Keeping score in money games (or forgetting to)

[jerschroe]

I got a question about how people keep track of races and what happens when you forget to mark. My tale is simple and perhaps common. Race to 7 Ten ball, opponent is up 6-4. he's running out but miraculously gives me the game. i'm excited for the opportunity and forget to move my coin under the rail. after the next long, safety battle game which i won, i point out that i should've been on 5 moving to 6 to make it hill/hill, but was still marked at 4.

now there wasn't a ton of money on the game and i don't do a lot of gambling so i don't know the etiquette if you will. i argued my point for a minute, and his response was only that he didn't remember if i had marked or not, but that his final shot on the 10 would've been played differently if he would've known my win gives me the hill and the break. in his defense, that's probably true. he went for a low % sellout shot when he could've played an acceptable safety.

either way, what's the deal? in my mind i've won 5 games whether it's marked or not, but i suppose if you're marking then i can't keep my coin at 4 and jump up 2 spots after a win.

 

[Woof Biscuit]

It's up to you to keep track of the games. If I didn't remember I wouldn't let you move it. You have enough to worry about and it shouldn't be your responsibility to keep up with whether or not your opponent moved the coin.

 

[richiebalto]

I got a question about how people keep track of races and what happens when you forget to mark. My tale is simple and perhaps common. Race to 7 Ten ball, opponent is up 6-4. he's running out but miraculously gives me the game. i'm excited for the opportunity and forget to move my coin under the rail. after the next long, safety battle game which i won, i point out that i should've been on 5 moving to 6 to make it hill/hill, but was still marked at 4.

now there wasn't a ton of money on the game and i don't do a lot of gambling so i don't know the etiquette if you will. i argued my point for a minute, and his response was only that he didn't remember if i had marked or not, but that his final shot on the 10 would've been played differently if he would've known my win gives me the hill and the break. in his defense, that's probably true. he went for a low % sellout shot when he could've played an acceptable safety.

This does come up alot,players get excited some times and forget to mark their game up,but it shouldnt change anything ,just after u win u next game move 2spots,or tell your opponent before that u forgot to move your score and make it rite,nobody should ever lose a game because they forgot to put the game up after they had won a game.

 

[bboxgrinder]

If it wasn't for much I personally would have not taken the rack even though I knew I was right. I say this only because it difuses any bad karma from disagreements which may arise from it. I would chalk it up as my mistake BUT if I thought my opponent knew the true score I would make sure to be aware of their cheap tactic and pay more attention in the future.

IF it was for a lot of money I like to verify score before each break verbally. I am no big gambler but I have rarely encountered disputes playng by this philosophy and have play up to $1,000 sets.

And if I lose money in a game for not much by dirty tactics I still feel better knowing what type of player I am vs having to twist scores for virtual fun. Shame on me for missing the money ball to move the bead.

 

[PaulieB]

I love being able to say "don't forget to move your marker, please let me know if I forget to move mine" when my opponent forgets to score his game.

Regardless, it's up to you to remember to score you games, obviously ... and if your opponent honestly says he doesn't remember (or even not so honestly in some cases), you have to eat it. In your case, when your opponent had something to point at as to how he played differently due to his not knowing the correct score, you have to take it on the chin. Use it as a chance to rise above and come back even stronger in that game and to always remember to mark your score in future games.

I would never make an issue of it if my opponent didn't immediately give it to me, regardless of how much money or how many people were watching, as it would of been my mistake. Sometimes you lose a match on something way less than remembering to score your game ... humidity, doors being opened, fans on, Samoans walking in, etc.

 

[randyg]

Normaly when you snooze, you lose....randyg

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

You have to go by the adage that if you don't mark before breaking the next rack, you are SOL. The best remedy for this is to have a definite routine for marking your score. Some players do it FIRST thing after winning a game and some do it LAST thing before breaking the next rack. But having an absolute, consistent routine will help you avoid forgetting about it.

I prefer marking immediately because you won't have to change your routine and perhaps forget about it when playing alternate or loser break.

 

[Mr. Wiggles]

Verbal talking with words.

If it wasn't for much I personally would have not taken the rack even though I knew I was right. I say this only because it difuses any bad karma from disagreements which may arise from it. I would chalk it up as my mistake BUT if I thought my opponent knew the true score I would make sure to be aware of their cheap tactic and pay more attention in the future.

IF it was for a lot of money I like to verify score before each break verbally. I am no big gambler but I have rarely encountered disputes playng by this philosophy and have play up to $1,000 sets.

And if I lose money in a game for not much by dirty tactics I still feel better knowing what type of player I am vs having to twist scores for virtual fun. Shame on me for missing the money ball to move the bead.

Verbally verifying score before each game and of course moving your penny is huge IMO. It shows you pay attention and of course telling your opp to move his coin shows him your honest. This could backfire if your killing someone! I wouldn't want my opp constantly saying 5-0, 6-0, 7-0 etc. If I have not won a game I assure you I know that! Same for your opp. Moving your penny right after money ball is made is best bet. Be consistent. If your playing straight pool are you going to forget a twelve ball run? I think not. Best ever IMO is the old time beads above the table so even the sweaters can see the score.

 

[Scott Lee]

richiebalto...It depends on the situation. If you're playing for money, and you forget to mark up your win, and another game (or more) is completed before you realize the mistake, imo, it's "you snooze, you lose". If you said something while the next game (after the unmarked win) was in play, then I'd be okay with you moving your coin. Etiquette often goes out the window where gambling is involved.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

This does come up alot,players get excited some times and forget to mark their game up,but it shouldnt change anything ,just after u win u next game move 2spots,or tell your opponent before that u forgot to move your score and make it rite,nobody should ever lose a game because they forgot to put the game up after they had won a game.

 

[bboxgrinder]

Verbally verifying score before each game and of course moving your penny is huge IMO. It shows you pay attention and of course telling your opp to move his coin shows him your honest. This could backfire if your killing someone! I wouldn't want my opp constantly saying 5-0, 6-0, 7-0! etc. If I have not won a game I assure you I know that! Same for your opp. Moving your penny right after money ball is made is best bet. Be consistent. If your playing straight pool are you going to forget a twelve ball run? I think not. Best ever IMO is the old time beads above the table so even the sweaters can see the score.

That is a very good point, and I can see where it would be annoying to the loser though I have never had any problems in that situation don't mean there isn't a 1st. Note taken...

I guess I just have never had many problems with this particular subject. If I feel the guy I am playing for small cash actually cheated on purpose or is a known cheat I just don't play with them, for $20 I'll just let them have it and get done. Not worth my time or enjoyment for the BS.

This can be a dirty game at times but you also have choices as to the situations you put yourself in with any individual you play unless it's a tourney of course.

 

[brandoncook26]

I would mention that I forgot to mark my last game and leave it up to the opponent. If he balked at my mentioning it, I wouldn't count the game. It was my fault in the first place and it is gracious of my opponent to allow me to score it.

As far as making it part of my routine, I always make sure to move my coin when I am gathering the balls from the closest pocket. If it is a ball return table, as soon as the win ball drops and I stand up I go to the coin. There is no better time than right when you win. Any other time and you put yourself at risk for forgetting.