Do you like to gamble?

fd_colorado

fd_colorado

Go Pack Go!!!
Silver Member
Do you like to play for money, but feel that you shouldn't for whatever reason, be it moral, religous, etc?

Please let me know if you have found a way to come to grips with this. Other than becoming a touring pro and competing for prize money, how does a player that doesn't gamble find a true test of their skills and play better players?
 
I like action, I dont have an issue with it, I live in Vegas and havent put a dollar in action in one in 2 or 3 years and when I do its with out of town friends and I might play $100.

Deciding to be on the pro tour isnt a personal choice, you have to be born with something special to get there, the idea and good intentions just isnt enough.

By your choice of words it sounds like its a issure for you, if it is dont get in action. I can play for $$ and I dont have a gambling problem, Its possible to play pool for $$ and not have a gambling problem, as far as taking someone elses $$ I have no problem with that, its their choice to play. Same goes for me I lose I pay-no problem(I dont like it, but I awalys pay)


Gambling does make you a tough player, when making shots that can cost you, that will impact your concentration, focus etc. It will make you tougher for sure, however I have seen a few player who dont gamble that still play strong. Tournments are gambling in a different form. If its worth doing its worth doing for money, in everything in life.

At the end of the day I dont think non-gambling players are as head strong as gamblers, Its possible to be hugely talented and play great and beat most players, but thats just displaying your talent not your heart, a hardcore A- player that can fade $20,000 action is a tougher player than a gifted A+ player, the talented player might play better and win but the seasoned A- player is still tougher and will come with it when it matters(even if he is out classed) he has more heart than a talented player. Having said that I dont believe a non-gambling player will ever have the heart of a gambler.

Having said that I havent been in action in along time, I will be soon I'm ready now. Recently my back has been bad and I was playing bad, now that i'm a bit better so I like my game now and want to bet on it. No big deal, I just like the results from action-I play better.
 
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Play in tournaments and/or join a league.

Start out in local bars in your county if needed. If and when you start to feel like a big fish in a small pond and start thinking your $hit doesn't stink, move on up a level of play. You can always find action to humble you if need be.

P.S.: I second what Fatboy said about gambling toughing your heart and ability to perform under pressure.
 
Thanks guys.

Fatboy - you make some great points.

I don't think that I have a gambling problem as I play infrequently for money and even then I play for small stakes. $50 up or down at the end of a session is not going to change my lifestyle. Heck, the only one who ever seems to win is the house collecting the table time.

I look at my losses as an investment in my game. I once played a much better player for 2-3 hours at $2 per game, lost about $40 and learned alot about how to play the balls off that day. He said, "Play as good (your opponent) as you can, for as cheap as you can."

And I agree that without anything riding on the game, you're probably not getting your opponent's best game or testing your own game and heart.

Thanks for your thoughts.
 
I totaly agree with fatboy & also add that playing with your own cash & not a stakehorses $$ makes you harder still
 
fd_colorado said:
Thanks guys.

Fatboy - you make some great points.

I don't think that I have a gambling problem as I play infrequently for money and even then I play for small stakes. $50 up or down at the end of a session is not going to change my lifestyle. Heck, the only one who ever seems to win is the house collecting the table time.

I look at my losses as an investment in my game. I once played a much better player for 2-3 hours at $2 per game, lost about $40 and learned alot about how to play the balls off that day. He said, "Play as good (your opponent) as you can, for as cheap as you can."

And I agree that without anything riding on the game, you're probably not getting your opponent's best game or testing your own game and heart.


Thanks for your thoughts.
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"And I agree that without anything riding on the game, you're probably not getting your opponent's best game or testing your own game and heart. "

^^^^This is 100% accurate, wish I could come up with short efficant words like that^^^^^^^

your on the right track, if the $$$ is too small then it dosent count, but gambling for the rent $$$ is stupid-I have done that many years ago and it WILL make you stronger in a big way, I dont have the stomach for that anymore.

When I was comming up I would take part of my winnings and step up and play stronger players and when I won those games it was triple sweet. More often than not I would get beat stepping up buit I would learn alot more than robbing lesser players.

Playing a varity of people and for different amounts of $$$ is best, And betting more than your comfortable with is good too. Not so much you cant hold a cue(I did that too-once) But enough you can feel it is the best over time you get stronger and stronger, like weight training you have to push the limits, $2/game is a good start then 5,10,20,50.... to what ever you can handle, the more you bet the tougher the action because almost nobody will get in a bad game for $100 but will take a chance for $2. So betting more over time and pushing your comfort level will make you stronger. This is possible without being a degenerate gambler. But you have to feel the $$$ or its a waste of time, unless your robbinbg someone for easy $$$, I dont need to do that anymore, but its nice to know how, case I ever get short in a bad spot.
 
I was just thinking about this perennial question the other day, whilst watching Thorsten Hohmann being interviewed during a televised tournament. He specifically said he doesn't gamble at all, it just isn't something he feels he needs or wants to do, and he does not need the pressure/adrenalin of gambling to bring out his best game.

