That's trouble with gambling. It's common to hear; if someone lost, they got robbed. If someone won, they were stealing.
It's the same old refrain. I think part of gambling is NOT KNOWING THE OUTCOME. Sometimes you're the bug and sometimes you're the windshield.
You're not a bad guy for whining about your loss. No one likes to lose and you can bet your bottom dollar that MOST players when they get the worst of it are ready to howl at the moon, until they can get a game that they can win at.
In the pool hall where I grew up, we were taught to learn from your mistakes. We were taught to test the waters FIRST. That meant betting what you could easily afford to lose. OPEN knocking like you're doing here wasn't approved or condoned by any of the patrons. You could get some inside information without being kicked off the island but it was on the "QT" or if you are from this generation, the "down low", maybe like getting information through a PM or a phone call.
Anyway, Mr. Unknown can come through Metairie, LA anytime and pick up road money at Buffalo Billiards.
You need to get some pool lessons before you do any more gambling imo. I don't know many "fours" who are willing to bet $200 that Obama will run for re-election, let alone some even up one pocket. You had the guts to bet $200 and you get props for that. Some of the guys admonishing you might never consider betting $200 against an unknown player. Spend your next $200 on some pool lessons and prepare yourself a little better.
(MOST OF THE TIME: the better player is not gambling and knows what the outcome will be before the match starts. That's just the way it is in the pool world. Accept that fact and take your chances or stay out of the kitchen. I've always enjoyed the fear of the unknown but try to get some weight when I know the guy is a player)
JoeyA