Gambling...

Cuedog

Cuedog

CUE BALL INCOMING!!!
Silver Member
I couldn't find other posts dedicated to this subject. I have two simple questions about Gambling.

What does everyone think about gambling? Does it help or hurt your game?

Now let's not state the obvious such as...

...It depends on the person.

or

...As long at you keep it under control.

Even if you use these statements, bring more to the table than that. I'm curious to see the comments. Thank you.

Gene
 
Hi CueDog,
Gambling will help you mentally focus, and perform under pressure. Just be sure you pick your opponents wisely, play money players, not gamblers.
Personally, I will no longer gamble for a significant amount of money because on my biggest win ever I had my Lincoln Mark VII set on fire 2 days later. I personally never recovered from this mind fuuk. I have never been able to shake the mindset of even win I win, I will lose.
So be careful in whom you decide to play with.
 
hmm...

i cant agree that gambling will 'help you focus' because lets be honest... if your not used to shooting for cash, and for some reason you decide to lay down a decent bet, theres a good chance the cash is going to get to your nerves a little.... granted that should go away with time, but still a factor....


personally i play for a little here and there because i find it allows me to play guys better than me who wouldnt have otherwised taken the time of day with me. i pick my matches carefully, study a guy for a week or two or three, learn how he shoots, then challenge him to a game. i never ask for weight, i just try and pick a guy i think is a little above me. normally i find that i can shoot even with a guy if i really try that should be a notch above me... and after a few weeks i can beat him consistantly... not always, but usually.




either way always keep it for fun and never for the bread.
 
I just recently went to houston to legends billiard hall. I enjoyed my trip very much. I like to gamble. But it's not an addiction gamble. BUt how else is it goingto be fun playing pool with someone of high caliber. I walked late that night and saw a familiar face. Jimmy Vegas was sitting down talking with a buddy of his. So when I ask for a game I was setup with a guy who worked there for 5 yrs. I figured since I'm an unknown and I've been hitting balls around and they have seen me play they aren't going ot set me up with someone who will lose to me. And that's ok with me. I wanted a challenge anyway. We played cheap. 5 for 20. I ended up losing 60......(4-5, 3-5, 4-5). He got a little lucky on me the first set and then after that he was just a more solid player than me. I knew i was the favorite to lose but I had fun. I won about 60 playing 6 ball off a local who just liked to play. He really didn't have a chance but neither did I, I guess. I find that gambling will get you to play those players that will help improve your game. Every time I match up I learn something new. I really enjoyed myself. I ended up about even after my whole trip. So I say get out there and gamble. But only gamble what you can lose. If you do then I think it is worth it. Overall you become a better player.

Tony
 
i thing gambling can be very constructive for your game, it puts pressure on you to weigh out the risks verses rewards. sometimes when practcing it becomes deconstructive because you aren't able to focus as intensely as when you have something on the line. There aren't always tournaments to play but action is pretty easy to find where im from, i play sets with many different people quite often and i found it has helped my tournament and league play tremendously.
 
To gamble or not to gamble...

So far I am seeing that most feel gambling has some benefit to it as long as it is controlled.

Is there a concern that even if you control the amount you gamble, that you might lose the love of the game? What I mean is, whenever you decide not to gamble, will the game be somewhat boring to you if you are used to gambling every time you step to the table? Very important question.

Gene
 
Interesting

Scottster said:
Hi CueDog,
Gambling will help you mentally focus, and perform under pressure. Just be sure you pick your opponents wisely, play money players, not gamblers.
So be careful in whom you decide to play with.
Click to expand...
That's interesting Scott. I think I understand what you are saying, but can you explain better about money players vs gamblers?

Thank you and everyone for their insightful replys.

Gene
 
Gambling ....

1) Gambling definitely helps your game
As long as:
A) You use your brain, and be smart about it.
B) Let the buyer beware
C) Never gamble with anyone unless you evaluate their game first. It gives you insights as to whether they are better, what weaknesses they have, and your strategy in playing them. (The Art of War bu Sun Tzu)
D) If spots are involved, be fair about it, but if you are stepping up, step up.E) Some players, usually dependent of their level of play, but not always, will not play cheap sets unless they really need the money. Why should they show off their speed for almost nothing? They worked to get to their level, and it should be respected.
F) Lower level players has a tendency to judge their game from experience with players of their caliber or lower players, and the shots and games will not go that way with a better player. You might be lucky to get one turn per game unless a safety battle happens. And the one turn most likely will not be an easy shot, or you might be hooked.
G) When gambling you have a tendency to get into the mental aspects more, and learn how to win games from playing better players. You see good thought processes at work, different paths for position on shots, or even rare shots that work.
 
Wow

Snapshot9 said:
1) Gambling definitely helps your game
As long as:
A) You use your brain, and be smart about it.
B) Let the buyer beware
C) Never gamble with anyone unless you evaluate their game first. It gives you insights as to whether they are better, what weaknesses they have, and your strategy in playing them. (The Art of War bu Sun Tzu)
D) If spots are involved, be fair about it, but if you are stepping up, step up.E) Some players, usually dependent of their level of play, but not always, will not play cheap sets unless they really need the money. Why should they show off their speed for almost nothing? They worked to get to their level, and it should be respected.
F) Lower level players has a tendency to judge their game from experience with players of their caliber or lower players, and the shots and games will not go that way with a better player. You might be lucky to get one turn per game unless a safety battle happens. And the one turn most likely will not be an easy shot, or you might be hooked.
G) When gambling you have a tendency to get into the mental aspects more, and learn how to win games from playing better players. You see good thought processes at work, different paths for position on shots, or even rare shots that work.
Click to expand...
Couldn't agree more. That is an excellent break down. Thanks Scott

Anyone with a counter opinion?

