Splitting 1st/2nd vs playing it out

[Scottyboy716]

I am an average player player who is striving to become better. I practice daily (usually twice daily) and can only play in 1 of 7 weekly tournaments based on my transportation and work situation.

So yesterday, I played in this weekly, like I always do, and finally go into the money 3rd/4th. (It is a single elimination, handicapped, 9-ball race to 7, rack your own, $15.00 entry) There were 16 players this week.

Prior to playing the semi-final match I was told the person who already won his match and was waiting for the outcome of my match wanted to split.

I see this happen every week in this tournament.

I understand that some people have to work early, and that others worked all day, and that it is a nothing weekly tournament and that may be why most people want to split. I also understand that splitting benefits the 2nd place person as they come out with more.

I said I'd prefer to play for it, and was called greedy and people looked at me like I as rude for saying so. Meanwhile, it's not about the money for me. I play week after week with no return, and was playing well and beat two good players. I wanted to see if I could win it, to see how it feels! I didn't want to wonder if I would have won it. I'm not practicing diligently to split 1st/2nd and to go home and wonder!

I am I wrong for thinking like this?

 

[steev]

If they don't like it they can take 2nd place and go home.

Now, if you know this person and/or sympathize, it's considered friendly to accept the split. But if it's no, it's no. No one should be getting pissed off.

-s

 

[Drew]

If you don't want to chop, then don't chop. No shame in this. Maybe he's scared of you.

 

[Alex Kanapilly]

In my opinion, no. You have every right to play for it.

Having said that, if asked, I usually split for a lot of the reasons you mentioned.

I tried this at a poker tournament once and was banned for life! Luckily the guy who banned me was just drunk and mad that he wasn't at the final table, he rescinded the permaban.

 

[markpatrick]

I am tired of guys splitting tourney's

In my opinion, no. You have every right to play for it.

Having said that, if asked, I usually split for a lot of the reasons you mentioned.

I tried this at a poker tournament once and was banned for life! Luckily the guy who banned me was just drunk and mad that he wasn't at the final table, he rescinded the permaban.

I am speaking of large tournaments with thousands of dollars difference in 1st and 2nd. If you are a stakehorse perhaps a split is better than taking a chance on 2nd place money? But most players that travel want to make as much as they can.

It is up to the player's. But if both do not agree, then the tournament needs to be played out. That is my opinion.

I had a guy(PLAYER AUCTION) that won the winner's bracket, in an auction refuse to play and the 2nd place guy did not want to play so, I took the hit on the calcutta end. But that is the way it goes. The money was 1st place loaded. Had to eat white castles for a couple days.

 

[blah blah]

Three ways of saying "no" to splitting

Answer 1:
Was he trying to call dibs on splitting by talking about it a match early? Did he have to work early the next morning? Was he tired out, and afraid you might win? Did he think he was doing you a favor by offering a split?

Trying to figure out why other people say or do the things they do is a sure recipe for driving yourself crazy. In the end, worry about your own self.

It was your right and your honor to play the final match. You finally got there, and you wanted to see how you'd do. Your wants are just as legitemate as the other guy's- you paid the same amount to get in there, with the same hope that you'd be in it til the end.

You do what you want. (you don't owe anybody anything.)


Answer 2:
blah blah


Answer 3:
blah blah

(that was two stories of How I Lost In The Finals. But I still say don't split!)


How did you do?

 

[LWW]

If they don't like it they can take 2nd place and go home.

-s

I couldn't have said it any better. Rep to you.

BTW ... the split only benefits the 2nd place player if you know in advance who that would be.

LWW

 

[eddieindetroit]

If my opponent offers to split, I offer to play them "winner take all."
I like the pressure. Makes for a good final.

Eddie

 

[alstl]

Answer 1:
Was he trying to call dibs on splitting by talking about it a match early? Did he have to work early the next morning? Was he tired out, and afraid you might win? Did he think he was doing you a favor by offering a split?

Trying to figure out why other people say or do the things they do is a sure recipe for driving yourself crazy. In the end, worry about your own self.

It was your right and your honor to play the final match. You finally got there, and you wanted to see how you'd do. Your wants are just as legitemate as the other guy's- you paid the same amount to get in there, with the same hope that you'd be in it til the end.

You do what you want. (you don't owe anybody anything.)


Answer 2: Half of something is better than all of nothing.



Answer 3:
blah blah

(that was two stories of How I Lost In The Finals. But I still say don't split!)


How did you do?

See answer 2.

 

[Tom In Cincy]

Splitting, Savers or playing for it all.
In most tournaments and at most pool halls, these are all acceptable practices.

