my new way of playing sets

trustyrusty

trustyrusty

I'm better with a wedge!
Silver Member
I've explained on here that I'm not real big on the gambling side of pool. But I do want someone's best game, and over the last couple of years I've come to see that I only get that from most players by betting. If I get into a game and I'm a huge dog it seems I don't get my opponents best game (the whole stringing me along to try to milk more outta me doesn't work though). I don't like spots, and usually won't take one. So, if I'm playing a better player and I feel they aren't giving me their best game, I quit them and look for another.

Yesterday I tried something a little different, and wondered if anyone else did their sets the same way. Instead of the race to 7 for $20 or whatever $$(where my opponent might win 7-5 when he coulda won 7-3); I set up sets that were race to 9 for $5 for each game you win by - 9-0=$45, 9-4=$25 etc. Kinda like a per game bet, but knowing that there are at least 9 games out there (instead of someone quitting when they're down $30, or whatever - this happens to me a lot when I'm winning per game).

The player I played yesterday is likely 2-3 games better than me in a race to 9, and is one that will not play all out when he gets up....so I offer this game to him, and said I would play 2 sets this way if he was game (I watched him doing the math in his head - thinking 9-5 9-4 = $45); and he agreed....I was right about one thing - he played better, and so did I (because he was). Lost 9-6, and won 9-8. I was out a whole $10, and the competition was MUCH better. Now I feel like a hustler in reverse....finding ways to have opponents show me their REAL game....lol :thumbup: This game can be too funny...
 
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Are there any other ideas out there to get the most for my money if I end up on the losing end? Obviously I don't want to be on the losing end, but if I'm playing better players than myself....I just want to get their best game, and hopefully learn something in the process.
 
trustyrusty said:
I've explained on here that I'm not real big on the gambling side of pool. But I do want someone's best game, and over the last couple of years I've come to see that I only get that from most players by betting. If I get into a game and I'm a huge dog it seems I don't get my opponents best game (the whole stringing me along to try to milk more outta me doesn't work though). I don't like spots, and usually won't take one. So, if I'm playing a better player and I feel they aren't giving me their best game, I quit them and look for another.

Yesterday I tried something a little different, and wondered if anyone else did their sets the same way. Instead of the race to 7 for $20 or whatever $$(where my opponent might win 7-5 when he coulda won 7-3); I set up sets that were race to 9 for $5 for each game you win by - 9-0=$45, 9-4=$25 etc. Kinda like a per game bet, but knowing that there are at least 9 games out there (instead of someone quitting when they're down $30, or whatever - this happens to me a lot when I'm winning per game).

The player I played yesterday is likely 2-3 games better than me in a race to 9, and is one that will not play all out when he gets up....so I offer this game to him, and said I would play 2 sets this way if he was game (I watched him doing the math in his head - thinking 9-5 9-4 = $45); and he agreed....I was right about one thing - he played better, and so did I (because he was). Lost 9-6, and won 9-8. I was out a whole $10, and the competition was MUCH better. Now I feel like a hustler in reverse....finding ways to have opponents show me their REAL game....lol :thumbup: This game can be too funny...
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I love it !!! Great idea :thumbup:
The poolhall where I go they use this in the ring games and it works out real nice . They race to first to get 20 games or so then everyone pays the winner per game . Keeps people from getting in the game trying to win and jumping out as soon as they lose ten bucks or so .

Thanks for sharing :smile:

Larry
 
Rusty, if you don't like playing for money, try the yard work bet.

Something like if you lose, you'll prune the bush.

If she loses, she lays the bark.

:cool:
 
Some players might not like the idea, because they could potentially only win $5 out of it, which isn't quite worth an hours work.

Personally, I generally like ensure that winning the set will at least cover the table time to play it.
 
I really like this idea

I think I may even try it tonight in my regular one pocket game...

trustyrusty said:
I've explained on here that I'm not real big on the gambling side of pool. But I do want someone's best game, and over the last couple of years I've come to see that I only get that from most players by betting. If I get into a game and I'm a huge dog it seems I don't get my opponents best game (the whole stringing me along to try to milk more outta me doesn't work though). I don't like spots, and usually won't take one. So, if I'm playing a better player and I feel they aren't giving me their best game, I quit them and look for another.

Yesterday I tried something a little different, and wondered if anyone else did their sets the same way. Instead of the race to 7 for $20 or whatever $$(where my opponent might win 7-5 when he coulda won 7-3); I set up sets that were race to 9 for $5 for each game you win by - 9-0=$45, 9-4=$25 etc. Kinda like a per game bet, but knowing that there are at least 9 games out there (instead of someone quitting when they're down $30, or whatever - this happens to me a lot when I'm winning per game).

The player I played yesterday is likely 2-3 games better than me in a race to 9, and is one that will not play all out when he gets up....so I offer this game to him, and said I would play 2 sets this way if he was game (I watched him doing the math in his head - thinking 9-5 9-4 = $45); and he agreed....I was right about one thing - he played better, and so did I (because he was). Lost 9-6, and won 9-8. I was out a whole $10, and the competition was MUCH better. Now I feel like a hustler in reverse....finding ways to have opponents show me their REAL game....lol :thumbup: This game can be too funny...
Click to expand...
 
Nice idea!

I can see the logic in this and I also gotta give you kudos for stepping up against better players in your area for a little bit of sparring action as well! I like your idea of pro-rating the game difference a lot and I'm going to offer the same situation to some of my opponents who I play on a friendly basis.

