I wanted to ask a question that may get me laughed out of here but ... Do any of the knowledgable folks here play tournaments and play recreationally but aren't gamblers? Its not a loaded question,judgemental, or troll post but just curious.A cue maker once told me that pool is a gamblers game and if you weren't a gambler you were in the wrong sport. Any thoughts on it? Thanks In Advance,Mike
Gamble or Not
- Thread starter whiteoak
- Start date
I wouldn't gamble with a complete stranger, and my friends won't gamble with me; so I guess I'm not a gambler.
Mostly(99%) play by my self because I dont get a lot of table time and also dont want to watch somebody else play.
I will gamble, and have quite a bit in the past, but with my time limitations, I'd rather just hit every ball into the rail that I possibly can by myself.
I wouldn't care if everybody else in the world quit, I would still play, most beautiful game invented.
I will gamble, and have quite a bit in the past, but with my time limitations, I'd rather just hit every ball into the rail that I possibly can by myself.
I wouldn't care if everybody else in the world quit, I would still play, most beautiful game invented.
Even among really good players, some are just tournament players and rarely if ever gamble, even if they have the $$ and can afford to lose it, and even if they have the nuts. Then there are really good players that live for big money gambling, but can’t hardly get pumped up to play their best game in a tournament situation. Most of us fall somewhere in between those two extremes.
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There's a shit-load of gamblers in regular bars where only house cues are involved. No one really knows whats happening on the table, yet hundreds of dollars are involved. This is at a lot of redneck/dive bars in Birmingham/Bessemer Alabama. (pool halls not so much) !!!
I can walk into our 3 pool halls in the Birmingham general area including Poppa G's and Bumpers and not win a game playing for little or nothing, I ain't very good. I can travel to a few bars in Southside and win $100 and more in a few short games. Then have a beer with the guy with him buying. I'm a dummy! lol
Sounds like the man who told you that measured success in dollars. Can you really argue with that position?
That said, there are so many people who approach the game from their own perspectives and on their own time, you can bet your sweet pa-cue-tee there are plenty of players who don't gamble- perhaps never bet at pool- that have played at a very high level.
When I stopped gambling many, many years ago there were no exceptions--including pool. I have played in many tournaments against players both my equals and many much, much better. In pool there is a constant learning curve and I have always believed that you play the table not just an opponent. However, it has been my conclusion that the best players I have ever watched are those that were the gamblers.
Before the internet and Indian Casinos there were great rooms with constant action & living in So. Cal I was fortunate enough to experience both. My first experience on a weekend at Hard Times in the early 90's was an adventure into a culture I didn't even know existed. In the tournament room there were 1000's posted on every light. Players came in followed by their backers who were followed by their bodyguards and there was more woofing going on than in any dog pound. It was an amazing experience!
Before the internet and Indian Casinos there were great rooms with constant action & living in So. Cal I was fortunate enough to experience both. My first experience on a weekend at Hard Times in the early 90's was an adventure into a culture I didn't even know existed. In the tournament room there were 1000's posted on every light. Players came in followed by their backers who were followed by their bodyguards and there was more woofing going on than in any dog pound. It was an amazing experience!
I spent some time there and asked if anybody gambled and got no response. Could be due to the fact I dont miss many balls for free....if they only knew lol. Lifelong ghost player under no pressure.
Just so you know I'm not lying, was there to work at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant
Ralf Souquet doesn’t like to gamble. He has played for $ only a couple times and said “I didn’t like how it made me feel” he was playing for $5 he also said. He told me this a couple times over the years, he’s a good friend and I respect him for his beliefs.
Gambling on pool isn’t for everyone. Ralf who is among the greatest of all time is living proof.
For me it’s the only reason to play pool.
2 people, 2 opinions, 2 different skill levels. Same game.
That I think says it all. It’s not necessary for some and is mandatory for others. There’s no right or wrong answer. And I don’t judge.
But all due respect to Ralf if I played 20% as good as he does I’d be in action until my fingers fell off.
Best
Fatboy
I'm not a good person to reply to your question because I haven't gambled on pool in over 50 years and things have changed some. When I was young, I gambled to earn "supplemental income." I didn't have to have it, but I enjoyed having it. I watched myself very closely and I didn't back myself into stupid corners. Shall we say, I knew my "clients."
Gambling is personal. If you want to bet, bet! If you don't, then don't! But, and it's a big but, if you bet, always have enough money to cover your bets, and always have enough money so you ain't playin' scared.
Last things, and I'll shut up. Pool is just like life. "Pick your battles." AND "Never get in a fight you can't win."
Gambling is personal. If you want to bet, bet! If you don't, then don't! But, and it's a big but, if you bet, always have enough money to cover your bets, and always have enough money so you ain't playin' scared.
Last things, and I'll shut up. Pool is just like life. "Pick your battles." AND "Never get in a fight you can't win."
Great question. Improving in pool requires playing better players so that you can see what is possible and playing with stakes so that you can care enough to improve. Practice with purpose builds skills but without serious (SERIOUS) competition you’re just banging balls. You don’t need to gamble a full paycheck but you must gamble a dollar, a drink, $5, $10, $20, etc...whatever amount you can easily afford to lose (don’t be an addict) but make winning matter. Only then will you buckle down, pay attention, and seriously improve.