The thought that came to me was that if you are a player dedicated to only playing in non-gambling environments like tournaments etc. then your aim is always to play your best Pool. However if you are mainly playing in gambling environments then you aim is to make money, and this is not always achieved by playing your best game.
 
fd_colorado said:
Do you like to play for money, but feel that you shouldn't for whatever reason, be it moral, religous, etc?
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I don?t think you need to gamble to show your skill level. I personally do not gamble by definition of many on this forum. I will play for a Quarter a Game, or Buck a Set once in a Blue MOON!

When I Down TWO Bucks, I stop playing for money! As I do not have money to throw away.

Please let me know if you have found a way to come to grips with this. Other than becoming a touring pro and competing for prize money, how does a player that doesn't gamble find a true test of their skills and play better players?
Click to expand...

What about Tournament Play is not that a Test of Skill, if you Win? We have lots of CHEAP Tournament in the Valley of the Sun with 5-7 Buck Entry Fees 7 Night a week. Good way to Test Skill!
 
I think gambling can be alot of fun in moderation, we've alway bet beers or shots on games or $20 race to 10. But, how many beers or races to 10 does it take before even that finally gets into your pocket. But as far as going in playing a drunk college kid for $100 a set a couple nights a week kind of gets to the soul. I love to shoot pool and I think that people need to remember that the fun of the game and the competition is what got them into the sport anyways. We get a kick out of the kids that come in our local poolhalls that can beat all their buddies and now they're ready to hit the road and make it big. If you can go out and take advantage of people and piss away all your earnings on a pool match, more power to you, but I'm gonna go buy my kids some groceries with my cash.
 
fd_colorado said:
Do you like to play for money, but feel that you shouldn't for whatever reason, be it moral, religous, etc?

Please let me know if you have found a way to come to grips with this. Other than becoming a touring pro and competing for prize money, how does a player that doesn't gamble find a true test of their skills and play better players?
Click to expand...

If gambling bothers you for moral reasons or religious reasons, you shouldn't gamble because it is simply another obstacle for you to overcome.

Just practice by yourself, hit lots of balls and test yourself against THE GHOST. That will tell you a lot about your true skills.

Compete in the tournaments to play against better players and have a chance at some of that prize money.

Another thing you might consider doing is to offer the better players a match: Even up - race to whatever - Loser pays the time. Many top players will do that if you treat them with respect and value their time and effort. Some top players enjoy competing with other players, especially if you are a challenge for them.
JoeyA
 
AuntyDan said:
I was just thinking about this perennial question the other day, whilst watching Thorsten Hohmann being interviewed during a televised tournament. He specifically said he doesn't gamble at all, it just isn't something he feels he needs or wants to do, and he does not need the pressure/adrenalin of gambling to bring out his best game.

The thought that came to me was that if you are a player dedicated to only playing in non-gambling environments like tournaments etc. then your aim is always to play your best Pool. However if you are mainly playing in gambling environments then you aim is to make money, and this is not always achieved by playing your best game.
Click to expand...

Laying down a lemon might be good for your wallet but it is not good for your game. :smile:
JoeyA
 
I loved it when i was young-I went off first at the track and then sport betting every game some days, If and reverses, the whole bit. I finally had to work the phone for the Book but it only got worse from there. I always paid the rent but other than the basics I was broke, shity car, shitty place.- I even took a shower from a rubber hose rigged from the spout of an old Tub on legs for over 8 years!! You could smoke while you showered, there was so little water. Hot water lasted 5-6 minutes max every day

So I pretty much learned my lesson when i was young. I didnt gamble for many years.

Nowadays with my brief future somewhat assured, and my entry into the pool world I like to make bets on pool only and almost never on myself. I cant be counted on to make a nine ball ever, especially lately. Im a terrble Sweator in person, just a total wreck but on the internet, it's fun.
 
JoeyA said:
If gambling bothers you for moral reasons or religious reasons, you shouldn't gamble because it is simply another obstacle for you to overcome.

Just practice by yourself, hit lots of balls and test yourself against THE GHOST. That will tell you a lot about your true skills.

Compete in the tournaments to play against better players and have a chance at some of that prize money.

Another thing you might consider doing is to offer the better players a match: Even up - race to whatever - Loser pays the time. Many top players will do that if you treat them with respect and value their time and effort. Some top players enjoy competing with other players, especially if you are a challenge for them.
JoeyA
Click to expand...

Great post
 
excellent point!

AuntyDan said:
... The thought that came to me was that if you are a player dedicated to only playing in non-gambling environments like tournaments etc. then your aim is always to play your best Pool. However if you are mainly playing in gambling environments then you aim is to make money, and this is not always achieved by playing your best game.
Click to expand...


That is an excellent point. When I gambled nightly I never showed more than flashes of speed and tried to avoid that. The goal was to win 85% of the time without playing any better than I had to. Hardly the way to improve your game but great to keep the cash flowing. My improvements came from hours of play on a snooker table, usually alone.

