Getting tired playing $100 one pocket.

Times have changed, today a guy in a $1000 suit has 8 bucks and a credit card in his pocket. Exit stage left the pool hustler and safe is the unsuspecting bar patron with no money in his pocket.


Macguy, you always have good insight here. It's definitely a different time nowadays from the way you describe things. Shoot, today I just saw an app for finding action players in your area that you can download on your phone. How crazy is that?
 
Agree completely. I've thought about this a lot. Even how it affect bums and panhandlers. No one has cash anymore. Hell, I never left the house with less than 1K in my pocket for 15 years going to the pool hall. Now, that I don't gamble hardly ever in person, I don't even have a wallet. Just my ID, credit card, and about $20 in cash all tied together with a rubber band.

I wonder though, in place of everyone walking around with their paycheck on Friday, almost all of us (especially the younger generation) have their phones with direct access to paypal, bank accounts, etc. I wonder if the gamblers will eventually switch to that method. That opens up another whole can of worms with a stiffer. They might pay in full electronically, then when they get home dispute the charge, and possibly get it refunded. Who knows.
I think they would have too much time to think about what they are doing. Those small gambling losses like in a bar pool setting is kind of an impulse thing. With time to think about it they would not do it in the first place.

If they lost $15.00 and thats all they had they would just quit, run up a bar tab on their credit card and go home happy never even remembering the $15.00 they lost on the pool table.

When I hustled bars and I am talking the 60's and 70's a long time ago, the reason it worked so consistently was, no one really got hurt. You didn't even make any enemies. Due to the open challenge tables most places had, you beat a lot of people for small amounts of money and it added up.

You ground out maybe $50 or $70 a night if you were lucky. But to put it in perspective, the average guy was making like $120.00 a week before taxes at a 40 hour job. Hustling bar pool in those days was in the grand scheme of things, a high paying job.
 
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If it was me, playing this guy and his 'backers' again I would NOT be playing on the wire! Pay after every game or 'freeze' up the cash. Also, I'd set a time limit on the play. That way you get out of there at a reasonable hour. I think that most of us have been there before. I believe that is the way to go in this situation.
 
Be up front before everything else....Tell the guy before you start, your gonna quit at such and such a time, if that's agreeable then match up!
 
So last night there was a little woofing going on between a buddy and another patron of our pool hall. I called them both nits because of the spot arguments. My buddy laughed and our other friend was joking along with us. The "other patron" says he'll play me some so I told him he can play one game for $100. I win the flip, lay down an okay break, move a little here, make a ball there and then run out. I had two friends who wanted in and at this point I wasn't worried about the money but had that killer instinct going. We decided that after I won the first game we would tell him it was his break.

The other guys buddy is supposedly staking him. I proceed to get 8 games ahead and hold him there for a couple hours. I work a very good full time job, nay career. At this point I'm exhausted, my eyes are sore, and I'm ready to hop in bed with my wife. Meanwhile I start losing the blood lust and edge. I start losing. Then it turns out when were are 3 games up now that his buddies only had $500, which they displayed proudly like it was the Queen's diamond.

I'm not only mad and tired, but now I'm annoyed with the money situation and he gets even except for the first hundred that my buddies and I split up. Which was the 1 game for $100. As far as we were concerned we gave them a chance to get their money back and earned at least that. In short I played poorly, I can't blame the rolls, the table, my stroke, nada. However, I know that this is merely a lesson in my pool journey.

I'm supposed to play the same guys a 5 ahead set for $500. In my opinion this format favors me heavily because I come out the gate very strong. Its maintaining that I have trouble with. I'm only good for a few hours at my peak performance and if its late its worse.

I think that part of it is just how mentally taxing one pocket can be. You can't go unconscious like you can in rotation.

How do you fight to keep the dragon alive?

P.S. No drugs lol

Two words - physical condition! Exercise and diet, no secret here.
 
So last night there was a little woofing going on between a buddy and another patron of our pool hall. I called them both nits because of the spot arguments. My buddy laughed and our other friend was joking along with us. The "other patron" says he'll play me some so I told him he can play one game for $100. I win the flip, lay down an okay break, move a little here, make a ball there and then run out. I had two friends who wanted in and at this point I wasn't worried about the money but had that killer instinct going. We decided that after I won the first game we would tell him it was his break.

The other guys buddy is supposedly staking him. I proceed to get 8 games ahead and hold him there for a couple hours. I work a very good full time job, nay career. At this point I'm exhausted, my eyes are sore, and I'm ready to hop in bed with my wife. Meanwhile I start losing the blood lust and edge. I start losing. Then it turns out when were are 3 games up now that his buddies only had $500, which they displayed proudly like it was the Queen's diamond.

