When is it OK to quit when you're ahead?

[ShootingArts]

who is getting the spot?

Quitting winner is the surest way to limit your action. If you get a deserved reputation for it people will start doing the same to you or just not give action to you.

I have a very good paying job and love to drive the action. When I travel places I match up with total strangers and make games easily. I'm not playing pool so I can eat so I don't need to have the lock all the time. To me you make money gabling by staying in action and keeping the reputation that you are always ready to play with cash in hand. I give up some very good spots.

Sometimes I will just run "specials" and give people the supposed nuts. If somebody plays B speed and I know they don't runout I will give them the breaks in addition to the last 3 or whatever they ususally get. If they break and run one out of 6 racks to their money ball it is negated by all the failed runouts where I am cleaning up 4-6 balls for the win. Give somebody you usually play even the last 2 or called 8, if I'm in stroke it just doesn't matter.

When I traveled to a barbox tournament in PA a few months back there were about 8 guys looking to gamble pretty big. I had most of them chasing me to play because they all could tell the window was wide open. Most of them only played a few sets because they just weren't advertising and negotiating. I make money at this game consistently by staying active. You'll never catch fish unless you have a line in the water.

When you are playing somebody with rare or no runout ability and someone that doesn't run to a good safe, giving them the break is often a spot for you! Doesn't much matter who is breaking but letting them break and hoping they run a few balls is no spot. The last two or called eight aren't much of a spot either. Giving bangers spots that sound bigger than they are just keeps the fish biting.

People talking about poker and casino betting reminds me, when I played internet poker there were a lot of players that just liked to hit and run. They were going to go all in pretty much any hand they played and if they won they were gone. If they lost they often rebought a hand or two before hitting and leaving. Wait a minute!! As individuals these hit and runners were annoying because if you lost to them the money was gone, no chance of getting into another hand with them. As a group they were great. They stuck around if they lost and left if they won!! Once I realized how horrible their playing style was I loved seeing them show up and tried to get to them before somebody else could.

Hu

 

[Tramp Steamer]

Do like I always did, sometimes.
Have a couple of your buddies dress up like Paramedics, and when the appropriate time comes, fake a heart attack.
Works almost every time.

 

[Txstang1]

Between my wife/kids, and especially my job, I am always on the clock, so I unfortunately run into this a lot. I have learned to be very clear before we start how long I have and exactly what time I need to go and give my opponent the option not to play. In my mind, as long as I am leaving Win or lose at that time it's ok. I also give a warning about an hour prior to my cutoff time. I still take some sh$t sometimes but I believe I am being as up front as possible.

this.................

 

[TheNewSharkster]

Recently I was playing a match with another local player. My girlfriend, with whom I live, was with me. She had been fighting a cold for a few days and started feeling quite badly. I was running over my opponent quite handily and wasn't sure what to do. She went out to the car to lie down and get warm as it was cool in the pool room. After about 30 minutes of her going to the car I explained the situation to my opponent and quit. He understood, paid me and handled it well. I told him that it wasn't like we would never play again and he agreed. This was not a high stakes match, but I still felt like somewhat of a nit for quitting.

I've seen situations where someone faked a reason to quit while ahead and I've also seen it turn ugly. There are times, especially in a 24 hour pool room, where fatigue sets in and a player just can't function anymore. Is there anything wrong with quitting because you're simply just too tired to play anymore? You've put in several hours of hard effort to get ahead and you don't want to give it all back because your body is giving out. Does it have to be who can stand up the longest? Who can handle the most "snappers" or who has them and who doesn't? What if the guy winning has to go to work (I know, a pool player with a job, really?)? What's the difference if the place isn't a 24 hour room and it's closing time? The loser pays up at that point and maybe they play again tomorrow or the next day, right?

I'm just curious to hear some stories from others who have witnessed or been involved in one of these scenarios and also some opinions on when it's OK and when it's not.

I haven't read any response in this thread but I know some people are going to tell you that you shouldn't quit ahead. Don't listen to those guys. It is nice to let your opponent know ahead of time when you will stop playing but after each set/game you have absolutely no obligation to keep playing.

 

[Celophanewrap]

lol, I assume this is a joke? If my wife/gf was sick, and I told her to take a cab home because I was busy gambling, I'd say that would make me a pretty shitty person.

It might also make you "Sleep-on-the-couch-for-a-month" guy, or "divorced" guy, or "My-girl-slept-with-someone-else" guy

 

[runouteasy]

My wife has never seen and will never see the inside of a pool hall.

That said there is something about beating another player with his little woman in tow. Empty his wallet, then her purse and watch how he starts shooting balls into the rails as she just glares at him. It's kind of magical really.

