a day/until next time you play? I've been told by some to never adjust on the same day (we ended up switching to sets of 9-ball).

Also, the opposite. If I feel I'm playing badly or my opponent is just too good, how would I ask for an adjustment? Should my expectations be that they should give a little?

I'd love to hear about what you guys do and don't do. I'm sure it's different for everyone.
 
I don't play one pocket so I cannot comment on adjustments with weight on that game.

If my opponent is at even keel with me regarding ability, then I offer nothing. Bad rolls, and below average play doesn't equate to needing weight. If they play their game (equal to mine) then the sets should in theory been back and forth. They need to either bear down and get in stroke, or call it a day. I don't reward poor play. I also don't believe in participation ribbons either...lol

All that said, if I really want another set then I will offer something to entice it. Not giving away the world. Just enough to still give me an advantage based on the outcomes of the other sets.

If I'm down, then I just call it. I will in jest always ask for weight before a match begins, but never accept it.

If I'm walking into a match with someone that needs to play way beyond their capabilities to steal a set from me, I still don't offer weight. Instead I suggest a very light wager. Maybe even just a beer. I find lower end players want the experience of playing to top tier but normally don't in fear of the cost.

I don't gamble to make money. I do it to increase the intensity/pressure of the match.
 
I also wanted to add, that in my experience, if I adjust somehow, like giving up the 8-ball playing 9-ball, it sometimes boosts the other player's confidence and they start playing much better. So now, I may be on the losing side. Should I ask to go back to playing even? I'm not a hardcore gambler (or player), so I definitely need to learn to make games better, but I'm never sure how to ask.
 
Samiel said:
I also wanted to add, that in my experience, if I adjust somehow, like giving up the 8-ball playing 9-ball, it sometimes boosts the other player's confidence and they start playing much better. So now, I may be on the losing side. Should I ask to go back to playing even? I'm not a hardcore gambler (or player), so I definitely need to learn to make games better, but I'm never sure how to ask.
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I prefer to give games rather than balls.... Making the 8 wild for example imo is a large handicap. Maybe if it was only good on the last ball, it might be something I'd consider.

To me determining games is easier to equate to prior outcomes in sets, then ball handicap. Plus it only hurts once...lol.
 
Samiel said:
Hi all! I'm sure we've discussed this in the past, but now with the age of the Internet and FargoRate, maybe things are a little different.

When you're gambling and if you're winning or losing, how and when do you adjust if at all?

For example, let's say I'm playing a roughly even opponent some One Pocket even. After winning 5 games in a row, he wants to adjust to 9-7, which I think might be out of line. Do you wait a day/until next time you play? I've been told by some to never adjust on the same day (we ended up switching to sets of 9-ball).

Also, the opposite. If I feel I'm playing badly or my opponent is just too good, how would I ask for an adjustment? Should my expectations be that they should give a little?

I'd love to hear about what you guys do and don't do. I'm sure it's different for everyone.
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If you're the better player, you can give up to whatever you think you can give and still figure to win, but never give more than you have to. If you're the lesser player, just the opposite - you need to get enough to give you at least a 50/50 chance of winning and even more if possible. If you make an offer to your opponent (who is the better player) and they quickly accept your offer, you likely haven't asked for as much of a spot as you need to win.

If you've beaten him 5 games in a row, his request to get a 9-7 spot is not out of line. Play him another 5 games for the same $ amount per game giving him the 9-7 spot and see how it goes. If you only win 1 game or lose all 5 games back to even, then you know that was too much to give up and you settle somewhere in between, but if you are still able to win 2-3 games, it's likely a fair spot.

Another factor - is this a one time matchup or a regular you may have future matchups with? If it's a one time matchup, I'd be reluctant to give up any spot in the same session, as you may not have even seen this player's true speed yet. If it's a pool room regular you may likely have future matchups with, then you'd be more inclined to experiment with the spots until you both arrive at the proper spot that give both players enough chance at winning a session to be motivated to make it a regular thing.
 
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In the One Pocket game, we've played pretty even, but in this particular session, he won the first game and I won the next 5 due to him selling out more than me playing well. I think going from even to 9-7 is a bit out of line. Maybe 8-7, but maybe 9-7 seems like a large adjustment right off the bat. I'll try him some 9-7 though and report back.
 
One simple way: For every $100 you are ahead lifetime, he gets a little more spot. Automatically adjusts. There are tables somewhere of the strength of one pocket spots. If the table has numerical ratings of spots, like Fargo equivalents, you could spot one point -- not one ball! -- for each $10 you are ahead.
 
you give up only the amount that will keep him playing if you are sure he will quit if you dont. and never adjust alot only a small amount. otherwise he comes back and wins and insists you play at that spot. now you have lost the money back and only can get a bad game.
plus others in the room others see you are stupid and adjust too soon and will force you to do it with them. so soon you find no games to play you can win at.
 
ChrisinNC said:
If you're the better player, you can give up to whatever you think you can give and still figure to win, but never give more than you have to. If you're the lesser player, just the opposite - you need to get enough to give you at least a 50/50 chance of winning and even more if possible. If you make an offer to your opponent (who is the better player) and they quickly accept your offer, you likely haven't asked for as much of a spot as you need to win.

If you've beaten him 5 games in a row, his request to get a 9-7 spot is not out of line. Play him another 5 games for the same $ amount per game giving him the 9-7 spot and see how it goes. If you only win 1 game or lose all 5 games back to even, then you know that was too much to give up and you settle somewhere in between, but if you are still able to win 2-3 games, it's likely a fair spot.

Another factor - is this a one time matchup or a regular you may have future matchups with? If it's a one time matchup, I'd be reluctant to give up any spot in the same session, as you may not have even seen this player's true speed yet. If it's a pool room regular you may likely have future matchups with, then you'd be more inclined to experiment with the spots until you both arrive at the proper spot that give both players enough chance at winning a session to be motivated to make it a regular thing.
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What are you playing for?
Makes a huge difference between $5 and $100.
 
Samiel said:
I also wanted to add, that in my experience, if I adjust somehow, like giving up the 8-ball playing 9-ball, it sometimes boosts the other player's confidence and they start playing much better. So now, I may be on the losing side. Should I ask to go back to playing even?
Click to expand...
This has happened to me many times. If I win playing even, then we adjust and they start playing lights out, I have no problem telling them we're playing even again. Sometimes they quit, sometimes they keep playing.
 
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