Is gambling required at the higher skill levels?
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GentlemanJames
Well-known member
Again, it really all depends on so many factors; however, I will say this: if you become known to your houseman as an action-player, you'll certainly get matched-up with quality players (of various quality, to be sure)... but, there's that gambling thing.
So yes, maybe that is just how it is.
If you can find those highly-competitive players who will give you - or risk - their best game for a chance to beat you purely for bragging rights, then, the money isn't needed; just the esteem. The problem is, unless you are know to them as a stick-to-beat, then, in many cases, it's not worth it to them unless your wallet comes out... and, we are right back to gambling again. - GJ
Funny how that works though. I'd be more than willing to not only get the game but give it my all 'IF' I was going up the food chain. On the other side of the coin. I'd never expect to get the 100% game from the bigger fish I'm challenging if something wasn't on the line.
Pool has grown. It is still growing. We now have massive coverage of the sport all over the world.
Fedor was on Rogan.
Predator has pro tournaments going on year round.
Matchroom has pro tournaments going on year round.
The Mosconi cup is the biggest its ever been.
The Derby is the biggest its ever been.
My local rooms are filled to the brim every weekend.
Streams are happening daily from all across the country.
Multiple podcasts cover the sport and have large audiences.
PPV challenge matchups are profitable ventures for the promoters and players.
A dozen players made 6 figures last year in tournament winnings alone!
Everyone likes pool man. I don’t know where you guys get the idea that pool is shady, not growing, or looked at in a bad light.
It’s just a terrible take by out of touch puritans. You guys are just flat out wrong. Pool is gaining a ton of positive momentum and is thriving right now.
exaggeration
So?
Not sure what the above has to do with the state of public opinion
Status quo but doesn't change anything regardless
From recent report it's in the worst state it's ever been. ...and housed in a casino = gambling
Your local room's possible attendance is not a representation of the general public's opinion
Usually promoting gambling (money matches)
exaggeration
Assumption... You have any numbers?
I had a problem finding the money leader list for last year so I'll take your word for it. Not sure how it changes anything though
Everyone you know who likes pool, likes pool. I don't think pool is shady. I think pool suffers from the perception that it's shady based on decades of it being promoted as such in North America.
It is gaining momentum on a global/professional perspective. However the joeblow Mom and Dad don't see it that way. You're clearly the one that's out of touch, and/or ignorant of the reality beyond the patrons of their local room.
Define "cheap sets".
Location?
I'm always looking for a big table game with fargo 600-700 players.
How about a masters race for 20 bucks?
5 or 10 dollar 1Pkt racks. Race to 3 for 20?
5 dollar 8ball.
That would be my version of cheap sets amongst buddies just wanting to keep score vs making a score.
NE GA. Atlanta Athens region
Everything i said was straight facts bud. Bury your head in the sand and pretend all you want to see a bleak future that isn’t there.
You’re like the hockey fan bitching about the growth of the sport being held back by fighting not realizing it’s doing just fine.
People respect hockey players for the fights.
People respect pool for the gamble.
“Mom and Dad” don’t matter here. Millions of people play the game each day. That aint gonna change.
Gotcha.
I'd be down for $10/rack 1pkt or race to 3/$20 rotation if I was in your area.
We plan to move to SE TN in a few years.
That's a little closer.
I'm no authority on the subject but if you took gambling out of pool, I'm guessing the game would shrink, not grow.
The gamblers are already there.
How to expand and make room ,or create new spaces, for the non gamblers to grow the sport is the billion dollar question.
Let's look at
Some top name players in the USA and their earnings. MOSCONI CUP NAMES...
JUSTIN HALL?
MIKE Davis?
Oscar Dominguez?
Brandon Shuff?
Justin Bergman?
Sky Woodward?
Billy Thorpe?
Shane Wolford?
Chris Reinhold?
None of the above made what I would classify as good money in years when you figure in expenses....
Some businesses are making money. But the players are the sport more than the leagues and expos and tournaments.
Kd
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2022 money 
list information. Damn sad!
Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk
list information. Damn sad!
Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk
almost all of the great players past and present gamble at the game of pool for whatever stakes they can afford. or used to gamble at it.
even most of the europians.
personally ive never met a player that was good enough to be one of the best in his area that didnt gamble at pool. i am sure there are a few.
but in most head to head sports or games the best usually bet money on things. unless the tournament payoffs are so large that it surpasses the gambling aspect. like tennis.
millions bet or gamble in the united states every day of their lives in one form or another. they just pick different things to bet on.
even most of the europians.
personally ive never met a player that was good enough to be one of the best in his area that didnt gamble at pool. i am sure there are a few.
but in most head to head sports or games the best usually bet money on things. unless the tournament payoffs are so large that it surpasses the gambling aspect. like tennis.
millions bet or gamble in the united states every day of their lives in one form or another. they just pick different things to bet on.
DeeDeeCues
Well-known member
as far as pro money effrin is the only one that has made over 2 million in his career.
a postman may make that much and get to retire with a pension and medical benefits. and doesnt have massive expenses in fees and traveling.
and only a few made a million. and i am talking their whole life in pro tournaments.
but pool is growing, due to league play and that is the reason for its growth, and its on smaller tables.
a postman may make that much and get to retire with a pension and medical benefits. and doesnt have massive expenses in fees and traveling.
and only a few made a million. and i am talking their whole life in pro tournaments.
but pool is growing, due to league play and that is the reason for its growth, and its on smaller tables.
Adrenaline junkies are pool playerswe battle and win lose or draw get high on the Adrenaline and action!
The chemicals called endorphins produced by the brain during battle are highly addictive. Just call me a one pocket crackhead.... pool is crack!
Kd
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we battle and win lose or draw get high on the Adrenaline and action!
.... pool is crack!I was reading a book a little earlier about Titanic Thompson. Not him but another famous gambler in the book said the best thing in life is gambling and winning, the second best thing in life is gambling and losing!
Losing the gamblers to other things easier to play is a big hunk of what has hurt pool. When I started playing there was pool, back room cards and occasionally dice, church bingo for the ladies. I had a customer that had one of the old monster station wagons crammed full of trinkets won playing bingo. I often wondered how much she spent to win that junk she would never use.
There were always gamblers in the pool halls even if they were primarily hunting a card or dice game. These guys brought some outside money into the room and some excitement. If they went bust it was just a temporary inconvenience. One way or another they would top off and go again! These guys weren't much count for the most part but they did add color and life to the pool rooms and if they didn't find action they liked they would still get in action, they couldn't help themselves!
Hu
Being a non player, I get that a lot plus dirty looks. If you make a shot and get out you're a hustler. It's generic vocabulary for the typical bar crowd. Doesn't occur to them that they just look for fault and go all in if they see any.
i met ti hu. he was something else for sure and knew his son who took after him but on the rough side of it.
nick the greek supposedly was the one that said that. probably after johhny moss broke him in a many long multiple day session of head up poker at the horseshoe casino.
nick the greek supposedly was the one that said that. probably after johhny moss broke him in a many long multiple day session of head up poker at the horseshoe casino.