I started playing pool in the early 80s when everybody gambled,thats how we gauged your game.The pool room was shark tank and if you couldn't gamble you were eaten alive.I also believe the old timers that hung out in the pool room were valuable for knowlege.My pool room was full of people who knew alot about pool from the owner to the guy that fixed your pool cue.We played each other for money and also seen alot action from the road players.The tournaments we had brought out the best players in the world and they all gambled.These players are now Hall of Famers.My question is Does any of these new players even know how to gamble?,back in the day players had to win to even eat.There is still no Mens tour,so why don't they gamble(I guess they don't have the heart to get in the box).This is the very reason all of the pool rooms are all closing,no gambling(If poker did not have money involved they would not watch that either).Theres nothing like two top players going at it on the pool table.Its sad there's no rail birds,stake horses,side bettors,spectators or even a good room to gamble at anymore.....KT
Gambling makes you a better player
- Thread starter ktrunout
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Gambling makes you a better player
As far as the title goes, this is not true for all players. Some people just fall all apart when there is hard-earned money on the line. I hear this statement a lot on this forum though, mostly coming from the keyboards of those who have a gambling habit and need to defend their habit by making it sound like it is some kind of magic potion for playing their best pool (kind of like the high dollar cue).
It works for some, others not so much.
I do think the best players in the world need to gamble (with their own money) instead of hopping from tourney to tourney in search of added money or cash coming from the pockets of promoters.
And....any state that allows casinos/lotteries/gambling in general needs to allow poolhalls to have poker tournaments and pool matches in a "buy in" format.
Maniac (trying to walk the fence on this one:thumbup
As far as the title goes, this is not true for all players. Some people just fall all apart when there is hard-earned money on the line. I hear this statement a lot on this forum though, mostly coming from the keyboards of those who have a gambling habit and need to defend their habit by making it sound like it is some kind of magic potion for playing their best pool (kind of like the high dollar cue).
It works for some, others not so much.
I do think the best players in the world need to gamble (with their own money) instead of hopping from tourney to tourney in search of added money or cash coming from the pockets of promoters.
And....any state that allows casinos/lotteries/gambling in general needs to allow poolhalls to have poker tournaments and pool matches in a "buy in" format.
Maniac (trying to walk the fence on this one:thumbup
Gambling CAN make you a better player.
I know plenty of "gamblers" who haven't improved in years.
Performing under pressure makes a lot of people focus or fall apart. Unfortunately, it seems like the only time a lot of good players will/can play full speed is in a tournament or gambling.
If people would/could play their strongest with nothing on the line then people would learn and improve without gambling, but that's not what pool culture is right now.
I know plenty of "gamblers" who haven't improved in years.
Performing under pressure makes a lot of people focus or fall apart. Unfortunately, it seems like the only time a lot of good players will/can play full speed is in a tournament or gambling.
If people would/could play their strongest with nothing on the line then people would learn and improve without gambling, but that's not what pool culture is right now.
I would say that its not really pool culture, its more human culture to slide a little and not really push yourself (in any endeavor) unless you have to, as in gambling when you usually have to.
A small percentage of super self motivated people push themselves hard every day, and they would not need gambling or any other outside motivation to do their best and improve at a fast rate.
The more you gamble, the better you become at performing under pressure. That doesn't mean gambling makes you better. You have to make you better. Playing better players helps. You learn from them, but it's still on you to put in work. On the other hand, being a locksmith will hurt your game. You wont progress if you only lock it up. You're not under pressure like that. Hard games and playing outside of your comfort zone til it becomes part of your comfort zone help you improve.
Gambling probably makes most players better players. Some say it is an excuse to justify certain behaviors and I say some don't to justify certain behaviors. Some can and do ti wel, while some just can't and fall apart.
i think it just depends on what one wants from the game. Some want to try and do it for a living. That is tough if not impossible without gambling. The money is just not there. Without TV, I dfon't see it ever being there.
There is though a big division down every room with those who do on one side hating the gamblers and mud slinging and on the other side of the room, they are mud slinging too.
Gambling????
It use to mean something..., not so much anymore. Most of the action is low level, mid level guys for small cash. The big boys dont go at it and the road guys cant be trusted, its sad.
It can help your game if done right, if you have better player in your corner helping you with the learning curve, when to gamble, who to gamble with and why..., no help, no gain.
It use to mean something..., not so much anymore. Most of the action is low level, mid level guys for small cash. The big boys dont go at it and the road guys cant be trusted, its sad.
It can help your game if done right, if you have better player in your corner helping you with the learning curve, when to gamble, who to gamble with and why..., no help, no gain.
I agree that having something on the line increases focus. But as others have said, some people excel under the pressure, while others crumble. I like to have a few bucks on a game just to make it interesting. I equate it to playing poker with chips and not having to buy the chips.
I say without a doubt,gambling will make you play your best,so then it will make you better!
That may be true... but 50% of those who gamble while playing loose money. I say take the money you would spend on gambling and spend it on private instruction/pool school. That will also make you better.
