Loyalty is a two-way street
As a former Pool Room owner I know it is a tough balancing act between keeping the loyal customers happy and getting the bills paid. Good room owners are aware of what they need from the loyals to keep the doors open and do their best to collect without running them off. Giving breaks to regulars is a lot like running loss leaders, sales or tournaments. It is just like advertisement; the money spent hopefully will pay off in the end. The best room owners understand the loyals' concern and make it standard policy to give the loyals a break. So I would look at it like you do any other business that you frequent. Sometimes the sale runs out or there is no special on the menu. I hope you still frequent the place when there is no sale, or if on one occasion or another you are charged regular (full) fare.
Another issue that perturbed me greatly as a room owner was when my employees would give away pool time to induce a larger tip. To me this is a kin to inviting a friend over to another buddy's house and handing out tools or money found at the buddy's house to your friend. If you have a buddy to whom you want to give a hook up, then check with the boss. I am sure he/she would be okay with it, but if not, please don't reach into another man's wallet and take something that does not rightfully belong to you and give it to another. Buy your buddy a beer, or contribute to his table time, but taking from the owner, without the owner's approval or knowledge is morally wrong at best and criminally wrong at worst.
I understand that this happens all the time, and who doesn't like to get the hook up, but in the end, it is what it is. You'd be surprised what the owners would go along with if given the chance to hear your concern and to respond. Most of the owners I have met over the years aren't in this business strictly for the money, they want to do what's fair and they do enjoy giving back to the pool community. As others have suggested, loyalty is a two-way street.
