$2 nassau press

[macedawg007]

Our foursome is looking to play a $2 nassau, we have never played this before. I was reading and it mentions something about a "press". Can someone explain what this is and how it works?

 

Thanks!

[Slapjax7s]

The press, at its most basic, is a second bet that begins during the course of a round, joining and running concurrently with the original bet. When one player presses, he is starting the second bet, or "pressing the bet." The second bet is usually for the same amount as the original bet.

[macedawg007]

Thanks for the reply! I guess I'm still a little foggy when it comes to this. Is the player who is calling the press thorwing an extra two bucks into the pot?

[bloodredsun]

Where I play the press can only be asked for (its rare to say no but it's not compulsory) when you are 2 holes down and it's for only half the amount of the first bet. The press is only valid for the current bet duration and the scores start at level for it.

 

Example: 2 buck nassau - 2 bucks front nine, 2 bucks back nine and 2 bucks on the total score so the most you can win/lose is 6 bucks

Team A goes 2 up on the 3rd. Team B ask for a nassau on the front 9. Team B wins the 6th and then win 13 and 14 to go 1 up.

 

Team A wins the front 9, 1up for 2 bucks.

Team B wins the back 9, 2 up and the total score 1up for 4 bucks total

Team B wins the front nine press for a buck, 1up (they won the only hole from when the press was called to when it ended).

 

So Team B wins 3 bucks.

 

You can press a press so that you might be currently playing for 2 bucks, a 1 buck press and a 50 cent pressed press but this is more common when playing a full 18 hole bet.

[macedawg007]

Thanks for the replies! I think we are going to try this one out on Sunday.

[jjc2257]

Our regular game is $10 2-down automatic presses with one air press per team per nine holes. Sometime thigs get a little dicey with that air press. FYI Air Press = each team can presss while the ball of another team is in the air. That starts another $10 bet from square til teh 9th or 18th hole. For instance, a par 3 over water, first guy is in the drink, the second guy hits and that is headed for water as well....Press! is called out before the ball hits the ground, water, hazard, etc.

[mrb]

From about.golf.com:

 

http://golf.about.com/cs/golfterms/g/bldef_nassau.htm

 

Definition: The Nassau is one of the most popular golf tournament formats and golf bets. It's essentially three tournaments (or bets) in one: the front nine, back nine and 18-hole scores all count as separate tournaments or bets.

In a Nassau tournament, the player (or team) winning the front nine wins a prize, the player (or team) winning the back nine gets a prize, and the player or team with the low 18-hole total wins a prize.

 

As a bet, the most common form is the $2 Nassau. The front nine is worth $2, the back nine is worth $2 and the 18-hole total is worth $2. A player or team sweeping all three wins $6.

 

The type of scoring is really up the individuals. Stroke play or match play? Scramble, alternate shot, best ball? Full handicaps, partial handicaps, no handicaps? You decide. It's not like there are "official" rules for this sort of thing.

 

While the $2 Nassau sounds innocent enough, winnings can pile up if a higher initial bet is made, or if a lot of "pressing" takes place.

 

A player or team that is trailing in a Nassau can "press the bet" - opening a new bet to run concurrently with the bet that has been pressed. A Nassau that has been pressed and re-pressed and double-pressed and pressed even more can wind up costing someone a lot of money.

 

 

Also Known As: Best Nines, or 2-2-2 when referring to a $2 Nassau

Examples: The Nassau was invented at Nassau Country Club in New York, in 1900, by club captain John B. Coles Tappan. (Seriously. The Golf Guru, writing in Golf Digest, provided this info.)

 

 

And the Press:

 

http://golf.about.com/od/faqs/f/press_bet.htm

 

Question: What Does It Mean to Press a Bet in Golf?

 

Golfers often hear about "presses" or "pressing the bet" when it comes to gambling on the golf course. What are presses, and what does it mean to "press the bet"?

 

Answer: The press, at its most basic, is a second bet that begins during the course of a round, joining and running concurrently with the original bet. When one player presses, he is starting the second bet, or "pressing the bet." The second bet is usually for the same amount as the original bet.

 

Players can agree to use presses with any type of match, but the Nassau is the "home" of the press, and pressing is easily most associated with Nassaus.

 

Like all bets and betting games in golf, there are no official rules for the use of presses. There are many variations of presses and how they can be used. We'll go over some of those here, but let's start with an example to make the nature of presses more clear.

