Mosconi
Irvin Crane
Who are the greatest players ever who were not big gamblers?
- Thread starter Positively Ralf
- Start date
Irvin Crane
I nominate Thorsten Hohmann -- winner of tons of tournaments, including 2 World 9-Ball Championships, and the greatest straight pool player of his era. Not to mention the record run in Bonus Ball. 
[and then about 10 years ago he became a too-frequent up-jumper
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[and then about 10 years ago he became a too-frequent up-jumper
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yea svb gambles as does most, not all, of the best in the world.
as in all or most sports people that aspire to be the best are doing it for the money. not for trophies. after a few trophies you run out of space on the wall or mantle. you dont run out of space to put your money in.
as in all or most sports people that aspire to be the best are doing it for the money. not for trophies. after a few trophies you run out of space on the wall or mantle. you dont run out of space to put your money in.
Back in the day, most of the top players you ran across were gamblers of some sort, even it it was only for small stakes.
Many of them would not play you for funsies.
In order to learn from them through competing, you had to gamble with them.
I worked in a old-school pool hall as a kid and beat everybody in town for money before I was 16, but never once entered a tournament at the other pool hall where they forbid gambling and didn't serve alcohol.
Both places were owned by the owner of the pool hall I worked at.
He staked me against anyone who came in.
There was way more money to win (and possibly lose) in a gambling session than you could make by winning a tournament.
Many of them would not play you for funsies.
In order to learn from them through competing, you had to gamble with them.
I worked in a old-school pool hall as a kid and beat everybody in town for money before I was 16, but never once entered a tournament at the other pool hall where they forbid gambling and didn't serve alcohol.
Both places were owned by the owner of the pool hall I worked at.
He staked me against anyone who came in.
There was way more money to win (and possibly lose) in a gambling session than you could make by winning a tournament.
I bet Ralfie's people made a pile.
Your 90% correct! The reason that gambling is easier/different than tournament play is the fact that your gamble is a long as your Money! Down two or three sets, no problem flip it, down 5 games of One Pocket, no problem, raise the bet. But in a tournament, its two and out, a different kinda of pressure.
But it can make you sharper if you know how to use the pressure. As far as it being some "fast scratch" its a grind with little at the end for most. The payouts aren't good and the cost to participate makes it even more difficult for many.
yes, and i think he would gamble a lot more were he not to be in the finals of events so often. last year he was gonna play lunda 1p for 10 or 20k but it fell through because of the 9b tournament. and of course he won that 9b banner.
thorsten is a good answer though. i don't think i've ever heard of him playing a money match, and he's among americans so much he became one
is there a filipino player that doesn't gamble?
No chance. Being staked by backers is the only way young Pinoys can afford cues, table time, food etc. Plus it’s just a huge part of their culture.
Although it also raises the question of what is meant by “gamble”. Do they play in gambling matches, for sure. Do they actually gamble their own money? That’s a very different question.
They had challenge stuff on Roy's Basement; Pia too. I suspect Hohman on the other hand gets bigger thrills at his day job.
I’ve seen Filler in the box against Chang JL
I first saw Niels I would say in the early 2000s when he first came over the United States. He most definitely was an action the entire time.
Shane won the Louie Roberts action and entertainment award one year. There is no way anybody would confuse him with someone who doesn’t gamble.
I mean, goodness he is the standard bearer for the race to 100 matches.
are you delusional? if you lose in a tournament you're out(maybe if your staked) the entry fee. Gambling you might(again, are you staked?) well be betting everything you have at the time. Both have their own form of pressure but don't even try to say that gambling is easier.
Wow er uh well, I am 3 pages late to the conversation.
Mike Massey came to my mind first. I made it a point to attend any and all of his exhibitions. He gave uh testimony regarding his religious transformation.
Mike Massey came to my mind first. I made it a point to attend any and all of his exhibitions. He gave uh testimony regarding his religious transformation.
Do you gamble? Because if you don’t then you’re not in a position to speak of what you call the pressure of gambling vs the pressure of tournaments