Gambling...
- Thread starter Cuedog
- Start date
Gamblers. Money players. You can view them either way and be right depending on geography.
Playing for high stakes and winning like Fats used to do takes iron will from a persons mental game. Do I advocate playing over what you can afford? No. Very few can play this way and win (no SSN.)
Does gambling improve your game? Yes. That money was hard earned a WORK. When it's time to PLAY you don't want to #@$% it away. So your concentration factor multiplies, as well as your attention to detail concerning the complexities of the game.
Many times I walked into a big city poolroom the stranger. The first thing everyone wanted to know was my name, speed, and if I would gamble for how much. I would gamble, $5, $10, or sets eqivelent that range. That range was my comfort zone, and I didn't stray from that zone win or loose.
In Norfolk I played a guy who was a level or two above me. I played him jam up, lights out. He was very impressed with my game. (I lost $30 in a couple hours.) So was I. I couldn't believe that I was capable of that sort of mastery.
The next day I get in a 9ball tournament with a big handicap. Everyone in the place already knows about me. Strangers know my name. Just turning to scan the poolroom people are staring at me, and having conversations about me. When I play in the tournament my regular game shows up. Not the jam up game I played against a great player. Soon the whole poolroom and the big build up of this new player in town slowly melts down thier expectations. "He ain't that good" soon is on every face.
After the tournament I gambled more and won against players more my speed. I learned a lot about my game because I was alone. Knowone had my back. The social hierarchical pressures didn't apply because soon I would be gone and forgotten once I left town. Playing for money helped motivate me to a higher level trying to impress total strangers. Sure I had to choose the correct character in my matched up opponent to play and avoid trouble. I found everyone I played as likeable people.
Playing for high stakes and winning like Fats used to do takes iron will from a persons mental game. Do I advocate playing over what you can afford? No. Very few can play this way and win (no SSN.)
Does gambling improve your game? Yes. That money was hard earned a WORK. When it's time to PLAY you don't want to #@$% it away. So your concentration factor multiplies, as well as your attention to detail concerning the complexities of the game.
Many times I walked into a big city poolroom the stranger. The first thing everyone wanted to know was my name, speed, and if I would gamble for how much. I would gamble, $5, $10, or sets eqivelent that range. That range was my comfort zone, and I didn't stray from that zone win or loose.
In Norfolk I played a guy who was a level or two above me. I played him jam up, lights out. He was very impressed with my game. (I lost $30 in a couple hours.) So was I. I couldn't believe that I was capable of that sort of mastery.
The next day I get in a 9ball tournament with a big handicap. Everyone in the place already knows about me. Strangers know my name. Just turning to scan the poolroom people are staring at me, and having conversations about me. When I play in the tournament my regular game shows up. Not the jam up game I played against a great player. Soon the whole poolroom and the big build up of this new player in town slowly melts down thier expectations. "He ain't that good" soon is on every face.
After the tournament I gambled more and won against players more my speed. I learned a lot about my game because I was alone. Knowone had my back. The social hierarchical pressures didn't apply because soon I would be gone and forgotten once I left town. Playing for money helped motivate me to a higher level trying to impress total strangers. Sure I had to choose the correct character in my matched up opponent to play and avoid trouble. I found everyone I played as likeable people.
Cuedog said:
I'm not sure gambling makes regular play boring but I'm in it for the competition. I find practicing boring, doesn't matter if I'm gambling or not. I'm sure that's held me back but I can't help it. I enjoy it more if I'm competing.
I'm sure it's all in my point of view or something. I probably need to figure out how to compete against myself, playing the ghost, trying for a high run at straight pool, etc.
Alex
Practice boring.
You are not by yourself my friend.
I do believe though, that anyone that continues to play for money finds playing for fun or even small wagers, BORING! Playing for money is very much like doing drugs or drinking every night IMHO. It's hard not to because the enhancement of gambling is not present, therefore the thrill is gone.
