My best friend and I are currently engaged in a race to 5,000.
- Thread starter A-Train
- Start date
When I read this I started to laugh. The reason being is my friend and I did the exact same thing (except to 300). He is 20 I am 18 we are both ranked 7's in the CPA, I started a little before him (2 months or so) and we've been playing for a little under 3 years.WE also developed in the same way, me being more in your shoes in terms of style. When we finished the race we found that only 3 games seperated us.
I just thought it was funny to see someone do the same thing and come out with almost the same results.
I just thought it was funny to see someone do the same thing and come out with almost the same results.
Did youz want to gamble?A-Train said:
Sorry, but this contest continues to be, in my opinion, symbolic of what's gone wrong with the game of pool. Back when I started playing, back before pool became a rainy-day alternative for playing golf, no self-respecting pool player would have raced to five with no money at stake. Now, when I walk into the poolroom, I can't even find anyone who wants to play a couple cheap sets. And the descent of the game to the level of golf goes on and on. Just as the courses are filled with players who can't break a hundred despite their multi-thousand dollar sets of clubs, poolrooms are littered with players who can't hit a rail, even with their $1000 - $2000 custom made cues. It's sad. Bring back the poolrooms of my mispent youth - poolrooms where you walked thru the door and were immediately jumped on by all kinds of players willing to separate you from your money.
acedotcom said:Sorry, but this contest continues to be, in my opinion, symbolic of what's gone wrong with the game of pool. Back when I started playing, back before pool became a rainy-day alternative for playing golf, no self-respecting pool player would have raced to five with no money at stake. Now, when I walk into the poolroom, I can't even find anyone who wants to play a couple cheap sets. And the descent of the game to the level of golf goes on and on. Just as the courses are filled with players who can't break a hundred despite their multi-thousand dollar sets of clubs, poolrooms are littered with players who can't hit a rail, even with their $1000 - $2000 custom made cues. It's sad. Bring back the poolrooms of my mispent youth - poolrooms where you walked thru the door and were immediately jumped on by all kinds of players willing to separate you from your money.
Exactly. I can't imagine doing something like this. What purpose does it serve?? It's not in any way competitive. Pool doesn't seem to be competitive to most people any more. It's just something to do "for fun".
acedotcom said:Sorry, but this contest continues to be, in my opinion, symbolic of what's gone wrong with the game of pool. Back when I started playing, back before pool became a rainy-day alternative for playing golf, no self-respecting pool player would have raced to five with no money at stake. Now, when I walk into the poolroom, I can't even find anyone who wants to play a couple cheap sets. And the descent of the game to the level of golf goes on and on. Just as the courses are filled with players who can't break a hundred despite their multi-thousand dollar sets of clubs, poolrooms are littered with players who can't hit a rail, even with their $1000 - $2000 custom made cues. It's sad. Bring back the poolrooms of my mispent youth - poolrooms where you walked thru the door and were immediately jumped on by all kinds of players willing to separate you from your money.
Pushout said:
I find it just as mystifying that people cannot bring themselves to be motivated unless money is on the line. When you used to play your friends in football or basketball or any other sport, did you need a wager to make it worthwhile? Do we admire athletes for their desire to make money?
PKM said:
No, but they are motivated by their desire to make money, no matter what they say in public. Would they still play without their large {for the most part} salaries? I think not.
And I didn't say that money had to be involved, but without something to gain {motivation} most good players do not play up to their potential. Playing with your friends may motivate you but it doesn't work for me. I don't have the killer instinct when playing with friends in a casual game or match.
One of the oldest sayings I remember hearing when I started playing was: "Playing for money gives you a reason not to miss." That aside, casual pool is not especially competitive.
Fatboy said:
I hope not because this brings notoriety to the game.
How do I put this;
- When gambling is done by the elite by stakehorsing, it adds prestige to the game.
- When gambling is done among people who should have been saving their money for something else, the game suffers.
A-Train
Cynic By Nature
First thing you guys need to realize is that I don't see pool as a lucrative career choice. I have a great job where I am a big success and put together a good living for myself. I work too damned hard at this job to start potentially handing it out to some schmuck at a pool hall. I like my money more than that. I respect money more than I do pool.
I'll tell you guys what. If you want to see some money on this match, back one of us to the amount that you think is appropriate. How much should this match be worth? $100? $1000? $10,000? $100,000? $1,000,000? How much money is potentially 9,999 racks of pool worth to you guys?
I'll tell you how much it's worth to me. It's invaluable. It already has been and we are a small fraction of the way done. If I wanted to make money in the game of pool, I'd quit playing because I make a whole hell of a lot more money at work than 99% of pool players are willing and/or able to risk by playing someone.
