A betting conundrum - usually with the Las Vegas betting game

My buddies and I usually play Las Vegas, sometimes referred to as Amigos (read about it here if you're not familiar: https://www.liveabout.com/las-vegas-golf-game-1564057) as well as skins, and closest to the pin.

When we play Las Vegas we switch partners on every hole with the two balls on the left and the two balls on the right as partners. However, I've noticed one of the issues with this way to divide teams is that the player who tees off last can never be partners with the player who is in the center of the first 3 tee shots. This could be particularly problematic on Par 3's if someone hits it tight and the other two guys are left and right, meaning the last guy has no chance to be partners with the guy in the middle.

If you know how Las Vegas works with flips and doubles for a net eagle, consider a hole that's paying $1 per point and this situation:

Player 1 - Left

Player 2 - hole in 1 (net eagle)

Player 3 - Right

Player 4, by default, is going to lose with a left/right partner setup, so before he's even teed off he's lost the hole, the only question is how much. With a flip of scores and a double - say team scores are 13, and 34 (flip to 43), that's a 30 point difference (43 minus 13) and then a double - losing $60.

My solution was to propose having the two players in the middle be partners, which was met with some pushback saying it's a huge advantage because the two players in the middle will most likely be in better position and the left/right guys could both be out of play.

Thoughts or ever run into anything like this in another betting game?

Just change partners every 6 holes: AB v CD, AC v BD, AD v BC

We like the variety - it also creates some funny scenarios where someone might hit it in the crap on the right and then the next 3 guys are trying to to go as far left as possible without screwing themselves - I've actually found the best way to play is to ignore partners and just play my game.

We don't do 6-6-6 because we up the bet as the round goes on. Holes 1-9 are $0.25 per point, doubles to $0.50 on Holes 10-15, and doubles to $1 on 16. Whoever is in last place has the option to double again on 18.

Is your game like Wolf in that you have to keep the same order all the way through?

If not, I guess the best way to not get shut out out in your scenarîo is to always be ready on the tee box of par threes. Then if someone does jar one, as long as you’re not the last guy, at least you have a chance to get partnered up with the ace. While everyone else is high fiving, you be teeing up!

Why don't you just play wolf instead? Then you get more variation in partners/singles/threesome.

We typically play that the winning team tees off first.

As to Wolf, we've played it, but I think we like the pressure that Las Vegas can build on any given hole. In Wolf you're really only in it for 1 to 3 units on any given hole. With Las Vegas there can end up being a lot of pressure putts - if you're opponent is in for a birdie, every putt for the high guy on the other team is worth 10 points. Again, that might be nominal if youre on a $0.25 per point hole, but if you're a hole for $1 a point, things can get interesting.

Yeah, Vegas can certainly get really interesting in a big hurry.

My guess is that there just isn’t a real good answer for that particular question. It just similar to rub of the green while you’re playing. If someone does jar one in front of you and you’re last, you just have to know it’s going to hurt the wallet. And there just isn’t anything you can do about it. Fortunately, it shouldn’t happen very often.

It all about the bet action.

Typically wolf for us - bets carrie over and we play the following

Lets say we are playing $5 with is typical:

$5 bet on hole (if someone goes wolf it doubles)

After drive the non wolf team gets to howl (double the bet) $10

Wolf team can hole ball and double again - $20

Birdie wins pay double - $40

Double Birdies pay 5X - $100

With carry overs you can get some very big holes as typically we get to $20 right away, and then the next hole is $25 etc.

We play Vegas regularly, but in the 6/6/6 (COD) format. I dont like any format that can influence how you play. In this case, favoring a side of the fairway because of the location of the others.

Partners is better. We play the same partners the whole way around.