Do you ever ask anyone better than you to gamble (without asking for the nut)? In my observations, people with this attitude only ask lesser players to bet something. When the champ comes in, these people are quiet as a mouse.
What's your take on people that won't gamble?
- Thread starter poolplayer2093
- Start date
Do you ever ask anyone better than you to gamble (without asking for the nut)? In my observations, people with this attitude only ask lesser players to bet something. When the champ comes in, these people are quiet as a mouse.
Thorsten Hohmann is always my favorite person to use when asked this question, obviously he can handle the pressure and play well to win but he has never gambled in his entire life.
I play pretty frequently - and I always buys a couple of drinks and sometimes some food, depending on how long I'm there. However, I never gamble. Why? Because I don't feel like I'm ready for money games. There's a group of younger kids that play for 5 or 10 a rack and I could gamble with them, but the problem is they've all seen me shoot and I doubt they'd play with me. I'm no fancy shooter, but every time I've played for fun with any of them, they've never won. There's a few other guys that are regulars that I'd play some money games with, but because I know we're about even and it'd be a good match. Then there are the other guys that I would need some weight from - I could probably get it too, we're all friendly enough - but it just never comes up.
I will say though, that as I improve, the more open I am to the idea of playing for something on the side - sets only though. I don't really like the per-rack set-up.
I will say though, that as I improve, the more open I am to the idea of playing for something on the side - sets only though. I don't really like the per-rack set-up.
...double post. Sorry.
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Nope you are not the only person who feels that way, but there many who only play in leagues, socially, or for fun.
If these people went away tomorrow, never picked up a Pool cue again, and never return to a Pool Room, or Bar with Pool tables.
How many place in your area would you have to Play?
I guess I have to go the f*ck home, too.
If you have an incessant need to gamble, you sir, have the problem. If you can't enjoy yourself without gambling, you sir, have the problem.
I don't have a problem with gambling, and even do so occasionally, just not at the pool room. If you want to, cool, no problem with that from me. But apparently if I'm not willing to gamble on my pool playing ability (or inability) I'm not welcome. At least to our OP.
Oh yeah. I buy drinks, food, table time. I tip the bartenders. And even if I didn't, who are you to tell me I can't play in "your" pool hall if I don't want to bet?
Wow. And people wonder why pool isn't more mainstream, and that there aren't sponsors lining up to pay to get it on TV, and to have a big national tour for professionals. Attitudes like this permeate most every discussion here on AZB. Perhaps this is truly representative of pool players nationwide. Boy, I hope not.
Be careful of those slippery slopes, son. You'll only wind up making a fool out of yourself.
Was in the pool room yesterday and a lesser player, with quite the roll in his pocket, was *****ing and crying he couldn't get a game. Well, I was forced to say something and of course he had to have the 6 - out! Guess he will just sit there then. Point is, you have all types in the pool room ie: Nits, gamblers, thieves, friendlies, noobs, and just the all around good, bad, and uglies. It doesn't matter to me whether I gamble or play for free. I could do either at any time. I like teaching the beginners here. That being said, I payed my dues and I agree with Neil here in alot of these guys will take the free lessons and not even offer you a soda. I can choose not to play these guys or teach them but then I'm just sitting there to. At 6 dollars an hour there isnt alot of practicing by myself I want to do.
To answer to question at hand .... I don't think any less of anyone who chooses not to gamble. It is their money isn't it. For example, they don't judge you on the 140 dollars you spent on the new kicks on your feet do they? Like I said, there are all kinds in a pool room and every pool room has the standard railbirds who sit there with no place to go and no money. That is just a given.
To answer to question at hand .... I don't think any less of anyone who chooses not to gamble. It is their money isn't it. For example, they don't judge you on the 140 dollars you spent on the new kicks on your feet do they? Like I said, there are all kinds in a pool room and every pool room has the standard railbirds who sit there with no place to go and no money. That is just a given.
posted twice sorry
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This is actually a good thread pp2093 incited. He got a bunch of us wound up, eh? I doubt he's that big of a .... He's just an instigator!
:thumbup: :grin-square:
:thumbup: :grin-square:
Gambling is fun but so is just playing pool. I can play for both money and no money and have fun. I would say most people gamble in some way, shape or form. Be it poker, the lottery, pool or whatever. But for those that don't... ya know, to each his own. But if you will gamble on lotto tickets, I don't know why you wont on your own pool skills? When I play pool, I just wanna win. I don't care if is for $0, 20 or $200. I'll play for free and I'll play for money. Doesn't matter to me.
I feel like the people who won't gamble and still get the same enjoyment as those of us who do know something I don't or forgot. I actually respect those guys who truly don't gamble, they are totally seperate from the ones who will only gamble when they are dead stealing.
There are plenty of "gamblers" at Hard Times Sacramento and The Jointed Cue who will gladly separate you from your money. It's just
a short drive to either from Stockton.
ulikastr8pool
Registered
I definitely agree. I think pool is a gambling game, just like poker. That's the was I learned to play; you had to bet something. Years ago that's the way it was, it was understood. Now, everyone practices. I don't get it. I understand Soquet and other top players who focus on the big tourneys, but regular Joes who put a lot of time and effort into their game should bet a little something. You spend all that $ on table time when playing cheap affordable action will improve your game a lot quicker. Poker is huge now and I think a small part of it's success is because people are drawn to the action. It creates excitement. All I'm saying if everyone that played pool would gamble here and there, instead of just the 10% or so that do, it would be a little more fun going to the poolroom.
Thats what led me to quit gambling, around the midwest i could get a game and be in good action with players from 4sp to 10sp. This stuff around here is for the crows, too much B.S. and too much nut hunting...they need to pay their cell phone so they figure they are gonna take a whack at getting rich on $30 and want to get the 7out on the BB for chicken sh*t. Or you play some last pocket 8 ball, lord help you if you play one pocket its like babysitting.
I'd rather just hit the balls and work with the ones that are trying to improve their games, helps my game at the same time...
i eat, drink and play for an hour or two spend $20-40 and leave a good tip...if i order 1 beer drink it and leave i leave the bartender/server a 5 spot. While like others have mentioned, the nits here don't even want to pay for water much less time.
and there ain't nothing wrong with not wanting to gamble, some have bigger fish to fry whatever reasons they may be, could be school, family, bills, religion etc it doesn't matter.
not everyone is trying to make a money playing pool, much less make a living and gotta gamble for your bread.
Times change, and places are differient....
-Grey Ghost
I'm probably in the minority on here but I never have felt you need to gamble to play your best or ever worse, need to gamble to play at all.
I play my best so I don't cheapen the game and all of the time I spent practacing and playing matches and for my own satisfaction. I would never say to someone you need to play for something or I'm not playing or complain that I shot bad because it did not mean anything.
Do your best for yourself not for the fact that you gain something from it.
I play my best so I don't cheapen the game and all of the time I spent practacing and playing matches and for my own satisfaction. I would never say to someone you need to play for something or I'm not playing or complain that I shot bad because it did not mean anything.
Do your best for yourself not for the fact that you gain something from it.