Gambling pool time etiquette - What would you do?

sixpack

sixpack

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
This happened a while ago, but I always wondered what people other people would have done.

The pool hall I was playing at charges $6/hour/table before 3 p.m. So if there are two players each would theoretically pay $3 per hour.

I was gambling with the house pro, even 9b, races to 7 for a several hour session which ended right about 3 p.m. They asked me to play because they were getting ready for a tournament and wanted some good competition. I played knowing it was not a good bet for me, but I enjoy the challenge as well.

I think I ended up one set loser. $20, we were just getting a workout in.

So I go up to the counter and they charge me $6/hour for the time, I ask the house pro for their share of the time and they said "I don't pay for time here, I'm the house pro."

Okay, but that means I'm paying $6/hour and it should be $3/hour. So I asked the bartender if the poolhall would be covering the house pro's share of the time, they said 'no'. It's $6 per hour no matter how many players, so if you were playing by yourself it would still be $6. Btw - I had lunch and a few diet cokes, so I think my total tab was around $35 including tip. With $18 of that being the table time.

So I mentioned it again to the pro and they said again "I don't have to pay for time here." and they left without giving me any money for time.

So I ended up paying the time, but I felt a little cheated. I never gambled with the house pro again because it just felt awkward. It probably cost them some money overall, because I don't mind gambling even with them.

What do you think should have happened? Was I wrong for thinking that I should have only owed $3 per hour? Should I just have paid it for the 'honor' of playing the house pro?

It's so not a big deal. I just thought it was an interesting situation.

~rc
 
=) YOu got hustled for time..

Ive known allot of room owners thats done the same thing..... "Hey wanna hit a few" and your thinking we will just split the time right.. wrong they charge you for the whole time.. BASTERDS..
 
sixpack said:
This happened a while ago, but I always wondered what people other people would have done.

The pool hall I was playing at charges $6/hour/table before 3 p.m. So if there are two players each would theoretically pay $3 per hour.

I was gambling with the house pro, even 9b, races to 7 for a several hour session which ended right about 3 p.m. They asked me to play because they were getting ready for a tournament and wanted some good competition. I played knowing it was not a good bet for me, but I enjoy the challenge as well.

I think I ended up one set loser. $20, we were just getting a workout in.

So I go up to the counter and they charge me $6/hour for the time, I ask the house pro for their share of the time and they said "I don't pay for time here, I'm the house pro."

BTW room owners reading this:

these 4 rooms are making it OK in this economy, and perhaps
this attitude of the room owner is why.

Okay, but that means I'm paying $6/hour and it should be $3/hour. So I asked the bartender if the poolhall would be covering the house pro's share of the time, they said 'no'. It's $6 per hour no matter how many players, so if you were playing by yourself it would still be $6. Btw - I had lunch and a few diet cokes, so I think my total tab was around $35 including tip. With $18 of that being the table time.

So I mentioned it again to the pro and they said again "I don't have to pay for time here." and they left without giving me any money for time.

So I ended up paying the time, but I felt a little cheated. I never gambled with the house pro again because it just felt awkward. It probably cost them some money overall, because I don't mind gambling even with them.

What do you think should have happened? Was I wrong for thinking that I should have only owed $3 per hour? Should I just have paid it for the 'honor' of playing the house pro?

It's so not a big deal. I just thought it was an interesting situation.

~rc
Click to expand...

IMO

Find another house.

When I play the "housepro" or "houseman" in any of the 4
rooms I frequent here in the Pacific NW, I pay 0 time...gambling or not.

I am more than willing to pay my share, however it is waived. I always
make sure to buy food/drinks while I'm there to support the room.
 
This is a no brainer

sixpack said:
This happened a while ago, but I always wondered what people other people would have done.

The pool hall I was playing at charges $6/hour/table before 3 p.m. So if there are two players each would theoretically pay $3 per hour.

I was gambling with the house pro, even 9b, races to 7 for a several hour session which ended right about 3 p.m. They asked me to play because they were getting ready for a tournament and wanted some good competition. I played knowing it was not a good bet for me, but I enjoy the challenge as well.

I think I ended up one set loser. $20, we were just getting a workout in.

So I go up to the counter and they charge me $6/hour for the time, I ask the house pro for their share of the time and they said "I don't pay for time here, I'm the house pro."

Okay, but that means I'm paying $6/hour and it should be $3/hour. So I asked the bartender if the poolhall would be covering the house pro's share of the time, they said 'no'. It's $6 per hour no matter how many players, so if you were playing by yourself it would still be $6. Btw - I had lunch and a few diet cokes, so I think my total tab was around $35 including tip. With $18 of that being the table time.

So I mentioned it again to the pro and they said again "I don't have to pay for time here." and they left without giving me any money for time.

So I ended up paying the time, but I felt a little cheated. I never gambled with the house pro again because it just felt awkward. It probably cost them some money overall, because I don't mind gambling even with them.