I learned to play for table time and $1. I didn't look at is as gambling because I had no chance of winning. We played call shot line up, I got all I made, he played 10 ball no count. I was barely old enough to drive, he was retired. did the money matter? Hell yes!! and when I was finally able to challenge him, he changed the game. . .to 14-1. And when I was finally able to challenge him (remember he's getting older and teaching me everything he could) in 14-1, he taught me 9 ball.
I never beat him for money, but I'd still like to try, sorry you are gone Doc, RIP.
thom
I never beat him for money, but I'd still like to try, sorry you are gone Doc, RIP.
thom
Pool school WILL make you a better player. Gambling will, in almost all circumstances, only make you a better gambler...not a better player.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
That may be true... but 50% of those who gamble while playing loose money. I say take the money you would spend on gambling and spend it on private instruction/pool school. That will also make you better.
In order to take your game to a much higher level, this is right on
Anyone who says different, is destined for mediocracy imho
It's about performing under pressure but gambling isn't the only way to create pressure. Tournament play, bringing out your competitiveness and the will to win can do it also. Believe it or not (and a lot of people won't), but leagues can as well - your team mates are counting on you and you don't want to let them down. That may sound weak to the true gambler, but the pressure can be real to the league player.
But as cleary said, the pressure itself won't make you a better player in the sense that it alone won't make you run more balls in the privacy of your basement. Only putting in the work will make you a better player, playing under pressure will simply allow you to perform your best when in those situations.
But as cleary said, the pressure itself won't make you a better player in the sense that it alone won't make you run more balls in the privacy of your basement. Only putting in the work will make you a better player, playing under pressure will simply allow you to perform your best when in those situations.
I agree with everything above. My comfort zone was about $200. I've played for more but when the bet got over $200 it became work. Johnnyt
In the 7 years I have been playing pool I always have gambled. It started in the bar playing for drinks or $5-$10 a game 8 ball, I never thought I would end up playing sets down the road for $500-$1000 or $50-200 a game one pocket. I really love pool and am addicted to the game but I have to say that I used to just like to play for the love of the game. I will happily play a good player who wants to spar for a bit but no more of the banging them around with people who just bang them around, its not good for my game at all and I would rather practice by myself.
I remember playing anyone and everyone just to play but realized if your not trying to crush them then your creating bad habits for yourself, I find myself letting up here and there playing weaker players. What fun is it for a novice player to get drilled every game and what fun is it for a good player to not give it his all and play good pool? You have to let up to make it fun for the newbie player, I am not saying gambling is right or wrong or playing for just funsies but its just how I feel about it. I will play the odd game here and there for fun but practice much more than just hitting them with someone who cant play. I would rather have 1-2 hours of good solid practice then 8-10 hours of just banging them around goofing off.
I like the gambling in my comfort zone to practice and get some seasoning for tournament play, I am so much more at ease during tournaments with confidence and coolness. I think good practice helps, if you are not focusing then stop for a bit and grab a drink or fresh air, then get back on the table and practice with intense focus as if you were playing for money. Playing for money within your comfort zone and what you can afford to lose is a good way to test yourself, once in awhile throwing yourself in the fire and upping the stakes is not a bad idea too, you might be surprised how your rise to the occasion.
Tournament play is the best bang for your buck, spending $20 on a weekly tournament somewhere and playing different players. You get to see the swings of your game as the day or night progresses and how you manage it can teach you a good deal about yourself. Knowing your game and your limits along with your strengths will make you a smart pool player and gambler. Good luck to those on the grind and those just playing for the time. :smile:
I remember playing anyone and everyone just to play but realized if your not trying to crush them then your creating bad habits for yourself, I find myself letting up here and there playing weaker players. What fun is it for a novice player to get drilled every game and what fun is it for a good player to not give it his all and play good pool? You have to let up to make it fun for the newbie player, I am not saying gambling is right or wrong or playing for just funsies but its just how I feel about it. I will play the odd game here and there for fun but practice much more than just hitting them with someone who cant play. I would rather have 1-2 hours of good solid practice then 8-10 hours of just banging them around goofing off.
I like the gambling in my comfort zone to practice and get some seasoning for tournament play, I am so much more at ease during tournaments with confidence and coolness. I think good practice helps, if you are not focusing then stop for a bit and grab a drink or fresh air, then get back on the table and practice with intense focus as if you were playing for money. Playing for money within your comfort zone and what you can afford to lose is a good way to test yourself, once in awhile throwing yourself in the fire and upping the stakes is not a bad idea too, you might be surprised how your rise to the occasion.
Tournament play is the best bang for your buck, spending $20 on a weekly tournament somewhere and playing different players. You get to see the swings of your game as the day or night progresses and how you manage it can teach you a good deal about yourself. Knowing your game and your limits along with your strengths will make you a smart pool player and gambler. Good luck to those on the grind and those just playing for the time. :smile: