What's your take on people that won't gamble?

poolplayer2093 said:
i said it before and i'll say it again. i'm mostly talking about bums that sit around and do nothing. don't pay table time don't buy food or drinks etc.....

i know guys that lose and never whine about how they've lost. what's up with the guys where you live i never hear anyone whining about how they lost.

no gambler "never" wins.

if you're getting a spot that means you're playing a stronger player. playing someone better than you who's dead set on winning is either going to make you play better or break you.

there's nothing wrong with playing with a spot if you need it. all the greats in this sport that i look up to gamble. danny d, grady mathews, freddy the beard, cisero murphy, john shmidt, svb, alex p. the list goes on and on. you wanna get better you gotta lean to do what the better players do.
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well this thread has certainly taken a turn....

it has gone from PLAYERS that DON'T GAMBLE to loiterers. A thread that read LOITERERS at the poolhall should just go home wouldn't have gotten the same response I'm thinking. lol. Either way though, it is a good insight on how folks view others. If you ever make it to central IL I'll play ya some 1P, and afterwards we can loiter elsewhere! :p

The one thing I would like to point out though is the differences there are in people's financial situations....I could lose a couple hundo and not really bat an eye over it; but some guy I might be playing could potetially be REALLY affected by that type of loss!! Is it his problem that he might have played for more than he could afford to lose....yes, but I don't like taking someone's money in that situation either. I'm not gonna lay down not to, and I don't want to throw a game here or there to let him have his money back either (basically, I don't want to lose regardless), but taking someone's money that can't afford to lose it does leave me feeling really bad, and question whether or not I should gamble. That's something I don't see from many in this thread, and though it is your opponents responsibility to pull up when they "should", I'd think some on here might feel the way I do about that.
 
trustyrusty said:
well this thread has certainly taken a turn....

it has gone from PLAYERS that DON'T GAMBLE to loiterers. A thread that read LOITERERS at the poolhall should just go home wouldn't have gotten the same response I'm thinking. lol. Either way though, it is a good insight on how folks view others. If you ever make it to central IL I'll play ya some 1P, and afterwards we can loiter elsewhere! :p

The one thing I would like to point out though is the differences there are in people's financial situations....I could lose a couple hundo and not really bat an eye over it; but some guy I might be playing could potetially be REALLY affected by that type of loss!! Is it his problem that he might have played for more than he could afford to lose....yes, but I don't like taking someone's money in that situation either. I'm not gonna lay down not to, and I don't want to throw a game here or there to let him have his money back either (basically, I don't want to lose regardless), but taking someone's money that can't afford to lose it does leave me feeling really bad, and question whether or not I should gamble. That's something I don't see from many in this thread, and though it is your opponents responsibility to pull up when they "should", I'd think some on here might feel the way I do about that.
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Good post. There are some times with some people that I do feel bad about winning money from. When I am up and start to get that feeling, I will begin to shoot worse. Conscious or sub-consciously, I will lose my edge and give it back. And I'm usually ok with that.
 
KoolKat9Lives said:
Good post. There are some times with some people that I do feel bad about winning money from. When I am up and start to get that feeling, I will begin to shoot worse. Conscious or sub-consciously, I will lose my edge and give it back. And I'm usually ok with that.
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that's what I'm saying...I HATE that feeling, and I REALLY HATE it affecting my game in anyway! The bad part is I would like to give it back, and still beat the crap out of him (on the table, of course). I usually buy them some drinks and/or food, take care of the table time, etc. to ease my mind a bit.....still can't convince myself to LOSE or purposely let up though. I like the "step on his neck" type killer instinct, but never had the "take all his money, and bust him" attitude....???? :sorry:
 
In general...my take from people who don't gamble is lower than my take from people who gamble just to gamble. :D
 
I can't believe we still having this debate !!!

I'll say it again...TO EACH HIS OWN !!! I myself like to place friendly wages from time to time but have no feelings either way on people that don't...Even the guys that go to the poolhall & don't hardly spend a quarter still has his own spot in the pecking order...I bet the room owner appreciates the guys car in the parking lot when it's slow..Everbody knows a empty parking lot cost money..alot of potential customers will dry right on by if they don't see their own magic number of cars in the parking lot..So my personal belief is..live & let live & not get ur panties in a wad worried bout people that don't directly affect you.:shrug:
 
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duckie said:
I pay for my table time so its my time and no one else's. What I do with it is no ones business.

I can just sit there and do nothing cause I'm paying the table time and no one else.

I feel sorry for those that just can't play without gambling.

I feel sorry for those gamblers I see every week crying about how they lost for such and such reason.

I feel sorry for the gamblers that have to ask for weight in order to have a chance at winning.

I feel sorry for those gamblers that never win and never learn but think that by gambling they are playing real pool.
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I feel sorry for the players that have all the pool paraphenalia right down to the glove, and pocket chalkholder, thousand dollar cue, etc. and walk around with the big case and talk like they are some player from hell. They, given the chance, could give Johnny weight as long as no REAL player is close enough to hear them say it. Or, they don't gamble because they don't believe it's good for the game. The personna is so large in their mind that they begin to believe the crap themselves. Truth be told, 80% of them would shit themselves if they had twenty people around, betting the rail, and they were playing for $500 a set with a good player. Now, not all, but MOST. The best players in the world got there by action. That's right, gambling. VERY FEW didn't or won't. Very few will play with a "non-player" for nothing, either. Just try and ask.

Face it, guys. Pool is, and always has been, around gambling and cutthroats. Look at the books that sell and the movies that have been made. What were they about? Huh? That's right.

If it's the money, I can relate to that and fully understand. If it's fear, well.... say what you want, but a real player gets it. Why is it that the people that don't gamble, or rather won't, idolize and feel the need to swing on a great gamblers nuts? I don't get it. Wait a minute, I do.

Oh, and you don't have to bet the farm. But, for $10 or $20 a set, it WILL make you play harder and better eventually. And if you don't gamble for ANY reason, that's up to you. It won't affect me in any way. But, don't critique about what "he shoulda done" or "why didn't he do it my way" to where anyone can hear it that is gambling. If you "Used to" or "Could if you wanted to" tell someone else. I respect those that do, or at least did (and I believe it). Just a personal observation. Nothing is worse than playing a cheap set and have commentary from a guy that won't take the six and the break. Oh, but could if they wanted to. Remember this line? "If you could beat me for cash, why can't you do it for free?" Sorry, gotta laugh at that one.
 
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I find that I know most of the guys who play well in my town. I never really look at them in terms of do they gamble or do they not gamble, mostly i look at them in terms of do they run out or do they not run out. If someone who runs out doesnt gamble, hey no big deal, imo thats probably good for me, because in the end that player is going to have a harder time staying sharp and getting better.
 
I take it "gambling" is probably pretty similar most places around the country, so let me throw this experience out there.

Just before the DCC I spent a fair amount of time at the local hall practicing 1P....since not a lot of folks around town play it, I played against myself more times than not. A guy that has no problem beating me in 9ball asks if I want to play some 9ball. I answered with I really wanna practice some 1P right now, but we can play that if he'd like. I get the typical, "I don't play that game, watching paint dry, too slow, blah blah blah" replies. Finally he says he'll play but needs 2 balls....No problem, 9-7 it is...."No, no, no, I'll do 8-6". For not playing the game he knows how to negotiate. lol. I win 2 games, and he quits ($40) down. Whines, and moans on how I'm scared to play him 9ball. I said I'll give MORE weight so he can win his money back.....he leaves.

1 week after back from the DCC he approaches me while I'm alone again. "10-6" is all he says. I said "HEADS". we play 5 games, with him winning 3 of them. He has to go....no problem. Next time I come to the poolhall, the owner says, "so and so, said he took the money playing 1P with me, since I'm scared to play him 9ball". LOL. Failed to mention the 10-6 spot, and how even that game was....also failed to mention he didn't even bring up 9ball this time. BTW, he can give me the 8 (or more)...has NEVER offered it (though I've also never asked), but now can beat me at MY GAME too.

All in all, I honestly think the nitty negotiating and whining and crying is much more taxing than losing a few bucks, but if that's what'll make me play better...guess that's what you gotta go thru :p There are WAY too many guys out there that think the "stealing" that they do is "gambling".
 
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trustyrusty said:
I take it "gambling" is probably pretty similar most places around the country, so let me throw this experience out there.

Just before the DCC I spent a fair amount of time at the local hall practicing 1P....since not a lot of folks around town play it, I played against myself more times than not. A guy that has no problem beating me in 9ball asks if I want to play some 9ball. I answered with I really wanna practice some 1P right now, but we can play that if he'd like. I get the typical, "I don't play that game, watching paint dry, too slow, blah blah blah" replies. Finally he says he'll play but needs 2 balls....No problem, 9-7 it is...."No, no, no, I'll do 8-6". For not playing the game he knows how to negotiate. lol. I win 2 games, and he quits ($40) down. Whines, and moans on how I'm scared to play him 9ball. I said I'll give MORE weight so he can win his money back.....he leaves.

1 week after back from the DCC he approaches me while I'm alone again. "10-6" is all he says. I said "HEADS". we play 5 games, with him winning 3 of them. He has to go....no problem. Next time I come to the poolhall, the owner says, "so and so, said he took the money playing 1P with me, since I'm scared to play him 9ball". LOL. Failed to mention the 10-6 spot, and how even that game was....also failed to mention he didn't even bring up 9ball this time. BTW, he can give me the 8 (or more)...has NEVER offered it (though I've also never asked), but now can beat me at MY GAME too.

All in all, I honestly think the nitty negotiating and whining and crying is much more taxing than losing a few bucks, but if that's what'll make me play better...guess that's what you gotta go thru :p There are WAY too many guys out there that think the "stealing" that they do is "gambling".
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"I can't even spell one pocket...but i'll take 2,hit and the pick"
I like the game making as much as the game playing.
It's a life skill that can come in usefull in many areas.
...and you hear some great one-liners
I got no problem with people that don't bet.
If they don't want my money,i don't want theirs.
 
trustyrusty said:
... There are WAY too many guys out there that think the "stealing" that they do is "gambling".
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In my humble opinion, I think it's because everyone wants to be a hustler.

That's another reason I personally don't like to gamble with people I don't know because I've seen or heard of too many stories about guys laying down until they want a double-or-nothing final match, then they breaknrun on ya 5 times. If people would just play straight up, "this is my speed" and be honest about it, I'd be much more inclined to play for money more often.

Being a pool player is enough, I shouldn't have to be psychological profiler too.
 
stljohnny said:
In my humble opinion, I think it's because everyone wants to be a hustler.

That's another reason I personally don't like to gamble with people I don't know because I've seen or heard of too many stories about guys laying down until they want a double-or-nothing final match, then they breaknrun on ya 5 times. If people would just play straight up, "this is my speed" and be honest about it, I'd be much more inclined to play for money more often.

Being a pool player is enough, I shouldn't have to be psychological profiler too.
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why don't you just say no. you gotta win it back the same way i won it. what sense would it make for you to spend 2 hours earning it to give it back(+some) in 5 minutes?
 
Hmm

poolplayer2093 said:
Why don't you ask grady mathews or freddy the beard how many games they like to play for fun?

how many times do i have to tell you guys. i don't gamble big time or try to find places to go off. i bet within my means. what's wrong with you man you don't think i could find anyone in cali to go off to. i'm not complaining that i can't go to a room and find a game for everything in my pockets. if i wanted to play for a few hundred i could get a game without a problem. i'm just surprised that it's as hard as it is to get a game for $20 these days.

i could go play raphiel martinez right here if i felt the need to lose all my money. i just like to mix it up in a fair game for 20-50

you want me to pm you my address so you can send me that c-note?
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Ummm, because this is how Freddy and Grady make a living !! Hello, lights are on, and nobody is home. How does this relate to you?? You are some small time player looking for a nickel and dime game AND you are the one is offended ??

Well, you can't find a game for $20,... Boo Hoo. Well, get some more cash together, and play a real set for $500. You insulted players for shooting for fun and drinking water. yeah, all non gamblers drink only water.. Give me a break already. Yeah, the C-note was for you if you shut the heck up already, but that offer didn't last very long, did it.
 
OK, another gambling story. Guy comes up to me who obviously doesn't like me and beat me in a tournament once and asks me to play. I say sure, how much. He says $40 a set. I said OK. Right there, right then, I knew I had him. Why? Because if he thought he was going to win, I figured he would have wanted to bet more. Sure enough, he's out of stroke and loses the first set. He flips and loses the second set - I don't know if he won a game and I wasn't even paying attention because it was boring.

He quits and I offer to cover the time. Later on, he tells a firend he quit because I'm a nit. Since I'm not going to go off, why waste his time with me?

I play his game, for what he wants to bet, beat him, pay his time - then that makes me a NIT.

Gambling is a lot of fun, really it is.

