I was thinking the same thing. With that spot I'd play anyone in the world. I'd say the last four would be a reasonable spot, anything more is getting rediculous imo. But what do I know about gambling? Not much.
gr. Dave
gr. Dave
what kind of spot could I get from top pros?
- Thread starter smashmouth
- Start date
In my experience, top pro's will be offended if you want a large spot for a small amount of money. Many will be HAPPY to play even up for smaller stakes; I've played a number of the best players in the world for small stakes; but always without a spot.
Offer to play them even, race to 5 or 7 for $100. I think you'll have a lot of takers; and then you'll find out what kind of spot you need if you are entertaining the idea of serious gambling. You also will have a blast, and conceivably could learn something in the process. In a short race, you may even have a chance to win - 9-ball is a goofy game, and there are a LOT of ways for even the pro's to lose a game of 9-ball.
If you want a spot, count on wagering a large sum.
Offer to play them even, race to 5 or 7 for $100. I think you'll have a lot of takers; and then you'll find out what kind of spot you need if you are entertaining the idea of serious gambling. You also will have a blast, and conceivably could learn something in the process. In a short race, you may even have a chance to win - 9-ball is a goofy game, and there are a LOT of ways for even the pro's to lose a game of 9-ball.
If you want a spot, count on wagering a large sum.
well said willie!.......i've played a ton of real strong, not pro, players even for small stakes....ie: race to 3 1p for $25....or a race to 5 9b for $25. I was always told I was stupid for playing even, but then again I learned faster than the rest of the crew who were barking at eachother all day about weight and to play for $4 or $5 !
Gerry
Gerry
ShootingArts said:
As ridiculous as this sounds it is very true.
People have to have a pretty good game just to understand that.
It is not important to know how often you can run a rack. What is important is how often you miss a shot. Because when you miss, he is out. Then he runs racks (plural). And when he can't run out he snuggles that CB up against a ball where you have no shot. He gets ball in hand and is out. Then he runs more racks.
It does become a nightmare.
A few years back I watched Varner give a good A player the 7 ball. It was robbery in plain sight and the guy never realized it. But then, they were not playing for much, so I suppose the guy might have realized it but considered it small payment for the lessons learned.
Jake
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Williebetmore said:
Scottster, this is probably the best advise in this thread.
The bottom line is, the pro does not know you and he does not know what kind of spot he can give you. He will not want to give you what you will need to make it a fair match. Even if you lose some cheap sets, he will think you are trying to make a move on him for the big money.
If you want to mix it up with a pro, do as Willie suggested and play some cheap sets, even up, and leave it at that. Consider the loss the cost of a lesson.
Exactly right ...
Plus, all these players do play good until they play someone better ... lol
A pro player is an expert at evaluating your game, and spotting every single weakness in it. Break okay, but never have a 1 ball shot, guess what he offer the breaks? Can't kick more than 1 rail, guess what, you will have more 2 and 3 rail kick shots to shoot than you ever have? Can't jump, keep your jump stick out if you have one. Can't bank, yep, you guessed it, lots of long rail banks. Does a finger twitch on long pressure shots? Do you change your grip on the hit stroke? Is your grip arm not 90 degrees to the floor? Do you bend your back? Is your stroke too long, which causes inconsistency? Can shoot over a ball? Can't lock up safeties? Pros pick up on these and many more, and then they know how to play you?
jjinfla said:
Plus, all these players do play good until they play someone better ... lol
A pro player is an expert at evaluating your game, and spotting every single weakness in it. Break okay, but never have a 1 ball shot, guess what he offer the breaks? Can't kick more than 1 rail, guess what, you will have more 2 and 3 rail kick shots to shoot than you ever have? Can't jump, keep your jump stick out if you have one. Can't bank, yep, you guessed it, lots of long rail banks. Does a finger twitch on long pressure shots? Do you change your grip on the hit stroke? Is your grip arm not 90 degrees to the floor? Do you bend your back? Is your stroke too long, which causes inconsistency? Can shoot over a ball? Can't lock up safeties? Pros pick up on these and many more, and then they know how to play you?
