Exploring the myth of the "Hustler"

Hustler

jalapus logan said:
Many times, I have heard pool players make the comment that exposure of one’s ability will hurt the pool player’s income. This concept is laughable. Yes, while it will ultimately turn off a “sucker”, exposure greatly heightens any sport’s legitimacy, attracts advertising and sponsorship dollars, and greatly expands the economic “pie” available to the players. Yet many pool players still seek to dwell in the shadows, as if millionaires are minted in those dimly lit hovels we call pool halls. Not much future there, I’d say. So, why do many pool players still believe in “hustling” as a legitimate means to riches?

Surely, it is an exciting lifestyle. The road, living and dying by the sword, etc. No argument there. However, it is the idea of the “Hustler” that is fundamentally flawed. Take, for instance, our own legend, Fast Eddie, played by Paul Newman (RIP Paul, you were a class act!). Most pool players view the movie as a tale of glory achieved on the green felt. When I watch this movie, I see something else. I see a character that deceived others in order to achieve the following ends: broken phalanges, loss of friends, the death of a lover, association with gangsters, and the loss of a dream. Why do I say the loss of a dream? Observe the final match of the movie as Eddie is finally able to fell his legendary opponent. No joy present – agony instead. Could it be that the journey did not justify the end?

Now, many folks just seem to idolize the character just described. If that is the pinnacle of human achievement to some, then I would argue that they are truly lost. What pool needs (and pool players desperately need) is some serious exposure and promotion. I for one am sick of seeing my area pool rooms disappear due to lack of interest. I am running out of places to play. That is unacceptable. So, it is with this selfishness in mind, that I request that certain pool players PULL THEIR HEAD OUT OF THEIR A$$ and get with the program.

I’m not suggesting that I have the magic potion (or Kool-Aid, as it may well turn out to be). But I would like to formally suggest that folks open their mind to the concept of high visibility as it correlates to higher paychecks. Now, discuss amongst yourselves, as I have to return to my toils in order to earn my keep (and to keep the wife from giving me the boot…).
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If they did that the whole pool economy would collapse.
Never underestemate the amount of time and energy some people will put in to win 20 dollars a day. {or less}.
I finally realised that it isn't the money, it's the fact that they think they outsmarted someone.
 
Maniac said:
There are no fixes for pool. It is what it is.

Maniac
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I respectfully disagree with this sentiment. One could argue that the very invention of a pool table was a preposterous idea. I mean, who would want to play a lawn game indoors, right?

Here is the reality of pool: It is a supremely challenging game that will never cease to push you to the brink of your abilities and farther. It is a game that can be played by young, old, and everyone in between. In a world that has ever increasing demands on resources and ever diminishing spacial constraints, pool can be played in relatively tight quarters (unlike golf for instance - the table in my basement is like having an entire golf course down there, how cool is that?). Lastly, pool is just flat out fun.

If pool "is what it is", this what it is is a great and rewarding game that can become addictive! I refuse to believe that this is an umarketable activity. Even folks who have never shot a rack of pool in their life have fun at my parties when they are on the table. That says something to me about pool's merits.

We need to remember these basic concepts, as pool is not dead, just the spirit surrounding the game. And that, most certainly, can be revived.

We just need to realign our collective attitudes toward the game.

After all:

"No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it."

Albert Einstein
 
Blue Hog ridr said:
I think Tramp got his self hit on the head by a big ram during mating season or something.
His posts are getting close to 50% serious in these threads.
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When an OP uses 64 dollar words, in this example 'phalanges'. in his post, replies should be only measured, considered, comments.
To do otherwise would be a sign of disrespect for intellectual discussion.
 
jalapus logan said:
Many times, I have heard pool players make the comment that exposure of one’s ability will hurt the pool player’s income. This concept is laughable. Yes, while it will ultimately turn off a “sucker”, exposure greatly heightens any sport’s legitimacy, attracts advertising and sponsorship dollars, and greatly expands the economic “pie” available to the players. Yet many pool players still seek to dwell in the shadows, as if millionaires are minted in those dimly lit hovels we call pool halls. Not much future there, I’d say. So, why do many pool players still believe in “hustling” as a legitimate means to riches?

Surely, it is an exciting lifestyle. The road, living and dying by the sword, etc. No argument there. However, it is the idea of the “Hustler” that is fundamentally flawed. Take, for instance, our own legend, Fast Eddie, played by Paul Newman (RIP Paul, you were a class act!). Most pool players view the movie as a tale of glory achieved on the green felt. When I watch this movie, I see something else. I see a character that deceived others in order to achieve the following ends: broken phalanges, loss of friends, the death of a lover, association with gangsters, and the loss of a dream. Why do I say the loss of a dream? Observe the final match of the movie as Eddie is finally able to fell his legendary opponent. No joy present – agony instead. Could it be that the journey did not justify the end?

