Here is the plan/structure I want to have to make this as successful as possible. If you have any suggestions following this please have a say.
First off, I will set up two bank accounts separate from my living expenses – One for my half of the stake and another for your staking money. All money goes in there, and what I will do on a weekly or fortnightly basis is send account details to all the backers, so you can see what money has gone in (winnings) and out (stakes). By keeping accounts separate, it is easier to administrate and makes things simple. It just means carrying two cards around with me to withdraw equal amounts but that’s no hardship.
At the moment that means there’d be two accounts starting with £500 in each.
Any game won results in me paying Stakeback + 50% so for example if playing a match for £500, as you have 50% of the stake at £250 then you get that back plus £125 (50%) on top. If I lose, then that money has gone.
I do not intend to just turn up to a Rileys or Club 147 or wherever just hoping to get a game. If someone comes up and challenges me though, then I have that option to accept their challenge but only if I’m comfortable it’s a game I can win. I won’t be playing complete strangers who play like total crap then approach me, as that could be a hustle.
As I am putting my own money on the line as well, I will not be putting it all on one game. Even against a very bad player anything can still happen. That isn’t negative, it’s actually a good thing because if arrogance takes over then I will lose. I do not want to lose mine or your money.
I don’t really have any specific rule set for playing maximum %age in any one game, but as a general rule I will never go over 25%. If I intend to go over 25% of the roll I will try to get to one of you guys to see what you think. It would be a good idea if you have a ‘head’ of the group I can contact to get the green light. I don’t want to set money alight. I want to act with total integrity and honesty.
There is a designated Action Night in Wakefield on Thursdays where virtually every table has games on for money. This can be anything from £10 up to £200 depending on the players. This is the best night if I get a car full to try and make ‘big bucks’ in one night. I have a few challenges for an event called ‘Money Match TV’ ran at Vegas Bar for
www.cuesport.tv too. One guy (Brendan Leigh) wants to play me for £500 a man, the other (Barry Briggs) will be £500 a man minimum but could possibly scrape more judging on other games he’s played.
I will keep a log book with all the money games played, dates, names, scores, amount played for etc. On a weekly basis I will email all backers with the results. I am objective, so I can tell you how I played. Where possible I’ll try to get a recording of my games, but you can understand some guys don’t want to end up on youtube randomly so might not always be possible?
For any small games up to £50 I don’t really see any need to consult you guys on my opponents because it’s going to be guys’ whose speed I already know. However any amount over that I will consult all of you and give you what information I can on the player. I will not be counting national rankings in my assessment of a game, because they mean nothing. Too many good players on tour, and if you play only 1 or 2 events a year and lose to say Ben Finch or Shane Appleton then you’re gonna be rock bottom, but may actually be a great player. I have enough contacts in the game to help me find out about somebody’s speed.
One thing that needs considering by you guys, is how regularly you’d like the payments. To start off with it’s going to be miniscule amounts if you’re splitting between 4. I can either pay all of you separately through bank transfers, or if you want to set up a group account (if that’s easy) then can pay to that and you guys work out the winnings between yourselves. Any money that goes back into your bank account can be used for staking until you all decide otherwise.
To confirm who is in on the action so far:-
The Camel - £125
GreekStein - £125
Dubai - £125 (please confirm)
ACE2M - £125
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