Request some input on a race length and how to add money to sweeten the pot

center pocket

center pocket

It's just a hobby, but a fun one.
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A local player who is about 650 FG and I (670FG) are trying to play a long set of either 9 ball or 10 ball on a bar table. I want to play for about a 3-hour time period so I am trying to guess what the appropriate race length should be. As a metric for comparison, I played the ghost on the barbox and played about 25 games in 2 hours (I did chat some with two different people).

Question: I am guessing a race to 15 or 19 might be about right, what are your guy's thoughts?

Also, I am not a gambler anymore and now enjoy just playing the best I can. The guy I am playing does gamble and I want to make sure he is interested and earning something if he wins. So, I was thinking on how to sweeten the pot without risking too much. I came up with each player buys $50 of scratcher lottery tickets, puts them in the middle and the winner gets the scratchers.

Question: What are your guy's thoughts on that, is there a better way to raise cash? Maybe promote the match and see if anyone places any side bets on it?

I just really have no desire to gamble as I think it encourages my own worse behavior and attitudes towards the game. Perhaps do a fundraiser first, then the match? Anything I win will go to a charity or a church.

Looking forward to your responses.
 
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Why not an endurance race (instead of a lap race).
An endurance race is a race over a set period of time {3hr, 4hr, 6hr,12hr,24hr,...}.
A lap race is a race over a specified number of games; either race to 7, 9, 11,... or a best of 7, 9, 11, 15, ...

So, agree on the time period, and play until you are just over the time period, then the one with the higher game count wins.
Ties go to the winner of the last game.
 
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MitchAlsup said:
An endurance race is a race over a set period of time {3hr, 4hr, 6hr,12hr,24hr,...}.
A lap race is a race over a specified number of games; either race to 7, 9, 11,... or a best of 7, 9, 11, 15, ...

So, agree on the time period, and play until you are just over the time period, then the one with the higher game count wins.
Ties go to the winner of the last game.
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Mitch, I guess we could do that. Maybe set an alarm on a phone, when it goes off that will be the last rack? Maybe have a win by 2 criteria as well?
 
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I think a race to 17 in 9 ball and 12 in 10 ball. Set period of time races are absolutely stupid, just a recipe for contention and having a player stall so they can win.
 
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Of you go with the lottery tix, better to split winnings 70:30/ winner:loser.

Loser will be one pissed off if there's a decent payout there.

I'd also stipulate that if lottery pays less than $500 or so, winnings go for more tickets. Go big, baybee.
 
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The only problem playing for a certain period of time is if one player gets ahead they can just stall.

Set a race length of something you think will be about 3 hrs and go with it.

Play for a steak dinner, that way nobody loses.
 
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center pocket said:
A local player who is about 650 FG and I (670FG) are trying to play a long set of either 9 ball or 10 ball on a bar table. I want to play for about a 3-hour time period so I am trying to guess what the appropriate race length should be. As a metric for comparison, I played the ghost on the barbox and played about 25 games in 2 hours (I did chat some with two different people).

Question: I am guessing a race to 15 or 19 might be about right, what are your guy's thoughts?

Also, I am not a gambler anymore and now enjoy just playing the best I can. The guy I am playing does gamble and I want to make sure he is interested and earning something if he wins. So, I was thinking on how to sweeten the pot without risking too much. I came up with each player buys $50 of scratcher lottery tickets, puts them in the middle and the winner gets the scratchers.

Question: What are your guy's thoughts on that, is there a better way to raise cash? Maybe promote the match and see if anyone places any side bets on it?

I just really have no desire to gamble as I think it encourages my own worse behavior and attitudes towards the game. Perhaps do a fundraiser first, then the match? Anything I win will go to a charity or a church.

Looking forward to your responses.
Click to expand...
Simply put, you need to find an opponent near your skill level who also prefers not to gamble but who loves the game and the competition. There are still plenty of those out there.
 
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center pocket said:
Question: What are your guy's thoughts on that, is there a better way to raise cash? Maybe promote the match and see if anyone places any side bets on it?

I just really have no desire to gamble as I think it encourages my own worse behavior and attitudes towards the game. Perhaps do a fundraiser first, then the match? Anything I win will go to a charity or a church.
Click to expand...
So I hope your opponent is also altruistic. If so, I would think making it a local fundraiser would work.

Each of you pick a charity and have folks take a stake in the game. No payout, just helping out. No matter who wins somebody who NEEDS the help will benefit.

Should stop there, but... I’d think twice about sendin my money to a church. I feel bad saying it, but talk about a hustle.

People think they are doing a good thing by giving, even though they have no idea where their money goes. Tithes and all that. It doesn’t matter what happens to their cash once it’s gone, they can feel better about themselves and look down their nose at you at their next dinner party.

I love God. I just hate people telling me how to love God. I go to a church all the time and the first fifteen minutes is always a fundraiser. Here’s how you can set up your recurring donation. The church bought Christmas presents for X amount of folks at the nursing home; they’re just trying to get their money.

I might stroke my own ego sending money out to “the less fortunate”, but wouldn’t it be better to help out one of my own neighbors who can honestly say they are doing their best, but have come upon some rough times.
 
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Why not keep it simple and play a set for $50? People can bet on the side and that’s their business. No sense promoting the match unless you are wanting the attention.

If you want to get in the box to feel some heat and catch someone’s best game… I think it’s worth $50, if nothing else for the entertainment.

I don’t gamble much anymore myself. I prefer to hang out and practice alone. But every once in awhile I have to match up and see where I am at. Keeps me motivated. And it’s fun to feel a little pressure.

Race to 19 ought to do.
 
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center pocket said:
A local player who is about 650 FG and I (670FG) are trying to play a long set of either 9 ball or 10 ball on a bar table. I want to play for about a 3-hour time period so I am trying to guess what the appropriate race length should be. As a metric for comparison, I played the ghost on the barbox and played about 25 games in 2 hours (I did chat some with two different people).

Question: I am guessing a race to 15 or 19 might be about right, what are your guy's thoughts?

Also, I am not a gambler anymore and now enjoy just playing the best I can. The guy I am playing does gamble and I want to make sure he is interested and earning something if he wins. So, I was thinking on how to sweeten the pot without risking too much. I came up with each player buys $50 of scratcher lottery tickets, puts them in the middle and the winner gets the scratchers.

Question: What are your guy's thoughts on that, is there a better way to raise cash? Maybe promote the match and see if anyone places any side bets on it?

I just really have no desire to gamble as I think it encourages my own worse behavior and attitudes towards the game. Perhaps do a fundraiser first, then the match? Anything I win will go to a charity or a church.

Looking forward to your responses.
Click to expand...
Be careful....this could turn you into a degenerate gambler.
 
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