Now, many folks just seem to idolize the character just described. If that is the pinnacle of human achievement to some, then I would argue that they are truly lost. What pool needs (and pool players desperately need) is some serious exposure and promotion. I for one am sick of seeing my area pool rooms disappear due to lack of interest. I am running out of places to play. That is unacceptable. So, it is with this selfishness in mind, that I request that certain pool players PULL THEIR HEAD OUT OF THEIR A$$ and get with the program.

I’m not suggesting that I have the magic potion (or Kool-Aid, as it may well turn out to be). But I would like to formally suggest that folks open their mind to the concept of high visibility as it correlates to higher paychecks. Now, discuss amongst yourselves, as I have to return to my toils in order to earn my keep (and to keep the wife from giving me the boot…).
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Who won the action award at DCC this year?

My answer to your question would be that most players don't play at pro level so the only way they can make money is to match up wisely so convincing the opponent they are a D or C instead of a B is how they roll.
 
Newsflash !

jalapus logan said:
Many times, I have heard pool players make the comment that exposure of one’s ability will hurt the pool player’s income. This concept is laughable. Yes, while it will ultimately turn off a “sucker”, exposure greatly heightens any sport’s legitimacy, attracts advertising and sponsorship dollars, and greatly expands the economic “pie” available to the players. Yet many pool players still seek to dwell in the shadows, as if millionaires are minted in those dimly lit hovels we call pool halls. Not much future there, I’d say. So, why do many pool players still believe in “hustling” as a legitimate means to riches?

Surely, it is an exciting lifestyle. The road, living and dying by the sword, etc. No argument there. However, it is the idea of the “Hustler” that is fundamentally flawed. Take, for instance, our own legend, Fast Eddie, played by Paul Newman (RIP Paul, you were a class act!). Most pool players view the movie as a tale of glory achieved on the green felt. When I watch this movie, I see something else. I see a character that deceived others in order to achieve the following ends: broken phalanges, loss of friends, the death of a lover, association with gangsters, and the loss of a dream. Why do I say the loss of a dream? Observe the final match of the movie as Eddie is finally able to fell his legendary opponent. No joy present – agony instead. Could it be that the journey did not justify the end?

Now, many folks just seem to idolize the character just described. If that is the pinnacle of human achievement to some, then I would argue that they are truly lost. What pool needs (and pool players desperately need) is some serious exposure and promotion. I for one am sick of seeing my area pool rooms disappear due to lack of interest. I am running out of places to play. That is unacceptable. So, it is with this selfishness in mind, that I request that certain pool players PULL THEIR HEAD OUT OF THEIR A$$ and get with the program.

I’m not suggesting that I have the magic potion (or Kool-Aid, as it may well turn out to be). But I would like to formally suggest that folks open their mind to the concept of high visibility as it correlates to higher paychecks. Now, discuss amongst yourselves, as I have to return to my toils in order to earn my keep (and to keep the wife from giving me the boot…).
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The invention of cell phones & internet has eliminated the profession of the road player...As far as gambling goes there will always be the art of trying to disguise your speed in whatever the sport...the old check raise in poker...I got a buddy that plays on the senior golf tour that gambles against local scatch golfers where all his drives he will drive on his knees....I got another buddy who races his street car for money & he'll do dummy runs purging his nitros system @ the line shooting nitros 10 feet high but actuallly run on pure motor so eveybody who is watching thinks that's what his car runs on the juice...So when it comes to gambling period one should not go by only what he sees & if you unsure just don't bet...but you will always have the greed factor where most people want to take easy money from the sucker.
 
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jalapus logan said:
Here is the reality of pool: It is a supremely challenging game that will never cease to push you to the brink of your abilities and farther. It is a game that can be played by young, old, and everyone in between. In a world that has ever increasing demands on resources and ever diminishing spacial constraints, pool can be played in relatively tight quarters (unlike golf for instance - the table in my basement is like having an entire golf course down there, how cool is that?). Lastly, pool is just flat out fun.

If pool "is what it is", this what it is is a great and rewarding game that can become addictive! I refuse to believe that this is an umarketable activity. Even folks who have never shot a rack of pool in their life have fun at my parties when they are on the table. That says something to me about pool's merits.

We need to remember these basic concepts, as pool is not dead, just the spirit surrounding the game. And that, most certainly, can be revived.

We just need to realign our collective attitudes toward the game.
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Then why are there so many poolhalls going under in America? If you really think about it, pool has been stagnant for the past half-century to say the least. If it weren't for short-lived revivals due to the two movies "The Hustler" and also "The Color of Money", pool may have started it's descent even earlier than it did. People like to throw figures out saying that pool is played by "X" number of people in America, and they sound fantastic in signifying an upswing. But then you have to remember that there are MILLIONS of more Americans here in the States as opposed to yesteryear due to population increase, so the figure is not all that impressive if taken per capita.