I was wondering if it would be acceptable if the payouts were all equal?
If the payouts for a tournament were based on the top 25% of the field that would mean that for 16 player events the top 4 players would get an equal share of the prize fund.
If they wanted to gamble for the prize money, they could rent a table and set their own game and rules.

Wouldn't this be more acceptable and players wouldn't have to make deals in secret or even in the open (in some places it is perfectly OK to offer splits in the OPEN)

If the final standings 1st, 2nd, 3rd and so on, don't matter to the players...why not just make it the same $$ for each player?

Maybe more tournaments would end with a little more action? at least you wouldn't have to worry about staying late during those weekly events.

Which players do you think would be the first to argue against this NEW payout system?

 

[Thunderball]

Not wrong at all for wanting to play for it. You put yourself in a position to make this dicision by playing well enough to make the finals. It is only your decision to make and there is no wrong answer.

BTW...what did you do? If you played, how'd it work out?

 

[rkim99]

The first three times I got to the final table I played for it and two of those times I was offered the split. I played for the same reasons you mentioned. I wanted to know if I could win it ( I won one lost one).

Twenty years later, most of the time, if the split is offered I take it. Most of the time the reason is that it's late and a hundred is just not worth another hour to me.

But if you're still new to the tournament thing, I'd say play as many of them out as possible. It's nothing but good practice under fire.

And who cares what the peanut gallery thinks. If they wanted to split, they should've knocked you out of the tournament.

Just my two cents.

 

[Scottyboy716]

I did not make it to the finals. I got 3rd/4th. The question was posed to me prior to my match so the person waiting could leave. The person who beat me (7-6) had already agreed to split.

Semi-finals on top half of bracket was over and player waiting in finals had wanted to split.

The lower half (where I was in), was still in a quarter finals match and the director went to those two, and then to me (who was waiting in the wings for 2 hours just waiting to play semi-finals match).

I was the only one who declined to split. Had I agreed, the person waiting in finals would have been out off there earlier with half of 1st/2nd combined.

1st was 100
2nd was 65

Again, not about the money though! It is also discouraging that this seems to be the norm up there every week, every week people split. I'm trying to build heart and staying power. I'm no champion and have no interest in throwing in the towel on myself hoping I don't lose. I go to win!

I want to eventually be good enough to play in bigger tournaments and I plan on wining one of those at some point in my future. I won't get there by giving up and splitting. No matter how tired I am or anyone else is.

I'd be more then happy to play for it all, or even do an even split but still play for it! However with an even split I'm sure I won't get the other players top game.

This whole situation is just depressing to me. Every sport has a "Finals". Football/Super Bowl, Baseball/World Series, Basketball/Championship, ETC!

Were are fortunate (and unfortunate alike) that we dint have a season and that we have finals all the time! You don't see those teams splitting and all sharing championship rings that say 1st/2nd on them.

Again, this is a minor weekly tournament in the grand scheme of things, but we all work hard to learn how to play! Show some pride! Play it out! Strive for 1st! Not for 1st/2nd!!!

 

[accustatsfan]

I am an average player player who is striving to become better. I practice daily (usually twice daily) and can only play in 1 of 7 weekly tournaments based on my transportation and work situation.

I am I wrong for thinking like this?

I agree with you. I'm in your situation for time available and I always play it out.

Something a lot of people don't think of is if you're on the losers side accept playing a longer single race. Winner's side always play double elimination. I love it when the person on the winner's side suggests/agrees to one longer race.

Tell them they can always forfeit amazing how their "appointment" isn't so important anymore.

Seems the type of person that wants to split falls in these categories.

a. Afraid to lose
b. No job and plays constantly so both "regulars" come out of it with some money to gamble with later.
c. Really has someplace to be

 

[manwon]

I am an average player player who is striving to become better. I practice daily (usually twice daily) and can only play in 1 of 7 weekly tournaments based on my transportation and work situation.

So yesterday, I played in this weekly, like I always do, and finally go into the money 3rd/4th. (It is a single elimination, handicapped, 9-ball race to 7, rack your own, $15.00 entry) There were 16 players this week.

Prior to playing the semi-final match I was told the person who already won his match and was waiting for the outcome of my match wanted to split.

I see this happen every week in this tournament.

I understand that some people have to work early, and that others worked all day, and that it is a nothing weekly tournament and that may be why most people want to split. I also understand that splitting benefits the 2nd place person as they come out with more.