Hu
 
My entire goal when I get to a pool table is to win. I don't care if there is money on the game or not. Now, am I saying that laying 20 grand down on a match wouldn't affect me? Sure it would. But then again, I'm not stupid enough to wager that kind of money. Only a fool would do that. Pool is a game that can turn on you quicker than Sinatra after 3 martini's. I've seen extremely talented A players lose to C class players. I've personally beaten top touring pros and there is no way on this earth that I play as strong as they do. The balls went my way. Nah, huge money gambling on pool is foolish. Let me say though that for me to gamble the players play straight up. I don't like handicaps in a game regardless of if I'm playing a beginner or if I'm going up against Efren. No true skill will ever be shown by giving or taking a handicap because you're setting the game to be in your favor. If I was to play Efren Reyes and he played me a set say 11-5 and I won, I didn't really win. 11-11 and I win and then I truly played up to the best player in the world.
MULLY
Efren could give me 11-2 and I'd still probably lose :D
 
mullyman said:
My entire goal when I get to a pool table is to win. I don't care if there is money on the game or not. Now, am I saying that laying 20 grand down on a match wouldn't affect me? Sure it would. But then again, I'm not stupid enough to wager that kind of money. Only a fool would do that. Pool is a game that can turn on you quicker than Sinatra after 3 martini's. I've seen extremely talented A players lose to C class players. I've personally beaten top touring pros and there is no way on this earth that I play as strong as they do. The balls went my way. Nah, huge money gambling on pool is foolish. Let me say though that for me to gamble the players play straight up. I don't like handicaps in a game regardless of if I'm playing a beginner or if I'm going up against Efren. No true skill will ever be shown by giving or taking a handicap because you're setting the game to be in your favor. If I was to play Efren Reyes and he played me a set say 11-5 and I won, I didn't really win. 11-11 and I win and then I truly played up to the best player in the world.
MULLY
Efren could give me 11-2 and I'd still probably lose :D
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goodpost.gif
 
Playing for time is a great way to gamble with friends or someone who's speed your unsure of. Personally, I know I will play just as hard for $10 as $50. So I keep it with in my means and never bet more than I can comfortably afford to lose.
 
Fatboy said:
I like action, I dont have an issue with it, I live in Vegas and havent put a dollar in action in one in 2 or 3 years and when I do its with out of town friends and I might play $100.

Deciding to be on the pro tour isnt a personal choice, you have to be born with something special to get there, the idea and good intentions just isnt enough.

By your choice of words it sounds like its a issure for you, if it is dont get in action. I can play for $$ and I dont have a gambling problem, Its possible to play pool for $$ and not have a gambling problem, as far as taking someone elses $$ I have no problem with that, its their choice to play. Same goes for me I lose I pay-no problem(I dont like it, but I awalys pay)


Gambling does make you a tough player, when making shots that can cost you, that will impact your concentration, focus etc. It will make you tougher for sure, however I have seen a few player who dont gamble that still play strong. Tournments are gambling in a different form. If its worth doing its worth doing for money, in everything in life.

At the end of the day I dont think non-gambling players are as head strong as gamblers, Its possible to be hugely talented and play great and beat most players, but thats just displaying your talent not your heart, a hardcore A- player that can fade $20,000 action is a tougher player than a gifted A+ player, the talented player might play better and win but the seasoned A- player is still tougher and will come with it when it matters(even if he is out classed) he has more heart than a talented player. Having said that I dont believe a non-gambling player will ever have the heart of a gambler.

Having said that I havent been in action in along time, I will be soon I'm ready now. Recently my back has been bad and I was playing bad, now that i'm a bit better so I like my game now and want to bet on it. No big deal, I just like the results from action-I play better.
Click to expand...
You got action whenever your ready,bring a few dollars and lets play some. :cool:
 
I will play for money if it's ABSOLUTELY required by someone that I want to play, or someone that wants to play me, but it's not something I go looking for. I don't want to take anyone's money; I just want to play and WIN. I've never played in a match with so much money on the line that it'd hurt me to lose...so, that whole "pressure" thing I guess is lost on me.... I want to win with nothing on the line, but if something has to be bet, so be it. If I beat up on a guy that HAS to play for money, I'll be sure to take care of his drinks, or maybe a burger or something while we play. I dunno, I really don't like seeing people lose their money either, so I try to lessen the loss .... I do still want to beat his brains in on the table though :)
 
tap tap tap

JoeyA said:
If gambling bothers you for moral reasons or religious reasons, you shouldn't gamble because it is simply another obstacle for you to overcome.

Just practice by yourself, hit lots of balls and test yourself against THE GHOST. That will tell you a lot about your true skills.

Compete in the tournaments to play against better players and have a chance at some of that prize money.

Another thing you might consider doing is to offer the better players a match: Even up - race to whatever - Loser pays the time. Many top players will do that if you treat them with respect and value their time and effort. Some top players enjoy competing with other players, especially if you are a challenge for them.
JoeyA
Click to expand...

Great post Joey!! Agree on all points......and playin' ghosty will always give plenty of competition.

td
 
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