Gambling Table Etiquette

[Drew]

The problem here is many people seem to be assuming the one hole game will just stay the same during this 20 dollar set time. Many times a guy gets antsy, or changes his mind, makes another game somewhere else (short attention span), and any other of an infinite number of reasons.

WOW!! You have multiple $1000+ action in your room??

This whole thread confuses me. I thought $20 WAS the big action!! Stupid Colorado....




Interesting twist: What if no other tables are open? Does my $20 action trump the $5 action? Hmm...:scratchhead:

 

[Hungarian]

Fck YOU it's my table..I don't give a shit if I'm doing drills.. it's my table until I'm done with it..end of story..

shove your etiquette up your ass.. the gamblers table usually has the tightest pockets.. perfect for aiming drills... that's why I picked it

I must alter my life to accommodate your gambling addiction??..

what a joke.. if you want to play on a private table what the fck are you doing in a public pool hall??

Fck me? Shove it up my ass?

You are a clown and a nit.

 

[Hungarian]

So what do you action junkies have to be gambling for to not give up the table immediately? $100? $500? $2000.01?

That'a a great counter point. I'm not sure.

 

[VIProfessor]

I'm with the Nuts here. It doesn't take much, in my book, to recognize that 2500/game action, particularly in one-hole, deserves to be given precedence on the "A" table over a race to 5 for $20. One of things that must be taken into account is the premium that one-pocket places on a level table due to the need to slow-roll balls over a long distance. While 9-ball will certainly require its share of long-distance finesse shots, it doesn't compare to one-hole in that respect.

Besides, who in their right mind passes up an opportunity to sweat a match-up in which a legend of the sport is involved? One way or the other, assuming that you were not approached in a disrespectful manner, a player should find an amicable way to surrender the table or prepare to be labeled a nit for life.

Just my two cents.

 

[Mickey Qualls]

Spot on, Brozif. Greenie for you,

The only thing I might add is that when the counterman gives me my tray of balls, s/he point out that "Table 4 is the action table". If I'm new to the room and don't know that, then I'd be inclined to think that the guys that want my table are f***in' with me.

A suggestion would be to put a "Reserved" sign on the money table. If it comes down to that table being the last one to rent, then pull the sign off and rent it. But at least with the sign, the OP's scenario has a less likely chance of happening.

Just my $.02.........

Several issues would determine if I gave up the table or not.

1. How do they approach us and ask us for the table. If they are polite, ask us in between games instead of interrupting one in the middle, and/or offer to pay our table time for the inconvenience, then yes I'll move as long as there is another table available.

2. How far along are we in the set and what is the race to. If we are in the beginning or middle of a set, and all the criteria from the first option has been met, then no problem we'll give up the table.

3. Does my match have the possibility of becoming a higher stakes match. If my match started out at $20 a set, but has already gone a few sets, and it's turned into $100 sets or more, than I might have to politely let them know what is going on and refuse the table.

Remember, just as easy as it is for them to ask us to move to a different table, it is just as easy for them to find that open table themselves.

There's just a lot of factors to consider in a situation like this. Too many possible scenarios. The room owner shouldn't get involved as far as asking me to move. If he wanted that table reserved for big gambling matches, then he shouldn't have issued me that table.

Also, maybe it's a knock on the entire establishment, but shouldn't all the tables be kept in a condition that it shouldn't matter what table people play on, they all play good enough to be gambled on?

 

[Tom In Cincy]

Another twist...

I've seen this happen.

The room owner tells the players on a table that they have 30 minutes and then have to either give up the table or move.

IMO not much you can do at that point. But, as a customer, I might be inclined to remember when asked about the how the customers are treated at that pool hall... my answer might be " depends on how much you spend "

Anyone who thinks 'action' doesn't increase profits at a pool hall, just doesn't understand the business.

 

[TheNewSharkster]

I think at the end of the day the pool room owner needs to have a disclaimer for anyone playing on the action table for a situation like this.

I don't understand why people are being called 'nits' for taking a stance that they would keep the table. That is just Fing stupid. Insulting somebody because they are being told to leave the table they have been paying for is just downright stupid.

All the high and mighty action players can kiss my butt. Seriously we all want to play and if you can't wait until the set is done you can take a hike.

 

[cleary]

If I'm playing a $20set and they must have my table, they can wait til its over or pay us both $20 for the table. If you're willing to lose 2k, you can fork over $40 for the table you MUST have.

 

[The Chinchilla]

That attitude, and the others like it, is one reason good action pool rooms are dying out. Sounds like your houseman, (or owner) doesn't know how to keep the action alive...If I were running the joint, I would politely ask you to give up the table..ASAP, The gambler's wouldn't even have to ask...If you made a hugh issue out of it, (which its not) I would simply say.. "Don't let the door hit you in your non-gambling ass...

