Correct Protocol for Strangers Gambling

C

ChrisinNC

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
2 players, strangers, match up to play multiple sets in a players poolroom, not a barbox type situation in a bar. I realize there are absolutely no guarantees or rules with gambling, but what is the proper way for this to be handled to be fair for both players? This only pertains to strangers. When two players that know each other are gambling, in my opinion, protocol is totally different, since they are very likely to be playing again soon regardless of the outcome.

My opinion is that both players need to post up to the proprietor or a trusted neutral party, the amount of cash they are willing to lose, which represents multiple sets, unless they agree up front to just play just one or two sets or whatever, then they need to post up that amount. For instance, say they are playing $100 sets, and agree to go until one of them is 5 sets up, they should both be willing to post up $500 each.

If one player then gets up that $500 and gets paid off, I feel the only way they continue is if the losing player is willing to post up another $500. If the losing player says he can only post up another $200, is there an obligation for the winning player to keep playing, knowing that the other player is down to their last $200? I don't think so. Why should he risk losing the $500 he's already won plus his own $500 or more, when he knows his opponent is down to their last $200? I feel if the winning player wishes to continue in that circumstance, the most he should post up before quitting would be $200, which represents the last $200 the trailing player has left in his pocket, but no more.

Is the winning player obligated to keep playing on a set by set basis until the losing player is completely busted and quits? I realize he may choose to do so anyway, if he feels he's not going to lose, but it doesn't seem to make alot of sense to me for the winning player to continue playing at that point, when there is such a discrepancy between what each player still has left in their pocket.

Just curious as to opinions from experienced players regarding this.
 
Strangers pay by the game, that's it. I don't raise the bet with strangers. If you get stiffed one game, quit and be done with it.
 
Just post whatever the bet is for ( game or set worth), doesn't have to be with anyone, lights fine - just ne ready to crack them open of they screw around. NOBODY posts 5 sets lol. You cam do a freeze out, but that's usually one bet - two AT THE MOST LOL. ETIQUETTE is giving them at least one set chance to win their money back although there's so many NITS nowadays that will quit after being up a tiny bit ( but that will get you a horrible reputation quick fast and in a hurry. We always would go until someone goes burst or quits. Quitting when you know someone is low on barrells is A TOTAL NIT MOVE imho.
 
ideologist said:
Strangers pay by the game, that's it. I don't raise the bet with strangers. If you get stiffed one game, quit and be done with it.
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Sorry, I guess the title of my thread was not accurate to the situation. Not complete strangers, but two players that have agreed to match up in advance, over the phone or whatever, both very good players. They have already discussed what $ amount they will be playing for per set, but no mention of how many sets they will commit to playing. They have no history of having played each other before to have developed any level of trust as to payment of debts.
 
BmoreMoney said:
Just post whatever the bet is for ( game or set worth), doesn't have to be with anyone, lights fine - just ne ready to crack them open of they screw around. NOBODY posts 5 sets lol. You cam do a freeze out, but that's usually one bet - two AT THE MOST LOL. ETIQUETTE is giving them at least one set chance to win their money back although there's so many NITS nowadays that will quit after being up a tiny bit ( but that will get you a horrible reputation quick fast and in a hurry. We always would go until someone goes burst or quits. Quitting when you know someone is low on barrells is A TOTAL NIT MOVE imho.
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OK, so what if you're playing for say $100 a set, and you get a number of sets up, and your opponent says they'll keep playing but they want to change the bet to $50 a set. In other words, you know they are down to their last $50. Surely based on your etiquette you're not obligated to keep playing them at that point, are you?
 
ChrisinNC said:
OK, so what if you're playing for say $100 a set, and you get a number of sets up, and your opponent says they'll keep playing but they want to change the bet to $50 a set. In other words, you know they are down to their last $50. Surely based on your etiquette you're not obligated to keep playing them at that point, are you?
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Nobody is talking about changing the bet, no you are not obligated to change ( lower ) the bet and I would not. That's not how your initial post reads though. Your talking about $100 sets and they have $200 cash left and like I saidABSOLITELY NO ONE posts 5 sets.
 
You quit whenever you want. Just know that your opponent may feel differently about your "obligations" and decide not to play you again in the future. Personally, I'll never play for money again with someone who I do not know can win and lose like a grown up. I have a real job, so if I have to leave the room at 8:00, I won't feel bad. I don't care how much money the other guy has left. So I'll only play people who understand and can accept that.

