Is Luat throwing the match?

[Renegade]

I saw that match twice. Once live and just this morning on the replay. And the commentator clearly stated that Luat did check out the internet betting sites BUT he did mention that he (Luat) was going to place a big bet on HIMSELF. He was that confident that he would win and win he did. Congratulations!

 

[Williebetmore]

Poor play alone cannot be offered as evidence of impropriety.
QUOTE]

Au contraire (at least on a semantic level), I think poor play may be evidence of impropriety, just not proof (after all, what other evidence could there be if impropriety was occurring). I don't know either of these players, and if I was in a position of responsibility I would never suggest such a thing or speculate about it (of course, this is the internet where EVERYONE is guilty until proven innocent - and speculation seems to be the only reason for the existence of these forums). I don't even think the original poster was serious (I certainly wasn't). I would be extremely disappointed if such chicanery was going on at such a high level of competition; but I'm not sure I would be surprised given the shady history of the sport. I don't think anyone here has any proof of wrongdoing, I think it's just a funny way to speculate (as in "He's playing so bad, he must either be throwing the match or developing a brain tumor") - at least that's the way I took it. Actually this reminds me; after seeing how I played last night, I better get checked for that brain tumor (because I sure as hell wasn't dumping the match).

 

[ibarra]

No, I don't see hatred in your tread. But your question is still malicious.

Not because the player visited a betting site prior to his match and started out playing lousy, you then ask the question if he is throwing the match? You're insuniating. That's foul.

Luat together with Bata, Django and Andam and much earlier Parica, were the first Filipinos to travel to the US, and introduce the Americans to Filipino excellence in pool. These gentlemen have earned the respect of their fellow pros and never have they been accused to dropping matches or even the hint of it.

If you know any better, it wasn't the right question to ask.

You may not have intended it to be. But, yes,your thread is MALICIOUS.

Just a few things to point out.

1) Definitely not meant as malicious. Both Davis and Luat missed really retarded shots. Luat missed a straight on pocket to the side, and a easy english cut into the corner with the ob on the short rail. Davis missed a relatively elementary safety. It was just very weird.

2) About the golfers choking and so on. Golfers will about 200,000 US + for most tournaments Skins and regular tourneys. The biggest championship of all is 75,000 US at the WPC. Golfers have tournaments to go to everyday that pays these huge payouts, pool has 2 or 3 of these tournmanets a year (I must admit its much better than even 5 years ago). Matches between top players of golf take place at a golf course which has infinite variables like weather and the undulations of the green. Pool is played in a billion pool halls with relatively identical 4.5 X 9 tables. Its one thing to miss a 2 footer on a course with huge undulations, its another to miss a dead on shot on a flat table regardless of how nervous you are - non-pros excepted. Overall, golfers will never have incentive to cheat because the big money is staying up on the game at the tournaments, Pool players though. I am not saying Luat specifically, that try to make a living on pool can eitehr try winning every tournament or throwing a game or two. Which do you think is easier?

3) Someone commented about the money Luat can make by making it farther. Yes and no. Immediate gain, maybe he makes 10, 20, 30 or whatever thousand dollars. But if he wins the world championship, thats it...I am pretty sure hhis handicap withe the pple at wherever he plays is gonna be much tougher on his end. If he does this for a career (this is an unknown) then he is pretty much screwed.

4) Some of you are gonna comment that I aint saying anything about Davis. One simple reason, Davis still plays snooker. There is huge money in snooker, before I believe comparable to golf somewhat.

Anyways, I hope you guys see this isn't about any hatred. See the match for yourself. Even the commentators are doubting every shot.