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I enjoy being in action but I am sure I'm in a minority of pool players.
If you go into most pool halls it is a small % of people playing who get into action.
As JohnnyR said, though, in bars with tables, more gambling does seem to go on but in my experience, those are usually for smaller $$$.
If you go into most pool halls it is a small % of people playing who get into action.
As JohnnyR said, though, in bars with tables, more gambling does seem to go on but in my experience, those are usually for smaller $$$.
Name some
I don't see how it is possible in the U. S.
to become a really good player without gambling
Pool takes a long long time to become a good player much less a pro caliber or even an A speed player. Everyone agrees you must players that are better to improve. You don,t get to play much in leagues or tournaments even if you win. Where do you find all these good players that want to play long hours for fun. Dick Lane my good friend and a tremendous straight pool player was the exception, he would play for nothing and play REAL hard, but he became a great player by gambling. I was at his condo playing straight pool and I'm minus 2 and he is 148 (going to 150) he takes 3 fouls and we weren't gambling. I just sat there staring at him he looks at me and he says "what ?". He really didn't get what bothered me. (If you knew Dick you understand). There are some very good players that don't gamble but name some really good players that got good without gambling
Jack
I don't see how it is possible in the U. S.
to become a really good player without gambling
Pool takes a long long time to become a good player much less a pro caliber or even an A speed player. Everyone agrees you must players that are better to improve. You don,t get to play much in leagues or tournaments even if you win. Where do you find all these good players that want to play long hours for fun. Dick Lane my good friend and a tremendous straight pool player was the exception, he would play for nothing and play REAL hard, but he became a great player by gambling. I was at his condo playing straight pool and I'm minus 2 and he is 148 (going to 150) he takes 3 fouls and we weren't gambling. I just sat there staring at him he looks at me and he says "what ?". He really didn't get what bothered me. (If you knew Dick you understand). There are some very good players that don't gamble but name some really good players that got good without gambling
Jack
I hate the word Gamble it implies your taking a chance. To me that is foolish, as skill wins over luck most of the time.
Why would you gamble on winning a fight with Mike Tyson in his prime? All you will get is beat up, bruised, hurt, or maybe dead.
Hustlers do not come to a pool room to play the BEST Player, they come to play the person who thinks they are great, with a wad of cash. If they had Gun & A Mask they would be called robbers.
When I was young in 53-58 (that 1900), I play at the Boy Club. Not the one that is Boyz & Gwirls today
. We would play for a Penny or Two Cents to buy as cold drink for 5 CENTS. We would play to win a game, so the next kid in line played the winner of as game. Our love of Pool was to win to keep playing until the Boys Club closed, or staff kicked you off to give more kids the chance to play. I went to the back of the line to play the next winner.
Kids (Boys) lined up to play Pool on two junk tables, with crappy balls, crooked cues, and it was all ABOUT HAVING FUN, that was a great experience.
BTW if you got caught at the Boys Club playing for money you were booted maybe a week or two. Gambling was a no no, we broke the rule to play for a penny a game.
Why would you gamble on winning a fight with Mike Tyson in his prime? All you will get is beat up, bruised, hurt, or maybe dead.
Hustlers do not come to a pool room to play the BEST Player, they come to play the person who thinks they are great, with a wad of cash. If they had Gun & A Mask they would be called robbers.
When I was young in 53-58 (that 1900), I play at the Boy Club. Not the one that is Boyz & Gwirls today
. We would play for a Penny or Two Cents to buy as cold drink for 5 CENTS. We would play to win a game, so the next kid in line played the winner of as game. Our love of Pool was to win to keep playing until the Boys Club closed, or staff kicked you off to give more kids the chance to play. I went to the back of the line to play the next winner.Kids (Boys) lined up to play Pool on two junk tables, with crappy balls, crooked cues, and it was all ABOUT HAVING FUN, that was a great experience.
BTW if you got caught at the Boys Club playing for money you were booted maybe a week or two. Gambling was a no no, we broke the rule to play for a penny a game.
I had more thoughts on the cue maker than your question. A negative view of life. Allot of cue makers, have to deal with ''certain'' players'' enough, that if they make cues long enough, their mind will become tainted, expected but not how life should be percieved. I've met 60/40. Where the good cuemakers make up the 60% and the other ones look at life thru rose colored glasses, understandable, ahhh poor choice on how to live ones' life.
Wagering can/does/doesn't have too...change things/....but when money is involved, it's different....Vise Versa ALSO.
If you play socially, then maybe tooooo socially is not your ticket. Or where do I draw the line? Which your now asking the Forum.....:thumbup:
Around here, with Super/Max across the river, and more than a dozen other lock up prisons, the men and allot of women in downtown Fremont county/Canyon City....have tweaked brains, dealing with the inmates Half their life. Inmates are working, and scamming yah 24/7.
Some cue repairmen, are just like these guyz and have an Attitude/dude.
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I wish I listened to that almost 40 years ago.
Deano is dropping solid advice
Hope
Your well Deano,
Fatboy