I turned a guy down last night who wanted to play some races to 3 for $10. Pretty sure I'd have won an easy $20 before the tournament started. Wanna guess what would have happened if I'd have told him I was quitting to play the tournament? And for what, $20? People suck, they ruin pool for me. Glad there's still a few nice guys around.
 
OP, I see you talking about " committing" to a # of sets you will lose and what not. The bottom line is this: You nor anyone else is " committed " to losing one penny more than whatever the game / set is for ( and that amount gets posted no matter what imo if it is a stranger as that will ultimately save you A BUNCH of bs and trouble. Money not being posted and the infamous air barrel has led to one guy going to jail and the other to the hospital or worse more times than you could ever imagine so just have everything posted and good to go ).

If both parties agree to a minimum amount of money to be won that's totally fine and that amount is what needs to be posted up and any and all details get worked out BEFORE the first rack is broken. With all of this said remember one thing : All a man realm has in life is his reputation and the same holds true even in the pool room ( especially in a pool room ). If you become known as a " one and done ", shooting a toothpick at a lumber yard, quitting winner, air barrel artist, sharkster, lock artist, or just a NIG ( NIT IN GENERAL ) etc, etc you will quickly fin ALL of your action drying up because no one will want to play with you or even deal with you in general.

Depending on your personal situation, many will find that reputation carries over into the street ( real life outside of the pool room ) as well. All of this needs to.be taken into consideration each and every time you gamble. Another great way to think about ot is of the situation were to be reversed, is how would you want to be treated and or what would you want to happen of you found yourself in that situation.
 
You just play 10 ahead for $50 a game post the $500 .PS.Winner break shootout no ******* jump cues. Ah the good old days.
 
Everyone gambles differently......

Your opponent is the one you should be talking to. Match up and see how it goes. Best thing to do is agree to a number of sets/time played. State what you are willing to do/not do up front, post the money for each set, and then you will find out what/who you are dealing with. It can be quite an adventure!!!

Good luck, try not to take anything that happens too seriously, and enjoy the competition. Doc
 
The last time I'v played for money with a guy at my pool club, he was so pissed off that he threw on the table 2x the amount of money needed and told me to keep the change.

:D:D
 
REAL SIMPLE, Pay as you go, every set. Rule number two for me, anyhow, is that I ALWAYS state upfront what my OWN personal timeframe is for a gambling session- be it one set, three hours, or unlimited. From there, no issues on payment, unless the bet amount gets bumped up to where posting seems necessary ( you determine your own comfort $ level on that); and I can choose to leave or stay with no issue based on my upfront stated timeframe.
As for my opponent, they can quit whenever they want after settling up a prior set, i don't care if they are up or down. I just care about my own sense of honor - I'll judge others based on their actions.
 
I just don't see gambling with strangers as a wise business decision. Firstly, you stand the chance of getting beaten by a better player, which is fine actually. But worse, you run the risk of getting stiffed with no legal recourse. To me that represents an outsized risk for which you are uncompensated for taking.

Then of course you may have to sweat the other issues being discussed and the chance of the whole experience getting too unpleasant to bother with, money involved be damned.

In other words, the juice ain't worth the squeeze.
 
Post the money before EVERY game/set, whatever way you are playing. That way you know you probably won't get stiffed. I have, however, seen posted money snatched back and not paid because somebody didn't like losing. Not often but some people just won't bet unless they think they have a lock and hate losing to someone they're "supposed" to beat.
 
Pushout said:
Post the money before EVERY game/set, whatever way you are playing. That way you know you probably won't get stiffed. I have, however, seen posted money snatched back and not paid because somebody didn't like losing. Not often but some people just won't bet unless they think they have a lock and hate losing to someone they're "supposed" to beat.
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It's totally up to the winner . He holds the cards for sure . I've never quit winner , not one time . Was playing in Houston 2 weeks ago 500$ a game nineball and got tired at 8:30 in the morning ! I was up 5 games and said I'm gonna leave the money with owner and be back in six hrs at 2:00 or he can have it all back ! I showed at 1:15 and we started again .... That's how you handle it and everyone is happy ! He is happy because he has a free shot ! See you next month Chris !
 
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