Gambling Theory

Gerry

Gerry

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I just wanted to start a thread to discuss different thoughts on game making, or gambling in general. Maybe some of you like to match up a certain way, ie ahead matches, by the game, sets, etc.

Personally, I like ahead matches for some reason? probably because the guy who taught me liked them.

Another thought, How do you guys look at matching up? Are you trying to win the money, beat the other guy to show your game is stronger, or totally bust him?

How about money management?...do you put it all down on one game/set?....or try to stretch it out?

Thanx for the input.............Later....Gerry
 
> I prefer long races,like 13 or more,and ahead sets over playing by the game or short sets,and honestly couldn't care less about the haggling and crap that seems neccessary these days. I will not bargain for weight,if I need it I'll ask for whatever I think gives me an even game or maybe 60/40 the worst of it,and if my chosen opponent declines,I move on. If I am being asked for weight,I do the same,an even game or 60/40 the worst of it,if they decide what I am offering isn't enough,I also move on. In my mind,once I or anyone else finds a potential opponent,there should be no more than 4-5 sentences exchanged before the balls are racked. Ideally,these sentences are a yes or no answer on whether to play,what table,the amount of the bet,the rules,and either find someone neutral to hold the money,or agree to post it on the light or someplace other than in a manila envelope under the table. I believe if this were the case,a LOT more pool would get played and a LOT more money would change hands,win or lose. Tommy D.
 
all real gambling theory boils down to a simple idea

All real gambling theory boils down to a simple idea. Take as much of the gamble out of it as you can. In pool if you think you are overmatched, go with single games or short sets to try to get out as often as possible and increase the luck factor. Also this allows you to get out whenever you feel the need to minimize losses. If you think you are the better player at the weight given, minimize luck with longer races or by putting the whole stake on final results. Nothing complicated about gambling. Now the hustle of trying to sucker someone else into a lopsided gambling situation, that is a whole 'nuther story.

Hu
 
Thoughts

I never play 'ahead' anymore, I played a hard 16 hours once
playing ahead, and broke even. It was too much work for
breaking even.

I only play races in sets. Even if you break even towards
the end of the night, you can play 1 more before closing so
that someone wins something, or even shorten the race a little
to make it by closing time, or sometimes the person in charge
may lock the doors and let you continue playing for awhile if
they get 10% of the action. I have noticed people are making
races longer for less money. I used to only go to 5 for a $100 set,
didn't go to 7 until it was $200 or higher, to 9 for $500 set, and to
11 for $1,000 set, 15 for $2,000 set, and to 21 for a set higher than
$2,000. Now, guys want to go to 9 for $50.

When playing a challenge table, it is okay to play by game, $5, 10, or
20 dollar action to help build your roll up for bigger things.
 
Well if im playing someone that is under me in skill then races are fine since im looking to knock him off as fast as possiable and no matter what anyone says when your gambling your playing to WIN MONEY not just show your better. Now if im playing someone my lvl then i want ahead sets or by the game reason being that way he cant get a game on me that i can never get back like in a race, I want him to have to slug it out with me and see how much heart the guy has to keep going. Anyhow these are my feelings.
 
I'll just throw in some obvious (or not-so-obvious) things:

If it's for any significant money, always know the speed of your opponent.

Bet on the lower end of your normal speed, not your higher gear.

Always have a few barrels. Unless you're a World Champion, you should have enough to take at least 3 or 4 shots.

Always make a game you're comfortable with. No sense trying to give up the world in weight, just to play.

Don't get high rolled. Bet what you're comfortable betting.

Watch your drink at all times.


Eric
 
All good info guys!....I asked because, as of late I have changed my thinking on how to set up a game. Years ago, I'd try to play nineball/14.1 cheap as possible to stretch the game out. This was because I always played the best guys in the house, and NEVER asked for weight. Now, playing alot of 1P, I'm more willing to put it up front, and either win or lose in a timely manner, unless I"m playing for practice, or a friend, or someone alot better than me so i can maybe steal a few shots over time...Gerry
 
Eric. said:
Always have a few barrels. Unless you're a World Champion, you should have enough to take at least 3 or 4 shots.

Eric
Click to expand...

This reminds me of a gal up in our neck of the woods, named Lynda Moore (we call her Lend Me More) who gives pool a very black eye. She gambled for $50 on 1 game (not with me), won, took the $50, went into the back by the bathrooms, started another game for the same amount and lost and she didn't have the money to pay up. So not only did she not have the money she won, she never had the original stake either...shooting air barrels all the way. She is worth a book by herself. What a beauty. :p
 
rackmsuckr said:
This reminds me of a gal up in our neck of the woods, named Lynda Moore (we call her Lend Me More) who gives pool a very black eye. She gambled for $50 on 1 game (not with me), won, took the $50, went into the back by the bathrooms, started another game for the same amount and lost and she didn't have the money to pay up. So not only did she not have the money she won, she never had the original stake either...shooting air barrels all the way. She is worth a book by herself. What a beauty. :p
Click to expand...


