Berber,
To be blunt, after twenty years of knowing scooter or knowing the pool world you sure as hell should have known better! I have to admit that I spent decades in the pool halls and bars and always enjoyed the con men and hustlers, large and small. I never loaned any of them a dime. I either gave them a bit or told them sorry. Loans piss me off because I have an expectation of being paid back.
Contrary to some, I have found a lot more honest people in pool halls and bars than I have found in churches or bible classes. Might be some indication of where I spend my time but I have owned over a dozen businesses. When someone comes and starts telling me what a good christian they are I put one hand firmly over my wallet. When they tell me they are a deacon, preacher, priest, or other man of the cloth, I put the other hand firmly over the first one!
I have met dozens of "scooters" over the years. They are fun to talk to, fun to play pool with, cash on the light. When they come wanting money I always say, "Man, I was just fixing to ask you for a twenty. Times are tight." Either that or demanding the last twenty they borrowed from me back. They rarely owe me any money, but they have borrowed from so many people with no intention of paying back they can't remember if they owe me money or not. The guys I put the bite on, the guys that I demand payment from, they are in a hurry to get away! I learned something similar worked for people always whining and bitching. Start whining and bitching about your own woes, real or imagined, and they can't get away fast enough!
You have read it enough already, but you should be bored for the simples for loaning out something with sentimental value or that can't be replaced. You have probably heard enough from your wife that strangers on the net ragging you shouldn't bother you though!
I used to loan people twenty dollars or less or extend them that amount of credit, then laugh as soon as they are out of sight! My wife would ask why I was laughing. "With any luck, the last I will see of that bum!" An even less expensive trick was to demand payment of what they already owed me. They didn't owe me anything but I knew they wouldn't remember since they owed half the world! They usually hasten off with promise of a payment within a few days. If I really chew their asses loudly in a group of people they will dash the other way when they see me after that!
Stories of other people getting hustled are funny, not when it is at your expense though. Might try telling him that the shaft or stick really belonged to "Vito", "I'll just tell him you have it!" Selling debt is fun too. When somebody owes you money they will never repay sell the debt to the baddest man around.
Hu