Playing for cash money in 2025?

cueball2010

cueball2010

AzB Gold Member
Gold Member
If you play for money... What are the average size bets you are using?
  1. How much do you bet per game?
  2. How much do you bet per race? (# games in race?)
  3. Are you playing 8 or 9 ball?
  4. How much do you bet to start if your not sure about your opponents speed?
  5. How much money do you put in your wallet or are you comfortable losing before quitting?
As someone who doesn't bet I'm just trying to understand scenarios/details and maybe get involved in making some extra cash.
 
Where I play, it is usually $10, $20 or $50 a set. Mostly races to 4,5 or 7 in both 8-ball and 9-ball. Not much 10-ball played but if it is, it’s the same as 8 & 9 ball. The longer the race, the more $. We also play the APA Amateur race to 7, 5 games of 8-ball and 8-games of 9-ball. Usually for $20. We don’t play APA rules, just the race.

The only by-the-game gambling happens with 1-pkt. Typically $20 but sometimes $5 and sometimes $50. There is almost always a 1-pkt game going on.


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Scratch85 said:
Where I play, it is usually $10, $20 or $50 a set. Mostly races to 4,5 or 7 in both 8-ball and 9-ball. Not much 10-ball played but if it is, it’s the same as 8 & 9 ball. The longer the race, the more $. We also play the APA Amateur race to 7, 5 games of 8-ball and 8-games of 9-ball. Usually for $20. We don’t play APA rules, just the race.

The only by-the-game gambling happens with 1-pkt. Typically $20 but sometimes $5 and sometimes $50. There is almost always a 1-pkt game going on.
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Thanks! This is exactly the type of thing I'm trying to figure out. I just hope I don't get laughed at suggesting a race to 4 for $10. BTW, I know a lot of people don't like APA rules. Is there a certain set of standardized rules most people like to shoot with? BCA, NAPA, TAP, WPA? I don't think the younger crowd would mind APA rules, but most of the older crowd doesn't like APA rules.

Texas Carom Club said:
heres your sign

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I've watched this. I kind of get the hustling and handicapping aspects as I've seen many threads on the topic. The most un-talked about aspect is the money.
 
cueball2010 said:
Thanks! This is exactly the type of thing I'm trying to figure out. I just hope I don't get laughed at suggesting a race to 4 for $10. BTW, I know a lot of people don't like APA rules. Is there a certain set of standardized rules most people like to shoot with? BCA, NAPA, TAP, WPA? I don't think the younger crowd would mind APA rules, but most of the older crowd doesn't like APA rules.
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In my experience bca rules are the most popular.
A common question is, "do you play league?". To figure out which rules both people know.
Play an amount your comfortable with. People will play for 10 sometimes.
 
couldnthinkof01 said:
In my experience bca rules are the most popular.
A common question is, "do you play league?". To figure out which rules both people know.
Play an amount your comfortable with. People will play for 10 sometimes.
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You brought up a good point. But if both people or one ends up playing in a league and admits to it. I feel like the next step would to be look up that players speed, and if only 1 gets looked up than that person would be at a handicapping disadvantage.
 
if you are a regular in a pool room
you should already know who gambles and for how much and what games
if you plan on walking into a room cold "to find action"
just walk up to someone get yourself a game and work out how much to play for
make it an amount that wouldnt hurt you financially with losing a few sets (although after the first set you should have an idea of your chances of winning.......unless your opponent is stalling and you dont realize it)
or at least until you got to break twice in onepocket
jmho
icbw
 
Normally 9 ball. Race to 4 or 5 for $20. Some players only want to play 8 ball but it’s the same bet. Im only really playing for fun and with people I generally know. Losing $100 isn’t going to hurt but we’re also all pretty friendly with each other and not trying to create bad vibes between us. Sometimes we just play races to 3 for snacks or drinks from the vending machines lol. They’re like $2 each.

If people want to set up a larger race it can be done but everyone is generally just looking to add pressure and not rob anyone.
 
garczar said:
In my experience most league players won't bet that fat meat is greasy. Bet enough that it hurts to lose it. That could be a little or lot depending on your bankroll and the size of your nuts.
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What do you mean exactly by "the size of your nuts"?
 
After a 25-year break from pool, I got pulled into a league and found myself back at it. The only people I've seen willing to bet even a nickel water was wet are the ones who know they've got at least 50 Fargo points on their side. These days, it's just not worth it for me to even try. It was way better in the nineties, though the guys from the sixties and seventies used to say the nineties were terrible.
 
I have played 8 ball, 9 ball, and 10 ball for money before. I prefer the rotation games but it is whatever me and my opponent agree on. Most of the times it's BCA rules or we may modify it slightly. We normally do longer races if we have time. Races are usually between 10 and 20. The bet is usually $50-$100 a set. The people I play money with shoot about the same as me, which is what I would prefer. I have also played people above my skill level for smaller amounts of money just to test myself. I don't seek out matches that I know I am going to win, but if someone of lower skill level wants to play, then I will play. I would rather to play someone closer to my speed though. Kind of a chicken **** move to only play matches that you know you will win.
 
cueball2010 said:
You brought up a good point. But if both people or one ends up playing in a league and admits to it. I feel like the next step would to be look up that players speed, and if only 1 gets looked up than that person would be at a handicapping disadvantage.
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It happens. That's why you play for a small set amount of your total bankroll.
Learn from your mistakes and enjoy the sweat.
 
Race to 5 or 7 for $20 to $50 is a nice friendly bet amongst pool buddies.

If you want to play cheaper, playing for the time is common.

9 ball only. Extremely few will bet 8 ball.

You won’t be making extra cash. Maybe breaking even overall if you’re decent at making a game. The point is it gives both players extra motivation to do their best.
 
i almost never play even then at even you can tell instantly after just one game or a few shots if you have the best of the bet or not. so it must involve a spot or it cant last unless you have a sucker on the hook. and most that bet more than candy are not suckers but losers.
50 years ago 10 or 20 a game of 6 ball or one pocket. now no one gambles on anything but one pocket so i start at least 100 a game.
but i gamble to make money not for fun or excitement. but not as much at pool as there are much better and higher stakes to win at other games.

but if i know i have the best of it the window is open. i dont turn down any amount. that would be just money not going in your pocket.
i dont play sets as many or most will quit after they lose one or certainly after two. but game by game they dont quit until broke.
 
garczar said:
Huh? FEAR is what i'm talking about. There are 'pretty' players that look SVB for nothing but they can't make two balls with $$ on the line. That's the choke/fear/dog factor.
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Well I would have to disagree with the notion that betting high is an indication of courage but rather financial irresponsibility and a lack of respect for money. Any other interpretation is likely just an ego-driven interpretation (misinterpretation) at best.
 
driz86 said:
Well I would have to disagree with the notion that betting high is an indication of courage but rather financial irresponsibility and a lack of respect for money. Any other interpretation is likely just an ego-driven interpretation (misinterpretation) at best.
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Did i ever say you had to bet high? Everyone has a 'comfort zone' when it comes to gambling. Some can't draw a breath if they think they might lose $5, others won't put their cue together for less than $500. Regardless of the amount bet fear is a big factor in gambling, some can fade it some can't. Why does a really good 'pretty' funsie player dog his brains out gambling? Its fear brother, don't think it isn't. If one is worried AT ALL about the money they shouldn't play. Nothing wrong with being scared just don't deny it.
 
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