When a good friend of mine was preparing for the now defunct IPT tour qualifiers we decided to spar against one another everyday after work for about two to three hours to help get him in stroke and strengthen his game in the best manner we could. We played 8-Ball for our practice of course since that was the game of choice for the tour and our wager was $5.00/game. What we did to make sure neither of us got too financially involved in the wins or losses was to place a $30.00 cap on max win per session. We didn't stop at 6 games ahead though, we played until our alotted time was up, but noone ever got paid more than $30.00 for any session. Our competitive nature kept us both pushing hard and playing well as a result and he qualified on his second attempt as we had hoped. Now if we could just get the rest of that dough from Kevin T! LOL
 
KoolKat9Lives said:
Rusty, if you don't like playing for money, try the yard work bet.

Something like if you lose, you'll prune the bush.

If she loses, she lays the bark.

:cool:
Click to expand...

I don't mind playing for $$$, but I don't need to (like it seems most do). It's hard to explain to someone who thinks something must be on the line to play well/better/with pressure, etc.

Let me put it this way....I'll give up money for a game. Some of the guys I play really can't afford to lose the money (that I could), and beating them outta money makes the win a little less satisfying to me. I don't feel bad enough taking their money that I'll lose to them, but it's not their money I want....see what I mean.
 
Cameron Smith said:
Some players might not like the idea, because they could potentially only win $5 out of it, which isn't quite worth an hours work.

Personally, I generally like ensure that winning the set will at least cover the table time to play it.
Click to expand...


I'd take care of table time and drinks if it insured me getting their best game!! :thumbup:
 
I LOVE this idea.

I LOVE this idea. I was thinking right off that it was way better than playing for money per game because you have set times to make decisions about continuing/quitting, changing the game/price, AND there's a fixed price that you're putting yourself out there for.

So, worst case scenarios on losing, if:
you lose 9-0, you're out $45 (or $5/game.)
you lose 9-8, you're out $5 (or about 30 cents/game!).

factoring in split table time at an estimated $10 per hour, and 10 min per game:
you lose 9-0, you're out $7.50
you lose 9-8, you're out $14.17

time and gambling worst cases add up to:
you lose 9-0, you're out $52.50
you lose 9-8, you're out $19.17

Which is really awesome because, as you showed your first day, you can actually win against better players!

I did all of that calculating because I hate my lunch hour and was sitting here anyway. I really think the best part is that you really more of an assurance that you get to play your best against their best.

And, if you hate your lunch hours, too, you can record your dates and scores with each players and track whether you're doing better agst each one over time...
 
KoolKat9Lives said:
Rusty, if you don't like playing for money, try the yard work bet.

Something like if you lose, you'll prune the bush.

If she loses, she lays the bark.

:cool:
Click to expand...

Here's one I think you will like :wink:
Walk up to the best looking female playing in the room ask her
if she likes to gamble ? When she says " yeah some times what did you have in mind " Look at her and say race to 3 loser buys dinner ! :thumbup:

Larry
 
Sam Waltz said:
I can see the logic in this and I also gotta give you kudos for stepping up against better players in your area for a little bit of sparring action as well! I like your idea of pro-rating the game difference a lot and I'm going to offer the same situation to some of my opponents who I play on a friendly basis.

When a good friend of mine was preparing for the now defunct IPT tour qualifiers we decided to spar against one another everyday after work for about two to three hours to help get him in stroke and strengthen his game in the best manner we could. We played 8-Ball for our practice of course since that was the game of choice for the tour and our wager was $5.00/game. What we did to make sure neither of us got too financially involved in the wins or losses was to place a $30.00 cap on max win per session. We didn't stop at 6 games ahead though, we played until our alotted time was up, but noone ever got paid more than $30.00 for any session. Our competitive nature kept us both pushing hard and playing well as a result and he qualified on his second attempt as we had hoped. Now if we could just get the rest of that dough from Kevin T! LOL
Click to expand...


Sounds like we have the same competitive nature....wish more folks in pool were the same. I've played players that I just CAN'T beat even, and seeing them be lax in a match (whether it be trying to hustle, or just that I'm not pushing them enough) is the end for me....

I think the incentive of more $$ the better they play might work well in those situations.
 
how exactly is this different from $5/game besides a set point to stop?

i find $/game matches don't bring as much pressure.
 
iowa_player said:
Here's one I think you will like :wink:
Walk up to the best looking female playing in the room ask her
if she likes to gamble ? When she says " yeah some times what did you have in mind " Look at her and say race to 3 loser buys dinner ! :thumbup:

Larry
Click to expand...


...and the wife finds out - I lose HALF!!!! That's expensive! :p
 
I like the idea, but I also like to play. I want their *good* game, but I want a few errors thrown in there so I can get to the table.

I mean there are lots of people in my area that nobody's heard of that I've witnessed doing 4-5 B&Rs on 9 footers at the local tournaments. I don't think I want to necessarily give them an extra incentive to run out the entire set!
 
Johnnyz86 said:
how exactly is this different from $5/game besides a set point to stop?

i find $/game matches don't bring as much pressure.
Click to expand...

it's not a whole lot different than a per game bet....just adjusted for some of the nits out there that will gladly play you for however much per game as long as they are up, but run away if you win a couple of games off them right off the bat. I'm trying to get the most out of a better opponent, the "pressure" is there for me regardless of the $$$. I know most on this site scoff at that....
 
beetle said:
I like the idea, but I also like to play. I want their *good* game, but I want a few errors thrown in there so I can get to the table.

I mean there are lots of people in my area that nobody's heard of that I've witnessed doing 4-5 B&Rs on 9 footers at the local tournaments. I don't think I want to necessarily give them an extra incentive to run out the entire set!
Click to expand...

Everybody misses sometime Beetle, just makes you HAVE to play when they do....:thumbup:
 
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