Gene
 
Gambling is what makes pool special, it is what makes me want to get better at the game. It is the sole thing that made me want to get in to playing the game, I loved the movies "The Hustler and The color of money" and those movies were all about gambling. But that is my view on the subject, the church style players will probably disagree.

Pool should be vibrant and alive, not like a funeral.
 
Cuedog said:
I couldn't find other posts dedicated to this subject. I have two simple questions about Gambling.

What does everyone think about gambling? Does it help or hurt your game?

Now let's not state the obvious such as...

...It depends on the person.

or

...As long at you keep it under control.

Even if you use these statements, bring more to the table than that. I'm curious to see the comments. Thank you.

Gene
Click to expand...




I think if you ae playing for Money it become something for you to Go After, or Focus, so it could be a HELPER.

But Gambling can become an addiction to the point if you can not CONTROL your Addiction to the ACTION ASPECT of the Gambling. A Life Ruining Experience.

A guy I know who use to Hustle in Bars in So. Cal. Said he loved playing Pool with those who were “BOOZED UP”, to the point they thought Mentally they could not loose... :(
 
Cuedog said:
I couldn't find other posts dedicated to this subject. I have two simple questions about Gambling.

What does everyone think about gambling? Does it help or hurt your game?

Now let's not state the obvious such as...

...It depends on the person.

or

...As long at you keep it under control.

Even if you use these statements, bring more to the table than that. I'm curious to see the comments. Thank you.

Gene
Click to expand...
it acutally depends on what kinda person u r..
if u're so hooked up on $ then gambling will bring abt extra emotions in ur game..
most ppl who're like this will actually play badly n then get mad..then others will think that u're a loser..
if u're not hooked up on $ then gambling might bring out the better in u..
for me personally, it makes me think properly every shot n i'll be able to train my focus esp when i'm losing $20 n i'm left w a long cut 9 ball :)
 
Lol

scottycoyote said:
never, ever, gamble with someone who's first name is a city.
Click to expand...
You mean like Jersey Jim, Delaware Dogs, Trenton Marty. LOL Good advice!

Does anyone think that a person could become jaded and end up only being able to enjoy pool if they play for money?

Great responses guys.

Gene
 
it seems some people only play well or truely seem to enjoy playing when they are gambling... i play sets for money because i love the game, when put under the pressure (not just the money but the pride and competition) its wonderful to see what you are capable of, after i gamlble i like going back to the table and practicing problem shots, so i geuss it all come down to why gamble... for the money, for the addiction, or for the love of the game... or in what order you would rank those reasons
 
tracker said:
it seems some people only play well or truely seem to enjoy playing when they are gambling... i play sets for money because i love the game, when put under the pressure (not just the money but the pride and competition) its wonderful to see what you are capable of, after i gamlble i like going back to the table and practicing problem shots, so i geuss it all come down to why gamble... for the money, for the addiction, or for the love of the game... or in what order you would rank those reasons
Click to expand...
Could you really play for JUST the love of the game? Could you stop gambling this minute without ever going back to it and still have a realistic love of the game? I believe most in your shoes would have to answer "NO".

Is gambling to pool...like steroids are to sports? Does it take some players up to another level? What about you Tracker? Does Gambling highten your enjoyment for our game to the extent that you can't play without betting?

Just curious about this all. Nice contributions guys. Thanks!

Gene
 
Cuedog said:
You mean like Jersey Jim, Delaware Dogs, Trenton Marty. LOL Good advice!

Does anyone think that a person could become jaded and end up only being able to enjoy pool if they play for money?

Great responses guys.

Gene
Click to expand...

Or the Philly flash!.....We must be from the same area?. I learned 1 pocket from a guy who learned from Delaware Dogs.....

Gerry
 
I very rarely gamble, but it makes you change your perspective. When I am shooting for fun I don't have to worry about the consequences of missing a shot. If I have money on the line, I'd better think every shot through or I will leave with a skinny wallet. I see that as the main difference. Because I don't gamble much, my safety play is poor compared to my shotmaking, but you don't always have nice layouts to run. That is what hurts my game the most.
 
I don't gamble much either but I do feel that it definitely helps you find out how pressure proof your game is. I haven't been able to play much the past couple of months due to school and whatnot but since I finished finals yesterday I spent the afternoon in the pool hall. I started playing this guy some cheap sets of 9-ball and it was clearly evident that I would tighted up a lot once I got to the 6 or so. Instead of shooting the ball in and getting shape I was "cinching" everything and screwing myself royally on shape...lol.

After I was down a couple of $10 sets we switched to one pocket at $5 a game. I know, playing this cheap barely counts...lol. While I'm pretty sure that he was trying to get me to raise the bet before he really played, after I dropped the first game I won 5 straight to get back to even! While I certainly made some mistakes where he should have won a few of the games I thought I made some pretty decent moves both offensive and defensive. We then switched to $5 a game 9-ball and went back and forth the rest of the time. I ended up $10 winner plus I won when we played for table time. :D All in all it was a fun experience, especially the one pocket! Sorry for the long post which barely pertains to the topic but I thought I'd share my lowly gambling experience...lol.
 
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