What do you think should have happened? Was I wrong for thinking that I should have only owed $3 per hour? Should I just have paid it for the 'honor' of playing the house pro?

It's so not a big deal. I just thought it was an interesting situation.

~rc
Click to expand...

Sixpack, let me get this straight, because as a room owner it is unbelieveable. You accomadate the house pro by playing a game you supposedly can't win but the nice guy you are play so he can prepare for a tournament,then u lose $20 and then they charge you for basically 2 players and make you pay? I would have refused and said call the owner. Have u spoke to the owner? If you played in a bad game with me for my benefit and I won $20 on top of the practice I would have paid your time. I think you should out this place or get it clear with the owner. I am embarassed for all room owners when this lack of customer service gets perpetrated on a good customer.
 
simple solution...ask for wait, and when the house pro argues, just say you need to win more to cover the table time that you both should be splitting...

I often shoot with the owner of the hall I frequent, and I always pay my HALF...Nobody's ever said anything to me about it??? I'm not paying someone else's time unless it was in the bet....
 
I don't give it any thought

I kinda figure the house pro is like a girl working at a place hustling drinks, ain't nobody ever discounted the price of a drink to me because they were getting it right back!

Hu



sixpack said:
This happened a while ago, but I always wondered what people other people would have done.

The pool hall I was playing at charges $6/hour/table before 3 p.m. So if there are two players each would theoretically pay $3 per hour.

I was gambling with the house pro, even 9b, races to 7 for a several hour session which ended right about 3 p.m. They asked me to play because they were getting ready for a tournament and wanted some good competition. I played knowing it was not a good bet for me, but I enjoy the challenge as well.

I think I ended up one set loser. $20, we were just getting a workout in.

So I go up to the counter and they charge me $6/hour for the time, I ask the house pro for their share of the time and they said "I don't pay for time here, I'm the house pro."

Okay, but that means I'm paying $6/hour and it should be $3/hour. So I asked the bartender if the poolhall would be covering the house pro's share of the time, they said 'no'. It's $6 per hour no matter how many players, so if you were playing by yourself it would still be $6. Btw - I had lunch and a few diet cokes, so I think my total tab was around $35 including tip. With $18 of that being the table time.

So I mentioned it again to the pro and they said again "I don't have to pay for time here." and they left without giving me any money for time.

So I ended up paying the time, but I felt a little cheated. I never gambled with the house pro again because it just felt awkward. It probably cost them some money overall, because I don't mind gambling even with them.

What do you think should have happened? Was I wrong for thinking that I should have only owed $3 per hour? Should I just have paid it for the 'honor' of playing the house pro?

It's so not a big deal. I just thought it was an interesting situation.

~rc
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the comments guys! I chose to 'let it go' but obviously I didn't completely let it go :)

Another time I went to practice and I got the balls and they were waxy so I went back up to the counter and asked for a different set because those hadn't been polished. I was told they were all that way and they were freshly cleaned. So I went back to the table, rolled them around and decided I didn't want to practice with sticky balls so I took them back up. Yep! I was charged a half hour minimum. :) I refused to pay it and was advised there would be a call to the local constabulary. So, here's $3. Have a nice day.

But yet I continue to go there.

I just like the place. And I'm not giving up my pool hall for a few measley bucks.

But...I don't buy food there much anymore. I don't drink much there anymore. I don't 'hang out' there anymore. Now I'm just there when I have a match of some kind.

I guess I go there, but don't care as much about supporting the business as I used to. My tabs have gone from regularly $50-60 (dinner, some beers, some beers for the other team, some beers for our team, etc...) to less than $10 (one or two beers and tip). The bartender who charged me the half hour minimum has never gotten a tip from me. I don't stiff her, but I make sure I never order anything from her. If she's the only one working I just don't order anything.

I wonder if they know how much that $12 has cost them? At this point thousands at least.

~rc
 
I would definitely try to bring this issue to the room owner.

It is hard for me to believe that a room owner would let this happen.
 
Michael-Hoang said:
I would definitely try to bring this issue to the room owner.

It is hard for me to believe that a room owner would let this happen.
Click to expand...

I actually did talk to the owner about both issues. I don't want to get into that here, but I wasn't satisfied by the conversation.

~rc
 
when you take the balls back to the bar just start throwing them at the bottles of booze...you'll make a new friend im sure :)
 
sixpack said:
This happened a while ago, but I always wondered what people other people would have done.

The pool hall I was playing at charges $6/hour/table before 3 p.m. So if there are two players each would theoretically pay $3 per hour.

I was gambling with the house pro, even 9b, races to 7 for a several hour session which ended right about 3 p.m. They asked me to play because they were getting ready for a tournament and wanted some good competition. I played knowing it was not a good bet for me, but I enjoy the challenge as well.

I think I ended up one set loser. $20, we were just getting a workout in.

So I go up to the counter and they charge me $6/hour for the time, I ask the house pro for their share of the time and they said "I don't pay for time here, I'm the house pro."