PS..Thank God you are in the minority, in the voting. (about 4 to 1)..

Players who don't already know should really take note of this. We are lucky to have here on AZ one of the best one pocket players/movers that ever lived in my opinion. At the very least, "extremely underrated" is certainly apropos. I always love to read your posts Mr. McMorran.

Truth is, I understand if people don't agree, but credentials like this should make you at least think twice about issues like this.

 

[tomnan24]

Pretty simple answer, really. Ask nicely and give ANY reasonable reason and the table is yours(no remuneration is necessary). Ask me like it is your god given right or nastily and you can wait til closing time.

 

[Tennesseejoe]

I like to play a good game and also watch a good game but why do gambles think they take precidence over me. I would give up the table if I thought I would see a great game.

But why would anyone give up a table to some hyped up average players who just happen to have some disposable cash?

 

[Celtic]

If I'm playing a $20set and they must have my table, they can wait til its over or pay us both $20 for the table. If you're willing to lose 2k, you can fork over $40 for the table you MUST have.

That is the way I see it.

I am curious though, the two people playing the $20 action are hacks. Lets say for arguement sakes that two top pros are playing some cheap and friendly $50 sets to warm up for a pro tournament and the two guys who are trying to take the table to play their $2000 match are well off hacks in no way interested in playing either of the two people currently on the table for the $2000 instead. Does that change anything to anyone? What happens if one of the top pros is to respond

"What, you want to play for $2000? Sure, lets go. What? You both wanted action for $2000? Ok, pick which of you is playing and I will put up $4000 against your combined $4000. Want to bet $20k instead? We can do that too."

IMO then it gets sticky, you want to steal the gambling table, being played on by top end players who will either gladly play for boatloads of cash against the ones who want the table. The pros are both warming up for an event, lets say the US-Open with a $50k first place prize and either of these pros have a good chance to win so they are not exactly just sitting there wasting their time, and if you want action on that table either of them will gladly give it to anyone in the room for whatever, but noone is going to step out to play them. Do you kick Dennis Orcullo and Lee Van Corteza off the table so two relative hacks can play a big money match?

This to me changes stuff. If either guy already on the table will happily play either of the incoming players for as much as they want how do you kick THAT guy off the table he is currently playing on for cash and give it to two players neither of which want any piece of him? Personally, if you are playing on the cash table for money, and other players want the table to play for more cash, BUT they want no piece of you for that large money they want to play for, they are not exactly entitled to stealing the table.

 

["CaliRed".]

You guys are losing focus here..it says "the prime gambling table" every pool hall has 1 or 2. Bottom line is...if its a real pool hall that has a real Houseman in it, then there is no arguing...he tells you you may have to move if he feels you are not in touch with the way things work in a pool hall when he gives you the balls. Now if its a strip mall bar with pool tables then this kind of arguing goes on.

sent from damn phone, so for once you get a short reply

 

[TightPocket]

Leaving out details

Hi,

I believe the original poster is leaving out some details in order to get people on his side of the issue.

Here is what happened specifically (I was there & had a little sweat bet on the action, and also recently read about this on another forum):

A pool hall invited Grady to do an exhibition at their room one weekend. After the exhibition, Grady got into some $500/game one pocket action with one of the regulars.

After a few games, Grady & the local decided to play a race to 3 for $2,500, but Grady wanted to play on a table with smaller pockets. The local was spotting Grady something like 10-7, so he ovbviously was not a hack. There are a couple tables at this pool room with tight pockets, one of which was being played on by the original poster, who was also an employee of the pool room that was hosting Grady to do the exhibition. The original poster, as an employee of the pool room, was not paying time.

Grady politely asked if they could use that table & have the employee (not paying time) switch to another table so they could play their race to 3 for $2,500. The person making this original post (employee of the pool room), told Grady that if he gave him & his opponent $20 each that Grady could use the table.

If someone just asked to use the table to gamble on, personally I would probably give it to them, especially if they were wanting to play for a substantial amount. I would happily pick up my balls & say here you go.

But, for an employee of the pool room hosting Grady's exhibition to demand money from Grady to use the table he is not even renting, well that just seems silly & disrespectful to me. If I owned the pool room I would have fired the employee for being so rude. The original poster also made comments on the other forum about how he has no respect for Grady & that is why he acted in this maner.

So, I believe that what I wrote is a more accurate account of what happened, so make your opinions based upon that.

-TP

 

[Celtic]

Hi,

I believe the original poster is leaving out some details in order to get people on his side of the issue.

Here is what happened specifically (I was there & had a little sweat bet on the action, and also recently read about this on another forum):

A pool hall invited Grady to do an exhibition at their room one weekend. After the exhibition, Grady got into some $500/game one pocket action with one of the regulars.

