Johnny Archersoftshot said:if your refusing games just so you don't steal some chumps money... you are a Pool Player.
If you are begging the best player for a spot.... you are a gambling addict. if such a thing exists... an addiction requires a substance chemically needed by the body.... If you are one of the many "addicts" in this country.. gambling, pottery, cheese wizz ..... Americans are addicted to everything under the sun according to day time TV... I don't see it as an addiction I see it as mental weakness.... and everyone knows... mental weakness will kill you in pool...
so by that rationale the big money gamblers who can't help themselves...don't have the mental fortitude to play top quality pool in the first place...
and those with the required mental toughness.. don't gamble at pool... or better don't NEED to gamble at pool.
I still stand by my statement that 40 of the 50 best players in the world... You have never heard of... there are pro caliber players in every corner of the globe... just because a microscopically small subset of players happens to be the most vocal does not mean that what they preach is the truth...
Great pool has nothing whatsoever to do with a dollar sign $$
Earl Strickland
Corey Deuel
Shane Van Boening
Francisco Bustamante
Alex Pagulayan
Efren Reyes
Cliff Joyner
Lee Van Corteza
Ronnie Alcano
All have one thing in common. Action players. I could name 20 more.
Now you make your list of people who never match up and we will have a poll on who has the stronger list.
Just because you want something to be a particular way does not make it so. If we have never heard of 40 of the best 50 players in the world then how on earth could you possibly know if they are the best? Like my main man Ric Flair used to say " You got to walk that aisle WOOOOOOO!!!!!" and "To be the man you got to beat the man". Well if these unknowns dont compete against the best in the world they can never be the best in the world. Being the best in your own mind dont really count.
softshot said:and those with the required mental toughness.. don't gamble at pool
Have you ever actually met a top player? Ever seen one in action in a big set or tournament because the things you are saying now sound like you are some kid in his basement with this vision of how things should be in your own little pool world.
If people dont like to gamble don't. Not terribly difficult. If you find yourself betting the rent money you are sick and should get help. I learned the cardinal rules of pool gambling when I was 15.
1. Never bet what you cant afford to lose.
2. Always post.
3. Act like a gentleman whether you win or lose.
If you dont gamble and have no respect for those that do why would you care if they called you a nit or anything else? In my experience the ones who pull the nit card first are the ones who will crawfish first if they are in danger of actually being in an even game. It is just part of it.