Pool's Greatest Sin:**Quiting Winner**

longhair said:
Oh, I forgot to mention that I really have only gambled in places that CLOSE. My personal guidelines would have to be adjusted in a 24 hour poolroom.
Click to expand...

Yeah? I got a story for you!!!

Once upon a time I got into a rotation game where I was spotting the guy 15 points. (you have to get to 61 first to win)

We started out at $50 a game and within a few hours we had the bet up to $600 a game. At 1:30am I had him stuck 9 games - $5400.

At this particular room they were known for closing at 2am, no exceptions. Lights out, pay your time, you're done. I had been there twice before and had them close on me with me stuck a couple hundred.

Well 1:55am rolls around and I still have him stuck nine games. I am starting to count the money. 2am and nothing happens!!!! We are way back in the corner and I can see the staff going through the closing motions but no one bothers us. The owner is sitting at the bar chatting as if it's 10pm.

At this point me and this guy had been battling for close to 13 hours. I was really feeling fatigued. Long story short - he gets back to even at 4am. I told him he's paying the time.

I know I should have quit and offered to play the next day - but I really thought I could outlast him - and was counting on the room to close.

In the end it was the move by the room that got in my head and crowded out all else. Instead of just bearing down more or negotiating a quitting time I started just thinking about why they weren't closing.

Sooooo....... while I don't advocate quitting winner - I do advocate quitting ahead and starting the next session with the other guy in the hole.

But on the other side here's a quote that came from some famous player - I don't know who - maybe Buddy Hall - or from Buddy's book - 'not quit winner? If you don't quit winner then when are you supposed to quit?'

:-) No rules.
 
John, isn't it amazing how stuff like that can mess with your head & put you off your game? That would've bugged the crap out of me!!
 
John,
What a great story. The room owner probably thought he was doing you guys a favor, and I guess he was doing one of you a favor.
 
quitting winner

Quitting winner was usually caused by one of two things. One, I announced before starting to play that I only had a certain amount of time. The other is that I had beaten someone until I was plain tired or bored stiff and they didn't have a prayer of coming back. I'll warn them that I am going to quit in a few games or sets and they can try to come back or quit where we are at. I often dropped the last game or set so I didn't leave them flat. I have played many a night until somebody's pocket was empty but I have also had no hopers that were too stubborn to quit that I quit on because there wasn't the slightest gamble involved.

I have to agree with those that don't care to gamble with people that are always ready to quit as soon as they win a bet or get one ahead. Fooling around with them could cost playing with someone interesting.

Of course I have quit hustlers that were stalling and letting me win right when they were moving in for the kill too. Usually I simply tightened up myself and kept right on winning most of the time but sometimes it was fun to watch them licking their chops and then leave them hung out to dry because they gave away their money. As I have said before, hustlers deserve whatever happens to them including getting hustled themselves.

Hu
 
You know it.

John Barton said:
Try that attitude out in a serious room and you'll find that most serious players won't play you until you freeze up multiple sets and post ALL the money. And most nits who have a "quit winner" reputation wouldn't freeze up money if Helen Keller was giving up the rainbow and playing with her foot.
Click to expand...
All nits are pretty well known in every arena of pool. Most will never hit the "big score" moment. They won't give themselves a chance to. And.... anyone that will "go off" won't go near a guy who tells him "I got time for one set." So be off with your $20 dollar hit and run to the next nitty bar. " Oh show me the way to the next whiskey bar." Most of the guys who hit and run plain out won't gamble. They are most always stealing or playing the lesser player. Hey, I like having the best of it, too. But, sometimes you have to belly up. I will add, though, if you are out of town and don't know who you are dealing with, be careful on the "hit and run" move. Just might get robbed in certain areas. Shall we say Knoxville, TN, Alcoa Highway in a phone booth across from a Texaco after they followed you for their two hundred back. So, I have seen both sides of the "hit and run."
 
Last edited:
Walt Frazier said:
If you've ever gambled,you've done it..At one time or another,we all have..If a player tells you"I have never quit a guy winner" Than guess what? He is lying thru his teeth!
Click to expand...


