Just curious, how often do you gamble when you play a match against someone?
How often do you gamble?
- Thread starter SamLambert
- Start date
Never
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I started shooting again about 8 months ago. In all that time I have gambled 3 times, all within the past 2 weeks.
I really don't care for gambling, but, I want to get better. A fellow whose game I respect said to get better you have to be punished for missing. Knowing a missed shot might cost you certainly brings the desire and the focus to do better.
So I'm going to gamble a little now and again. I just hope that, like a lot of these regular gamblers, I don't lose interest in the game unless there's money on it. That would suck, in my opinion.
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I really don't care for gambling, but, I want to get better. A fellow whose game I respect said to get better you have to be punished for missing. Knowing a missed shot might cost you certainly brings the desire and the focus to do better.
So I'm going to gamble a little now and again. I just hope that, like a lot of these regular gamblers, I don't lose interest in the game unless there's money on it. That would suck, in my opinion.
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Depends on what you call gambling. 
I started playing way back in college because there was a table in the rec room, which was right next to my dorm room. The city guys basically monopolized the table because they were way better than us country bumpkins. They played 9-ball with two money balls, the 5 and the 9. Most times they played 50¢ for the 5 and a buck for the 9. Late at night I used to get some small action (25¢ and 50¢ on the 9) when the big boys were off to sleep, and I usually (not always, though) ended up with enough money to buy Sunday dinner (we were on the "20-meal" plan at SUNY Albany). Is that gambling? Lol
I started playing way back in college because there was a table in the rec room, which was right next to my dorm room. The city guys basically monopolized the table because they were way better than us country bumpkins. They played 9-ball with two money balls, the 5 and the 9. Most times they played 50¢ for the 5 and a buck for the 9. Late at night I used to get some small action (25¢ and 50¢ on the 9) when the big boys were off to sleep, and I usually (not always, though) ended up with enough money to buy Sunday dinner (we were on the "20-meal" plan at SUNY Albany). Is that gambling? Lol
That guy is right about gambling. After all you wouldn't want hi to miss his car payment. Just kidding.
I gamble cheap about 2-4 times a week. Gambling in an affordable amount is good for playing under pressure. You can only lose so much before it forces you to improve. Just don't make the mistake of playing for more then you can afford.
I don't normally bet but every now and then I go to a room where I know I will have to bet to even get a game. some times I win some times I drink to much and pick the guy that if I was sober I would never play and I give my donation . but it keeps me wanting to get better .Mabe one day I can go in there and clean house and if that ever happens I will post a pic of the sail boat I buy with the money.
I used to gamble a lot more when I went to the hall more frequently; and before they tried cleaning the place up.
Generally $40 race to 5 or something. Then $80 same. $100 same.
Most I've bet on a race to 5 was $500.
Generally $40 race to 5 or something. Then $80 same. $100 same.
Most I've bet on a race to 5 was $500.
Depends - if I'm working then I like to gamble as much as possible within reason. I always have a cap on how much I'll lose before stopping myself.
When I'm not working I hardly ever gamble and it bothers me right now because I want to play the great local players (around 700 Fargo) for money and instruction.
When I'm not working I hardly ever gamble and it bothers me right now because I want to play the great local players (around 700 Fargo) for money and instruction.
I don't knock people who don't gamble and don't understand why people who don't gamble knock those who do gamble.
Unlike some people I also don't sandbag. If you see me on the practice table, you will see my real game. If you see me in a match for money, you will see my real game. If you see me in a tournament, you will see my real game. I used to think that it was ok to lay down when one of your prospective customers walked into the pool room, but I don't do that any more. It just doesn't feel right to me and I don't do it.
I regularly play pool (competitively with a good friend) and we don't gamble. I don't need gambling to fill a void for me.
Regardless, it is a fact that when you have money on the line, you pay attention. The little money that I win gambling is nice but it isn't going to change my life.
On the other hand, there are people who gamble at pool who can ill afford to lose the money that they are betting and I don't take pleasure in playing those.
Personally speaking, I can gamble or not. It is not a big deal to me. I enjoy gambling and if I get in a game where I wind up breaking even, you can bet that I will play it again. Most of the time, my opponents don't want a game that they can break even at, so they almost are always scarce after breaking even with me.
If I win a little money gambling, that's fine. I gamble because like pool, it is just a hobby.
If I lose, I lick my wounds and go back to the practice table. If I lose badly, I will ask for an adjustment at another time. If they don't give the adjustment, I don't play.
The best advice I have for anyone considering gambling is gamble cheap. It is no fun to lose cheap money and you will pay attention, especially if you lose. If you barely lose, go practice and improve. Come back another day.
