Giving weight...

Clark_the_Shark

Clark_the_Shark

Has 9-Ball-itis
Silver Member
So as I get better people are asking me for weight now (it's weird being on the other end) But it seems as though I run into a dilemna, both receiving and giving weight....

I know plenty of us don't come out shooting their best game right out of the gate. And maybe after 3-4 sets gets on fire and starts shooting hard. I've gotten weight before and come back and won after warming up a while. The only problem is, you don't know if you are winning because of the weight or because you are playing better. Then, sometimes when I win, I feel bad about getting the weight. Then the next time you play they may take the weight away even if you know you don't have a chance without it.

As the giver, if I start beating them right away with a decided weight, and/or my opponent has a slow start, he may be tempted to ask for more after a set or two. This also puts me in a dilemna. If I give more weight, I feel like I'm going to have to give more weight until they start winning, which I may never be able to recover from. It feels like a never ending cycle.

In short, I feel like I have to give enough weight that they can beat me with and then I have to work my ass off to win. Or if I'm getting weight and start winning I feel bad for winning with the weight even though I need it to play even.

In other words, weight is supposed to make the two players play even, but even if the spot is perfect, there must always be a winner. Otherwise you're going back and forth for hours and giving all the money to the pool room owner.

Am I the only one thinking/worrying about weight? It's so hard because the weight you give/get from someone may be different from one day to the next or even one set to the next. Anyone got any suggestions?
 
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giving and receiving weight is like bartering. take what they ask and give them half or thereabouts.
 
Man....welcome to the pool world and congratulations on now becoming a player.

1. If you're gonna ask for weight, ask for enough.

2. If you're gonna give weight, base it on runout percentages and fear (whether it's of your ability or make them bet enough to get them out of their "comfort zone") I've outrun the craziest spots by being "used" to betting more than they are. Example: There's this one kid that can hang in there with me with just the eight for two or three bucks a game. For twenty a game, I give him the six and the break.

3. Stop adjusting to lose.

4. Giving up the nuts and outrunning it over and over will make you a better player. Now, I didn't say be stupid. But, once you get the reputation of being able to give up weight, get used to it. Because .... you'll be doing it every time eventually.
 
Good advice. Rep to you.

"3. Stop adjusting to lose." Yeah, it's hard, but it feels like either side of the coin for me is doing this exact same thing. I'm having a hard time not feeling bad about beating someone giving them weight, and winning while receiving weight.

I know it's making me better for sure because I really try to play better players with the smallest spot possible or none at all. So I'm always trying to play my best game. I'm not trying to give all my money away to these good players, but I usually put myself into situations on both ends that makes me play my guts out. Unfortunately, at the same time it makes me "adjust to lose". Just over a longer period of time, but usually inevitably.
 
you do if the weight is fair

Clark_the_Shark said:
So as I get better people are asking me for weight now (it's weird being on the other end) But it seems as though I run into a dilemna, both receiving and giving weight....

I know plenty of us don't come out shooting their best game right out of the gate. And maybe after 3-4 sets gets on fire and starts shooting hard. I've gotten weight before and come back and won after warming up a while. The only problem is, you don't know if you are winning because of the weight or because you are playing better. Then, sometimes when I win, I feel bad about getting the weight. Then the next time you play they may take the weight away even if you know you don't have a chance without it.

As the giver, if I start beating them right away with a decided weight, and/or my opponent has a slow start, he may be tempted to ask for more after a set or two. This also puts me in a dilemna. If I give more weight, I feel like I'm going to have to give more weight until they start winning, which I may never be able to recover from. It feels like a never ending cycle.

In short, I feel like I have to give enough weight that they can beat me with and then I have to work my ass off to win. Or if I'm getting weight and start winning I feel bad for winning with the weight even though I need it to play even. Btw... I never feel bad playing someone that needs more weight than they are getting.

In other words, weight is supposed to make the two players play even, but even if the spot is perfect, there must always be a winner. Otherwise you're going back and forth for hours and giving all the money to the pool room owner.

Am I the only one thinking/worrying about weight? It's so hard because the weight you give/get from someone may be different from one day to the next or even one set to the next. Anyone got any suggestions?
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If the weight is fair you should have to work your ass off to win. If you are giving less weight than the other person needs to have a fair shot at winning the weight is just a hustle to get them to play. I think the concepts of "fair" and "betting on pool" don't really go together.

Is it fair that you have done the work to get better than someone else and then you have to give away your advantage?

Is it fair to gamble with someone else when you know the odds are in your favor?

I don't gamble with friends and family because there isn't much that is fair about gambling.

Hu
 
The last guy I asked for weight from years ago first said, "You can sit there until your a$$ grows roots before I'll give you a spot!"

Then he eventually broke down and gave me weight and lost. I now use that line in a joking fashion these days when people ask for weight. Then I try to flatter them and tell them they should be giving ME weight because (fill in the blank). In the end, suggest you play even to start with.

Actually I kinda like adaptive handicaping whenever I can get someone to agree to it. That is, each time someone wins a set, then the loser has to win one less the next set. For example, say you agree to play 3 sets each a race to 5. Person A wins set #1. Then person B starts out set #2 with the score already 1-0 in their favor. If person A also wins set #2, then person B starts out set #3 with their score 2-0 in a race to 5.
 
Clark_the_Shark said:
Good advice. Rep to you.

"3. Stop adjusting to lose." Yeah, it's hard, but it feels like either side of the coin for me is doing this exact same thing. I'm having a hard time not feeling bad about beating someone giving them weight, and winning while receiving weight.

I know it's making me better for sure because I really try to play better players with the smallest spot possible or none at all. So I'm always trying to play my best game. I'm not trying to give all my money away to these good players, but I usually put myself into situations on both ends that makes me play my guts out. Unfortunately, at the same time it makes me "adjust to lose". Just over a longer period of time, but usually inevitably.
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Remember this. When you get to the table, it's a war. A fu#$ing war. This man has no respect for your game and is trying to hurt your feelings and take your money. Play like your life depends on it. Your wallet does. He's trying to take something from you. Make him pay for that. Once you get that killer instinct, you can be friends again after you've paid your time and tabbed out.
 
What Craw said. Agree or suffer a puncture.:D

I would add my experience: you give weight to someone and you have to play good enough to beat them at the given game to win...sound pretty obvious, right? Well, the person getting spotted often doesn't tolerate it.
Example: I give a guy the 7/8 and last 3 + 1game on the wire in a race to 4. He wins the first game, then gets 1 decent shot for the rest of the set- gets a couple of kicks/ banks- and says I am playing too good.

How the FLlCK am I supposed to win if I gotta give up all that weight and not tighten up on him?!
 
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