I said I'd prefer to play for it, and was called greedy and people looked at me like I as rude for saying so. Meanwhile, it's not about the money for me. I play week after week with no return, and was playing well and beat two good players. I wanted to see if I could win it, to see how it feels! I didn't want to wonder if I would have won it. I'm not practicing diligently to split 1st/2nd and to go home and wonder!

I am I wrong for thinking like this?

I own a pool room, and I see this happen all the time when running tournaments. In fact I have groups of regulars that play on a regular basis who before the tournament even starts agree to split with each other no matter what happens if one of them get's into the money. Personally I think it is Chicken Shit, because it go's against the spirit of being competitive. I also think these people think that it gives them an advantage because this is kinda like having backer to absorb a loss, and generally one of them will get into the money.

So to make a long story short, I respect what you did and wish more people would do the same thing. I also think that for any up and coming player it is the only way to go, because by beating those better than you it helps you build the confidences needed to step up to the next level.

Take care

 

[woody_968]

Your thinking is right on track, so dont let them talk you out of it.

There are many things to learn in pool, how to stroke, aim, play position, play defense, and how to WIN. I dont care how small the tournament is, for someone that either has never won, or only won a few times, there is pressure in the finals that you have to learn to deal with. Splitting all the time will never teach you that.

And your right, its not about the money, its about the experience, and there is only one way to get it.

Woody

 

[Shazar]

I am an average player player who is striving to become better. I practice daily (usually twice daily) and can only play in 1 of 7 weekly tournaments based on my transportation and work situation.

So yesterday, I played in this weekly, like I always do, and finally go into the money 3rd/4th. (It is a single elimination, handicapped, 9-ball race to 7, rack your own, $15.00 entry) There were 16 players this week.

Prior to playing the semi-final match I was told the person who already won his match and was waiting for the outcome of my match wanted to split.

I see this happen every week in this tournament.

I understand that some people have to work early, and that others worked all day, and that it is a nothing weekly tournament and that may be why most people want to split. I also understand that splitting benefits the 2nd place person as they come out with more.

I said I'd prefer to play for it, and was called greedy and people looked at me like I as rude for saying so. Meanwhile, it's not about the money for me. I play week after week with no return, and was playing well and beat two good players. I wanted to see if I could win it, to see how it feels! I didn't want to wonder if I would have won it. I'm not practicing diligently to split 1st/2nd and to go home and wonder!

I am I wrong for thinking like this?

i say make them play, unless you dont want to

hooray for you!

stand up for what you think is fair , or what you prefer
split..

 

[Jason Robichaud]

This is like some giving the 9's and others making you shoot. I make them shoot and I don't split! If I play all night getting to the money match, I am going to play one more match for a crack at double the money! I love when the much weaker guy wants to split, I fee like saying, I was thinking about giving it to the guy that lost first round.

Now, a really long drive ahead of me, I would think about splitting.

 

[MOJOE]

I consider it totally up to you. I have split with good friends once we both get into the finals several times but it is unlikely that I would do it under normal circumstances because I like to play with the heat on.

It is not rude to accept or decline, and it does not make one greedy IMHO if you don't want to split.

 

[jrt30004]

I am an average player player who is striving to become better. I practice daily (usually twice daily) and can only play in 1 of 7 weekly tournaments based on my transportation and work situation.

So yesterday, I played in this weekly, like I always do, and finally go into the money 3rd/4th. (It is a single elimination, handicapped, 9-ball race to 7, rack your own, $15.00 entry) There were 16 players this week.

Prior to playing the semi-final match I was told the person who already won his match and was waiting for the outcome of my match wanted to split.

I see this happen every week in this tournament.

I understand that some people have to work early, and that others worked all day, and that it is a nothing weekly tournament and that may be why most people want to split. I also understand that splitting benefits the 2nd place person as they come out with more.

I said I'd prefer to play for it, and was called greedy and people looked at me like I as rude for saying so. Meanwhile, it's not about the money for me. I play week after week with no return, and was playing well and beat two good players. I wanted to see if I could win it, to see how it feels! I didn't want to wonder if I would have won it. I'm not practicing diligently to split 1st/2nd and to go home and wonder!

I am I wrong for thinking like this?

f-em. it's up to you to do what you want. i have split before when playing from the losers bracket and not thinking i had enough gas to get through the last match and i have also played it out having to beat the guy on the winners side twice. it's your call and don't be bullied. and if someone says they have to be at work - they had no business entering the tournament that might take that long. if they are tired because they have worked all day - they should have taken a nap or sat that one out. all of those things are not your problem. just remember what goes around will come around and when you are the one playing from the winners side it will be the others choice and right to tell you no if you ask to split and you shouldn't get mad at them or try to make them feel bad.