Gambling 101
- Thread starter Celophanewrap
- Start date
To stay under the gun. Playing for fun, is the worst thing I have found for my game, so I quit going to the pool hall, just to play. Bad habits creep back, stroke is sloppy, etc... Under no circumstances, can I make myself bear down when it's funsies. I can try really hard, concentrate for all I'm worth, but in the back of mind, I know it doesn't matter. So....tournaments aren't always convenient, and only on the weekends, where I currently live, which means, I have no other means, of being under pressure, other than matching up. Gambling is the best way I have to play serious.
I have a regular job, don't depend on pool for money, I have no backer, and play on my own dime. Giving up the money I worked for, is not something I enjoy. Being secure, in what's in my pocket/bank account is something I enjoy also, therefore, if my money is on the line, I'm dead serious. There is no fun and games for me in this game. Pool is different things for different people, but my only goal is to never stop improving.
I have a regular job, don't depend on pool for money, I have no backer, and play on my own dime. Giving up the money I worked for, is not something I enjoy. Being secure, in what's in my pocket/bank account is something I enjoy also, therefore, if my money is on the line, I'm dead serious. There is no fun and games for me in this game. Pool is different things for different people, but my only goal is to never stop improving.
Only idiots and lowlives are after Dopamines in their lives. It's there for certain goals in our lives, but for a small subset. Most people take it too seriously or are after the kick.
It's quick win, but tires you out.
We call them junkies in the end. They're immature, feeding on their cavemen instincts of satisfaction.
I keep Dopamine people out of my life, I don't even accept them as acquaintance.
As such, I'm also far less influencable by incentives. Or Facebook. Or fake news. I'm no in for "the good feeling".
People who want to be content and happy for a longer time focus on the relationships and also leading and teaching others, helping them reach their goals and feel safe. If you want to talk about neurotransmitters again, Serotonin and Oxytocin.
It's slow, but rewarding for a long time. Maybe a little to advanced for you short-term-living-guys in the US...
Cheers,
M
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Yeah, that old saying about "playing for money will improve your game" is only partially true. It's been my experience that the more you gamble the less important money becomes. I mean, a seasoned gambler has learned to put no value on the money they win, which also means no value on the money they lose. Dropping your entire bankroll, whether it's $300 or $3000, doesn't make you mad or upset because of the value of the money -- it's the simple fact that you are out and have no more to gamble with that really gets to you. There are guys that will lose their entire paychecks every payday like they don't need the money. It doesn't make them better pool players. If they are already good players, and just get nervous and tighten up when playing for cash, eventually, when the cash becomes valueless, they will no longer tighten up.
Any stressful/pressure situation works this way. You can be an excellent speaker, singer, pool player, etc....but fall apart when under pressure -- fear of an audience, of not performing well, or the fear of losing money, pride, etc...can make you look and feel like a loser, like you are not good at what you are doing. But the more you place yourself in these pressure situations, the more you learn to cope with your nerves without falling apart. You become seasoned, not so much better at what you do, but better at doing it under pressure.
Lol. Yes, because I could also write off my total loses as "loss of income" up to the amount of my winnings, so they would cancel each other out.
A pool hall employee with $10,000 to gamble with on a coin flip?
That's like a hummingbird catching a whale for dinner.
Some people criticize a comment like this and say that you're a "lock-artist" and things like that, but me personally, I do trust the Fargo Rating and even long-time league averages for a good read on how good my opponents can play.
I also find "no value" in playing someone that I have a very slim chance of beating. I know how I play and I have no desire to sit and watch someone else run out all day on my dime.
I prefer to play someone with an equal or lower average or rating than me. If I play someone with a significantly lower rating than me, many times I will spot them two to one on the money. $20 a game if they win, and only $10 a game if I win. I've found that the higher skilled player tends to find a way to win in that situation and overall will still come out ahead, while adding some extra pressure.
I do not know, but in addition to your win/loss statement, could one write off other expeses, such as depreciation on equipment, table time, travel, entry fees, etc.
How do the action rooms at big tournaments work it?
Anyone who depreciates equipment used for his gambling "business" is crying out to be audited.
It's all theoretical. Such a gambler/pool player that would claim their winnings just doesn't exist.
There are lots of high-profile professional gamblers who either declare their winnings (and deduct their losses & expenses) - or go to jail. It’s a legitimate business where it’s legal.
pj
chgo
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Gamblers in a casino or horseteack....yes. A gambling pool player that wins 500 a week in a pool hall.... no. You would have to show me that guy.
I agree. But I also think the guys who consistently profit from it are few and far between - most pool gamblers are just taking turns holding the money, so nothing really to report anyway.Gamblers in a casino or horseteack....yes. A gambling pool player that wins 500 a week in a pool hall.... no. You would have to show me that guy.
pj
chgo
There was an article in an early Billiards Digest that said about the same thing. The really big scores where one guy makes a bunch of money and doesn't have backers/partners are few.
90% of the bad moments I have seen in pool halls were related to gambling.Most of the gamblers I see around here are perpetually broke and drive crappy cars....There are a few that prey on bar guys and friendly strangers.I would rather have the new friends instead of the $5-10.
Pool and billiards vocabulary lesson for the day:
A person who "preys" on bar guys and friendly strangers is called a bottom feeder. Sometimes, depending on their overall attitude, they might be referred to as douchebag bottom feeders.
Tomorrows lesson: The nuts. I will be discussing everything from "Who has the Brazilians", to "outrunning the nuts". I will finish the lesson talking about something I get a lot of questions about, "Deez nuts"
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