Gambling vs. playing for money. There's a difference.

[tucson9ball]

Gambling vs. Playing for money.....

OK, just based on the title of your thread, I will throw in my 2 cents. First off, I hardly ever gamble any more. I consider gambling as putting your money at risk without a sure outcome. In the pool world, gambling would be to play somebody you have no prior knowledge of. So, if you play this person, you don't know for sure if you will be winner or loser. I would say that very few people gamble at pool, or at least a small minority.
Playing for money is waaay different. Anybody can match up and get some weight and play for a few bucks or jack the bet way up to the hundreds or even thousands. In this scenario, you already know how the other guy plays, so if you play even, somebody is the better player and has the advantage. If you give up some weight, usually the better player never gives up enough weight to lose. This isn't gambling at all. The better player already knows he is the favorite and unless he shi** all over himself should walk away with the cash. Some people call this stealing, but in a pool match anything can and sometimes does happen.

The gray area: this is when you play a known player and think you know their ability or at least you saw them play before and have an idea of their skill level. Unknown to you, they may have been laying down when you were watching their match, or they improved their game since the last time you saw them play. Now you are getting into a match you think you know how to match up with, only to find out, you are in way over your head after it's too late. You can either play your heart out and try to catch up or just cut your losses and learn from it.

So to recap, sometimes when you think you are playing for money, it really turns out that you are gambling. Something funny happens when there is money involved, if you bet it, sometimes you will lose it.

 

[TWOFORPOOL]

I believe gambling is undertaking any endeavor where the outcome is not known.

Ding, Ding, Ding we have a winner!!! Road players hustling the local yocals is not gambling its the nuts!

Also I laugh when you see a player barking at somebody else when he is getting staked. He can't loose! The real looser is the stake horse since he has to win 2 out of 3 times just to break even.

A famous player (I think Irving Crane) was asked who would win in a evenly matched game and his answer was: I depends on how big the the table is, how tight the pockets are and who's money they are playing on!

 

[ironman]

So then, would putting up $6 on an APA match to try for a shot at Vegas be construed as gambling? You are losing money if you don't make it, same as playing someone an affordable "cheap set" for cash. You might say that the APA dues/fees are for socializing/fun, but the "cheap set" bettor could say the very same thing.

Maniac

tHE apa ISN'T GAMBLING, THEY ARE STEALING!

 

[gunzby]

To me gambling is betting that you think you can win. Playing for money is knowing you can win.

So far as the first post goes the amount of money is relative. You may believe 10k is gambling no matter who you are, but when you make 10million a year 10k is a club outing in LA.

 

[Tokyo-dave]

So you'd have to bet getting odds on the money for it to be gambling.

When i've got enough cash in my pocket i like playing players that play way better than i do. there's a local player i like to play that i've got basically no chance at beating. i still like playing him though because i always feel like i've learned something when it's over

When I had money, I too would play anybody............and straight up. Pros, shortstops, whatever. I wanted to see how I stacked up against their games, and putting forth a little bit of money to make it worth their time is only common courtesy. But still that's not gambling, it's pretty much paying somebody for their time. Paying somebody for their services.
dave

 

[Tokyo-dave]

The way I'm reading this, is that each put up $50 race to 7. The winner gets his $50 back. Who gets the other $50? The house?? If he gets his $50 back, AND the other guys 50, he has doubled his money. Pretty good investment!

You're right, he's doubled his investment, but what I'm talking about is how almost all forms of gambling have something to do with you getting a chance to wind a greater return than your initial investment. $5 lottery tickets for a chance at $20,000, $20 bet in pocker for a chance to win the $100 pot or whatever.
dave

 

[master9baller]

Gambling

Gambling is a problem for those who are afraid to do it or aren't consistently good enough to maintain a winning record. I've seen many players with strong games who can't beat anyone when the give up a spot or put up money. It's a weakness for certain, but their personal makeup won't allow them to go there.

Personally I rarely feel like I'm gambling, for a several reasons:

-Having consistently made money in this game for many years now I can never give that back in the short term.
-When giving up spots to a weaker player it shouldn't be uncomfortable. Especially if you play them in handicapped tournaments you know where they stand against you. Spots are always negotiable, be better at negotiating them. Balls, games, breaks, last 2 or 3 balls ect... Know what type of weight you prefer to give up. Give the people what they want and they will come back for more. Leave room to give more weight if they need it.
-Playing multiple sets, longer races or both benefits the stronger player. By the game bets are good too, but harder to predict when the session will end. It's nice to know how many sets someone is willing to play when starting. If they tell you this information, use it.
-Playing consistently will beat inconsistent players nearly all of the time. Practice to be consistent and be able to quickly get in stroke and maintain it. Putting yourself in pressure situations regularly allows you to play your best when the money is one the line.
-Make the bet significant enough to influence the opponent's play, if it can be influenced negatively. Some fine players can't even hold the cue when wagering for over $50. Take them into deep waters if they can't swim.
-When you are ahead and playing well always let the opponent raise the bet in their efforts to recoup their losses. Double or nothing once or twice in succession is more pressure for them. If they are the type that needs pressure to play better be careful allowing this. If they crumble under pressure then let it ride, it's a good risk.
-Always be cautious of the "bigger fish" if they won't make a fair game there is no reason to play.
-Don't do anything to discourage others form playing you for money. Never hold back on playing your best, players sense this. No outright sharking moves. Pay up when you lose, no IOU's for them or yourself. Be friendly, but don't let conversation distract you from your game. Pickup table time anytime you beat a player for > $200, unless you negotiate time as part of a final set or before.
-Know your motivations for playing for money, validating your game, making money, entertainment or proving your abilities. These will keep you mentally involved in tough matches.

These strategies will benefit all levels of players who are inclined to wager on the strength of their games.