I like to gamble a little to keep enough pressure/motivation on to play my best. This seems to be when I get the most improvement. I am talking about $5. 8ball on a bar table before a tournament to warm up. I also like to play $10. 1 pocket, and races to 5 in 9 ball for $20. Nothing big, just something to motivate me to play better. It seems to generate a lot of negetive responses when I ask people if they want to play for something, not always, but most of the time. I have got the whole spectrum from a polite not interested to somebody getting in my face. The people who seem to get the most upset when they lose are the ones who "say" they are just playing for fun. I don't play for enough to get upset when I lose. To me, its just a game that I enjoying playing a lot, and sometimes I do get a friendly game. Just wondering if its this way everywhere?
Playing for Money Where You Live, What's It Like?
- Thread starter lstevedus
- Start date
JC
Coos Cues
Gambling and a friendly wager are not the same thing but there seems to be no standard definition of where the line is. It's a matter of personal economy. To answer your question, I don't know about everywhere but you have described the area I live to a tee.
JC
Edit: I have noticed a lot of people over the years who claim to like to play for 5 or 10 dollars to keep their "motivation" on that seem to lose that desire once you start beating the brakes off of them.
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PocketCharles
We Down!?
Doesn't matter if playing for fun or for money, I'm always motivated to play my best. I do like the added pressure when playing for money though.
$10 is gambling to some and a riendly wager to others. So many play the game for different reasons. Some just love the game and the gambling adds extreme pressure. Others are just plain old cheap.
When I began playing about 40 yerars ago it was all about the money and the love of the game was rarely even talked about. Today they seem offended at the thought of play ing for something and years back nobody had the nerve to ask you to just "Play Play".
Common to bet for amounts you speak of here between friends
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I don't really play much for money locally. Small bets aren't any more motivation than I already put on myself so its kinda pointless and your not really going to get any real action at your 'home' room.
when people ask me i tell them my minimum is 50 a game. sends most away. if i ask i have already seen him make a few shots. so i simply say do you play for money? if he says yes i ask what he feels comfortable playing for. if it is too little i tell him.
if it is someone i know real well we both know what we play for.
guys that are really bad that i dont know i never ask as that is where you get problems.
if it is someone i know real well we both know what we play for.
guys that are really bad that i dont know i never ask as that is where you get problems.
I find it really depends on where you hang out. At the pool hall I hang out at, there is almost always someone to gamble with whether you go at 1pm or midnight. I gamble with friends more than anyone. We will play anything from $5 a game to $40 a game. I know people always say it's not good to gamble with friends but I rather my friends win my money than a stranger and we pretty much try to make an even game so nobody is stealing.
People who get angry are simply offended that they're being "challenged".
Well, in the area I have lived in for the past 22 years, there is only 5 or 6 people that play for money. When I say play for money, I mean like $5-$20.
For the last 20 years we have played our usual ring game and it started out $1 on the 5 and 2 on the 9. In the last two years, inflation has caught up with our game and now its $2 on the 5 and $3 on the 9.
Other posters are going to laugh at those numbers, but its a fun game and nobody can loose there rent money playing it and it doesn't lead to us matching up and playing sets because that would eventually leto someone getting out of control.
Oh, there is one person that doesn't play for money, but we gave figured out a bet. We play to see who has to rack for the other guy at the next tournament we both go to. And then for double or nothing, you play for, who has to go and get the other persons drink for the entire tournament. One stipulation to the bet, you can call the other person whatever name you want.
Neither of us has won both sets yet, but I have my bells and whistles ready for when I win...lol
For the last 20 years we have played our usual ring game and it started out $1 on the 5 and 2 on the 9. In the last two years, inflation has caught up with our game and now its $2 on the 5 and $3 on the 9.
Other posters are going to laugh at those numbers, but its a fun game and nobody can loose there rent money playing it and it doesn't lead to us matching up and playing sets because that would eventually leto someone getting out of control.
Oh, there is one person that doesn't play for money, but we gave figured out a bet. We play to see who has to rack for the other guy at the next tournament we both go to. And then for double or nothing, you play for, who has to go and get the other persons drink for the entire tournament. One stipulation to the bet, you can call the other person whatever name you want.
Neither of us has won both sets yet, but I have my bells and whistles ready for when I win...lol
It used to be that, no matter what kind of place it was, if there was a pool table present you could count on playing for at least a drink. That got spotty, but it was at least understood that you were still playing for control of the table. Now, people put quarters up and look at you like you're wearing a fetus for a hat when you stick around waiting for them to rack because "it's their turn."
I'm far down the list no matter what skill level determination you're using, but I can count on being the favorite in most bars or clubs. It takes away any desire I have to play well if I know there's no consequence for missing or playing recklessly.
I'm far down the list no matter what skill level determination you're using, but I can count on being the favorite in most bars or clubs. It takes away any desire I have to play well if I know there's no consequence for missing or playing recklessly.
The problem with pool say over poker is, pool is almost as decisive as a foot race. In short order it becomes obvious who will win. Since few players who "Claim" they like to gamble actually will ever give a spot to produce a fair game, gambling play happens rarely and usually doesn't lasts long. The so called gamblers are mostly just hit and run nits regardless how they may portray themselves.
It is funny, you will see more real gambling with lesser players among themselves. Meantime the stronger players are always looking to lock it up and never want to play each other. God forbid they should even book a loser.
I just don't understand the concept of a "friendly wager". If you're playing for money you're going all out to get the money. This is the point of cue sports.
What I do know, is there is absolutely no fun in playing "for fun".
There is practising and there is competing.
What I do know, is there is absolutely no fun in playing "for fun".
There is practising and there is competing.
JC
Coos Cues
Hey who's laughing. When I turned 21, thirty or so years ago my rent was $90 a month. I was so bad that I could lose $30-40 in a long afternoon playing ring nine ball for .25-.50 cents. Can't understand why those guys always had room for one more player. One time I broke even. Thought I was the shit!
JC
The problem I have found with playing for fun is, some players once they start losing will just screw around ruining the intent of the practice. They try to fall back on, "Oh well we aren't playing for anything anyway". Trust me, if they are betting anything no matter how small they will try to win.
I would rather play by myself the practice with someone just for fun. What I described happens almost every time. Even if they are the one who is winning if you get serious and try hard start coming back they will do the same thing. I guess it is a defense mechanism to protect their ego.
Also, and I guess this is my ego speaking as well, you give them a free shot at you, and trust me when they win everybody will know. Especially if you are known as a good player. If you want some bragging rights, you are going to have to risk something.
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I hear what you're saying but I think it depends on the context.
Asking someone to play for stakes once, that's ok.
Badgering them over and over to play for money is not ok and I've seen this far more than a simple "would you like to play some cheap" and then dropping it when they decline. It takes all kinds in the world but a little respect would go a long ways in smoothing out things between people but society seems to favor drama and chest thumping over civility.
i agree but i was thinking mainly about those who are offended when even asked at all. especially when they think they're pretty good to begin with...and then offer to "challenge" em?
"how dare you expose my weak game?"
Point taken.