If you lose by a wide margin, ask for an adjustment, BUT NOT THE SAME DAY. I suggest when you lose, don't ask or beg for an adjustment. If the other player offers and adjustment and it is to your liking and you feel like playing, go ahead and play, BUT DON'T CHASE YOUR MONEY and don't ask for a better game the same day. Quit for the day and give yourself a chance to think about the loss and what it meant to you and maybe you will discover that you can win at it with a few adjustments or you may figure out, that you are in a bad game. Either way, you're still going to get that guaranteed money next payday, right?
You're not going to make a lot of money gambling. In fact, even the best gamblers will admit that they can't make a living gambling at pool.
Most people who gamble high aren't gambling high to improve their pool game. Trust me. They're trying to inflate their wallet with your dough and if you aren't a seasoned gambler, they will get it.
I worried for years that my son might take up gambling at pool and kept my love of pool a secret. Now he and I play pool together in tournaments. He takes a beating most of the time, but he is improving. And yes, he gambles cheap with his peers every once in a blue moon. He has even won a handicapped pool tournament. My past fear of him thinking that he could make a bunch of money gambling at pool are not a concern of mine any longer. However, if I see one of the scufflers trying to open his nose or get in his pocket, I will be on them like gravy on rice.
JoeyA
Unlike some people I also don't sandbag. If you see me on the practice table, you will see my real game. If you see me in a match for money, you will see my real game. If you see me in a tournament, you will see my real game. I used to think that it was ok to lay down when one of your prospective customers walked into the pool room, but I don't do that any more. It just doesn't feel right to me and I don't do it.
I regularly play pool (competitively with a good friend) and we don't gamble. I don't need gambling to fill a void for me.
Regardless, it is a fact that when you have money on the line, you pay attention. The little money that I win gambling is nice but it isn't going to change my life.
On the other hand, there are people who gamble at pool who can ill afford to lose the money that they are betting and I don't take pleasure in playing those.
Personally speaking, I can gamble or not. It is not a big deal to me. I enjoy gambling and if I get in a game where I wind up breaking even, you can bet that I will play it again. Most of the time, my opponents don't want a game that they can break even at, so they almost are always scarce after breaking even with me.
If I win a little money gambling, that's fine. I gamble because like pool, it is just a hobby.
If I lose, I lick my wounds and go back to the practice table. If I lose badly, I will ask for an adjustment at another time. If they don't give the adjustment, I don't play.
The best advice I have for anyone considering gambling is gamble cheap. It is no fun to lose cheap money and you will pay attention, especially if you lose. If you barely lose, go practice and improve. Come back another day.
If you lose by a wide margin, ask for an adjustment, BUT NOT THE SAME DAY. I suggest when you lose, don't ask or beg for an adjustment. If the other player offers and adjustment and it is to your liking and you feel like playing, go ahead and play, BUT DON'T CHASE YOUR MONEY and don't ask for a better game the same day. Quit for the day and give yourself a chance to think about the loss and what it meant to you and maybe you will discover that you can win at it with a few adjustments or you may figure out, that you are in a bad game. Either way, you're still going to get that guaranteed money next payday, right?
You're not going to make a lot of money gambling. In fact, even the best gamblers will admit that they can't make a living gambling at pool.
Most people who gamble high aren't gambling high to improve their pool game. Trust me. They're trying to inflate their wallet with your dough and if you aren't a seasoned gambler, they will get it.
I worried for years that my son might take up gambling at pool and kept my love of pool a secret. Now he and I play pool together in tournaments. He takes a beating most of the time, but he is improving. And yes, he gambles cheap with his peers every once in a blue moon. He has even won a handicapped pool tournament. My past fear of him thinking that he could make a bunch of money gambling at pool are not a concern of mine any longer. However, if I see one of the scufflers trying to open his nose or get in his pocket, I will be on them like gravy on rice.
JoeyA
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I don't knock people who gamble and don't understand why people who don't gamble knock those who do gamble... It is a fact that when you have money on the line, you pay attention. The little money that I win gambling is nice but it isn't going to change my
The best advice I have for anyone considering gambling is gamble cheap. It is no fun to lose cheap money and you will pay attention, especially if you lose. If you barely lose, go practice and improve. Come back another day..
I worried for years that my son might take up gambling at pool and kept my love of pool a secret. Now he and I play pool together in tournaments. He takes a beating most of the time, but he is improving. And yes, he gambles cheap with his peers every once in a blue moon. He has even won a handicapped pool tournament. My past fear of him thinking that he could make a bunch of money gambling at pool are not a concern of mine any longer. However, if I see one of the scufflers trying to open his nose or get in his pocket, I will be on them like gravy on rice.
JoeyA
Joey..Where does your son play????
SJD..AKA, Mr. Rice :grin:
PS..Call me Mr. Smooth Gravy, when it comes to robbing naive 'newbies'!
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