 

Example: Nassau with Presses

We'll use a $2 Nassau for all examples through the remainder of the article to keep things as simple as possible. (A Nassau, remember, is a bet on the outcome of the front nine, a bet on the outcome of the back nine, and a bet on the outcome of the whole match.)

 

Let's say you're on the sixth hole of your $2 Nassau. You're already a couple holes down, and it doesn't look good for you to win the front nine. You decide to press the bet. What happens? A second bet - also worth $2 - is initiated. The original bet is still in place, but now a second bet covers holes 6-9. If your opponent wins the front nine overall, but you win the second bet (in this case, covering holes 6-9), it's a wash. Or you or your opponent could win both bets.

 

You can press at any point in the match if you are behind. You can press the front nine if you're on the front nine; the back nine if you're on the back nine; or the overall match.

 

So the basic press in a Nassau is not that complicated. However, if golfers begin pressing and re-pressing and then re-re-pressing, good scorekeeping (and perhaps an accountant) is a must. Also, as we pointed out near the start, there are no official rules for pressing, and many golfers play variations or use completely different rules for their presses. Always clarify the rules before the match starts.

 

Here are some more elements and variations of the press:

 

Are presses mandatory?

Of course not. State the rules you'll be playing by before the bet begins. If you don't want presses to be an option, just agree with your opponent that there'll be no pressing.

 

Who gets to press?

It is up to the player who is trailing to invoke or offer a press.

 

When is it OK to press?

Whenever you are trailing. Some golfers use the guideline that a player must be at least two holes down before he or she can press, but in many cases all that's required is that a golfer be behind.

 

It is not unusual for presses to be forbidden on the 9th and 18th holes of a Nassau. And many golfers like to limit the number of presses (for example, only one press per nine), both to keep the dollar amount from climbing too high, and to make scorekeeping easier.

 

Invoking, offering or rejecting the press

This is something you'll need to clear up before the match starts. It is most common for the trailing player to be able to invoke a press, which is to say, the press is mandatory if the trailing player wants to declare he's pressing.

 

However, many people choose to give the leading player the option of declining a press. If such an option is agreed upon, then feel free to reject the press with impunity.

 

If this is not hashed out before the match starts, you can still try to decline a press. However, doing so is considered very bad form and you risk being ridiculed by your golf buddies.

 

What's an "automatic press"?

An automatic press is a press that is neither declared nor offered - it comes into play automatically when a pre-set condition in the match is met. That condition in the home of the press, the Nassau, is usually that one player falls two holes behind the other. If automatic presses are in use, and you fall two holes behind, the bet is pressed - whether you like it or not.

 

Is the amount of the press always the same as the original bet?

It usually is, but it doesn't have to be. Some golfers prefer to play by the rule that the press is worth half the original bet. If it's a $2 Nassau, then any presses will be worth $1.

 

Also, some golfers prefer the rule that a press doubles the amount of the original bet. In a $2 Nassau, for example, a standard press would be worth $2. But if presses are doubled, then the press is worth $4; and if someone then re-presses, that press is worth $8, and so on. Playing the double-up version rather than the "standard" version can get expensive quick.

 

 

Hope that helps.

[hbear]

When we play, I haven't the foggiest idea where the match stands....so many presses it's hard to keep track.

I just try to shoot low scores and it usually takes care of itself.

 

However the crummy thing is when you allow multiple presses on the last hole.

You can up all day then get a quad press for the last hole...lose that one hole and make nothing....

 

I much prefer a straight up match, x dollars in and play.

At the club I play at now, we play a simple game. 1 bet for the long game match (18 holes) and 1/2 the first bet for the short game match (the rest of the holes after the long game is done).

 

For example, if the bet is $20/10 the each play puts in $20 for the 18 hole match play.

Should the match end early on 15, then that game (long game) is done and a second match begins (short game) over the last 3 holes for $10 each.

 

It's easy to keep track, and you know at worst you can only lose say $30, and the guys that win the long game don't get screwed over because the other side wins the last couple holes.

If you win the long game, you will still be up cash, if you lose the long game, you have a chance to curb you loss.

[dlo]

Hbear - I have never heard of this but it sounds like it makes sense.

 

One clarification though - you mean the little bet is for $10, not "$10 each", correct? If it were $10 each you could, in your example, lose the big bet and be down $20, then win the next three at $10 each and win money. I think from what you are saying is that winning the big bet wins money and from there you can lose up to half of it.

 

thanks.

[dlygrisse]

From about.golf.com:

 

http://golf.about.com/cs/golfterms/g/bldef_nassau.htm

 

Definition: The Nassau is one of the most popular golf tournament formats and golf bets. It's essentially three tournaments (or bets) in one: the front nine, back nine and 18-hole scores all count as separate tournaments or bets.

