What betting games do you typically play with your buddies?
Briefly describe the rules of each.
Elaine: We usually
do Nassau. In this game, each nine is its own bet. There’s
also an 18 hole bet. So basically there are three bets. You
can play match play, which is more fun, or each nine can be
stroke play, but that’s not as much fun. If you are playing
match play, and someone has a higher handicap, the higher
handicapper gets strokes on the appropriate holes according
to the scorecard.
As
we play the first nine, say I go up 2 holes and we make it
to the ninth hole. At that point, I win the front nine.
However, you might kill me on the back, maybe take a 3- up
lead with 2 holes to go, so you win the back nine. Because
you are also up in the overall match, you win the 18 hole
bet, too. You win two bets, I win one. The dollar amount can
vary widely. Usually, the front and the back are the same
and the 18 might be more. If someone says “let's play
5-5-10”, that would mean the front and back are worth $5.00,
but the 18 is worth $10.00. In the above case, I won $5.00
on the front, you won $5.00 on the back and $10.00 for the
overall match. Our $5.00 bets were a wash; you net $10.00!
Another game we play is called “quota.” We play this when we
have even skilled teams. ABCD players. You must use a
pre-determined amount of scores per nine. For example you
might play 3-3-3. You have to count 3 holes of one score, 3
holes of two scores and 3 holes of three scores. This can
vary greatly. You might play 2 1's, 3 2's, 3 3's and 1
4...if I was a math major I could tell you all the different
variations! Usually what we do is everyone puts in a dollar
amount then play it like a Nassau, front, back and 18.
What
does it mean to "press?"
Elaine: You press when you are behind in the match.
Maybe you have your good holes coming up, or maybe you get
strokes, or you think you are “finding your game”...so you
start another bet from that point on. It can be for the rest
of the nine or the 18. Let’s say I'm down by 2 after 4
holes. I decide to “press.” For the last 5 holes, there is a
new bet in addition to the old one. So if the front is worth
$5.00, then I start another bet, that one is worth $5.00,
too. Now if I go up in the match, then you decide to
press, say on the 8th hole, a third press
can start for the last 2 holes. Often, if a team or
individual is down on the last hole of a nine, they will
press, hoping to win the hole and negate the bet they
already lost.
How
much is too much to bet?
Elaine: Too much is what you can't afford to lose, and
these days that might be anything!
Have
you ever lost? Under what circumstances?
Elaine: Sure I've lost, and often it's because I always
have to give strokes. People sometimes cheat on their
handicaps…did you know that?
Without being dollar specific, describe in material goods
how much you have won over the years playing these little
games?
Elaine: I would say, over the years I probably haven't
won more than a TV. Somehow at the end of the year, it's
pretty close in the win loss column. I have a little purse
in my bag for the winning and the losing, so I have a pretty
good idea how I'm doing. Though sometimes, when I can't get
to the bank, I have to use that money for beer!
What
is the best advice you can give to someone who is asked to
engage in gambling on the golf course?
Elaine: Keep it friendly! If you don't know the person,
don't get involved. There are people out there who will try
to take your money... |