After a few games, Grady & the local decided to play a race to 3 for $2,500, but Grady wanted to play on a table with smaller pockets. The local was spotting Grady something like 10-7, so he ovbviously was not a hack. There are a couple tables at this pool room with tight pockets, one of which was being played on by the original poster, who was also an employee of the pool room that was hosting Grady to do the exhibition. The original poster, as an employee of the pool room, was not paying time.

Grady politely asked if they could use that table & have the employee (not paying time) switch to another table so they could play their race to 3 for $2,500. The person making this original post (employee of the pool room), told Grady that if he gave him & his opponent $20 each that Grady could use the table.

If someone just asked to use the table to gamble on, personally I would probably give it to them, especially if they were wanting to play for a substantial amount. I would happily pick up my balls & say here you go.

But, for an employee of the pool room hosting Grady's exhibition to demand money from Grady to use the table he is not even renting, well that just seems silly & disrespectful to me. If I owned the pool room I would have fired the employee for being so rude. The original poster also made comments on the other forum about how he has no respect for Grady & that is why he acted in this maner.

So, I believe that what I wrote is a more accurate account of what happened, so make your opinions based upon that.

-TP

That does change things a wee bit. If you are playing for free there is really not alot of leg to stand on, especially if Grady and the other guy are going to be "paying" customers and pay for the time and/or cut a piece off to the house.

 

[Neil]

...............

 

[Brozif]

Hi,

I believe the original poster is leaving out some details in order to get people on his side of the issue.

Here is what happened specifically (I was there & had a little sweat bet on the action, and also recently read about this on another forum):

A pool hall invited Grady to do an exhibition at their room one weekend. After the exhibition, Grady got into some $500/game one pocket action with one of the regulars.

After a few games, Grady & the local decided to play a race to 3 for $2,500, but Grady wanted to play on a table with smaller pockets. The local was spotting Grady something like 10-7, so he ovbviously was not a hack. There are a couple tables at this pool room with tight pockets, one of which was being played on by the original poster, who was also an employee of the pool room that was hosting Grady to do the exhibition. The original poster, as an employee of the pool room, was not paying time.

Grady politely asked if they could use that table & have the employee (not paying time) switch to another table so they could play their race to 3 for $2,500. The person making this original post (employee of the pool room), told Grady that if he gave him & his opponent $20 each that Grady could use the table.

If someone just asked to use the table to gamble on, personally I would probably give it to them, especially if they were wanting to play for a substantial amount. I would happily pick up my balls & say here you go.

But, for an employee of the pool room hosting Grady's exhibition to demand money from Grady to use the table he is not even renting, well that just seems silly & disrespectful to me. If I owned the pool room I would have fired the employee for being so rude. The original poster also made comments on the other forum about how he has no respect for Grady & that is why he acted in this maner.

So, I believe that what I wrote is a more accurate account of what happened, so make your opinions based upon that.

-TP

Okay, well my opinion still stands for regular people. But the fact that the person being asked to switch tables is an employee, that changes everything!

If the employee is getting free table time, and a paying customer comes in wanting to use the table he's on, then you move! A paying customer always trumps an employee.

Specially, when it is a respected player like Grady Matthews, and he asked politely. The fact that the employee then tried to charge Grady to use a table that he was not paying for, that's just absurd!

I'll mail your last check to you, and you're not welcome here anymore! Those would be the last words he would hear from me if I was the room owner!

 

[poolplayer2093]

you can finish, just change tables

i don't expect you to understand because you're not in california. in california it's extremely hard to find tables that i consider worth playing on. most tables are rebcos that get set up by hacks. they ether have huge pockets or pockets that aren't shimmed right so they won't even take balls that are hit well. i ran into one table with the shims easily a quarter inch shorter than the rails. even balls hit well would hop, sometimes off the table but most of the time they'd just hop and then sit right in front of the pocket.

if you're not in sacramento or L.A. then there are probably only 2 good tables per room. some places only have 1 good table.

 

[poolplayer2093]

last time i saw this happen it was boy george wanting to use a table in stockton to play a local guy. he told the two that were mid set to "just ****ing get off the table. i want to drill this guy". then something along the lines of "**** you two"

 

[Hungarian]

i don't expect you to understand because you're not in california. in california it's extremely hard to find tables that i consider worth playing on. most tables are rebcos that get set up by hacks. they ether have huge pockets or pockets that aren't shimmed right so they won't even take balls that are hit well. i ran into one table with the shims easily a quarter inch shorter than the rails. even balls hit well would hop, sometimes off the table but most of the time they'd just hop and then sit right in front of the pocket.

if you're not in sacramento or L.A. then there are probably only 2 good tables per room. some places only have 1 good table.

Sorry, I wasn't thinking about that. You are in Stockton which is out in the country. Not many places to play but they have a great County Fair. I was there in June and saw Tower of Power.