I Love Those Wannabe Bar Hustlers

Johnnyt said:
I knew the bartender. She's a "D" player, so yes I would have played her. Johnnyt
Click to expand...

In all serious though. You played the guy not because you two know each other, or he was looking for challengers. You played the guy just to put him down. Sort of like road rage when you think someone cut you off. The need to put him down took place in your own mind and ego. I can not think of a worst reason to match up with another player and dealing with strangers in bars a perfect recipe for trouble. Suppose after the match he says,
"You just asked me to play because you watched me play and knew you could beat me, I'm not paying".
What do you do then? Fight for this money you won trying to prove you are better then him and put him in his place? I have been playing in bars since the bar tables came out and have seen shootings for much less. I think you need to rethink your motives for playing pool. Just my opinion.
 
This story goes back YEARS ago-- maybe 10 years or so.

There is a bar and dance club in my area called Banana Max. It's a popular spot on Fri/Sat nights--- huge bar inside. Not a hick bar or anything - it's a nicer place...nice watering hole.

When this place first opened, they had a small shitty barbox in the back corner of this place. I walk in with a friend of who at the time, played at a pretty decent clip (he ran an 8-pack on me a few days before this). When you look at my friend, he doesn't look like a pool player - he's balding, overweight, polyester pants with a Hawaiian shirt (get the picture?).

We walk into this place to meet another friend of ours and the music is blasting, the base is pounding, the bar is so crowded it's hard to move around inside.

I order a beer and my friend gets a coke since he never really drinks. We notice the barbox and see there's a crowd of people around it so we walk over to check it out. There were four guys playing - two guys who looked like "rappers" and two guys who looked like "high school nerds."

They were throwing a bunch of twenties at each other, with the rappers definitely beating up the nerds on the table. My friend walks up to the head-rapper to ask if we could play the winner.

In a real cocky tone, I remember the rappers says "Yo big guy, you don't want none of this - we be playin' straight-pool for a C."

It almost sounded like a foreign language. I asked my buddy what he meant since it looked like they were playing 8-ball, not straight pool. My friend clarified that straight pool was 8-ball to these rappers. AHHHH, ok. I get it.

So my friend plays it off and tells them we'd play but only if we're guaranteed to get a shot because they played REAL good. The joke of the matter was these rappers (who beat the hell out of these nerds) couldn't run water let alone run out ever, ever, ever. The rapper, thinking he had this fat guy on the hook says "let's play."

I couldn't believe it.....honestly. I was in disbelief someone SO BAD would play for $100/game - especially with someone they've never seen before.

I don't want to make this story longer than the game actually took. They never knew anything about scotch doubles--- so I just had my friend play first each game (they played two).

They got a little tough at the end saying we hustled them, which was BS and everyone knew it...but whatever. Nothing physical occurred. A week later they took the table out - go figure.

_____________NEW STORY_________

OK, this story is also about 7-10 years ago. The same friend and I heard there was a lot of bar gambling going on between some college kids up at a bar across the street from Penn State University called Sharky's.

We drive over two hours to get there on a FRI night and the place is packed. Of course, we leave our cues in the trunk and walk into the joint. It's an OK place - what you'd expect from a college bar. It was PACKED with 3 barboxes or so.

I get a beer and my buddy gets a coke and we're looking to settle in near a pool table and before you know it.... this younger well-dressed college kid walks right up to my friend and asks if he wants to play some pool. WOW - that didn't take long--- we were there for like 2 mins.

So of course my friend says yes and I grab a seat. My friend grabs some crooked-ass cue off the rack and offers the college kid the honor to break first.

"$20/game?" the college kid asks. $20/game is actually kinda high for run-of-the-mill college kids who aren't even players. My friend is taken aback... he nearly couldn't believe it. As my friend is gathering his bearings on who the kid is, if anyone (because you NEVER know, right?), the college kid insults him by saying something like, "we're gambling here, fat ass."

First off, obviously, my friend is always sensitive with "fat boy" comments to begin with and was 5x bigger than this scrawny smartass. I could see it in my friend's eyes that he was contemplating just walking up to this punk and throwing him through the window, literally, but he didn't.

"OK, OK, I'll play...gee wiz" he says, acting like the kid embarrassed him into playing.