I hate the perspective that "It's not pool unless there is money on the line" and "You never learn anything unless you gamble". It's a bull**** cop out to give yourself a lame excuse to keep throwing money around a pool hall like it's worth something. Really funny thing is that if you think about it, money never actually leaves the pool hall. It circulates between you, your opponents and the cash register, but nobody really comes out that far ahead or behind. Truth.
Ok, so that's my tangent for the day. Thanks for listening.
I'll tell you guys what. If you want to see some money on this match, back one of us to the amount that you think is appropriate. How much should this match be worth? $100? $1000? $10,000? $100,000? $1,000,000? How much money is potentially 9,999 racks of pool worth to you guys?
I'll tell you how much it's worth to me. It's invaluable. It already has been and we are a small fraction of the way done. If I wanted to make money in the game of pool, I'd quit playing because I make a whole hell of a lot more money at work than 99% of pool players are willing and/or able to risk by playing someone.
I hate the perspective that "It's not pool unless there is money on the line" and "You never learn anything unless you gamble". It's a bull**** cop out to give yourself a lame excuse to keep throwing money around a pool hall like it's worth something. Really funny thing is that if you think about it, money never actually leaves the pool hall. It circulates between you, your opponents and the cash register, but nobody really comes out that far ahead or behind. Truth.
Ok, so that's my tangent for the day. Thanks for listening.
A-Train
Cynic By Nature
I'm not forcing you to continue reading it, you've done that of your own accord.acedotcom said:Sorry, but this contest continues to be, in my opinion, symbolic of what's gone wrong with the game of pool. Back when I started playing, back before pool became a rainy-day alternative for playing golf, no self-respecting pool player would have raced to five with no money at stake. Now, when I walk into the poolroom, I can't even find anyone who wants to play a couple cheap sets. And the descent of the game to the level of golf goes on and on. Just as the courses are filled with players who can't break a hundred despite their multi-thousand dollar sets of clubs, poolrooms are littered with players who can't hit a rail, even with their $1000 - $2000 custom made cues. It's sad. Bring back the poolrooms of my mispent youth - poolrooms where you walked thru the door and were immediately jumped on by all kinds of players willing to separate you from your money.
I bet I could beat you at pool and golf though
A-Train
Cynic By Nature
Maybe I'm just an interesting breed, but I really try never to miss ever.Pushout said:
Every shot I look at and try to find a way to put the ball in the pocket. I focus on every shot if I am doing the right thing to make the ball go in the hole. I swing with as much precision in a casual game, if I happened to be gambling, or in a tournament.
poolnut
New member
Pushout said:
You can't imagine doing it? Then don't do it. Who are you to come on here and knock him, or anyone else that doesn't play for money? Really, of what concern is it to you? This is the most ridiculous post I have seen on here in quite a while. So what if people play this game for fun. Eliminate every single pool player who plays for fun and see how many people you have left playing.
poolnut
New member
acedotcom said:And the descent of the game to the level of golf goes on and on. .
I'm not exactly sure what this sentence means, but are you comparing pool to golf? How many more people play golf than pool? There are golf courses everywhere. Pick any golf course and go ask these people if they are playing for money. Are you going to tell them that they disgrace the game because they don't put some money on the game? I don't have a lot of money. I'm middle-lower class where I live. I can't afford to go throw money away on the pool table if I lose. I love to play. It's fun for me. Get the F*** over it.
poolnut said:
You get over it and read the posts again. Just like some nit to come along and get all up in the air without really knowing what he's talking about. I said it's not competitive, and it isn't, to me. You're entitled to your opinion and so am I. A lot of golfers play for money. Not much, just enough to make it interesting. If you're worried about "throwing money on the table if you lose", then don't do it. I don't have a lot of money either, but I'm not a nit.
poolnut
New member
Pushout said:
It is you who needs to read my posts again. Both of you slam people who don't like to play for money. What concern is it to you? acedotcome says that 2 people playing a friendly race to 5,000 without gambling is what is wrong with the game of pool today. You ask what purpose this race serves and say it is no way competitive. You aren't a part of it. There is nothing wrong with it. End of story.
If those two buddies wanna play and not get laid for six months, let them. 
It's their lives. They probably have other motivation than getting better.
It's their lives. They probably have other motivation than getting better.
Last edited:
A-Train
Cynic By Nature
LOL.crosseyedjoe said:If those two buddies wanna play and not get laid for six months, let them.
Mind you, getting laid isn't necessarily a problem for me.
However, I have passed up sex for pool in the past.