Money Match-Ups vs Tournaments

[Johnnyt]

It’s not rare to find the very top players that almost always get the money in match-ups and cash in the top 5 of major tournaments almost every time. But below the top players it is rare for any of those players doing very well in both. Some do very well in tournaments and poor playing for the money, even when matched up right. Others are monsters gambling, but hardly ever are in the top 5 in major tournaments. Tournaments and match-ups/gambling are two different animals for most. Some don’t like tournament formats or don’t play in enough of them to get comfortable in them. Some players can’t forget about the size of the bet and do a choke routine more than not.

When I played you didn’t play in tournaments if you wanted to be able to sneak around, or I played in small to mid size ones to just get in the low money and look to match up with the top cashers after the tournament was over.

For me, my cheeks would start to get tight on bets over $200. Over time, even when I always had plenty of money, I’d tighten up playing for over $200.

I didn’t like the idea of the just two barrels in tournaments and I also felt that I was playing for cheap because I already paid my entry. Out of sight out of mind for me back then.

When I matched up for money I had as many barrels to fire as I had money in my pocket. If I lost a few games or sets in the beginning and knew I had the best of it I could keep firing until I hit a higher gear. Tournaments and matching up for money are two different things for most players. Johnnyt

 

[Neil]

It’s not rare to find the very top players that almost always get the money in match-ups and cash in the top 5 of major tournaments almost every time. But below the top players it is rare for any of those players doing very well in both. Some do very well in tournaments and poor playing for the money, even when matched up right. Others are monsters gambling, but hardly ever are in the top 5 in major tournaments. Tournaments and match-ups/gambling are two different animals for most. Some don’t like tournament formats or don’t play in enough of them to get comfortable in them. Some players can’t forget about the size of the bet and do a choke routine more than not.

When I played you didn’t play in tournaments if you wanted to be able to sneak around, or I played in small to mid size ones to just get in the low money and look to match up with the top cashers after the tournament was over.

For me, my cheeks would start to get tight on bets over $200. Over time, even when I always had plenty of money, I’d tighten up playing for over $200.

I didn’t like the idea of the just two barrels in tournaments and I also felt that I was playing for cheap because I already paid my entry. Out of sight out of mind for me back then.

When I matched up for money I had as many barrels to fire as I had money in my pocket. If I lost a few games or sets in the beginning and knew I had the best of it I could keep firing until I hit a higher gear. Tournaments and matching up for money are two different things for most players. Johnnyt

Tournaments are a lot like sprints for a runner. You have to come out of the gate with everything you have and get it done right now.

Gambling is more like a marathon. You don't really care about who is ahead at the beginning, You pace yourself and go for the long run. Knowing that eventually, you will outlast your opponent. Especially if he is a sprinter type. Once he runs out of gas (focus), you will own him.

And then there's the third type. The guy that can do both. Come out of the gate strong, and stay strong for many hours. Those are the type to watch out for. And, usually, those are the type that have a consistent routine they follow. They don't much in the way of ups and downs, they are just consistent from the first ball on.

 

[King T]

Slow starters

If you are guy, and I am, who starts slow you have to get lucky in the tournament format to win. You have to catch a guy who is also starting off slow or catch a weak player or two for your first draw. Its not easy.

But for the cash its easy..., play till you win or play till your broke!

 

[SJDinPHX]

... But below the top players it is rare for any of those players doing very well in both. Some do very well in tournaments and poor playing for the money, even when matched up right. Others are monsters gambling, but hardly ever are in the top 5 in major tournaments. Tournaments and match-ups/gambling are two different animals for most.

I didn’t like the idea of the just two barrels in tournaments...When I matched up for money I had as many barrels to fire as I had money in my pocket. If I lost a few games or sets in the beginning and knew I had the best of it I could keep firing until I hit a higher gear. Tournaments and matching up for money are two different things for most players. Johnnyt

Points well made Johnny..I was never much one for tournaments..Even the smaller ones tied you up for days..The bigger ones, could tie you up for a week or more !..Simple arithmetic, will tell you that the overhead in tourn. play, make them VERY hard to justify financially !

Back when action was available almost anywhere, is probably the reason there just weren't that many tournaments !..Who would want to be tied down to a structured event, when you could drive 200 miles, and win 5 times what you could, if you took first place in a tournament ?..Also, throw in the fact that occasionally, the prize money wouldn't even be there ! :frown:

I can understand today's logic though..The "road" has pretty much dried up..Good player's just don't always have the two options anymore !..But if you're not fast out of the gate, (which I never was, and very few of even the top player's are).. you are REALLY spinning your wheels in tournament play !

 

[JoeyA]

What is left?

Points well made Johnny..I was never much one for tournaments..Even the smaller ones tied you up for days..The bigger ones, could tie you up for a week or more !..Simple arithmetic, will tell you that the overhead in tourn. play, make them VERY hard to justify financially !

Back when action was available almost anywhere, is probably the reason there just weren't that many tournaments !..Who would want to be tied down to a structured event, when you could drive 200 miles, and win 5 times what you could, if you took first place in a tournament ?..Also, throw in the fact that occasionally, the prize money wouldn't even be there ! :frown:

I can understand today's logic though..The "road" has pretty much dried up..Good player's just don't always have the two options anymore !..But if you're not fast out of the gate, (which I never was, and very few of even the top player's are).. you are REALLY spinning your wheels in tournament play !

Dick,
Everything you say has merit if earned profit is your only goal and you are a player from yesteryear.

Today, tournament play is not "spinning your wheels". Today people play in tournaments for various reasons, least of all is to make a living at winning tournament events. Mostly tournament play is for entertainment and a chance to find out where you are in the pecking order and dinosaurs like you should be encouraging tournament play or at least make the distinction that it is difficult (and always has been) to make a living at competing in tournaments. You make it sound like playing in tournaments is for stupid people.

Your kind (and I mean that in a good way) are remnants of the past, the way pool used to be. Unfortunately, people who hustle for a living are no more.

Every now and then someone can steal a little something here and there but making a living out of someone else's ignorance is a thing of the past.

Cell phones, Internet, cameras, casinos and video poker
have all made hustling a thing of the past.

Best Regards,

JoeyA