So the kid breaks and runs out 6 balls or so and gets bad, attempts a bank, misses by a diamond, and then leans against the wall. I was surprised he played that well. Maybe he played WAY better and he just dumped to the fat guy?

Well, my buddy gets up and runs a 4-pack in about 3 minutes just because of the kid's mouth. He went up to break the 5th game and the kid starts SCREAMING about my buddy hustling him. I mean, this guy was causing a HUGE commotion. BIG SCENE!!!! I was like, "HOLY SHIT!"

The next thing ya know, 2 seconds later the owner of the bar comes running over and starts screaming at US!!!!! NO SHIT!! He starts going on and on about how we better leave and stop hustling and stealing from his customers or he's going to call the cops. WTFFFFF?!?!?!?!?? Next thing you know, the bouncers run over, the bartender runs over.... I SWEAR TO GOD it's like a bad dream - shit like this NEVER happens. I was in disbelief ... it was almost like a play.

OOOOK. They force us to leave and I didn't even get a chance to drink my beer (the 4 games went THAT quick). We're walking across the parking lot, looking at each other thinking.... WTF JUST HAPPENED???

We get to the car and open the door and we hear the crunching of pebbles behind us and it's that punk-ass kid who lost the $80. He starts taking off his shirt and he's screaming at my friend saying "Hey fat ass - I want my money back!"

My friend reaches in the car and grabs a gun from under his seat (WHICH I HAD NO IDEA WAS THERE) and I look over and the kid was running 100MPH in the opposite direction... his shirt still laying there.

Needless to say, I was rattled, and we left town immediately.

Sorry for the long post... but you gotta love wannabe hustlers, right?
 
ya'll really screwed up....I woulda just broke even with the college boys, bought a few rounds for 'em, and turned my sites on some prime, grade A Penn State co-ed a$$. I mean, PACKED college bar, you get kicked out, only end up up $80, and have to brandish a weapon to get outta the parking lot....wow.

The last time I had an altercation about a wager (sometime last year), I walked up to the punk (who had 5 or 6 buddies with him), and said, "Keep your freakin money then. The bet was your idea, and I wasn't the sucker you thought I was. Now, if you'll excuse me I'm gonna go find someone else to play who CAN play." I was waiting for him to swing on me, but he didn't. He just walked over to his buddies (who were laughing at what I said) all pi$$ed off. LOL

That's the bad thing about playing for money...some want to wager only when they KNOW they have the best of it, and when they're wrong, they get ticked.....don't bet then!!
 
trustyrusty said:
ya'll really screwed up....I woulda just broke even with the college boys, bought a few rounds for 'em, and turned my sites on some prime, grade A Penn State co-ed a$$. I mean, PACKED college bar, you get kicked out, only end up up $80, and have to brandish a weapon to get outta the parking lot....wow.

The last time I had an altercation about a wager (sometime last year), I walked up to the punk (who had 5 or 6 buddies with him), and said, "Keep your freakin money then. The bet was your idea, and I wasn't the sucker you thought I was. Now, if you'll excuse me I'm gonna go find someone else to play who CAN play." I was waiting for him to swing on me, but he didn't. He just walked over to his buddies (who were laughing at what I said) all pi$$ed off. LOL

That's the bad thing about playing for money...some want to wager only when they KNOW they have the best of it, and when they're wrong, they get ticked.....don't bet then!!
Click to expand...

I agree. We did screw up. I think it was the "fat" comment that ruined the pre-game plan. The war plan was thrown out of the window when that happened in my friend's eyes.
 
Obviously, there isn't any pride in being a full time lamb slayer, but sometimes, it's nice to give the ego a lil pat...

So, a local ginmill, The Chestnut Bar, used to have a Sunday night barbox tourney that started around 7ish. Usually, a few guys would get there a few hours early and gamble a lil at a game they called "chicago", only it wasn't chicago by the "proper" rules. They basically played full rack rotation, with the 5,10,15 being $ balls, in a ring game format.

Theres a guy named Maurice, that goes by "Moe". He was the local "big hitter", plays decent, not great, but OK, and is a total lamb slayer. He only gambles with guys where he is the heavy favorite. So, I walk in and they ask me if I want in. I'm not fond of ring games, but said I'd rather play "chicago" against one person, king of the hill style. Of course, Moe agrees, cuz he figures he's stealing. The back story is that Moe knows me from years ago, when we used to all play in another local bar tourney and I could barely run 3 balls. Well, long story short, Moe didn't rob me and wasn't liking it. He started whining and at one point was pissed at me for asking to play one on one! He actually started an argument over it, forgetting that he had no complaints before, when he was able to get me to play.

