Cutting up the pot

I'm glad to see that I'm not alone in my view. I've had guys come up at the end of more than a few local tourneys and ask to split (even when the amounts are pitiful) and it gets on my nerves. When the same thing happens at a tourney where "pro's" are fellow players, it sincerely bothers me because diminishes the goal of trying to win and makes me question what their definition of professional really is.

I guess I should just do my best to get to the finals in more of these so I can smile while I turn down the split offers that would surely follow! I think I have a new goal!
 
Dave_C said:
Am I the only one who thinks that splitting the pot at the end is the lamest thing ever done?

I sincerely wish there was some sort of sanctioning body in pool that could levy fines or ban players for doing this sort of thing. It's no different than a boxer taking a dive or a ball player intentionally duffing a play. In THOSE sports, the players involved would essentially be ending their career! I fully understand that pool is different from those in that there is no "official" body, but it splitting a pot shows how little the player cares about the competition itself.

I can assure you that if I find myself at the finals in ANY tourney anywhere, and my opponent asks to split the pot, he will be met with silence.

Opinions? Views?
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In small weekly tournaments, I really don't have an issue with it and have done it before. In larger tournaments, I agree with you.

I am on the fence in regional tournaments ($1,000 added).

I have done it before in weekly tournaments, just because of the time factor and not wanting to be their all night. In my case, I think we actually split 3rd/4th in a single elimination tournament.
 
i can't see it

what's the big deal anyhow? it's their money?

the only time it usually happens it's with friends whom meet up anyhow. i especially wouldn't blame either party if the difference in prize money is substantial.

i've heard of non-friends doing it, with the loser of the set getting burned after everyone get's paid out.

if you don't like to split, don't do it. i don't think it should be a slight on someone's personality or sense of ethics though.
 
If there is paid admission, no splits. If admission is free, you still have the problem of those who went out of their way to be there. I guess you could say that if there is an audience that wants to see the match, it should be played.
 
Dave_C said:
Am I the only one who thinks that splitting the pot at the end is the lamest thing ever done?

I sincerely wish there was some sort of sanctioning body in pool that could levy fines or ban players for doing this sort of thing. It's no different than a boxer taking a dive or a ball player intentionally duffing a play. In THOSE sports, the players involved would essentially be ending their career! I fully understand that pool is different from those in that there is no "official" body, but it splitting a pot shows how little the player cares about the competition itself.

I can assure you that if I find myself at the finals in ANY tourney anywhere, and my opponent asks to split the pot, he will be met with silence.

Opinions? Views?
Click to expand...

Why not just a simple "No, thank you." Different views on the morality of splitting the pot shouldn't mean you throw out common courtesy.
 
Rico said:
If the sanctioning bodies would really define a pro player it would help. Amateur players should only be able to win so much money like in golf. Side pots are a joke when buddies buy one of them and let others buy them . Then let their guy go and chop the pot .no one should be allowed to split play or forfeit .
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Why not????????
 
I will split if asked, but will not ask to split. I think splits are okay if the house is not adding any money to the tournament. If there is added money, then the players should play. The added money is essentially paying the players to play.
 
how about.....

i don't think splits have to be even either, the two players could just cut up the pot differently.
 
I've split many times in the past.

More often than not it is due to practicality. It is past midnight....the pool room is closing in less than an hour and both of us have to work in the morning.

One time it was 1am and we were playing for 14 hours straight. Both of us were dead tired and knew it could go either way. So we decided to split it 55%/45% so we were playing for something in the finals....but we both walked away with a decent payday for the effort.

You get there enough times your opinion might change...just saying.

-Patrick
 
time

I think time is a big factor. I played a tournament last weekend that was big table 8 ball (diamonds with tight pockets) race to 8. The players in third playing for second didn't start until 2:30 AM and didn't finish until 4AM. The player that won the hot seat didn't want to be double dipped until 8AM so asked the other two players if he could chop. Both agreed so he left at 2:30.

I don't like chopping. I don't make the finals every day, when I do I want to play. But I also don't like playing at 6AM. One of the features of tournaments is a reasonable schedule, if that's not in practice then I don't mind cutting up the money.

My suggestion would be to discourage splitting in any tournament that has posted match times. If the thing can be done by 1-2AM play it out. But if the TD can't run a tourney effectively enough to start the finals prior to 2AM I think that chopping should be allowed. Trust me, at this point there are no spectators, only calcutta participants. :)

I do think that splitting should be done publicly when there is a calcutta so the investors get a fair deal.
 
It is best to play it out when others have money involved such as a player auction ,but splitting the prize money is ok with me. Why should a railbird have anything to say about the money I win playing. It might be late, or the opponent might be a friend and there are other reasons...........all within reason :)
 
I understand why people are against it but I wouldn't condemn pool players for this. The problem is the lack of prize money in pool.

So long as the people who own the players in the Calcutta don't get messed over it doesn't bother me.
 
Smaller tournaments typically don't run on schedule, and the payout difference is rarely more than $50. If its already 1AM and the difference b/w 1st and 2nd is only $20, I will forfeit and take 2nd before I will play a potential 2-set final match that could take until 3AM. Obviously it's different when there are paying spectators, or, as Al said, when there is a calcutta in play, but otherwise I see no problem with splits, and I do it quite often.

Aaron
 
Balance out the top part of the payouts when you run a tourney and you will see less chops.
 
I go to a tourney in a strange place, a smallish event, but everybody is still there to win.

I need to give everyone there the 7 to make it fair, but it isn't a handicapped event. Neither they nor I have any idea of the quality of the other's play until well into the event...and the natives are getting grumbly about the 'hustler' taking their money.

Well, here comes the final. Should I offer a 50/50 split? I think so.

I have done so- more than once- and suffered no broken thumbs.
 
I don't think that many folks are against splits in a small local tourney, where its getting to be a time situation, with work in the morning.

However, when it comes to a "professional" tournament, with people there to see "the pro's", it seems very distasteful. Add a streaming audience, it's even worse.

It just doesn't seem like there is any pride or professionalism in that practice. It makes me wonder how much I would want to go out of my way to go see a "pro" event...
 
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