 

[alstl]

I liked Tom Ferry's rule - establish before you start playing anybody can quit whenever they want.

 

[15cherries]

good on you man!

I'm pretty new to pool and don't really gamble much at this stage of my game, just some cheap $5-20 sets and usually only one or two with a guy I see regularly at the hall...never quit winner because I've never been in the position to yet, ha! That's what I get for playing even with a guy better than me and with much more playing time.

Anyway...this whole never quit winner thing has always left me puzzled. I just don't get why it's considered bad, seems to strange to someone new. You gamble, you lose, you pay up. If both parties want to keep going then great, but can't see why someone owes you a infinite amount of time at the table if you want to keep going.

But, it being what it is, I think the answer should be to agree to finish another time. Even set a time to meet up again and make sure you stick with it. Someone said let him keep the money until then...not sure that sounds like a good idea to me, but I suppose if you know the guy will be back it's a nice gesture.

What do I know though, I'm newbie. I do find these types of threads very educational and fun to read though, so thanks for sharing.

good for you for stepping up and playing even, it's gonna feel real good when you start beating this guy, all new players want heavy spots or they won't play.One of the biggest hearted players I have ever met is Greg Thornton from Cheboygan, all his life he has never taken a spot and will stand-up and play anyone even. Take your lumps for now and it will surely make you a better player.

 

[jojopiff]

When I've had to suddenly leave, I told the guy I was up 2 games on in one pocket that we'll just pick up here next time. Never did, never got paid but I don't gamble for much usually and didn't concern me. I would rather be out the $20 than the guy not ever want to gamble with me again. If someone were to say I've got to go because of "x" reason I would have no problem and if they said I need to go but I'll play another 30 minutes or hour or whatever that would be more than fair, IMO.

I also think this quitting ahead thing is a thing because at some point, someone lost a set or 2 versus a guy they were trying to hustle or just got every terrible roll and the the guy who was the beneficiary realized this was the case and got the heck outta there with the cheese when they knew if they stuck around that they had the worst of it. Then, somehow, it became an unwritten rule that you can't quit winner.

BTW, I don't quit winner. I don't gamble for much or often though.

 

[peteypooldude]

If I'm ahead and I know I have to leave then I'll give them an option of a short race to get even. I've also offered to let them keep their money and resume at a later date. I played a guy the other night until the place closed. I was down and giving him weight but I knew if we played very long that he couldn't win. I paid off and he told me to meet him the next evening at 6 and we would continue. We started playing again (me still giving weight) and he loses 2 games and quits. He says ..... I'm just not feeling it. I told him that I weren't feeling it the night before but I still played. I told him to keep the money but to never ask me to play again. As far as I'm concerned he's bad action. If he would have won the first few games then he would have kept playing

 

[PoolBoy1]

I would not have paid you. You didn't win anything!

 

[Black-Balled]

I also agree that either party should be able to quit at any time- Dennis: I mean at any time other than in the middle of a game or set- but you gotta admit that pulling up winner will probably end up meaning you didn't win all you could. Maybe even missing out on turning a small win into a big score.

 

[nine_ball6970]

If I'm ahead and I know I have to leave then I'll give them an option of a short race to get even. I've also offered to let them keep their money and resume at a later date. I played a guy the other night until the place closed. I was down and giving him weight but I knew if we played very long that he couldn't win. I paid off and he told me to meet him the next evening at 6 and we would continue. We started playing again (me still giving weight) and he loses 2 games and quits. He says ..... I'm just not feeling it. I told him that I weren't feeling it the night before but I still played. I told him to keep the money but to never ask me to play again. As far as I'm concerned he's bad action. If he would have won the first few games then he would have kept playing

Something about your story bothers me. You basically said you were stealing with the weight you were giving him the first night. He came back the next day and loses at a game you know he is supposed to lose and you say he is bad action because he figured out it was a bad game?

Is someone in a bad game supposed to give you all of your money back before they are allowed to quit?

 

[miscrewed89]

Some very interesting responses... Just to clarify though, I started this thread out of curiosity of what others thought. My situation was not really even a "situation." When I go to that particular pool room I am the guy with the target on his back. I always have a pocketful of cash and am known for playing marathon matches. I'm not at all worried about losing any action because, as long as I have cash in my pocket, I will have action!

Also, there is no way in hell I'd put her in a cab and send her home! She has been in and around pool action for most of her life so she knows what it's about. She was feeling better before we left and wanted to come along. But after several hours in the cold, smoky pool room she just couldn't handle any more. I would guess that those who would put their sick, significant other in a cab to continue playing probably have difficulty keeping a significant other. And as much as one might argue they don't care and are better off without, we all know that's a lie!