So, in the end, it sounds like all the lamb slayers or "wannabe Bar hustlers" are all the same. All you can do is shake your head and laugh.


Eric
 
Good one. I almost had to "back down" a guy the other night. I went into one of the poolrooms here in Raleigh looking for the guy that runs it. He played $100 dollar sets with me before. When we started out the time before, I played even, giving up the eight, seven, and then we broke even with the six. Well, I am trying to get him to step up and take the six again. He wanted the six and the last two. Hey, I didn't even like giving up the six. This guy barks out "race to four for $40!" I was waiting on my man, so I played. He's got me 3-1, missed a four ball, and kicked once more. I won 4-3. He asked what I would do if he didn't pay up. I mean started name calling and all of the ten year old stuff when you get beat. Hey, the guy had me. Period. He finally paid me and the manager me away from him. I'd had enough. Flipping me off and calling me out for hustling, etc. etc. I even told the guy he couldn't win. I was waiting for the other guy to play. Man, I might frame that cash.

P.S. Alcohol was involved.

Note to self: When "Players" are involved, there is less problems than "non-players."
 
Eric. said:
Obviously, there isn't any pride in being a full time lamb slayer, but sometimes, it's nice to give the ego a lil pat...

So, a local ginmill, The Chestnut Bar, used to have a Sunday night barbox tourney that started around 7ish. Usually, a few guys would get there a few hours early and gamble a lil at a game they called "chicago", only it wasn't chicago by the "proper" rules. They basically played full rack rotation, with the 5,10,15 being $ balls, in a ring game format.

Theres a guy named Maurice, that goes by "Moe". He was the local "big hitter", plays decent, not great, but OK, and is a total lamb slayer. He only gambles with guys where he is the heavy favorite. So, I walk in and they ask me if I want in. I'm not fond of ring games, but said I'd rather play "chicago" against one person, king of the hill style. Of course, Moe agrees, cuz he figures he's stealing. The back story is that Moe knows me from years ago, when we used to all play in another local bar tourney and I could barely run 3 balls. Well, long story short, Moe didn't rob me and wasn't liking it. He started whining and at one point was pissed at me for asking to play one on one! He actually started an argument over it, forgetting that he had no complaints before, when he was able to get me to play.

So, in the end, it sounds like all the lamb slayers or "wannabe Bar hustlers" are all the same. All you can do is shake your head and laugh.


Eric
Click to expand...

I have a friend who plays in a low stakes ring game (9ball on a 9 footer) once a week. I happened to be at the poolhall when this was going on one night, and was asked to jump in when one guy has to leave. I had only watched a couple of minutes and noticed these guys were trying some pretty elaborate run outs. So I said sure (thought I may see some shots that I normally wouldn't try). When I got to the table I had a 3 - 5 (money ball) combo, so I asked how they played it (stays down, or spots). When they said it spots, I played combos or caroms on the 5 and 9 fours times on my turn at the table. I didn't know it was looked down upon - they wanted you to try to get out, and only ride money balls when absolutely necessary (I wasn't told this until after I bowed out).....ooops. About a half an hour later another friend of the guys shows up, and I offered to step out (since he made 4 - the number they originally statred with)....not one of them said, "no, that's ok, stay!"....lol. I just assumed that if money was involved the object was to make the money balls as much as possible. Had no idea the guys would look down on me for doing that. I told my friend I'd go over a play this other guy (really good player) cheap, and he let me in on what I had done to their "friendly" game....I bought 'em (all) a few pitchers. lol
 
Last edited:
Really didn't think this thread would get these kind of reactions. Now I feel soooo guilty that I'm going looking for the guy to give him his money back:rolleyes: . Johnnyt
 
thanks

Johnnyt said:
Really didn't think this thread would get these kind of reactions. Now I feel soooo guilty that I'm going looking for the guy to give him his money back:rolleyes: . Johnnyt
Click to expand...