In every sport on earth, practice is usually boring. You are probably right that the lack of it has held you back. It is ver hard to say no to a person looking for a game especially if you've just put yourself through a grueling 5 minute practice session. You wonder to yourself, what took him so long to ask?Alex Kanapilly said:
You are not by yourself my friend.I do believe though, that anyone that continues to play for money finds playing for fun or even small wagers, BORING! Playing for money is very much like doing drugs or drinking every night IMHO. It's hard not to because the enhancement of gambling is not present, therefore the thrill is gone.
S
Scottster
Guest
Scottster said:
You asked me to elaborate, so I did. I am confident that ninety percent of the pool world would agree that the "Match (money) player is regarded as the gentleman player, not the the player labeled as a gambler.
Gamblers will wager on anything, and are always looking for an angle to favor their odds. A Match player is focused on the game of pool and the good performance it takes to win.
phjunky
Registered
i played a race to 9 for 50$ last night and i lost 
I was playing that guy i once met in the poolhall. 1st time, he came to me asking to play for cash... i said yes. That was risky, 'cause i didn't know him, never saw him shoot, and i guess he was looking at me before coming to me. I won 20$ for a race to 4. Then i met him again in another poolhall, i played him again. (i rememebered he was around my level) that time, i lost 20$. But he wasn't that better than the 1st time. So I guess he's not a hustler. Last night i played him for the 3rd time. 50$ for a race to 9. He won the 1st game, i won the second, the he made 3-1, 4-1, 5-1... i started to be scared. I thought he was getting to much confidence, so that was the moment to beat him, i made 5-2, 5-3, the 6-3, then 6-4, then 7-4, then 7-5, i was an inch to make 7-6, but unfortunatly, i missed the 9 on the cross corner, then he won 8-5 (7-6 would have been another match totally) and then he won the match. and 50$ I don't know if he's a shark, actually, i don't think so. What ever, i always stay on my guards, and focus on my game. I never gamble what I couldn't loose. But it would have been cool if i've won. I don't gamble really often. But I noticed that I can stay focus even when there's money involved. I can play with pressure, i guess. I played that guy last night to get me in the mood to play under pressure, 'cause tonight, I'll play in the local poolhall weekly 9-ball tournement. D'you think it's a good thing about gambling? Getting in the mood for the pressure of tournements?
I was playing that guy i once met in the poolhall. 1st time, he came to me asking to play for cash... i said yes. That was risky, 'cause i didn't know him, never saw him shoot, and i guess he was looking at me before coming to me. I won 20$ for a race to 4. Then i met him again in another poolhall, i played him again. (i rememebered he was around my level) that time, i lost 20$. But he wasn't that better than the 1st time. So I guess he's not a hustler. Last night i played him for the 3rd time. 50$ for a race to 9. He won the 1st game, i won the second, the he made 3-1, 4-1, 5-1... i started to be scared. I thought he was getting to much confidence, so that was the moment to beat him, i made 5-2, 5-3, the 6-3, then 6-4, then 7-4, then 7-5, i was an inch to make 7-6, but unfortunatly, i missed the 9 on the cross corner, then he won 8-5 (7-6 would have been another match totally) and then he won the match. and 50$ I don't know if he's a shark, actually, i don't think so. What ever, i always stay on my guards, and focus on my game. I never gamble what I couldn't loose. But it would have been cool if i've won. I don't gamble really often. But I noticed that I can stay focus even when there's money involved. I can play with pressure, i guess. I played that guy last night to get me in the mood to play under pressure, 'cause tonight, I'll play in the local poolhall weekly 9-ball tournement. D'you think it's a good thing about gambling? Getting in the mood for the pressure of tournements?
The people on this thread have made many good points and expressed a few observations about their experiences, I've gambled since my earliest memories, but I could post 100 replies not sure where to start. I tell most people bet what you can afford,if your hungry and out of gas you should fill-up and eat then go play, bet enough where you get rewarded for your play,but it hurts for say shooting to fastor not chalking every shot.
