How Does Match Play Work

Most golfers know the difference between match and stroke (or medal) play. In match play golfers or teams compare scores on each hole to see who won the hole. Whoever wins the most holes wins the match. In stroke (medal) play, you compare golfers' or teams' total scores to see who won by having the lowest total score. Both types of competition can be played without or with handicaps (gross or net scores).

In match play golfers or teams win, lose or 'halve' holes. Halving a hole means that both sides finish the hole with the same score. Typically 1 point is won for winning the hole outright and the losing side receives 0 points. Golfers or teams are 'one up' if they have won one more hole than the other side, 'two up' if they have won two more holes, etc. If both sides have won the same number of holes, they are 'all square.'

Additional match play point award possibilities exist when running a league.

1. How To Play Pennsylvania Match 6. Match 6 is a Pennsylvania lottery game. Drawings take place every Monday and Thursday. To play Match 6 you must select 6 numbers ranging from 1-49. Each play costs two dollars. The Match 6 Jackpot is pari-mutuel and starts at $500,000. Match 6 Odds: Match 1 = 1 in 3; Match 2 = 1 in 8; Match 3 = 1 in 57; Match 4.
2. How to Win in Match Play A winner is declared during the round when his lead is such that his opponent can no longer close the gap mathematically. Or in other words, a winner is declared when his opponent can no longer tie or win the match even if he were to win all of the remaining holes.

Individual Match Play Points (1 or more):

Match play is a form of play where a player (or players) plays directly against an opponent (or opponents) in a head-to-head match. You win a hole by completing it in the fewest number of strokes, and you win a match when you are winning by more holes than remain to be played.

• per hole won (net or gross score)
• per best net on 9 or 18 holes (leagues tend to be 9 holes)

Team Match Play Points (1 or more):

• per hole won (team net or gross score)
• per best team net on 9 or 18 holes (leagues tend to be 9 holes) – variation: compare best x balls out of y players per team
• per most holes won comparing team total hole score
• per hole for team best ball
• per best team net based on adding up best ball for each hole
• per most holes won comparing team best ball for each hole

In either individual or team match play points listed above, if an item is tied, the number of points awarded are split (0.5 if 1; 1 if 2, 1.5 if 3, etc.).

Many leagues that play in 2-person teams will use both individual and team match points listed above in some combination to arrive at an event total for each team. Enhance your league by adding some of the above 'spice' to your match play in golf.

Match play coupons can be found in a number of promotional coupon books, including the American Casino Guide. Some may simply pass over them, given that they are not as easily understood as a “free drink” coupon or your typical 2-for-1 deals.

Most match-play coupons are good for even money bets. So, the pass line in craps, a standard Blackjack bet, and the colors on roulette. You have to take the coupon to the player’s club desk. If you don’t have a card for the particular casino, you’ll have to sign up for one. You really should be doing this anyway if you’re going to gamble in any casino. Hint, create a separate email just for players club cards. Try yourname+casino @ gmail or something like that. It will keep your normal email address clean from the multitude of emails coming from casinos.

At the player’s club desk they’ll give you a special chip or coupon that you’ll place next to your even money bet. I’ve read some resources suggesting that if you don’t want to risk money, you can ask another player already playing if you can place your match-play coupon next to their already placed bet, virtually giving you no risk. The idea is that you would offer the player a portion of the winnings if the bet hits. I don’t have to do any research to tell you that this tactic is most likely not prohibited, but I can tell you with certainty that it’s an ethically flawed premise.

How Does Match Play Work Pga

The coupon will be valid with an appropriate minimum bet, most range from $5 to $25, but your particular bet must meet that specific requirement. So, let’s say you have a match-play coupon for $25 and play the pass-line at the craps table. If the bet hits, you would be paid for your $25 bet along with an extra $25 for the match-play coupon. If you lose, you’d only lose your original $25 bet.

I always stress the idea of gambling within your financial comfort zone, whatever that may be. However, when using these coupons you turn a negative expectation bet into an overwhelmingly positive expected value- over 40% in most cases. So, while I’m typically a 5-10 better, I will on occasion jump to $25 if it is warranted with these coupons, simply because it gives me the advantage and I don’t maintain the $25 bets once the coupon has been used- I’ll simply drop down to 5 or 10 or simply leave the table.

These coupons can be found in a number of “fun books” at some casinos. If you’re a new club member, some casinos will offer up promotional books. Don’t simply throw them out; see if they have valuable coupons for your particular game of choice. Again, check out the American Casino Guide if you’re planning to travel to Vegas at all before the end of the year.

How Does Match Play Work At The Borgata

feature photo: “Las Vegas” by Perry Quan via CC 2.0