Anyway, this thread has become quite interesting and informative. As I said before, my opponent and I handled the situation like the grown men we are, have no qualms with each other, and will play again.

 

[Baby Huey]

When to quit a match is always a tough call. I think you can quit anytime you want and like poker or any other gambling game you didn't sign on a dotted line for a contract to keep playing. There is a "however" though. If you quit in front too often you run the risk of getting a reputation as a "no action" kind of player. I believe I heard where Chris Bartrum was playing Dennis Orcollo and Chris lost the first set and was set to play another and Dennis quit the match. I think there were some words about not playing another and that Chris said he would never play Dennis again. Something to that effect. Now I played a lot of pool beginning in the middle 60's and back then you didn't quit until you were either even or your opponent quit the match. Sometimes back then matches would last two to three days and other old timers like Billy Incardona and Keith might want to chime in on playing until your opponent quit. I played a match that lasted over 50 hours and it was going bad about the 40th hour and I came within a breath of quitting but didn't and went on to make one of the best pool scores I ever made. I think my favorite players for never quitting were Louie Roberts and perhaps Keith and Cole as well. So if you choose to quit ahead to often be warned that you may queer your action.

 

[peteypooldude]

Something about your story bothers me. You basically said you were stealing with the weight you were giving him the first night. He came back the next day and loses at a game you know he is supposed to lose and you say he is bad action because he figured out it was a bad game?

Is someone in a bad game supposed to give you all of your money back before they are allowed to quit?

I never said I was stealing...... Playing even then yes I'm stealing. I played him the night before and lost. I didn't drop the spot. I would have stayed in the game until he got close to even at least . If you don't see anything wrong with that then I guess you don't gamble very much. It's an unwritten rule. I didn't jump his ass I just told him not to ask me to play again. That's someon wanting to fire a few dollars at your bankroll..... Bad action in my book. I'd still play him but he will have to post. Damn someone shooting $20 at your $200

 

[markgw]

Recently I was playing a match with another local player. My girlfriend, with whom I live, was with me. She had been fighting a cold for a few days and started feeling quite badly. I was running over my opponent quite handily and wasn't sure what to do. She went out to the car to lie down and get warm as it was cool in the pool room. After about 30 minutes of her going to the car I explained the situation to my opponent and quit. He understood, paid me and handled it well. I told him that it wasn't like we would never play again and he agreed. This was not a high stakes match, but I still felt like somewhat of a nit for quitting.

I've seen situations where someone faked a reason to quit while ahead and I've also seen it turn ugly. There are times, especially in a 24 hour pool room, where fatigue sets in and a player just can't function anymore. Is there anything wrong with quitting because you're simply just too tired to play anymore? You've put in several hours of hard effort to get ahead and you don't want to give it all back because your body is giving out. Does it have to be who can stand up the longest? Who can handle the most "snappers" or who has them and who doesn't? What if the guy winning has to go to work (I know, a pool player with a job, really?)? What's the difference if the place isn't a 24 hour room and it's closing time? The loser pays up at that point and maybe they play again tomorrow or the next day, right?

I'm just curious to hear some stories from others who have witnessed or been involved in one of these scenarios and also some opinions on when it's OK and when it's not.

I've always found it best to make an agreement prior to starting. Ok let's post 3 sets etc... That way you're guaranteed to play 3 sets of pool and neither can quit. The other thing I like about this agreement is there is no way to break even:thumbup:

 

[alstl]

If I'm ahead and I know I have to leave then I'll give them an option of a short race to get even. I've also offered to let them keep their money and resume at a later date. I played a guy the other night until the place closed. I was down and giving him weight but I knew if we played very long that he couldn't win. I paid off and he told me to meet him the next evening at 6 and we would continue. We started playing again (me still giving weight) and he loses 2 games and quits. He says ..... I'm just not feeling it. I told him that I weren't feeling it the night before but I still played. I told him to keep the money but to never ask me to play again. As far as I'm concerned he's bad action. If he would have won the first few games then he would have kept playing

That's interesting. You got upset because he quit loser. He evidently knew the same thing you did, if he played very long with that weight he couldn't win. Was he wearing a t-shirt with the letters ATM on it?

 

[SakuJack]

My wife has never seen and will never see the inside of a pool hall.

That said there is something about beating another player with his little woman in tow. Empty his wallet, then her purse and watch how he starts shooting balls into the rails as she just glares at him. It's kind of magical really.

You sound fun :frown:.

 

[gogg]

Setting a time really IS the best way.