I wholeheartedly agree with your statements in the above quote, but unfortunately today's youth want something faster to learn, easier to win at, and something that can be done SITTING DOWN :sorry:. There are exceptions (thank God) or pool would die out altogether. If not fed by exposing new players to the game (youth), then pool will starve itself. Oh, there will always be places to play and the game itself will never completely go away, but we will not see it turn into what we would like it to.

On top of everything else that I mentioned, keep in mind that I didn't even bring up the fact (until now) of the perception of pool to literal masses of the general public. It has not improved and possibly has worsened. The tree-hugging (no offense to anyone, just a general comment), goody two-shoes, politically correct bunch of candy-asses we have in this country and growing stronger at a steady rate are never going to accept pool the way it goes down in today's time. Too much corruption, drugs, and overall shady characters to get any needed acceptance.

Yes, pool is not dead and neither is the spirit surrounding it imo (as far as us hard-core players are concerned). But the spirit is dying a long and slow death, and who's to blame???

The problem with realigning our collective attitudes towards the game is that there may be fewer and fewer of us to do so in the future if we cannot get today's youth involved in the game.

So while I agree with your decision to disagree, I stand by my opinion. There are no fixes for pool. It is what it is. And what it is is a game working its way toward the "endangered" list.

Maniac
 
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Maniac said:
On top of everything else that I mentioned, keep in mind that I didn't even bring up the fact (until now) of the perception of pool to literal masses of the general public. It has not improved and possibly has worsened. The tree-hugging (no offense to anyone, just a general comment), goody two-shoes, politically correct bunch of candy-asses we have in this country and growing stronger at a steady rate are never going to accept pool the way it goes down in today's time. Too much corruption, drugs, and overall shady characters to get any needed acceptance.

Maniac
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This is particularly funny to me, as I work for a group of arborists. Yes, it's true that I believe that trees are good: http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/tree_benefits.aspx

Pool is good too. Cheers!
 
jalapus logan said:
This is particularly funny to me, as I work for a group of arborists. Yes, it's true that I believe that trees are good
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Trees ARE good.

Trees = oxygen. No trees, no breathing :(!

Others might say: No trees, no cues :thumbup:!

Cheers to you too, my friend!!!

Maniac
 
Highmiles said:
The only difference, is that more people will pay to watch golf. Golf is also promoted more, because there is more gear to be sold, and more competition among manufacturers.
Perhaps I am not clear in your intent for this post. Are you wanting players to clean up their act so tournaments will become begger and more profitable?
It can't really happen, because there is not enough profit to be made by those who would fund the effort.
Just as an example.
How much money can Calloway afford to put into golf tournaments, and how much profit can they get from player endorsements?

How much money can Predator afford to put into a pool tournament, and how much profit can they get from endorsements?

I guarantee Predator has 1/10 the budget, and how many pool manufacturers are there with big money, compared to golf equipment manufacturers?
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There it is , the shortsightedness that limits our sport .
You expect Billiard manufacturers to support the sport ! This isn't a successful sports sponsorship model !
In golf , a major sponsor is Buick .
In football , a major sponsor is Frito-Lay .
In racing , a major sponsor is Sprint .
hint : look for a product that the FANS NEED , not that the players use . . .:cool:
 
ridinda9...Actually, I think Highmiles was agreeing with you. I also agree, that sponsorship has to come from outside the pool industry. How to get is the $64,000 question.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
Why don’t we all just go play Croquet? Pool is similar. So I ask again what is the difference between a bunch of men hanging around a Croquet court and the same group hanging out at a pool hall? If you think about it the answer is the romance of the pool room which includes the legend of the hustler.

Sure women play, we have tournaments, and only the moderately wealthy can afford their own “billiards room” and equipment. None the less many men prefer the aura of a pool room. If the scene were changed, men would find something else.

Pool is part of the romance of the “loner individual,” the anti-hero and the “real” man" These myths add to the reasons that pool playing is sustained by those who play. Stop the rise of the meterosexual male and there would be more, “players.”

Like all generalizations, this one too has its limits, but you get the idea.

It stays as it does because we like it.
 
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In the years I have spent in pool halls the phrase "it's not what you say, but how you say it" comes to mind. I've seen people who couldn't play a lick and couldn't get a winning game to come up and I've seen some damn good players with just the right amount of mouth that they would line up to the table to lose money.

A good bit of it is whether or not the person thinks they can win and the other part is if that person thinks they will have a good time while they are figuring out whether or not they will go home broke.
 
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