Quitting as a Winner ... as opposed to what ... playing till you are a loser?
What kind of twisted logic is that.
Sounds like some shark tactic a hustler would use.
Some nits will even whine if you quit while you are losing!
That is not the kind of people I play pool with.

If I am ahead and want to quit I will often offer the other player an option.
Something like three more games and I gotta go or offer to play a race to three for double or nothing.
And that is offered out of respect not cause I feel I am required to.
 
John Barton said:
Try that attitude out in a serious room and you'll find that most serious players won't play you until you freeze up multiple sets and post ALL the money. And most nits who have a "quit winner" reputation wouldn't freeze up money if Helen Keller was giving up the rainbow and playing with her foot.
Click to expand...

I have heard people pi$$, moan, and complain about losing no matter what happens. Most people that complain about this are the actual nits because they never had a chance in hell to win in the first place. This is the oldest trick in the book that "losers' will use to knock anybody's action, and most of the time it has nothing to do with a "serious" game, and you know that too, John. I've heard people use this as an excuse to "never play that guy again". Sounds like a lack of testiclar fortitude to me (instead of nittiness).

The problem these days is that there are to many people pissing and moaning about everything when they come out on the losing end in any situation. For me, I could care less. If I get my ass handed to me, I will take it like a man. I won't cry and whine and point to unwritten rules or ettiquette in reponse to losing to somebody I couldn't beat at the table- no matter if the guy left or why he left or when he left. Only nits do that. You can point fingers and call people nits, but in my case, if the shoe was on the other foot - I would pay the man, shake his hand and keep my mouth shut and try to get him next time.

From what I remember, crying about $hit like this would kill your action faster than anything - at least that was how it was in my neighborhood. If you started crying or pointing fingers, people would tell you to STFU then walk away from you. BTW ... just so you know, I'd always post up - that's also an easy way to identify the true nits and it will save you from a lot of heartaches in the end.
 
Okay, okay

Blackjack said:
I have heard people pi$$, moan, and complain about losing no matter what happens. Most people that complain about this are the actual nits because they never had a chance in hell to win in the first place. This is the oldest trick in the book that "losers' will use to knock anybody's action, and most of the time it has nothing to do with a "serious" game, and you know that too, John. I've heard people use this as an excuse to "never play that guy again". Sounds like a lack of testiclar fortitude to me (instead of nittiness).

The problem these days is that there are to many people pissing and moaning about everything when they come out on the losing end in any situation. For me, I could care less. If I get my ass handed to me, I will take it like a man. I won't cry and whine and point to unwritten rules or ettiquette in reponse to losing to somebody I couldn't beat at the table- no matter if the guy left or why he left or when he left. Only nits do that. You can point fingers and call people nits, but in my case, if the shoe was on the other foot - I would pay the man, shake his hand and keep my mouth shut and try to get him next time.

From what I remember, crying about $hit like this would kill your action faster than anything - at least that was how it was in my neighborhood. If you started crying or pointing fingers, people would tell you to STFU then walk away from you. BTW ... just so you know, I'd always post up - that's also an easy way to identify the true nits and it will save you from a lot of heartaches in the end.
Click to expand...
Okay, what if you are playing a guy giving him the seven for twenty a game, he wins the flip, runs out to the seven, makes it on the break, you finally get a kick shot-he runs out, and breaks and runs out... turns to you and says I've gotta go. I realize he's only up eighty bucks, but I'm talking about pool etiquette. I am not referring to the "one set wonder." That wouldn't get under your skin? Come on, you'd really shake his hand and not get a little "red-eared?" I agree with putting up, and agreeing on times, and sets and all of that. But for $10-20 a game action, I expect a fair shot or at least a chance like "Okay, two more games and I've got to go." You know, some kind of forewarning, at least. By the way, my playing record is quite fair, so I am not one of those losing, and moaning guys that just likes to *****. I chimed in because the younger crowd Should learn what us older guys (I'm forty) learned. Just show some respect. Same as the guy who wants to play for fifty a game with sixty in his pocket. I just steer clear of those fellas as well. And... as you stated that the guys who always complain couldn't ever win in the first place, why wouldn't the guy just keep beating him to death if he can't win? It's just a little irritating when some young "up and coming player" harrasses you to death to give him the seven and the break for fifty a set, wins 7-6 and quits. Those are the kind of people I avoid like the plague when I am just dying for action. I'd rather play $2 dollar pool with someone.
 