In a Nassau tournament, the player (or team) winning the front nine wins a prize, the player (or team) winning the back nine gets a prize, and the player or team with the low 18-hole total wins a prize.

 

As a bet, the most common form is the $2 Nassau. The front nine is worth $2, the back nine is worth $2 and the 18-hole total is worth $2. A player or team sweeping all three wins $6.

 

The type of scoring is really up the individuals. Stroke play or match play? Scramble, alternate shot, best ball? Full handicaps, partial handicaps, no handicaps? You decide. It's not like there are "official" rules for this sort of thing.

 

While the $2 Nassau sounds innocent enough, winnings can pile up if a higher initial bet is made, or if a lot of "pressing" takes place.

 

A player or team that is trailing in a Nassau can "press the bet" - opening a new bet to run concurrently with the bet that has been pressed. A Nassau that has been pressed and re-pressed and double-pressed and pressed even more can wind up costing someone a lot of money.

 

 

Also Known As: Best Nines, or 2-2-2 when referring to a $2 Nassau

Examples: The Nassau was invented at Nassau Country Club in New York, in 1900, by club captain John B. Coles Tappan. (Seriously. The Golf Guru, writing in Golf Digest, provided this info.)

 

 

And the Press:

 

http://golf.about.com/od/faqs/f/press_bet.htm

 

Question: What Does It Mean to Press a Bet in Golf?

 

Golfers often hear about "presses" or "pressing the bet" when it comes to gambling on the golf course. What are presses, and what does it mean to "press the bet"?

 

Answer: The press, at its most basic, is a second bet that begins during the course of a round, joining and running concurrently with the original bet. When one player presses, he is starting the second bet, or "pressing the bet." The second bet is usually for the same amount as the original bet.

 

Players can agree to use presses with any type of match, but the Nassau is the "home" of the press, and pressing is easily most associated with Nassaus.

 

Like all bets and betting games in golf, there are no official rules for the use of presses. There are many variations of presses and how they can be used. We'll go over some of those here, but let's start with an example to make the nature of presses more clear.

 

Example: Nassau with Presses

We'll use a $2 Nassau for all examples through the remainder of the article to keep things as simple as possible. (A Nassau, remember, is a bet on the outcome of the front nine, a bet on the outcome of the back nine, and a bet on the outcome of the whole match.)

 

Let's say you're on the sixth hole of your $2 Nassau. You're already a couple holes down, and it doesn't look good for you to win the front nine. You decide to press the bet. What happens? A second bet - also worth $2 - is initiated. The original bet is still in place, but now a second bet covers holes 6-9. If your opponent wins the front nine overall, but you win the second bet (in this case, covering holes 6-9), it's a wash. Or you or your opponent could win both bets.

 

You can press at any point in the match if you are behind. You can press the front nine if you're on the front nine; the back nine if you're on the back nine; or the overall match.

 

So the basic press in a Nassau is not that complicated. However, if golfers begin pressing and re-pressing and then re-re-pressing, good scorekeeping (and perhaps an accountant) is a must. Also, as we pointed out near the start, there are no official rules for pressing, and many golfers play variations or use completely different rules for their presses. Always clarify the rules before the match starts.

 

Here are some more elements and variations of the press:

 

Are presses mandatory?

Of course not. State the rules you'll be playing by before the bet begins. If you don't want presses to be an option, just agree with your opponent that there'll be no pressing.

 

Who gets to press?

It is up to the player who is trailing to invoke or offer a press.

 

When is it OK to press?

Whenever you are trailing. Some golfers use the guideline that a player must be at least two holes down before he or she can press, but in many cases all that's required is that a golfer be behind.

 

It is not unusual for presses to be forbidden on the 9th and 18th holes of a Nassau. And many golfers like to limit the number of presses (for example, only one press per nine), both to keep the dollar amount from climbing too high, and to make scorekeeping easier.

 

Invoking, offering or rejecting the press

This is something you'll need to clear up before the match starts. It is most common for the trailing player to be able to invoke a press, which is to say, the press is mandatory if the trailing player wants to declare he's pressing.

 

However, many people choose to give the leading player the option of declining a press. If such an option is agreed upon, then feel free to reject the press with impunity.

 

If this is not hashed out before the match starts, you can still try to decline a press. However, doing so is considered very bad form and you risk being ridiculed by your golf buddies.

 

What's an "automatic press"?

