You'll never get better...

pwd72s

pwd72s

recreational banger
Silver Member
....unless you play for money. Don't know how many times I've been told that by people wanting to "play for cheap".

I tell them, that's okay, that I enjoy being a low level recreational player. Then I add if they really want to play for money, I could call my honorary nephew. (He's no pro..but has a 696 Fargo and is pretty well known in this area.)

When I tell them who he is, it suddenly seems they really don't want to "get better".

Why is that? :rolleyes:
 
Yeah..I've always kind of wondered why they didn't want to "get better" by playing for money against a better player?

Hmmm, must have been purely altruistic on their part, just wanting to help me improve, right?

So, why didn't they want to improve using the same method they suggested for me?

Just another of life's mysteries...
 
pwd72s said:
Yeah..I've always kind of wondered why they didn't want to "get better" by playing for money against a better player?

Hmmm, must have been purely altruistic on their part, just wanting to help me improve, right?

So, why didn't they want to improve using the same method they suggested for me?

Just another of life's mysteries...
Click to expand...

:grin-square:

I pretty much just play for fun
but if a better player didn't mind playing cheap
I'd love it
 
I love cheap action; race to 5 for $20 is my bread & butter.
That said, one cannot replace the pressure a little bread puts on a match, especially early in one's gambling endeavors. It's like playing in the finals of a tournament, every time. It will harden you; sharpen you. I've received weight and given it. I'd try your man if we could make the game somewhat reasonable. My guess the individuals about whom you write were more so looking for a fish.
 
Buster8001 said:
I love cheap action; race to 5 for $20 is my bread & butter.
That said, one cannot replace the pressure a little bread puts on a match, especially early in one's gambling endeavors. It's like playing in the finals of a tournament, every time. It will harden you; sharpen you. I've received weight and given it. I'd try your man if we could make the game somewhat reasonable. My guess the individuals about whom you write were more so looking for a fish.
Click to expand...


There's is truth to what you say.

Something on the line will better establish the true level of your skill. And it also brings your opponent's skill level into line and keeps them from swinging at a lot of shots they'd never give a second glance if there was money on the line.

Lou Figueroa
 
Maybe its just me but i dont understand this philosophy that gambling for money puts pressure on you....unless you arr playing for more than you can afford to lose.

I have never felt pressure when gambling ...probably because i never played for big stakes. If i decided to play for a 100 and lost it all its no big deal because that is the amount i decided i could part with. I liken it to gambling in a casino. Do you feel pressure at the slot machine or roulette wheel...if so you shouldnt be there with your families rent money.
 
pwd72s said:
....unless you play for money. Don't know how many times I've been told that by people wanting to "play for cheap".

I tell them, that's okay, that I enjoy being a low level recreational player. Then I add if they really want to play for money, I could call my honorary nephew. (He's no pro..but has a 696 Fargo and is pretty well known in this area.)

When I tell them who he is, it suddenly seems they really don't want to "get better".

Why is that? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...


There is Zero Problem with playing for sport, and love of game.

The same people who want to STEAL from you, will cry like babies if you steal from them.

Don't you love double standard?
 

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pwd72s said:
....unless you play for money. Don't know how many times I've been told that by people wanting to "play for cheap".

I tell them, that's okay, that I enjoy being a low level recreational player. Then I add if they really want to play for money, I could call my honorary nephew. (He's no pro..but has a 696 Fargo and is pretty well known in this area.)

When I tell them who he is, it suddenly seems they really don't want to "get better".

Why is that? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Yawn.................
 
This is a farce, I have never played for money much other than $5 here and there, maybe an occasional $20 set. In the last 2 years alone I have progressed where I can keep up with just about anyone you put on a table with me. I play with a lot of good players, most of whom know that I am damn fun to shoot with, and rarely if ever get run over
 
Last time I played for much beside enjoyment was on way home from Fly Fishing in MT. Stopped at State Line Casino/Motel in Mesquite, NV for the night. Wondered over, and they had this pool room, ask the guy at desk if I could use. He said yes, few minutes later some local want to play for cheap set.

How about playing for a beer, he kind of grumbled. But decided to play 1 game of 8 ball. Well I am not a great 8 ball player, but played a safe, took ever opportunity to beat him fair and square.