Another good thought is whats the difference between a social drinker anda alcoholic one is moderation the other like myself can't alays stop. a Good rule is in 9ball cheap be shoot 10 barrels, if you lose it's not your night or the game not fair, if your playing races to 9 maybe 3-4 sets, in the ahead set one should tell you whether it your night or there's work to be doneon your game.
Playing 14:1 and say 150pts 3 bullets will give you a good idea where you and your opponent stand, in banks and I try to remember 6-7 barrels will be enough,if you can't unscrew when its abad game or bad night you can go broke something i've had happen more times than i care to remember. BEING STUBBORN OR HAVING TOO MUCH HEART CAN KEEP YOU BROKE. JUST REMEMBER TOMORROWS IS ANOTHER DAY.
I think it helps your game if you use it for that purpose, to push you to new heights and handling the pressure.
I don't gamble and, I don't really play for money. I do however enter into playing arangements that might be for the sum that I might spend if I were to go to the movies, diner, or anything else where I might have spent that amount of money that particular day. I usually break even or a little ahead $20-$40 dollars, which usually covers my food, soda's & table time.
Hope this helps the dicussion.
Black Cat
I don't gamble and, I don't really play for money. I do however enter into playing arangements that might be for the sum that I might spend if I were to go to the movies, diner, or anything else where I might have spent that amount of money that particular day. I usually break even or a little ahead $20-$40 dollars, which usually covers my food, soda's & table time.
Hope this helps the dicussion.
Black Cat
Leil gay said:
LG,
Thanks for the practical advice. We appreciate your input.
I did get the opportunity to see you play a little straight pool at DCC this year, I hope you will be attending in 2007.
I practied or gambled 6-10 hrs a day from the ages of 8-18,many times I PLAYED CHEAP thats fine, its a good way to learn preforming under pressure especially when you are the underdog, also bet your own money there's many players out there who improved dramatically without that safety net.You get paid for playing or sleep in the car and eat bologna.
"OUCH" I hope you did'nt see allthe 100s iwas sending, still thats a good example of not quitting after a reasonable amount of bullets. You have totell the good with the bad as Grady says, and boy was nose open, but i KNEW ihad a shot to win 5900 beans. T HE TROUBLE WAS THE ODDS ON MY DOUGH GOT SMALLER&SMALLER.
And Speaking about DOGS, i remember the first time i ever saw him at South Philly YEARS ago. I was watching DOGS, play Jimmy Fusco in the weekly tournament and the match was hill hill. As DOGS was running out a SUPER hard rack against Jimmy, i asked one of the Delaware guys that was with him watching the match, "why does he have the nickname DOGS?!"
It was so funny.
The guy turned to me, as DOGS was on the 7 ball and calmly said....."you'll see"
Dogs fired in the 7, got kind of off angle on the 8, rifled that in, and got absolutely PERFECT on the 9 which was about 2 feet from the corner, which he then proceeded to 2 stroke, RIFLE AT TOP SPEED, and everyone watched in awe as the 9 did the POCKET DANCE, and hung up in the hole.
The crowd was a collection of disgusted/confused faces and rolling eyes with many "EEEWWW"'s and "DAAAAMMMM"'s escaping peoples mouths.
With everyone walked away from the match shaking their heads and smiling in disbelief
It was so funny.
The guy turned to me, as DOGS was on the 7 ball and calmly said....."you'll see"
Dogs fired in the 7, got kind of off angle on the 8, rifled that in, and got absolutely PERFECT on the 9 which was about 2 feet from the corner, which he then proceeded to 2 stroke, RIFLE AT TOP SPEED, and everyone watched in awe as the 9 did the POCKET DANCE, and hung up in the hole.
The crowd was a collection of disgusted/confused faces and rolling eyes with many "EEEWWW"'s and "DAAAAMMMM"'s escaping peoples mouths.
With everyone walked away from the match shaking their heads and smiling in disbelief
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