Last edited:
Don't quit loser is probably a better policy.

The very last time I gambled was about 1-2 years ago. I had to pull the move of quiting winner (my ride was leaving.) Well the guy through a fit and started name calling and crying about me quiting winner, he even said the word nit. Well, since I am easily perturbed I said "we can bet the whole thing on a spot shot." I told him we can bet to see who misses it first. Silence... "Now who is the nit. If you are scared of betting on a spot shot then you probably shouldn't be betting you can beat me." Long story short I turned it around on him. When I left I left without him saying anything he knew who quit on who then.

Jamison
 
Tap,Tap,Tap,Tap,Tap !!!!!

Blackjack said:
I have heard people pi$$, moan, and complain about losing no matter what happens. Most people that complain about this are the actual nits because they never had a chance in hell to win in the first place. This is the oldest trick in the book that "losers' will use to knock anybody's action, and most of the time it has nothing to do with a "serious" game, and you know that too, John. I've heard people use this as an excuse to "never play that guy again". Sounds like a lack of testiclar fortitude to me (instead of nittiness).

The problem these days is that there are to many people pissing and moaning about everything when they come out on the losing end in any situation. For me, I could care less. If I get my ass handed to me, I will take it like a man. I won't cry and whine and point to unwritten rules or ettiquette in reponse to losing to somebody I couldn't beat at the table- no matter if the guy left or why he left or when he left. Only nits do that. You can point fingers and call people nits, but in my case, if the shoe was on the other foot - I would pay the man, shake his hand and keep my mouth shut and try to get him next time.

From what I remember, crying about $hit like this would kill your action faster than anything - at least that was how it was in my neighborhood. If you started crying or pointing fingers, people would tell you to STFU then walk away from you. BTW ... just so you know, I'd always post up - that's also an easy way to identify the true nits and it will save you from a lot of heartaches in the end.
Click to expand...

I always try to show enough gamble to keep my sucker happy;but ultimately I could care less what the sucker thinks of me!Just as long as I've got his dough.

A wise hustler told me:"always leave a little bait on the line":D :D
 
crawfish said:
Okay, what if you are playing a guy giving him the seven for twenty a game, he wins the flip, runs out to the seven, makes it on the break, you finally get a kick shot-he runs out, and breaks and runs out... turns to you and says I've gotta go. I realize he's only up eighty bucks, but I'm talking about pool etiquette. I am not referring to the "one set wonder." That wouldn't get under your skin? Come on, you'd really shake his hand and not get a little "red-eared?" I agree with putting up and agreeing on times and sets and all of that. But for $10-20 a game action, I expect a fair shot or at least a chance like "Okay, two more games and I've got to go." You know, some kind of forewarning, at least. By the way, my playing record is quite fair, so I am not one of those losing, and moaning guys that just likes to *****. I chimed in because the younger crowd Should learn what us older guys (I'm forty) learned. Just show some respect. Same as the guy who wants to play for fifty a game with sixty in his pocket. I just steer clear of those fellas as well.
Click to expand...


Exactly. I agree with you 100 % that some sort of forewarning should be agreed upon. My disgust with this topic is the people that never had a chance to win btching about somebody leaving when they are ahead. Like others have said, agree to an agreed amount of sets beforehand and you won't have that problem. If you fail to do that, don't btch about it in the end.
 
Blackjack said:
If you fail to do that, don't btch about it in the end.
Click to expand...

Tap,Tap,Tap
That btchin reminds of the logic and arguments of the inhabitants of state`s Big Houses.:cool:
 
If your playing $20 a rack with nothing agreed other than playing $20 a rack, both guys plan on quitting winner, its not a mindgame its a money game, if the guy pulls up a 3 game winner then pay the guy and move on, you lost.
 
punter said:
I have to agree with John, absent some pre-match agreement (which is the best solution), and I hesitate to use the n-word, but it is kinda nitty

Kinda surprised you admitted this Walt
Click to expand...
This is very well stated. There is one guy in my poolroom that is notorious for winning a couple of games or even 1 set and quiting on you. Nowadays, he cant even get a game b/c of this. IMO, quiting winner is just a "move" and nitty. Especially if there is an agreement on the number of sets to be played or a time limit is set.