Chris
 
Hmmmm

crawfish said:
Why is it that the one person that DOES NOT gamble always mentions his heroes that do and will bust you. Sounds like a few on here had the nerve to get up in front of a crowd of people and put up a little cash and see how they fare. If you guys that don't would just say, "I love the game and don't gamble." I could live with that. But, this, "Well, come here and my buddies will bust you" attitude is just comical. Just like the last little trip I was on. I asked a guy to play CHEAP nineball. His response, "I don't gamble, but I know a guy that will play you $500 or $600 a game." WTF.
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yes, oh so comical?? Because he whined about nobody wanting to gamble with him and there are about 1000 guys in Chicago that are chomping at the bit to get a piece of him. They are not my "buddies" but players in Chicago who like to gamble, but they take no offense when I tell them not interested and they don't insult myself or other patrons of the poolhall in the process.

He wanted to gamble, I was going to point out where to go. I'm not staking anyone, and I don't even need to be there, but just letting him know where the action is. Heck, you cannot be a pro if you don't gamble, so go down to Red Shoes and become a pro overnight. What's the problem with that ?? He wanted action and he got it. Oh, but too rich for his blood? WTF !! How can you play like a pro if you are not willing to bet like a pro !! Let's try and be consistent here big gamblers......
 
Hmmm

poolpLAYER: - QUOTE: "am i the only one that feels people should bet something, play someone, or go the f*ck home! i'm tired of walking in and seeing people that play drinking water so they can avoid buying a soda and sitting on the side lines doing nothing"


Neil, here is orginal post. How is anyone misinterpreting him here? You are always reasonable on the forum, and I know you like to gamble. Hey, that is cool. But you are not bugging guys that just want to shoot pool and hang out, but it appears from the quote above that these folks should just "go the F*ck home".......

I'm sure the pool room owner would rather have a guy hang around even when he is done playing. He is going to get hungry sooner or later and might just pop for some dinner. Plus, not like the gamblers are dropping c-notes around the place either. Let's be fair. There are cheap skates on both sides of this aisle, and gamblers have been notorious for their cheapness for decades. That is not a myth, but a freaking fact. But like I said cheapness comes for both sides of the aisle. So who the heck cares if somebody won't play cheap with you?? Oh well. The same guy could be laughing at you because you won't play for some "real" stakes and he won't even take his cue out of his case for the $20 bucks you are talking about.
 
hMMM

Um, me thinks that poolplayer is just running up his posting count.

He has 11,118 posts in the last 5 years. Dude, might time to spend a little more time at the table.

If you promise not to go over 12K posts I'll play you for $20 a set ???
 
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poolplayer2093 said:
i'm not a huge gambler by any means but ever since i started playing for table time i actually hate playing for anything less.

normally when i go into a room i'm looking to play 20 dollar sets. if i just got paid, or i really like the match, i'll play for a hundred or 2. i'll admit that's doesnt happen a lot but it does happen. i usually like to play for 10-50 and i get really irritated when i cant find a game that cheap. i'd understand if someone only wanted to bet more but these days people either seem to want to play for less or not at all

am i the only one that feels people should bet something, play someone, or go the f*ck home! i'm tired of walking in and seeing people that play drinking water so they can avoid buying a soda and sitting on the side lines doing nothing
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Gambling is a relative term. $20.00 a set is not gambling its just something to try and get you to play better while your playing. A lot of players would not get out of their chair (including me) for 20.00 sets its not worth their time and effort. Its going to take at least 100.00 sets to get my fat ass out of the chair. All though I don't know this for sure but I don't think Chris Bartrum won't play for less than 500 - 1000 per set and it might even take more than that to get his ass up out of the chair.

The point is your not a gambler in most players book and by your own admittance you maybe you need to go home. I play pool for the love of the game and gamble very little anymore. You need to go back to the reasons you starting playing the game to begin with (for the love of playing the game). JMO
 
TWOFORPOOL said:
Gambling is a relative term. $20.00 a set is not gambling its just something to try and get you to play better while your playing. A lot of players would not get out of their chair (including me) for 20.00 sets its not worth their time and effort. Its going to take at least 100.00 sets to get my fat ass out of the chair. All though I don't know this for sure but I don't think Chris Bartrum won't play for less than 500 - 1000 per set and it might even take more than that to get his ass up out of the chair.

The point is your not a gambler in most players book and by your own admittance you maybe you need to go home. I play pool for the love of the game and gamble very little anymore. You need to go back to the reasons you starting playing the game to begin with (for the love of playing the game). JMO
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i bet what i can that's all there is to it.
 
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