So.... I'm in the library and get offered $1,000...

[snowbank]

I'm on my way to study for a final exam, and start talking to a guy studying at one of the tables in the library. He tells me he wants to stake me $1,000. My question is: is it worth it for me?

I currently 4-table 1/2 NL 6 max tables. If I moved up to like 5/10 NL or something like that for the stake to be worth it, I would only be able to play like 2 tables tops. Does this offer make sense for me? If anyone has any ideas how to make it worth it, please let me know.

[Sully]

I think we need more information. What is your current bankroll? What is your win rate? Over how many hands?

If you are currently 4-tabling 1/2 NL successfully, I would imagine that your current bankroll would already be above $1,000, and if not, you could get it there fairly shortly.

This just doesn't seem like a good idea to me. I would stick at your current level and grind it out.

[TomCollins]

$1000 is not a stake in 5/10 NL. Most 5/10 NL players have had losses of 3-4x that in one day, or wins 3-4x that.

If he is only staking you 1/2 or less of your bankroll, it doesn't make sense. Your winrate will not be 2x as much, especially since you are not multitabling as much.

To make it worth it, if he was putting down 1k as your buy-in for one session, and you split any profits and he had all the losses, its an easy done deal. But I don't get it. Maybe there is more to the story than I understand.

[pfkaok]

[ QUOTE ]
If I moved up to like 5/10 NL or something like that for the stake to be worth it, I would only be able to play like 2 tables tops.

[/ QUOTE ]

So you're going to get $1000 stake, and put half of it on each of 2 tables??? I guess its not a bad idea for you if this guy doesn't mind losing $1000, so you can just have a freeroll with it... seriously though, why would you play $5-10 NL with only $1000?

[snowbank]

Yes, current bankroll is well over $1,000. I probably average around 10 big blinds/ 100 hands.

[sfer]

Can you get me a library card?

[snowbank]

"To make it worth it, if he was putting down 1k as your buy-in for one session, and you split any profits and he had all the losses, its an easy done deal. But I don't get it. Maybe there is more to the story than I understand."

Bascially, ya. He's looking to take all the losses, and split any winnings. He's a bit of a gambler. I told him it really wouldn't be worth it for me to play the same stakes now because then I'm only making half as much. I told him I'd have to move up to higher stakes, $1,000 wouldn't be that much at higher stakes. He said he didn't want to put up few grand. He's a big gambler though. He won like $5,000 in AC a few months ago, and then went back and lost ALL of it.

So for one session buying in at like 2 tables it would be worth it to me?

[snowbank]

"seriously though, why would you play $5-10 NL with only $1000?"

I wouldn't with my own money. I told him I would need a bigger stake to be safe. If he wants to do it, will it be worth it?

[snowbank]

"Can you get me a library card?"

hahahaha

[pfkaok]

I can't imagine somebody wanting to take that deal... but if he offered it then I say, yeah take it, so long as you wouldn't feel too bad losing $1000 for your friend. Problem is though, if you win he'll probably want to keep staking you with deals that aren't this good, and you might feel obligated to take them.

However, on the surface... one night, the worst that'd happen is you'd get free experience playing a higher staked game, and its a pretty good freeroll. Depending on how important the money is to you though, you might want to set a win limit, say maybe if you double or triple your money, just get out and make a quick $500 - $1000 for yourself.

[pfkaok]

BTW, regardless of whether you take the deal you should probably give this guy that # that they give on those WSOP commercials for people with gambling addiction

[James282]

How could it not be worth it? You could just take the 1k and go put it on black and if you lose say "sorry dude I took a bad beat" but if you win, freeroll on his 1k and keep 1k for your trouble. I'm joking of course, but 1k is relatively insignificant to my BR, but I'd still take it if someone offered it to me.
-James

[fsuplayer]

if the guy doesnt care that much, than sure buy in once at the 5-10 game. but i think two shots at the 500 game would work out better for both of you.

good luck to you.

[stonecold]

Well its really easy to loose 1k on 5-10. It only have to take a few minutes before u go all-in with a good hand and get outdrawed.... But on the other side u can also get a rush and be up 3-4k for the day...

[NLSoldier]

Just be glad he at least offered $1000.

Convos like this get super annoying:

Random Clown that knows nothing about poker: "dude, I hear you are good at poker, can I give you some money to play with?"

Me: "Umm, how much are you thinking?"

Random idiot: "how about like 10 bucks, maybe even 20!"

Me: "Umm...yeah...i gotta go, later dude.

One of my friends who is just learning 1/2 6max is already getting that crap and he's been playing like a month. Who does these random idiots think they are anyways?

[greg nice]

$1k is one buyin at 5/10. hes basically staking you for one table.

[Fabian]

I think there is some part of the story I've just missed, because I understand it as he'd stake you $1000 on a 5/10 NL table, take all the losses and split the winnings.

How can this possibly be bad?

[snowbank]

"I think there is some part of the story I've just missed, because I understand it as he'd stake you $1000 on a 5/10NL table, take all the losses and split the winnings.
How can this possibly be bad?"

Opportunity costs

[snowbank]

'Random idiot: "how about like 10 bucks, maybe even 20!"'

haha. I've definitely had a few of these before too. The best is when they try to convince you how great their offer really is.

[fsuplayer]

i dont think opportunity cost is very relevent here, as you wouldnt play at those tables long i dont imagine. get in, score, leave, and split the winning.

then back to your normal games.

[Sponger15SB]

lol yeah i've gotten this a bunch of times before.

I think the biggest offer was like 1/15th my bankroll...woohoo!

[pfkaok]

[ QUOTE ]
Opportunity costs

[/ QUOTE ]

I think this is a poor reason, unless of course you think that the 5/10 game is so tough that you are a big underdog.

If you think you're better than even money to double up, then you'll have more than a 50% chance to make $500 quick, with no risk... tough to believe you'll be giving up more than that by not playing 1/2 NL for one nite.

[TimM]

[ QUOTE ]
Opportunity costs

[/ QUOTE ]

Have you played that high before? If not, you are getting a free chance to see how well you could handle it.

[johnnycakes]

How's this reasoning:

Take the money.

Given the following:
You will split the profits evenly.
You currently play 1/2.

Take his money and play 2/4. You are playing twice as high as you usually do while splitting the profit, which means you are making the same $/100 as you are at 1/2. The benefit is, you personally can't lose any money.

[Bob T.]

So for one session buying in at like 2 tables it would be worth it to me?

Yes, because you would be freerolling, and he wouldn't be. It would also be a very bad gamble for him, but then that isn't really your concern, unless you want to work something out long term. If you don't need it, staking just isn't a good idea.

[htc1278]

So I'm in a bowling alley one day and this guy offered to give me a free bj. I passed on that offer but I don't see a problem with this offer of $1000 at 5/10 NL--either he's going to lose $ or you're going to win a good amount--you're potential rewards outweigh the risk. Take a chance. If nothing else he's paying for a bit of your 5/10NL education.

[snowbank]

I had an idea, that maybe it would work out better for both of us if we did this in live play. 1. When I go to the casino, I'm there more for entertainment. I'm trying to make money, but obviously I could be making more online. 2. The 5/10 NL games in a casino would probably be a good bit softer than 5/10 NL games online.

So it wouldn't be an opportunity cost for me, and I would have a better chance of making him money. He would also get to watch me if he wanted.

Thoughts?