An automatic press is a press that is neither declared nor offered - it comes into play automatically when a pre-set condition in the match is met. That condition in the home of the press, the Nassau, is usually that one player falls two holes behind the other. If automatic presses are in use, and you fall two holes behind, the bet is pressed - whether you like it or not.

 

Is the amount of the press always the same as the original bet?

It usually is, but it doesn't have to be. Some golfers prefer to play by the rule that the press is worth half the original bet. If it's a $2 Nassau, then any presses will be worth $1.

 

Also, some golfers prefer the rule that a press doubles the amount of the original bet. In a $2 Nassau, for example, a standard press would be worth $2. But if presses are doubled, then the press is worth $4; and if someone then re-presses, that press is worth $8, and so on. Playing the double-up version rather than the "standard" version can get expensive quick.

 

 

Hope that helps.

 

 

very good explanation, my buddies and I always prefer the double-up version, and we found that it can get very expensive. We began limiting it to 2 presses per player per match. This keeps it under control. We never play Nassau's as we find that playing more of a skins game is more enjoyable as there is something riding on every hole, but you can press the skins anytime you are behind a minimum of twice per match, unless the person you are playing grants you permission to press a 3rd time. Also dont forget to play for greenies, sandies, or barkies, always adds fun to the equation.

[Kyle M]

I like to play press when pissed. Doesn't matter if you are up or down...but, a press can only equal the original bet on that side - no double presses, etc.

[imsocrabby]

my regular game is a $5 Nassau and $1-$2-$3 skins. depending on how many show up, there could be 2 or 4 nassau's going at once.

 

 

on sundays we'll throw $20 bucks in the pot for 'skins and greenies' and then another $5 towards low score. put 25 people in that game and all the holes get cut....I've walked out with over $300 before.

 

 

best day ever.....one of the old guys shanked a tee shot off a tree for a hole in one....he took the whole pot...$600. i had to get a ride home i drank so much beer that day.

[dlo]

At the risk of thread jacking and turning this into a "our regular game" thread, does anyone else play odd numbers of ways? For example, some of the guys at our club will play a $2 nassau 7 ways. you get 2 ways for the front ($4), 2 ways for the back ($4), and three ways for the overall ($6). Typically automatic 2 down presses although some people modify to automatic 2 downs, one down pissed.

 

the rationale is similar to what Hbear was saying - the overall match should be most important and therefore weighted more heavily than the smaller match.

 

I have brought this up when playing with other people and they have acted like it is ridiculous but it is pretty common for our gang.

 

As an aside, I lost every hole on the back nine a few weeks ago 9,7,5,3 and 1 on my bets. OUCH!

[mrb]

Hbear - I have never heard of this but it sounds like it makes sense.

 

One clarification though - you mean the little bet is for $10, not "$10 each", correct? If it were $10 each you could, in your example, lose the big bet and be down $20, then win the next three at $10 each and win money. I think from what you are saying is that winning the big bet wins money and from there you can lose up to half of it.

 

thanks.

 

I'm pretty sure he meant $10 each person, not hole. At least, that's the way I read it.

[dlo]

each person- yeah, that makes sense.

 

once again I am done in by my poor reading comprehension.

[wwhitehead]

We play an optional press anytime a team is 2 down (and permit presses to be pressed). Automatic presses can cost the shirt off your back.

 

WW

[bloodredsun]

One of the reasons I like the half value press is that the value of all the presses can never exceed the total of the first bet, so you could win the main bet and lose all the others and never be out of pocket. Somehow that seems fairer to me.

[hbear]

Yup each person (if playing teams). Not each hole.

 

Basically a new 3 hole match for $10.

So if you lose the long game and win the short game, you are only out $10.

 

Like I said, easy to keep track of, lots of fun (i.e. you aren't going to lose your shirt).

If you want to play for more...just up the bet, play for less, lower it.

[venturagolfer87]

jeez, some of these games can be confusing...me and my buddies usually have one game, but it varies depending on how many of us are playing:

 

twosome: 18 hole stroke play, low score gets a tall boy at the 19th

 

threesome: same as above, just add in another player, and 3rd place buys beers for 1st and 2nd

 

and if we ever have the pleasant surprise of having all four of my golfing buddies play, this is where it gets fun, and way competitive:

 

foursome: 2 teams of 2, better ball, so you everyone keeps their own individual score, and the team uses the best score on each hole. losing team buys winning team a sixer afterwards...this has gotten very heated before, and it's definitely one of my favorite games to play on the course. we don't really play for money, because the money is going towards beer anyways.