Johnny, I was in severe need of a good laugh out loud belly laugh. This isn't only the funniest post on the thread it is the funniest post I have seen on the forum for a few days! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

I was never real big on shearing sheep but if a wolf comes to you holding a pair of clippers how can anyone resist trying to make the wolf look like a lamb? Or maybe one of those poof dog poodles?


Hu
 
trustyrusty said:
OK, I'll say it...in all honesty I don't get these stories. Someone sees two guys (that aren't as good of players as you) playing for money, and you feel the need to step up to the table HOPING they will play you (the better player) for money?? Is it just an ego stroke, or do you think you're teaching the guy you beat a lesson, what? I try to play better players than me, and don't see playing as a means to make a point to a "wannabe". I've been to bars where everyone wanted to play for something ($5, $10, $20, or just drinks, whatever), and if I can beat everyone in the place I see no fun in that at all....

The bar closest to my house has two boxes, and hosts leagues multiple nights of the week. I used to go there quite a bit (since it was close), but I don't think I've ever had someone break and run on me while playing there. Since I can do that occasionally playing 8ball on a barbox, I felt kinda stupid playing there, and now drive an extra ten miles to a bar that has 6 Diamond boxes (where I am average, if not a little below).

I'm all for shutting up Mr. Loudmouth every now and then, but I'd rather beat Mr No-Talk better player than pick on weaker ones who "think" they have game....
Click to expand...

I know JonnyT already responded to this, but I really feel the same way.

I'm sure this guy was a big fish in a small pond, but he was having fun with fun money.

Why kill his action, and then complain later that "Nobody plays for money any longer" like everyone on this MB?
 
Gregg said:
I know JonnyT already responded to this, but I really feel the same way.

I'm sure this guy was a big fish in a small pond, but he was having fun with fun money.

Why kill his action, and then complain later that "Nobody plays for money any longer" like everyone on this MB?
Click to expand...

You would NEVER hear me complain about that on a message board or elsewhere....

If I could get a good game outside of tourneys without "having something on it", that's be fine by me....but, I don't see that happening anytime soon. The stakes right now might be a bit lower nationwide, but I've never been to the poolhall and seen NO action happening. But, it does seem that there's more time spent setting up games than actually playing them :sorry:
 
trustyrusty said:
You would NEVER hear me complain about that on a message board or elsewhere....

If I could get a good game outside of tourneys without "having something on it", that's be fine by me....but, I don't see that happening anytime soon. The stakes right now might be a bit lower nationwide, but I've never been to the poolhall and seen NO action happening. But, it does seem that there's more time spent setting up games than actually playing them :sorry:
Click to expand...

Fair enough, and thanks for sharing.

The thread did sound like you were beating up on a lesser opponent, and boasting about it. Much of what the AZ was founded on. Post on! :)
 
I hate it when my buddies try to fix me up on cheap bar games when I am just there to hang out and drink, or shoot the sh*t. If someone runs their mouth then I might give them some action on the table, but I find it funnier to just people watch and laugh at your buddies talking you up instead of trying to play the guy themselves (sack shrinkage). Then the guy will try to high roll them occasionally and instead of $5 or $10 a game its $5 or $10 a ball, or $50 a game etc. Then I get to make fun of my friends for running their mouths.
 
Gregg said:
Fair enough, and thanks for sharing.

The thread did sound like you were beating up on a lesser opponent, and boasting about it. Much of what the AZ was founded on. Post on! :)
Click to expand...

I think you may have confused someone else's post with mine...I was asking why someone would want to steal from players who had no shot.
 
I had an interesting experience with a wannabe hustler one night a few years back. I went to the bar with the intention of hanging out with my girls team on my night off. While I am watching their matches, a group of guys setup at a nearby table. One of the guys starts watching the girls league match and wants to know if any of us play for money. Being there on my night off, I was not interested in playing and don't normally gamble much anyway. His friend was persistent, claiming that he wanted his friend to get beat by a girl because his friend really thinks he plays well.

