Let’s talk about spots (handicaps) when gambling....

[BC21]

When I was young, maybe 19 or so, there was a fabulous player named Bruce Polly, in Charleston WV. One of his favorite spots was ridiculous. He'd say, "all you gotta do is get the nine ball to the end rail." Any good hit that resulted in the 9 touching the end rail, you win that game. I don't think he ever lost a match giving that spot. He was a lockup artist and a great shot maker. He used to say the most important lesson was to remember to move your coin.

 

[jay helfert]

So I was wondering what everyone thought of this? I have seen, like others I’m sure, a video of Shane “grooving” his stroke and looking to the side before his final stroke and making the ball. It was a bar table and he was messing around, but he did not miss.
I’ll call his “no peek.”

Cliff Joyner has been in the minds of many lately. He gave up a huge spot playing one pocket called a “handspan.” Incoming player can move the cueball anywhere within the span of their pinky and thumb before beginning the inning.

I wonder who I could beat with a combination of both of these spots? No peek and a handspan on a 9ft table, pro cut pockets. What pros would you match up with “even” under these terms?


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The hand span is a sucker bet that good players give to amateurs who can play. You only get it to start the inning. After that it's up to you to get good position. It may (or may not) help you on your first shot, but then whatcha gonna do? The good player will leave you long or in such a bad place that the hand span won't help you that much! No pro level player would give that spot to a strong shortstop who can run five or six balls if he starts with good position.

As a P.S. Danny D. used to give me 8-5 when we practiced cheap and he also gave me the hand span once. I liked 8-5 better!

 

[jrctherake]

No pro level player would give that spot to a strong shortstop who can run five or six balls if he starts with good position.

I'm thinking that a mid level shortstop would beat the mid level pro with that spot all day long.

A strong short stop will probably beat the top pros with that spot.

Bottom line:

The best of the best are freaking awesome but even they can only run so fast for so long.

Rake