I flipped that around a bit to support my take on it.
Now "action", is relative to the opponents. It could be $10k or simply a beer. The wager need not be more than what the players consider important. Whatever it is though, it's enough to force the players into becoming focused on their own performance. Unfortunately the same can't be said about professional Railbirds. They want high stakes or it's a waste of their time.
Personally, I want to see players grind out racks because they are afraid of selling out and losing what's important to them. Whatever that happens to be.
I want to play under serious pressure so I can grow more accustomed to what happens when nerves take over. ... <--and this isn't about money, but it's the only way to practice what I'm talking about. Here's some context: Last fall I played in a national open 8ball event and was real deep. One more win and I'm with a handful of the best players in the nation. Ended up getting an unexpected opportunity at an awkward hill/hill rack. I managed to figure it out and work myself down to a relatively easy 8 ball. However my nerves skyrocketed at that moment. Not while I was scrambling through the rack mind you but when I got to the 'easy' 8 ball. I don't have the words to explain what I was trying to play through. That shit is flat out incredible....lol. Pulling the trigger when nothing feels right and just hoping my subconscious would figure it out was terrifying and addictive experience. How does one practice that..?... If anyone has been there and knows a cheap way. I'm all ears...lol.
The point I'm trying to make is that 'action' just isn't a bet. It's a state of mind. My experience above has raised my bar of what action is for me. Anything less then what it takes to get my heart pumping and arm shaking, isn't action..., it's practice. No one is committed 100% to the win when they are practicing.