Good point. ALWAYS have both parties post up front.


Eric >plenty of Lynda Moores in Pool :rolleyes:
 
Anything ...

rackmsuckr said:
This reminds me of a gal up in our neck of the woods, named Lynda Moore (we call her Lend Me More) who gives pool a very black eye. She gambled for $50 on 1 game (not with me), won, took the $50, went into the back by the bathrooms, started another game for the same amount and lost and she didn't have the money to pay up. So not only did she not have the money she won, she never had the original stake either...shooting air barrels all the way. She is worth a book by herself. What a beauty. :p
Click to expand...

over $20 a game, and they have to post up, and maybe even
for $20 depending on who they are and reputation.
Let's see, I have about $1,500 out in airballs, and might see
a $100 of it.
 
Wow, I never have been stuck by anyone!, on the same note I have never stuck anyone. I did lend a guy I beat some money to get home once, but I considered that a gift....G
 
Gerry said:
I just wanted to start a thread to discuss different thoughts on game making, or gambling in general. Maybe some of you like to match up a certain way, ie ahead matches, by the game, sets, etc.

Personally, I like ahead matches for some reason? probably because the guy who taught me liked them.

Another thought, How do you guys look at matching up? Are you trying to win the money, beat the other guy to show your game is stronger, or totally bust him?

How about money management?...do you put it all down on one game/set?....or try to stretch it out?

Thanx for the input.............Later....Gerry
Click to expand...
Well gambling theories tend to change depending on each person. Me myself I'm 19 so I like to kind of no fear action sometimes and tend to not sweat it so much. I will basically only play sets. I hate ahead sets. I have played 4 ahead sets and I've only won two. Each ahead set I've played just has taken way too long. I think about how big the bet is at first but after time my mind starts slipping and it's just about surviving. I don't like playing by the game either. Well unless I'm stealing. I feel like in sets you have room for a couple errors and you can still get away with it. Plus you can put a lot of moves on people with adjusting the bets. I always go to 5 for $50 or $100 or 7 for 50, 100, or 200. Sometimes 9 for 200 or more. I always like to have at least three bullets. I know thats not really enough but im comfortable with that. I have been hurt and i haven't been able to do any gambling lately, but where i live which is right outside of atlanta the gambling is not what it used to be. When I was about 17 or 18 when I was diehard into pool before my head got sidetracked I was in at least 100 dollar sets each night but the last couple couple times out ive been sponging up some $20 sets. It adds up but it's not as much fun!
 
Snapshot9 said:
over $20 a game, and they have to post up, and maybe even
for $20 depending on who they are and reputation.
Let's see, I have about $1,500 out in airballs, and might see
a $100 of it.
Click to expand...
I'm not telling what to do or anything anyways you probably know this move anyway. When I was on the road I pulled this move a couple of times. If I was scared that a person was going to air me, whether it be their appearance or their attitude, if we were playing by the game I would lose the first and maybe the second game. I would ask them if they wanted to pay off for each game but I really wouldn't let them answer because I would hold the money out while I asked the question. They would always take the money. So when I would win the next one they would pay the money back. Then I would lose the next one, pay off. I would win the next one. By this time they are used to it and they look at me as a respectful gambler. So when you get into their pocket they are you'se to paying off and if they don't pay off that means they are out of money. So you don't have to waist time when you're up a couple of hundred and then find out that they don't have any money. Hope this can help someone out there.
 
You're opening a can of worms here. Prepare for the "gambling is the root of all evil" responses. :D

Personally, if I have my choice, I like to bet as much as I'm willing to lose and play a long ahead session, or bet some amount that is a multiple of the most I'm willing to lose (if I'm playing races). I prefer the ahead set because then I know that I can win as much as I can lose. Not to mention, I just like ahead sets. Most of the time the set lasts long enough for the rolls to equal out and the person who performs the best wins.

P.S. Rude Dog - I don't even know what you're going to say but shut up. :D
 
Jimmy M. said:
You're opening a can of worms here. Prepare for the "gambling is the root of all evil" responses. :D

Personally, if I have my choice, I like to bet as much as I'm willing to lose and play a long ahead session, or bet some amount that is a multiple of the most I'm willing to lose (if I'm playing races). I prefer the ahead set because then I know that I can win as much as I can lose. Not to mention, I just like ahead sets. Most of the time the set lasts long enough for the rolls to equal out and the person who performs the best wins.