Okay, but that means I'm paying $6/hour and it should be $3/hour. So I asked the bartender if the poolhall would be covering the house pro's share of the time, they said 'no'. It's $6 per hour no matter how many players, so if you were playing by yourself it would still be $6. Btw - I had lunch and a few diet cokes, so I think my total tab was around $35 including tip. With $18 of that being the table time.

So I mentioned it again to the pro and they said again "I don't have to pay for time here." and they left without giving me any money for time.

So I ended up paying the time, but I felt a little cheated. I never gambled with the house pro again because it just felt awkward. It probably cost them some money overall, because I don't mind gambling even with them.

What do you think should have happened? Was I wrong for thinking that I should have only owed $3 per hour? Should I just have paid it for the 'honor' of playing the house pro?

It's so not a big deal. I just thought it was an interesting situation.

~rc
Click to expand...
There's a pool hall here where the manager plays and gambles. He never lets the other guy pay all of the time. Either they've agree winner or loser pays or they split it. But then he's a fair guy. Sounds like you played a jerk. What a jerk. I wouldn't have paid it and never gone back.
 
I think I know

If it's the place in Emeryville, I am not surprised... I've played there a few times and if the guy's first name whom you played begins with a "W" ...that doesn't surprise me either.....my impression of the place and the house man there has always been either low class, or no class...........I know what you mean about going back there though; it's not a sleazy atmosphere, and there aren't many decent places around anymore where we live.......almost like the only game in town........
 
Give a little get a lot

In my room when the house pro plays anyone they only have to play their own time.

When I come out once in a while to play, I will usually give them a 20% to 50% discount, mainly because of the interuptions I have while playing, waiting on me, checking people in and out, getting food or drinks etc.


highrun55
 
Where I play in Shanghai, I play with the owner regularly and we play sets for table time. If he wins, I pay all. If I win, I pay nothing. He does give me a fair spot so I do win about half the time.

On the other hand, he has a couple young ladies working there who will play if you go in, have no one to play with and want them to play. In that case you pay table time plus a small charge for their time, win or lose.
 
wahcheck said:
If it's the place in Emeryville, I am not surprised... I've played there a few times and if the guy's first name whom you played begins with a "W" ...that doesn't surprise me either.....my impression of the place and the house man there has always been either low class, or no class...........I know what you mean about going back there though; it's not a sleazy atmosphere, and there aren't many decent places around anymore where we live.......almost like the only game in town........
Click to expand...

I've never had any issue with the owners there. Wayne and Marilyn are the reasons I play there. This situation did not involve them at all.

There aren't many options in our area.

But real estate is getting cheaper every day so maybe we'll see more.

I still would like to meet up with you one of these days.

:)


~rc
 
Ha Ha

sixpack said:
This happened a while ago, but I always wondered what people other people would have done.

The pool hall I was playing at charges $6/hour/table before 3 p.m. So if there are two players each would theoretically pay $3 per hour.

I was gambling with the house pro, even 9b, races to 7 for a several hour session which ended right about 3 p.m. They asked me to play because they were getting ready for a tournament and wanted some good competition. I played knowing it was not a good bet for me, but I enjoy the challenge as well.

I think I ended up one set loser. $20, we were just getting a workout in.

So I go up to the counter and they charge me $6/hour for the time, I ask the house pro for their share of the time and they said "I don't pay for time here, I'm the house pro."

Okay, but that means I'm paying $6/hour and it should be $3/hour. So I asked the bartender if the poolhall would be covering the house pro's share of the time, they said 'no'. It's $6 per hour no matter how many players, so if you were playing by yourself it would still be $6. Btw - I had lunch and a few diet cokes, so I think my total tab was around $35 including tip. With $18 of that being the table time.

So I mentioned it again to the pro and they said again "I don't have to pay for time here." and they left without giving me any money for time.

So I ended up paying the time, but I felt a little cheated. I never gambled with the house pro again because it just felt awkward. It probably cost them some money overall, because I don't mind gambling even with them.

What do you think should have happened? Was I wrong for thinking that I should have only owed $3 per hour? Should I just have paid it for the 'honor' of playing the house pro?

It's so not a big deal. I just thought it was an interesting situation.

~rc
Click to expand...
THAT MAKES ME THINK OF SOME BAR I BEEN ,WHERE THE BARKEEP HAS HOOOO WORKING .25 FOR THE JUKE BOX!!!!! the house man got you!!!!!:angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry:
 
Conflict of interest there.

This story is why we do not let any of our employees gamble in our room. No matter what happens WE will be the bad guy. So this takes that drama out of the equation. Its a conflict of interest for the house pro to be gambling there anyway. Someone is always gonna feel ripped off. Either him or the house or the customer. You did the right thing by reducing your money spent in the room. Room owners make decisions based on what makes them money. In the long run this owner may change his policy with his house pro. Just takes time.
 
Play with tan chalk, use plenty of talcum powder, rub your tip off on the carpet when you're done and oh yeah, almost forgot, take a crap in the urinal.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top