Southpaw
 
One and out.

selftaut said:
If your playing $20 a rack with nothing agreed other than playing $20 a rack, both guys plan on quitting winner, its not a mindgame its a money game, if the guy pulls up a 3 game winner then pay the guy and move on, you lost.
Click to expand...
So, you and I agree to play some pool for $20 a game, and I break and run the first rack.. and then say, "I quit. Thanks for the twenty." You think that's OK? I guess I am thinking of two completely different things. When I say twenty a game, I mean.. I think that I want to play SOME pool and twenty makes it fun and one of us can make a little scratch. When you think someone asks you to play "some" pool for twenty a game, you can quit after the first one? That's OK with you. Hey, we're talking about two different worlds here. I don't mean "pulls up a 3 game winner," I'm talking about ridiculous people who have no concept of playing "SOME."
 
Blackjack said it right.

People will argue you look like a nit and you won't get any action for quitting winner... funny, it sounds like those people only want to book games with known losers rather than known winners.

I guess I don't see the logic in throwing away guaranteed money NOW (in Walt's scenario where you can tell you're running out of gas) for possible future money later? Because the score will be bigger later? Not if the next guy you play expects you to keep playing until you're busted also...
 
I'll make it easy. Get good information on who you are playing. Know the person, or EXPECT the worst. Then, leave the "worst" alone to pick on the other "bs" players.
 
Why would anyone want to quit after winning a set? I can see quitting after losing a set if you realize you are outclassed and have no hope of turning up winner.

The only time I can think of quitting after one set is if you know the guy is hustling you and allowing you to win the first set. I would consider this out hustling him even if it's only for ten or twenty dollars.
 
Pool's Greatest Sin:**Quitting Winner**

> In my mind,if a game is agreed on with absolutely NO mention of a time limit,then you are there until one of these 4 scenarios plays out.

I bust you.
You bust me.
The place closes.
We come out even,and both quit.


Now,if I have to leave in 3 hours to go to work,I'm going to tell you before the coin is flipped. I expect the same. That way,if one of us is ahead at that time,you knew about it well in advance. I didn't pull a spineless move,and get up 5-6 games and say "well,I have to leave in 20 minutes". If I play,I'm planning on doing nothing else until I HAVE to. At least that is the way it's supposed to be.

The only time I've ever quit a winning game is when I was just too tired to play anymore,and was 10 sets up playing races to 13. My opponent paid me and made me buy breakfast,but we were also best friends. He ragged me about it for a while,but no biggie. I've never quit winner for any other reason,even having to call in to work a few times,or leave for work and let the guy slide for cheap stakes. If I'm betting 100 a set or more,there are NO free rides.

If no discussion of time constraints takes place,I will assume that you want to play as bad as I do,and that you will stay as long as the room is open,or however long it takes to determine a winner.

Quitting even SHOULD be a mutual decision,but there are circumstances that do not always allow this.

I've been fortunate to not run into the kind of gutless,hopelessly nitty people that agree to play 20 a rack or 50 a set and try and quit after winning the first game or set,people that pull that s**t are probably trying to score so they can get a fix.

I have had a guy play me for 4 hours and try to quit 8 games up for 20,by saying he was only going to play a few more racks,because his backer had to be home in an hour. I told him to tell his backer to leave him the money,and go now. He refused,saying he had to get some sleep for work,which was 14 hours from right then. What he was saying sounded suspiciously like "I'm getting weak,and know you can and will outlast me,so this is my best way out". I STIFFED him,adding that since he's not even playing 20 a rack on his own money,that he's not out anything,and that I've played him for 16 hours before for the same bet and had him stuck 12 games after 6 hours,but gave him 10 hours to get even,and never mentioned quitting,eventually coming out 20 games winner. Tommy D.
 
Please be advised: I quit when I want to. If you are gambling with me---you are nothing more to me than a slot machine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top