I'm not only mad and tired, but now I'm annoyed with the money situation and he gets even except for the first hundred that my buddies and I split up. Which was the 1 game for $100. As far as we were concerned we gave them a chance to get their money back and earned at least that. In short I played poorly, I can't blame the rolls, the table, my stroke, nada. However, I know that this is merely a lesson in my pool journey.

I'm supposed to play the same guys a 5 ahead set for $500. In my opinion this format favors me heavily because I come out the gate very strong. Its maintaining that I have trouble with. I'm only good for a few hours at my peak performance and if its late its worse.

I think that part of it is just how mentally taxing one pocket can be. You can't go unconscious like you can in rotation.

How do you fight to keep the dragon alive?

P.S. No drugs lol

Sounds like you have the heart for the game. Maybe start a bit earlier. How many hours did you play?

You know you will steamroll him if you stay fresh. I try not to eat much when playing. Keep the fluids coming (no caffiene) and a couple snacks for energy. When you eat big you get bloodflow going to the gut and the mind wanders. Just put the hammer down on this guy and break him like a mule.
 
If you ever can change your socks and wash your feet, you get another 3 hours of energy easy. I do this when I travel to events and play those 20 hour grinds. Makes a world of diffeerence.
 
Now you have another problem, you may be giving odds on the money. You guys have a pocket full of money but most people don't. If you take a loss it may be a lot more then you stood to win.

You have to know what the other guy has and does he have any history of going off for it. Is he worth the risk of your bankroll. Of course if you are stealing it doesn't matter, but if you are actually gambling it is nice to know you stand to win something if you indeed win.

Nothing makes me feel dumber than going off for 500 when I know dam well my opponent doesn't have 200, but sometimes you gotta feed the fishes if you will ever see them again.

His breaking nearly even makes this opponent think he can win. If that's not he case , he's setup for a big fall. Jack the bet and have them post the money.
 
Freeze up the bet, freeze up the time. You don't need to train yourself in the art of exhaustingness!! You play that much time that your body is capable to accept. I said it before....4-5h of full gambling with 2 cigarettes/bathroom/stretching breaks is the best recipe for being always focused and leave the poolroom on your own feet.
5h Energy is sugar boom and will only bump your stamina but ...it doesn't always need a hard breathing to realize you are tired. Your brain reacts accordingly and your focus is critically reduced when the chemical reactions inside your brain slow down.
I'd consider running/walking 5-8min during the breaks or just laying on your back on bench/grass and deep breathing for 5 min.
Now, yoga will also help...

Chris


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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If it was me, playing this guy and his 'backers' again I would NOT be playing on the wire! Pay after every game or 'freeze' up the cash. Also, I'd set a time limit on the play. That way you get out of there at a reasonable hour. I think that most of us have been there before. I believe that is the way to go in this situation.

Honestly I think the reason it got so carried away without discussion is that it started off as one game for $100 and we let them fire back at that rather than starting off playing $100 a game. I agree with all of your points. A time limit would be perfect, especially since I have a career thats more important.

Be up front before everything else....Tell the guy before you start, your gonna quit at such and such a time, if that's agreeable then match up!

Will be a new rule for me every time. A man has to have principles and discipline.

Two words - physical condition! Exercise and diet, no secret here.

Wise words from a man whose left pinky has more experience and knowledge of the game. You humble good sir. I appreciate it.

Sounds like you have the heart for the game. Maybe start a bit earlier. How many hours did you play?

You know you will steamroll him if you stay fresh. I try not to eat much when playing. Keep the fluids coming (no caffiene) and a couple snacks for energy. When you eat big you get bloodflow going to the gut and the mind wanders. Just put the hammer down on this guy and break him like a mule.

I think I have the heart for it as well as the ability, its just knowledge and experience from here along with correcting some bad habits that pop up.

We started at around 10 and got done at 3:30. In the scheme of things it was very spontaneous action right before I was about to break down my cue and head home. Whats interesting is the first time I played for more than $50 my buddy and I went in 50/50 playing this guy $200 a game. The first time we played we broke even after I had a 4 game lead. The second time he quite after we were up $1200 and that second time we played was during the day when I had a good nights rest the day before. I always spend time with my wife on fridays so I should be up TOO late the night before :thumbup: you never know though.

Thanks for all of the advice and support guys. I'll be sure to write another post after we play on saturday. Hopefully his stake...ponies show up.
 
It ain't something that someone can tell you in a post on a pool forum.

Grinding it out is an art that requires practice and an incredible amount of it.


So last night there was a little woofing going on between a buddy and another patron of our pool hall. I called them both nits because of the spot arguments. My buddy laughed and our other friend was joking along with us. The "other patron" says he'll play me some so I told him he can play one game for $100. I win the flip, lay down an okay break, move a little here, make a ball there and then run out. I had two friends who wanted in and at this point I wasn't worried about the money but had that killer instinct going. We decided that after I won the first game we would tell him it was his break.

