Well, I have you beat so far in the action department. Yesterday I went to a 60 table pool room where I have been earlier in the week and where I am now a "member" with my own cue there. On the table next to me two guys are playing a game with cards and paying off every game. Now you know we love games that involve pool balls, cards and money!
So I ask if I can play and my friend helps me to learn the rules. The game is full rack and each player gets seven cards out of 15 dealt to them - there is one neutral ball - the last card. You win by being the first to clear all your balls without scratching or making any ball thats not yours. The payoff is 20rmb per ball that the oppent has left - 140 if you clear and leave him with all seven.
My opponent can play. Older guy with a smooth stroke, nice touch, but not as knowledgeable about shots or cueball control as he needs to be to clear up when the out is a bit tricky. So I quickly win about 500 and then another guy wants in.
The three way game is much tougher - each player gets five cards and you keep your cards hidden instead of showing them as in the two way game. Now it's tougher to get out when you have to run five particular ones out of fifteen and you can't make any of the opponent's or you are out. But, as is the case in ring games all over the world - the reward for getting out is far more than the investment! So, if these two aren't trying to trap me - which they weren't!! I feel like I have the nuts over the long run. Of course in the three way game it's possible that I might get real unlucky and not have good out chances several games in a row. So we played that way for a while and I ended up about 200 winner. I blew several outs that would have earned me 200 on those games but no problem. After a while guy #2 give up and it's back to a 2 player game.
So I go on to win another 500 from guy #1 and when he is down several hundred more he tells me through a translator that he doesn't want to gamble anymore - so I forgive him the money and say no problem and keep playing for free.
The game is actually a great game because the cards seem to dictate a random layout each time. You could play the same game as a two player game by just playing 8 ball usig the same rules with the 8 as the neutral ball - this would eiminate the need to do the ritual with dealing the cards each time. Although I think it's fun to pick up the cards and see how "lucky" you got with the deal and the layout.
The three handed game was a lot of fun as well with everyone keeping their cards hidden. Like Kelly pool or poker pool (not the new commercial version).
Because of my one-pocket and nine ball skills (mostly one pocket) I was able to get out and outmove for the win more than my opponents because I used a lot of standard one pocket shots and moves.
Another tactic I used was if I couldn't get out - then I just ran off all the balls I could to minimize the cost to me. They weren't doing that it seemed as they would often take on the trouble ball early and sell out. For me - if I could see that I wasn't going to have much chance to win then I just wanted to get out of that game as cheaply as possible.
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Okay, while we are on the subject (not to hijack your thread Jay but since we are on this topic.) I played in another ring 9-ball game a few weeks ago that is tailor made for the better player to win, unlike 9 ball ring games in the USA where the best player might not get a makeable shot in 10 games.
In this 3 (or more) player game the person who make the money ball gets paid by the person who sold out - EXCEPT for a break and run when the winner gets paid double by everyone. And in the three handed version the person who won gets to break and the person who sold out the previous game follows the breaker. Here is the TAILOR MADE part:
Say I am the best player in the game. When it's my shot I can either go for the run out or play safe. Because not losing (i.e. not selling out doesn't cost me anything.) As long as I hold my man then he pays the guy behind him if he sells out and I am not in the game until the next time I shoot. So my options are great. I either win and get another opportunity to break and run for double - or I don't LOSE by selling out and I pay nothing. So it would take some incredibly BAD LUCK for the me to end up with no shots AND to sell out enough to end up signifigantly loser. Chances are that when I have to kick or jump that my opponent won't get out anyway.
But EVEN if they do, guess what? I don't have to be at the end of the line BECAUSE if I lose a game then who get's to follow the breaker? That's right, I do. So now I have a chance right away to get back the game I lost and stay winner. See, the best player in the game just can't lose at this ring game.
In this particular instance I was giving up weight - one player got the seven and the other one got the eight and I still took it down. From a percentage standpoint it's the dead nuts against weaker players. Whereas in a USA style nine ball ring game the weaker players have a lot more chance because the stronger player might not get good opportunities for many games and he is at the back of the line when he misses.
Jay, there has to be real poolrooms there. (the style of commercial table we are used to)
The bus??? Dude, rent a car and a driver for $30-40 a day! Don't hassle with the bus - tour or otherwise. You are on vacation, enjoy.
Bureacracy. Yeah it can be tough but I have noticed that there are also some efficiencies as well. This society is rapidly developing on a lot of fronts. On some things the cost seems out of line while on others it's ridiculously cheap. I am learning that there is often a lot of depth to the reasoning behind the regulations in addition to some that seem rather overprotective and redundant.
It is my understanding that they do have civil suits here. The legal system is better or worse depending on where you are though. The people I deal with say that if you drive - don't ever hit anyone or you will be paying dearly for a long time as all their relatives attach claims.
This has been long winded. It would be nice to meet you while we are so close but in terms of ability I can't come down so enjoy your stay and you wil be envied while in Manilla.
