Fact or Fiction: Gambling Makes You A Better Player

[Deadon]

Good question. IMO:

Gambling could make you a better gambler and a wiser player. Gambling alone does not make you a better pool player.

Knowledge and then perfect Practice would make a better player.

It's very hard ( if not impossible) to implement something new while you are playing. Possibly a stategy or new technique, yes. But a new PSR or stroke sequence takes practice.

Just my thoughts
SPF=randyg

Hi Randy;

While I am a strong advocate of real practice, drills etc., to use the qualifier you did, those "alone" are not the answer to become a very good player.

I am high on fundamentals, ask Scott. But you also have to develop the mental part of the game or you remain at a plateau. Gambling greatly helps develop the mental part of the game as drills help with the mechanics. Gambling also teaches strategy and other tools used in competition. Tools you don't come across in tournaments, which are like sprints instead of a marathon. Thats why the Filipinos play those long sets, I believe.

Mike

 

[peteypooldude]

Hey Petey;

Don't you think learning how to remain focused while playing would improve your game a significant degree?

Mike

I counted that as a benefit

 

[Desmondp]

Practice helps you increase the theoretical maximum performance level of your game

Tournament/league play/gambling helps you increase the practical maximum performance level of your game.

The top players have a practical maximum very close to their theoretical maximum meaning they play their best under pressure

 

[book collector]

Fact or Fiction

Even with the likelihood that one of my stalkers will accuse me of being a "holier than thou" kind of guy, I have to take exception with what you said about gamblers telling the one who lost, "anything".

If I beat someone in a gambling match, I am far more likely to tell them what they did wrong or give them a tip that will improve their game. If someone shows that they have gamble and have chosen to lose a little dough to me instead of paying for a pool lesson, I will almost always (without mentioning it), see if they are interested in taking any advice. I kind of feel like I am obligated to give a little something in return for the lighter wallet.

If I was lucky enough to beat The GingerBread Man, I would not give him any advice because I already know, he knows more than me (besides, he can afford it more than me). :grin:

I believe you Joey, would you say you are the norm or the exception to the fact?
I also misspoke about someone winning 10 dollars and running to get a rock.
Usually the worst offenders are guys from 30 to 60 or so years of age who take advantage of younger guys who truly want to get better.
I had a road hardened veteran once tell me that pool was the only sport that ate it's young, I will never forget that.

 

[randyg]

Hi Randy;

While I am a strong advocate of real practice, drills etc., to use the qualifier you did, those "alone" are not the answer to become a very good player.

I am high on fundamentals, ask Scott. But you also have to develop the mental part of the game or you remain at a plateau. Gambling greatly helps develop the mental part of the game as drills help with the mechanics. Gambling also teaches strategy and other tools used in competition. Tools you don't come across in tournaments, which are like sprints instead of a marathon. Thats why the Filipinos play those long sets, I believe.

Mike

Mike

I agree. Gambling is good for some players while others should stay away.

Usually we don't gamble with some one who can beat us. That would be crazy.

No doubt about different shot situations between Tournament & Gamble. I think we have to be more calculating in a Tournament while all I have to do is re-load (cash) in a Gamble.

One thing for sure, they both will help different parts of our game.

Balance is good
SPF=randyg

 

[TATE]

Competition and practice makes you a better player. I know when I am constantly competing, it makes me a better player.

When I lay off for 3 or 4 months at a time, I come back nervous and making sloppy mistakes and I can play well below my usual game.

Gambling is one way of getting into competition.

I'm trying to get out and play more right now to pressure proof my game. If aybody wants to get together for some cheap sets, let me know.

Chris

 

[JoeyA]

Competition and practice make you a better player. I know when I am constantly competing, it makes me a better player.

When I lay off for 3 or 4 months at a time, I come back nervous and making sloppy mistakes and I can play well below my usual game.

Gambling is one way of getting into competition.

I'm trying to get out and play more right now to pressure proof my game. If aybody wants to get together for some cheap sets, let me know.

Chris

How about you, me, and the GINGERBREAD MAN? :smile:

Happy Thanksgiving Chris!

Wish I had some GingerBread to go with that turkey today.

 

[KRJ]

Hmmmm

Mike

I agree. Gambling is good for some players while others should stay away.

Usually we don't gamble with some one who can beat us. That would be crazy.

No doubt about different shot situations between Tournament & Gamble. I think we have to be more calculating in a Tournament while all I have to do is re-load (cash) in a Gamble.

One thing for sure, they both will help different parts of our game.

Balance is good
SPF=randyg

Good Point Randy !! I practice an hour a day or more so I can play better, and try and hold my own against the "young guns" that play in our league (lots of master players) My motivation is improving and winning.

Same thing with Baseball, I go to the batting cages all winter...I must spend several hundred in tokens alone...then off to the indoor practices with my team,and that is another few hundred to the indoor facility to work on fieldng, plus the league costs $350 per person to play in.... No prize money, no trip to Vegas, NADA,, just a trophy !! And our team has yet to win the championship over numerous seasons!! But there is always next year....that motivates me more than a few bucks. Winning a couple hundred bucks at pool won't even cover the cost for an oil change, so it ain't gonna make me hunker down any harder.

The fun is in competing and playing your best. Maybe it is my fondness for baseball that extends to pool.....just can't explain it .... Just two great games that I could play all day, every day. After league is over and shooting with friends,and nothing on the line, I will still safety you to death to win the game.