Ive played pros in the UK before, they are a very good speed. IMO its all in your head. That day I beat 2 top 16 players and a top 32, I played very well, winning 9-8, 9-2, 9-5. Lots of good breaks and run outs to my favour. Another day if I wasnt playing so well i could easily lose 9-2.
"There isn't going to be any action there," just for kicks," so bring
a bankroll."
lol, I'm not planning on insulting anyone with five dollar games
a bankroll."
lol, I'm not planning on insulting anyone with five dollar games
jjinfla said:
Jake is a wise man. I beat a guy 9-1 about a year abo. He plays at least the 7 better than I. He never got a good shot and the score reflected that.
Fast-forward to recently- we played again and the roles reversed. It the set, I had 2 kicks and a safe (which I scratched on). Twas like a nightmare.
I just dont get this whole "play a pro even up and get a lesson" thing. IMO you would be much better off spending a hundred on getting some accustats or dvds off of ebay and watching them carefully. Then take your left over change and enter some local $10-15 entry fee tournaments.
Playing a pro even when in fact the line should be something like the last 5 is not going to teach you much except the art of hitting your hip after game. The pro is not going to play his best pool as he doesnt have to, his "C" game will still win him the money. Do you think you are learning much watching a pro play his "C" game?
Back to the topic of this thread, I think most amateur players would be shocked to learn just how much weight touring pros can give out and still win. Try some 50-5 one pocket or the 5/6/7/8/9 wild and it can get alot worse than that. There are so many levels of separation between strong shortstop that can bust the 9ball ghost and a touring pro. To the novice their speeds look similar until you learn that the shortstop can get the 7/8 and the breaks and still lose.
Playing a pro even when in fact the line should be something like the last 5 is not going to teach you much except the art of hitting your hip after game. The pro is not going to play his best pool as he doesnt have to, his "C" game will still win him the money. Do you think you are learning much watching a pro play his "C" game?
Back to the topic of this thread, I think most amateur players would be shocked to learn just how much weight touring pros can give out and still win. Try some 50-5 one pocket or the 5/6/7/8/9 wild and it can get alot worse than that. There are so many levels of separation between strong shortstop that can bust the 9ball ghost and a touring pro. To the novice their speeds look similar until you learn that the shortstop can get the 7/8 and the breaks and still lose.
smashmouth said:
Are you speaking of gambling with them? Not like 2-dollars a game but somewhere around $200 a set.
If the spot is large enough than your skill level becomes moot as at some point the odds will statistically favour you, the key is getting the
right spot.
I personally favour very long matches as it ususally takes me a while to get in stroke.
I figure I'll suggest 1-2k a set, sets of 20-25, see what kind of spot I get offered and take if from there.
right spot.
I personally favour very long matches as it ususally takes me a while to get in stroke.
I figure I'll suggest 1-2k a set, sets of 20-25, see what kind of spot I get offered and take if from there.
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Save your money and get a coach, since gambling isn't going to help you. If you can only run 1 in 20, in a long race, you will get pummeled. The spot will probably have to be last 5 just so you can keep up and if it's winner breaks, you'd do yourself a favor by not even going.
I'm doing this for fun, not to learn, I rarely spend money on anything so
dropping a few k for the experience is no big thing.
dropping a few k for the experience is no big thing.
smashmouth said:
Playing 9-Ball, gimme the handspan, and you can have all the balls
.what the hell...
If this is just for fun and the experience...no big deal and such.....just hang a sign around your neck that says: $20 BETTING WINDOW IS OPEN...and walk into the nearest pool. You'll have fun, get experience, and even possibly learn something....lol
smashmouth said:
If this is just for fun and the experience...no big deal and such.....just hang a sign around your neck that says: $20 BETTING WINDOW IS OPEN...and walk into the nearest pool. You'll have fun, get experience, and even possibly learn something....lol
PoolSleuth
Banned
smashmouth said:
Top pro will play anyone if the money is Right, NO Money, no Pro to Play.............
smashmouth said:
Weren't you the person that just posted the thread about gambling not helping with your pool game?
O that's right you're doing it for fun. Well if you want to get matched up with a pro that will take the dough then just let me know who and i will arrange the date for you. Of course with a finders fee.=)
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Yes, and I'm not doing this to help my game, I'm doing it for fun.