P.S. Rude Dog - I don't even know what you're going to say but shut up. :D
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My thoughts exactly Jimmy, Plus I've played alot of guys 9-ball that come outta the gate firing then burn out, and if I was playing 200 bean sets, they would have won the first one quickly, at maybe 7/4. Playing the same guy say, 5 ahead for 200, I"m still in the game. Also, My game is very level, I don't have alot of real highs and lows, I just try to make intelligent shots every time at the table, and only get all giddy AFTER i win :).....Gerry
 
I am not much of a Gambler, as Gambling in most cases is betting upon the outcome of an unpredictable event.

Like a Horse Race, Football Game, etc., etc. etc. Where no one know for sure the outcome of the event until the event is over.

Super Bowl III was a good example. Green Bay Packers will win was what almost ever ones thought, New York Jets won to everyone surprise.

Gambling in most cases is just that Gambling. Never bet more than you can afford too loose on any event you are not 110% sure of the outcome of.
 
Snapshot9 said:
I never play 'ahead' anymore, I played a hard 16 hours once
playing ahead, and broke even. It was too much work for
breaking even.

I only play races in sets. Even if you break even towards
the end of the night, you can play 1 more before closing so
that someone wins something, or even shorten the race a little
to make it by closing time, or sometimes the person in charge
may lock the doors and let you continue playing for awhile if
they get 10% of the action. I have noticed people are making
races longer for less money. I used to only go to 5 for a $100 set,
didn't go to 7 until it was $200 or higher, to 9 for $500 set, and to
11 for $1,000 set, 15 for $2,000 set, and to 21 for a set higher than
$2,000. Now, guys want to go to 9 for $50.

When playing a challenge table, it is okay to play by game, $5, 10, or
20 dollar action to help build your roll up for bigger things.
Click to expand...

I'm surprised you don't play ahead sets. You mentioned you can run a 5-pack any time if you want to. An ahead set in gambling would be more suited to your playing ability, if you are telling the truth in how you play.

The problem with sets is that too often you can end up just breaking even or winning 1 set after playing 5 or 6 sets. You have to ask yourself is that last set going to be worth the bet and all of that table time that added up?

Ahead sets is THE BEST way for STRONG pool players to gamble. Almost all of them will tell you that. The reason why the weaker players should not play ahead sets is that nobody can string a few racks together and really get ahead. When you have strong players that can run packages, that's when the ahead set really shows some ability, and it really pays off. Nobody plays ahead sets for small sums, so you are either going to win big or lose. Some of them finish in 15 minutes, some of them finish in 2 days.
 
Reasons ...

LastTwo said:
I'm surprised you don't play ahead sets. You mentioned you can run a 5-pack any time if you want to. An ahead set in gambling would be more suited to your playing ability, if you are telling the truth in how you play.

The problem with sets is that too often you can end up just breaking even or winning 1 set after playing 5 or 6 sets. You have to ask yourself is that last set going to be worth the bet and all of that table time that added up?

Ahead sets is THE BEST way for STRONG pool players to gamble. Almost all of them will tell you that. The reason why the weaker players should not play ahead sets is that nobody can string a few racks together and really get ahead. When you have strong players that can run packages, that's when the ahead set really shows some ability, and it really pays off. Nobody plays ahead sets for small sums, so you are either going to win big or lose. Some of them finish in 15 minutes, some of them finish in 2 days.
Click to expand...


I don't like them, especially the 2 day part, and I have bad eyes and wear hard contact lenses, and if my eyes get tired or vision blurs up, I want to be
able to have a stopping point. With sets, I have that, with ahead, you always
do not have that.
 
I look at like this; theres gambling and theres stealing. Personally, i prefer the ladder. Unfortunately in the past couple years i have lost the ability to steal asmuch. When i do feel like i'm the favorite in the match and the other guy doesnt know this, i like to bet very high and play the shortest possible sets because i dont want him seeing anymore of my game than he needs to. On the other hand if i feel like i'm actually going to have to play and i'm not sure of the outcome i like to play some longer sets and have a few more bullets to throw at them in case it takesme a few sets to catch a gear. as for getting aired, i know how bad that sucks too. i've learned over the years that if someone is not willing to post up theres a good reason... no cash
 
Snapshot9 said:
I don't like them, especially the 2 day part, and I have bad eyes and wear hard contact lenses, and if my eyes get tired or vision blurs up, I want to be
able to have a stopping point. With sets, I have that, with ahead, you always
do not have that.
Click to expand...

Do you only play races, or do you also play by the game? The reason I'm asking this is because most strong players I know prefer to either play by the game or play ahead sets. They don't like sets because you can be up a few sets, then break even, and the guy can quit and you just wasted 4 or 5 hours for nothing. Unless you freeze up a certain amount and say that you play as many sets as it takes until one player wins all the money that is frozen. I still play sets for money, but that's because I'm not at the level where I can string a ton of racks together. If I was at that level I would definately prefer ahead sets or playing by the game.
 
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