The other guys buddy is supposedly staking him. I proceed to get 8 games ahead and hold him there for a couple hours. I work a very good full time job, nay career. At this point I'm exhausted, my eyes are sore, and I'm ready to hop in bed with my wife. Meanwhile I start losing the blood lust and edge. I start losing. Then it turns out when were are 3 games up now that his buddies only had $500, which they displayed proudly like it was the Queen's diamond.

I'm not only mad and tired, but now I'm annoyed with the money situation and he gets even except for the first hundred that my buddies and I split up. Which was the 1 game for $100. As far as we were concerned we gave them a chance to get their money back and earned at least that. In short I played poorly, I can't blame the rolls, the table, my stroke, nada. However, I know that this is merely a lesson in my pool journey.

I'm supposed to play the same guys a 5 ahead set for $500. In my opinion this format favors me heavily because I come out the gate very strong. Its maintaining that I have trouble with. I'm only good for a few hours at my peak performance and if its late its worse.

I think that part of it is just how mentally taxing one pocket can be. You can't go unconscious like you can in rotation.

How do you fight to keep the dragon alive?

P.S. No drugs lol
 
If there's one thing that compares to life it all its ways it's this...."Matching Up''....With someone in such a way, win or lose you both want to play again. This is business at its best. This mindset will get one far in life.
 
If there's one thing that compares to life it all its ways it's this...."Matching Up''....With someone in such a way, win or lose you both want to play again. This is business at its best. This mindset will get one far in life.

Off subject, who is that in your picture to the left? I am sure the tall guy is you but who is the other person?
 
So last night there was a little woofing going on between a buddy and another patron of our pool hall. I called them both nits because of the spot arguments. My buddy laughed and our other friend was joking along with us. The "other patron" says he'll play me some so I told him he can play one game for $100. I win the flip, lay down an okay break, move a little here, make a ball there and then run out. I had two friends who wanted in and at this point I wasn't worried about the money but had that killer instinct going. We decided that after I won the first game we would tell him it was his break.

The other guys buddy is supposedly staking him. I proceed to get 8 games ahead and hold him there for a couple hours. I work a very good full time job, nay career. At this point I'm exhausted, my eyes are sore, and I'm ready to hop in bed with my wife. Meanwhile I start losing the blood lust and edge. I start losing. Then it turns out when were are 3 games up now that his buddies only had $500, which they displayed proudly like it was the Queen's diamond.

I'm not only mad and tired, but now I'm annoyed with the money situation and he gets even except for the first hundred that my buddies and I split up. Which was the 1 game for $100. As far as we were concerned we gave them a chance to get their money back and earned at least that. In short I played poorly, I can't blame the rolls, the table, my stroke, nada. However, I know that this is merely a lesson in my pool journey.

I'm supposed to play the same guys a 5 ahead set for $500. In my opinion this format favors me heavily because I come out the gate very strong. Its maintaining that I have trouble with. I'm only good for a few hours at my peak performance and if its late its worse.

I think that part of it is just how mentally taxing one pocket can be. You can't go unconscious like you can in rotation.

How do you fight to keep the dragon alive?

P.S. No drugs lol

You never asked to play me.......
I also cave when I run out of steam
 
I been carrying around the same 2 dollar bill for about 3 weeks.

The chances you were going to get paid if he owes you like a $1000. would be about zero. It is hard enough to get paid a ligit debt when you loan someone money much less a gambling debt.

You are actually lucky it worked out like it did rather then chasing this guy around trying to collect what he owed you. Whose knows what that could have lead to, very possibly violence. Just out of curiosity, what was your bank roll when you started playing for a $100 a game?

People today don't walk around with any money. If I have $30.00 in my pocket it is a lot and that is common. People no longer carrying money may be the main thing that has ended pool hustling. You can't get blood from a stone.

Years ago before ATM's and credit cards on a Friday night most every guy had his whole paycheck in his pocket or risked being broke till Monday unless he had someone to cash a check for him. Banks were not open on weekends, heck during the week they closed at 2pm. People carried money back then.

One of my specialties was playing late afternoon in bars on a Friday. I may stay there from 4 pm till closing in my fake work clothes.
If nothing else even if I didn't make a dime, I knew every guy in the place had a pocket full of money. You can't ask more then that.

Times have changed, today a guy in a $1000 suit has 8 bucks and a credit card in his pocket. Exit stage left the pool hustler and safe is the unsuspecting bar patron with no money in his pocket.
 
that what makes gambling good. some will shoot their whole bankroll to maybe win a little and if they get ahead and find out they cant keep winning they will lose back what they are winning.
 
Necessities for playing a long set

-banana
-clean socks
-tooth brush
-energy drink or pill
-clean shirt

Freshen up like a new man ready to get greasy for another several hours
 
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