Pressing bets - a question for regular bettors on the course

[King_Slender]

Had a disagreement during the round today and wanted to get the general consensus here. My buddies and I play various betting games, for instance best ball 6-6-6 where we switch partners every 6 holes. If you are down in a bet you can press, so typically you might have 3 bets going on by the end of a 6 hole match. So today we after 4 holes, this was the setting:

 

Match 1: +2 holes

Match 2: +1 hole

Match 3: EVEN

 

Typically when you press, you add a bet for the remaining holes. Our partners said they were pressing BOTH of the matches they were down in, so now there were 5 bets going on. Of course we lose the next hole and my partner (a true degenerate gambler), says he is pressing BOTH of the bets were were -1 in, so now in a 6 holes match, there were 7 bets going.

 

I know that in all things gambling on the course, the parameters should be set beforehand, but what is general consensus on this?

 

I say that you can only add one bet, because you aren't pressing the ongoing bets, your press creates a new bet for the remaining holes and the status of the previous matches is irrelevant.

 

The argument made to me was "you can press any bet you are down in" and because they were down in 2 bets, they could create 2 new bets.

[jmkenn0]

I mean in theory yes you could press each bet but generally it's just adding one new bet.

[rogolf]

What does the Rule book say? (rhetorical because it isn't part of the Rules) Set your betting rules before teeing off and avoid disagreements.

[GSDriver]

Seems in 6-6-6 could only press for the "6" you're on, when down.

We play, press, roll, twist, etc. You can only press when you're down, but if you press the opposition can roll, effectively pressing you back, etc.

We've gotten to where each "point" (think dollar) was really 64...makes one think about pressing or taking their medicine.

[kcowgolf]

When a press is made it starts a new bet, the original bet and each succeeding bet is still going. Each worth the amount of the original bet.

[dpb5031]

They are right. You can press whenever and whatever. But...unless automatic presses are stipulated from the get-go, you have the right to refuse any press and/or only accept those you wish.

[Augster]

> @kcowgolf said:

> When a press is made it starts a new bet, the original bet and each succeeding bet is still going. Each worth the amount of the original bet.

 

This. A press is just a new bet. The other bets continue.

 

They are 1 down after 1. They press on 2. They lose the 2nd hole and press again on 3. So on the 3rd tee there is the initial bet they are 2-down, the 2nd bet they are 1-down, and the new bet on 3. 3rd hole is halved. On the 4th, they have the option to press the 1st bet and/or the 2nd bet (because they are still behind), but not the 3rd bet because that’s tied.

 

If you don’t want to think of it as bets, think of it as starting a new match. You have the initial 6-hole match. They lose the 1st hole and press. Now you have the 6 hole match where you are 1-up, and a 5 hole match you are starting even. You win the second and they press both. So you have a 4-hole match where you are 2-up, another 4-hole match where you are 1-up, and 2 4-hole matches where you are starting even.

 

It can all get quite confusing and expensive. The easiest way is to say no, but then you are a yellow-bellied coward and value money too much. A press is just a chance for the player/team to get their money back. Or, if you crumble, they can make much more than just the initial bet.

 

Not accepting a press is weak. It’s saying, “I really want to keep your $2. It’s very important to me not to lose that whopping $2. So important, I’m not giving you a chance to win it back. Better luck on the backside.” Weak and lame.

 

[Swisstrader98]

We just do auto presses at -2. Keeps it simple.

[Roadking2003]

> @King_Slender said:

> I say that you can only add one bet, because you aren't pressing the ongoing bets, your press creates a new bet for the remaining holes and the status of the previous matches is irrelevant.

That's how I've always played it. You really aren't pressing a bet at all. You are pressing (starting a new bet for) the remaining part of the six-hole match.

And we never allow the other team to refuse a press.

I've never even heard of the arrangement your buddies suggested, but obviously, you should agree to the rules before the match starts.

 

[King_Slender]

Thanks for the feedback - I kind of agree with keeping it simple with -2 being an auto press and if it's a $2 Nassau, agree, those should never be turned down.

 

When we play 6-6-6 it is usually $10 a man per match (so $30), but with the way this match played out, all of a sudden the last hole turns into a $70/man bet. It's not that the $70 is killing anyone in our group, but I like to keep my golf bets friendly - maybe someone ends up $30-40 at the end of the day , chips in some extra for drinks after the round, etc. (we also do $1/hole skins with roll over and $2 each CTP - so basically around $50/man per round)

[SNIPERBBB]

I would of tackled the 0-2 player if I was the 2-0 player if you weren't comfortable with the money. Or bought him off it.

 

Edit... if the 0-2 guy is the second strongest of the group, assuming 2-0 is the strongest...nice hustle.

[2bGood]

Our groups used to argue about when you could press all the time. In the end as a press is just a new bet we all agreed, you could press when ever you wanted, but you could also turn down a press when ever you wanted.