Playing ahead sets.
- Thread starter MaskedMan
- Start date
For me, no doubt it's a race to 11. Ahead sets can get long and tedious, and I'm not young anymore... and my knees are twice my age. The R-11 is my kind of run... just too crippled up to hang on the ahead sets.... BUT, when I was young, different story!
Later,
Bob
Later,
Bob
Sets
I have to agree, I like playing sets as well. Although, here on the west coast they don't play a lot of 'ahead' matches for some reason. I played back East and it's a lot more common out there. Along with playing straight pool and one pocket as well.
I would say though, if you're an inspiring player wanting to improve try playing a much better player like 5-7 ahead for $50 is a great investment to your game. If you can find a local pro even better. Most good players won't give you free lessons (afterall, they had to pay their dues too) but if you step up and offer to play them even they'll play till your out of $$. Try to see how long it takes you to lose. Over time it will take longer and longer... and eventually it won't be worth them playing you anymore because it will take too long to win. IF they can win.
I have to agree, I like playing sets as well. Although, here on the west coast they don't play a lot of 'ahead' matches for some reason. I played back East and it's a lot more common out there. Along with playing straight pool and one pocket as well.
I would say though, if you're an inspiring player wanting to improve try playing a much better player like 5-7 ahead for $50 is a great investment to your game. If you can find a local pro even better. Most good players won't give you free lessons (afterall, they had to pay their dues too) but if you step up and offer to play them even they'll play till your out of $$. Try to see how long it takes you to lose. Over time it will take longer and longer... and eventually it won't be worth them playing you anymore because it will take too long to win. IF they can win.
It would really depend on who was the stronger player..... If you were truly even, then you'd want to take other things into account. Basically, who do you think has more stamina in the long run? If you dont think you can handle a 5 hour game, then go for the race and try to put the pressure on early. But, if you have no problem playing for hours at the same speed, then take the ahead game.
The better player will usually want the ahead game, while the weaker one should want the set in hopes that they could squeak through with a win instead of gettin ground out by the better player in the long run
The better player will usually want the ahead game, while the weaker one should want the set in hopes that they could squeak through with a win instead of gettin ground out by the better player in the long run
an ahead set is essentially playing by the rack and freezing up a certain amount of money which locks both players in to the set and assures the winner of a certain dollar amount.
alot of great players and gamblers will disagree with this statement, but i never, i mean never, play by the rack unless i am stealing. not even 1 pocket, which i don't really play, but even if i'm getting the nuts, i'd still rather post up some cheese and play a race to 3.
alot of great players and gamblers will disagree with this statement, but i never, i mean never, play by the rack unless i am stealing. not even 1 pocket, which i don't really play, but even if i'm getting the nuts, i'd still rather post up some cheese and play a race to 3.
I've never done a Ahead Set Race, but it would be interesting, but you would almost need to plan on playing for a long ass time lol.
Only because depending on the guy your matched against you could go back n forth all nite long and end up even.
Personally i wouldnt mind trying the Ahead Set race because then you dont hafta worry about getting blown out in the first set if it happens. You have more time to make a come back.
dave
Only because depending on the guy your matched against you could go back n forth all nite long and end up even.
Personally i wouldnt mind trying the Ahead Set race because then you dont hafta worry about getting blown out in the first set if it happens. You have more time to make a come back.
dave
Even if players "look" even, they usually aren't. Maybe equal tournament finishes, but gambling will show the difference.
Ahead games = endurance, patience, pace yourself...
Sets = sprint race, cut throat, no time to wait....
So, looking at 2 equal looking players, maybe take into consideration their personalities, fitness, free time....etc
Gerry
Ahead games = endurance, patience, pace yourself...
Sets = sprint race, cut throat, no time to wait....
So, looking at 2 equal looking players, maybe take into consideration their personalities, fitness, free time....etc
Gerry
OldHasBeen
Tom Ferry
Cane hit the nail on the head for me.
An ahead set is just a way of assuring an amount will be won/lost. Once the cash is posted it must be finished. This is the way I played for all tough/close matches long, long ago. I was betting that I could hold up better than my opponent under the pressure.
But now that I can't be sure I could play for that long - I would have to play a race. That is IF I were still playing 9-ball, which I'm not. I now only play a short race of One Pocket (3 ot of 5) for whatever.
TY & GL, OHB
Cane said:
An ahead set is just a way of assuring an amount will be won/lost. Once the cash is posted it must be finished. This is the way I played for all tough/close matches long, long ago. I was betting that I could hold up better than my opponent under the pressure.
But now that I can't be sure I could play for that long - I would have to play a race. That is IF I were still playing 9-ball, which I'm not. I now only play a short race of One Pocket (3 ot of 5) for whatever.
TY & GL, OHB
I like the ahead set. I believe that the stronger player will always win in an ahead set.
I think an ahead set is the only way to go if your playing for big money. You dont want to be playing for say $500 in a race to 7 and have the other player luck out on you and just get the rolls. In an ahead set say to 10, 99 times out of 100 the better player will win.