By Game or Set?

Black-Balled

Black-Balled

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Got a friend that I play with pretty regularly and when we play it is usually for 2-6 hours and I usually come out a handful of games ahead. We bet a# that leaves enough to pay the time with a game or 2 ahead, but my guy wants me to play sets.

I think I am making the correct move by making him bet per-game. Agreed or not?
 
Well if you go to sets the chances of some one actually winning something goes up. If you want to keep breaking even w/ the time then I would say keep playing by the game.
 
By the game or "ahead sets" gives the better player a chance to fade the rolls. Short sets give the lesser player a way to s#$@& out on you. If you are playing quite often, it may all equal out, otherwise stick with per game. Think about it. What if you lost, at $100 per set, 7-6, 7-5, 7-6, you're down $300. But won the next one 7-1, Still down $200, right? But you'd be up $50 at $25 per game. If you've got the nuts, it won't make any difference either way. Tight action demands "ahead sets" or by the game.
 
Yep, just as Crawfish said...play/pay by the game. Unless you like the chance to win more games but end up $$$ behind.

EDIT: I do have one caveat though...if you a far and away the better player, you could use the sets angle to keep the guy in the game longer. He could magically end each set within a game or so.
 
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One of the things Ray Martin told me was never to play by the game. Put up a set amount for a set. I've also never played "ahead" sets. I was taught that you can play all day and all night, if you are even close in skill, and see-saw back and forth for hours. Seems to be a somewhat regional thing also, when I lived up north, it was always sets, in the south it's by the game or "ahead".
 
There is something very small separating our abilities, small enough that I probably avg. 1-2 game(s) up per hour. I figure the only way I'll have any serious exposure is in the set scenario laid out by crawfish. Of course, the greatest potential for $ is set-wise, especially if the bet moves...I dunno, I only get to play with somebody else every-so-often, might as well make it last:o
 
Black-Balled said:
Got a friend that I play with pretty regularly and when we play it is usually for 2-6 hours and I usually come out a handful of games ahead. We bet a# that leaves enough to pay the time with a game or 2 ahead, but my guy wants me to play sets.

I think I am making the correct move by making him bet per-game. Agreed or not?
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Maybe. I think most of the difference between sets and games is psychological. Some people feel more pressure when playing in sets.

Statistics can tell you how the two relate as far as seriousness of the action. For example, playing $10 a game is a lot higher bet than $10 per set in a race to 10. On the other hand, playing a race to 10 for $100 is heavier action than playing for $10 a game. ($10/game is about the same as $30 on a race to 10, assuming the players are evenly matched.)
 
I think that anyway to make it a little harder will help you in the end and I think that you will find you play even better then.
 
Always post.. Always play sets. If you want to play $10 a game. Each player post 50 bucks, play five ahead for $50. Loser pays after five games down. If he wants to continue, repost and start another set.

Essentially, you are playing by the game, you're just eliminating air barrels being fired at you because he thinks he will actually get even after time. If you have his money in your pocket and money posted up, there is actually more pressure on your opponent.

Sets of races to a certain number of wins is a more effecient way to book a winner because the sets generally come to an end quicker than ahead sets.
 
Scottster said:
Sets of races to a certain number of wins is a more effecient way to book a winner because the sets generally come to an end quicker than ahead sets.
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Ain't that the truth!! I've seen 10 ahead sets last for, literally, DAYS!!
 
THanks for all the thought, fellas!

Pushout- 10 ahead would take 10-30 hrs, as per the avg., as I figure. Definitely not a moneymaker!

Scottster- not getting stiffed is not a concern in this situation. We are on top-terms and my bud is probably a millionaire. Also, I think I am only 5-10% better than he and playing sets negates any advantage that small % lends, creating more possible exposure for me.

MichaelKendall- are you mad at your $?! I can get better, but it is going to take moer than beating some chump that plays exactly like I do!

Bob Jewett- always quantifying stuff (have you been to therapy for that?!), nice touch and worlds more informative that way...
 
Played yesterday- by the game- 8 winner over 6 hrs, me...(pro-cut diamond, Aramith balls and he didn't like the spotted CB!)
 
game - ahead set - or sets?

Years ago, I used to play by the game, and played 16 hours one time matched up and broke even. I swore to myself then I would not do it again because:

1) Playing that long at that time got me in trouble with my family.
2) I had nothing to show for it, and considered it a waste of my time.
3) When I play someone, it is a competition, not practice. I practice by
myself.
4) Tides change over time, and per game, someone can get you down, and quit after which game they decide to. Even if you get up, you have players that will quit when they get $30 down, but will play forever if they are up.

Playing sets, you:
1) Make more money (a priority of mine).
2) You can cut it off and give a one, two, three more set notice.
(which is agreed to or understood between you and your opponent).
3) To me, this is a more gentlemenly way to play. Even if you are stuck,
you are assured of having one, two, or three more sets for a chance to get your money back, and you can double up if both agree to.
 
Snapshot9 said:
Years ago, I used to play by the game, and played 16 hours one time matched up and broke even. I swore to myself then I would not do it again because:

1) Playing that long at that time got me in trouble with my family.
2) I had nothing to show for it, and considered it a waste of my time.
3) When I play someone, it is a competition, not practice. I practice by
myself.
4) Tides change over time, and per game, someone can get you down, and quit after which game they decide to. Even if you get up, you have players that will quit when they get $30 down, but will play forever if they are up.

Playing sets, you:
1) Make more money (a priority of mine).
2) You can cut it off and give a one, two, three more set notice.
(which is agreed to or understood between you and your opponent).
3) To me, this is a more gentlemenly way to play. Even if you are stuck,
you are assured of having one, two, or three more sets for a chance to get your money back, and you can double up if both agree to.
Click to expand...

These were pretty much the reasons Ray Martin quoted to me, years ago.
 
Black-Balled said:
Played yesterday- by the game- 8 winner over 6 hrs, me...(pro-cut diamond, Aramith balls and he didn't like the spotted CB!)
Click to expand...

Where do you go to play on a pro-cut diamond? Any place around here?

-Andrew
 
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