What's a fair spot?

[Gmanpoke]

Steven,

If you're playing for $20 sets or $5 a game, you can't ask for a big spot. Just take the wild 7 and 8 (make them count on the break for you, spot for him) get on a tight table and play until you've lost enough. The spot is him being gracious and playing you cheap. He'll probably do it if nothing else better comes along.

The goal playing a top player like that is to gain experience by being on the same table. You're going to be into his game so much, it's hard to get into yours.

One word of advice: practice your banks, safeties and kick shots a lot before getting on the table with him. Players who can't kick or safe have no chance at all against a good player even with a hefty spot - they'll get ball in hand every rack and you can't win. They can quickly spot weaknesses and expolit them.

Chris

Thanks Chris

 

[TATE]

Thanks Chris

By the way, I think you have the right idea. It's always an opportunity to get better by meeting and playing the top players in your area. You gain immeasurable experience and don't realize it until you start improving.

I've heard guys say stuff like "why does that guy need to get drilled to learn things".

For over two years I played on of the top Filipino's here cheap. I went from getting drilled regularly to holding my own in that period - and lost about $300 total - and I won some too. I never asked for weight. So I had people asking me why I didn't ask for weight. For what? So I can beat him? Who cares about that. He would just stiff me anyway. I didn't want to beat him. I wanted to play better like he does. He's now a BCA Grand Master. He got better from playing me too!

Chris