Told him to buy my beer, be thankful we did not play for money, as I would have showed him everything I had. I was joking, but he did not know.

Not nice to steal from people or Wal-Mart.:wink:
 
Gosh golly.

I guess I haven’t improved since I picked up a cue 51 years ago. Never gambled...not even once. Also no better at hockey or soccer...played those for 60 years.

Folks I play with are , for the most part, financially responsible in life. $20 isn’t my motivation in life.
 
pwd72s said:
....unless you play for money. Don't know how many times I've been told that by people wanting to "play for cheap".

I tell them, that's okay, that I enjoy being a low level recreational player. Then I add if they really want to play for money, I could call my honorary nephew. (He's no pro..but has a 696 Fargo and is pretty well known in this area.)

When I tell them who he is, it suddenly seems they really don't want to "get better".

Why is that? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

To me, the hardest game to get set up is when two players are even. One is afraid of the other, and the other is glad about it. In pool, gambling and betting are two different concepts.
 
lorider said:
Maybe its just me but i dont understand this philosophy that gambling for money puts pressure on you....unless you arr playing for more than you can afford to lose.

I have never felt pressure when gambling ...probably because i never played for big stakes. If i decided to play for a 100 and lost it all its no big deal because that is the amount i decided i could part with. I liken it to gambling in a casino. Do you feel pressure at the slot machine or roulette wheel...if so you shouldnt be there with your families rent money.
Click to expand...

IMHO, the formula for recreational gambling (depending of course on your opponent’s skill level), is to not bet more than you can afford to lose, but enough so that when you are bent over for that risky/unwise shot choice, it suddenly occurs that losing will now be painful.
 
Playing for money is good to help you get better because it helps you focus for longer a longer duration. It also helps with remembering every shot too. You always remember those close games in a set but with money on the line every shot is a close shot.

There should be a limit on how much to bet. I bet only enough to make me feel uncomfortable. Let's say I'm willing to lose $100 and that makes me uncomfortable therefore $20/set is perfect. Usually 5 sets. I either lose or I win.
 
I currently don't consider myself a "gambler". But when I play pool, I must admit, I need to be playing for something. I've always likened pool to poker, you can't play poker for fun either...it just doesn't work.

Having that been said, I don't play to win money, I play for fun and money is just a way to keep score so to speak. If I end up getting ahead, I'll volunteer an adjustment to make the game even. Sometimes I even over-adjust so they get their money back. The vast majority of the guys I know are the same way. Amongst most of us, betting a few bucks is more friendly then some may think.
 
DynoDan said:
IMHO, the formula for recreational gambling (depending of course on your opponent’s skill level), is to not bet more than you can afford to lose, but enough so that when you are bent over for that risky/unwise shot choice, it suddenly occurs that losing will now be painful.
Click to expand...
Exactly. Well said.
 
TATE said:
To me, the hardest game to get set up is when two players are even. One is afraid of the other, and the other is glad about it. In pool, gambling and betting are two different concepts.
Click to expand...


When you have two people of equal ability, I find it fun to watch, as the out is not certain. It's exciting.
 
pwd72s said:
....unless you play for money. Don't know how many times I've been told that by people wanting to "play for cheap".

I tell them, that's okay, that I enjoy being a low level recreational player. Then I add if they really want to play for money, I could call my honorary nephew. (He's no pro..but has a 696 Fargo and is pretty well known in this area.)

When I tell them who he is, it suddenly seems they really don't want to "get better".

Why is that? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

It only applies to lesser skilled players, whom the people giving the advice, want to rob. Playing for money won't make you shoot straighter. Practising and taking the game seriously will. If you need an extra incentive, and some pressure on you, play tournaments. That way you'll get everyones best game too. Best of all, you won't lose a years salary doing it.
 
Straightpool_99 said:
It only applies to lesser skilled players, whom the people giving the advice, want to rob. Playing for money won't make you shoot straighter. Practising and taking the game seriously will. If you need an extra incentive, and some pressure on you, play tournaments. That way you'll get everyones best game too. Best of all, you won't lose a years salary doing it.
Click to expand...

excellent post!
 
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