Somewhat new to playing Nassau as a gambling item on the golf course. Normally we play low total over front, back and overall, but have lately been playing the match play version of the same.
Saturday we're playing, and I'm giving nine strokes. Partner is three down after 8, and going into 9 wants to press, knowing 9 is a hole he's getting a stroke on. I accept, but in the back of my head thinking that this doesn't sound kosher. He wins the hole, and is even on the money for the front.
Similar situation, same round, I'm 3 up on the overall and going to the 18th tee. Never being in this situation before we don't know how to handle. I accept the press (for the overall) again (and he also gets a stroke on the hole) and he promptly drives it into the water. Long story short, I win the hole.
Two questions - One, is it poor etiquette to request a press in those two situations? And two, if a player presses on the overall, and the hole is tied, how do you settle up?
Either play automatic presses and avoid this issue or just say no to his press. But as you found out someone down 3 at the 18th usually chokes big time especially a high handicapper when the money is on the line. It is what makes the betting oh so sweet.
" and now I've got a 40-yard bunker shot. That's like spending a week with your mother-in-law""
Posts: 307 | Location: Earth | Registered: September 30, 2008
make it more expensive for him to press or just say no, whichever YOU are most comfortable with
read about titanic thompson who said, basically, if you get someone out of their comfort zone, that's the secret to winning at gambling more times than not
bets like that, the mental side, are won, or lost, before the play even starts
Accept the presses...no biggie. In the end, you wound up winning 3 bets...which is the same you would have won without the presses.
If you are playing for the "right" amount of money for you..just accept and play the game.
quote:
Originally posted by CP Staley: Somewhat new to playing Nassau as a gambling item on the golf course. Normally we play low total over front, back and overall, but have lately been playing the match play version of the same.
Saturday we're playing, and I'm giving nine strokes. Partner is three down after 8, and going into 9 wants to press, knowing 9 is a hole he's getting a stroke on. I accept, but in the back of my head thinking that this doesn't sound kosher. He wins the hole, and is even on the money for the front.
Similar situation, same round, I'm 3 up on the overall and going to the 18th tee. Never being in this situation before we don't know how to handle. I accept the press (for the overall) again (and he also gets a stroke on the hole) and he promptly drives it into the water. Long story short, I win the hole.
Two questions - One, is it poor etiquette to request a press in those two situations? And two, if a player presses on the overall, and the hole is tied, how do you settle up?
Thanks.
CP
"Golf is a game whose aim is to hit a very small ball into a even smaller hole, with weapons singularly ill-designed for the purpose." -Winston Churchill
Posts: 318 | Location: First Tee | Registered: May 07, 2008
In our games, generally, the player that is down has the option to press the bet once per nine. A press doubles the bet (from $1/point to $2/point and so on). The player who is up money does not have the option to accept or deny.
We also play twist and twist back (which is done all over with different terminology). The player who is up money always has honors. After that player hits the tee shot, the player who is losing has the option to double the bet for that hole based on the first player's shot; he twists the bet. After the second player hits his tee shot the player who was twisted can twist back, thus multiplying the bet by 4 on that one hole.
You can do many variations of these games. The bottom line is that you are playing with friends and it meant to keep the game interesting. If you are playing your friends for real money, you are likely to get yourself into uncomfortable situations if you do not remember it is a friendly game.
I would say a general rule is to always allow the guy who is down a chance to get his money back if he wants it. However, if he takes the chance and loses, he has to pay up. No hard feelings.
Finally, the winner always buys the first round afterwards (which is interesting if the winner took home a buck or two).