After some pressure from the girls, I reluctantly give in and decide to play. He wants to play $50 per game 8-Ball on an 8-ft table. Not knowing him and not being a big gambler, I tell him I'll play for $20 a game. He ends up being a decent shooter and do to some mistakes on my part, wins the first game. I end up winning the next 3 or 4 games and he wants to bump the beat. I was still a little reluctant, thinking I may be getting hustled, but since I am up, agree. At $50 a game, I win several more games of 8-Ball in a row and now he wants to switch to 9-Ball. We switch and I proceed to win again, now I'm up to $320 in his money, with him paying up after each rack. At this point, he has no money of his own, so borrows $100 for his friends and wants to play one game of rack your own 9-ball for all of it. I agree, being up so much and proceed to break and run for the cash. He goes to the ATM to get more money and it is broken!!! I take his last $100 and unfortunately have to quit. I was $420 winner is about an hour and from what his friends told me, he might have gone off for at least $1000. :(

I stay and chat with the guys after the money is dry. They thought that they were going to hustle a girl that "thought she could play". Unfortunately, they in turn got hustled. :)
 
Firecracker said:
I had an interesting experience with a wannabe hustler one night a few years back. I went to the bar with the intention of hanging out with my girls team on my night off. While I am watching their matches, a group of guys setup at a nearby table. One of the guys starts watching the girls league match and wants to know if any of us play for money. Being there on my night off, I was not interested in playing and don't normally gamble much anyway. His friend was persistent, claiming that he wanted his friend to get beat by a girl because his friend really thinks he plays well.

After some pressure from the girls, I reluctantly give in and decide to play. He wants to play $50 per game 8-Ball on an 8-ft table. Not knowing him and not being a big gambler, I tell him I'll play for $20 a game. He ends up being a decent shooter and do to some mistakes on my part, wins the first game. I end up winning the next 3 or 4 games and he wants to bump the beat. I was still a little reluctant, thinking I may be getting hustled, but since I am up, agree. At $50 a game, I win several more games of 8-Ball in a row and now he wants to switch to 9-Ball. We switch and I proceed to win again, now I'm up to $320 in his money, with him paying up after each rack. At this point, he has no money of his own, so borrows $100 for his friends and wants to play one game of rack your own 9-ball for all of it. I agree, being up so much and proceed to break and run for the cash. He goes to the ATM to get more money and it is broken!!! I take his last $100 and unfortunately have to quit. I was $420 winner is about an hour and from what his friends told me, he might have gone off for at least $1000. :(

I stay and chat with the guys after the money is dry. They thought that they were going to hustle a girl that "thought she could play". Unfortunately, they in turn got hustled. :)
Click to expand...

Now THAT'S funny!

:D

~rc
 
I have another wanna be hustler story....I was in my local pool room a few days ago late at night after i got off from work. I go to the main table (action Table) and some collage kid who is neatly dressed is holding it. I ask if he is playing on it and he replies well since you brought your own sticks you can play twenty dollar eight ball....I wide eyed because no one in this bar plays me for action say sure your on. He turns and says one for five to warm up and see if you really want some.....lol. I beat him in under a minute and he says again. Ok I break and run a few ball and ask if he is going to honnor his original bet and he tells me that I can't win......lol Well I dump in hope of bigger money. His friends are telling him to be carefull. He starts calling me names and nearly promted me to play a different kind of game....lol. I turn around and say fine your a big time hustler why don't we lock up 500 and play 50 a game till some one takes it. He says I'm drunk and your sober. I say I will match him drink for drink and play the same set for a thousand, he starts getting a little white and starts pokeing fun a my glove saying why don't I just beat you for pride and laugh when I win............wtf..........I have him escorted out and off my table being as i know the owner and bouncers real well and they get tipped real well for that kind of thing. If the lambs are stupid enough to get in the way then so be it.....when everyone is a huslter then someone is going to get hustled
 
What?

Firecracker said:
I had an interesting experience with a wannabe hustler one night a few years back. I went to the bar with the intention of hanging out with my girls team on my night off. While I am watching their matches, a group of guys setup at a nearby table. One of the guys starts watching the girls league match and wants to know if any of us play for money. Being there on my night off, I was not interested in playing and don't normally gamble much anyway. His friend was persistent, claiming that he wanted his friend to get beat by a girl because his friend really thinks he plays well.

After some pressure from the girls, I reluctantly give in and decide to play. He wants to play $50 per game 8-Ball on an 8-ft table. Not knowing him and not being a big gambler, I tell him I'll play for $20 a game. He ends up being a decent shooter and do to some mistakes on my part, wins the first game. I end up winning the next 3 or 4 games and he wants to bump the beat. I was still a little reluctant, thinking I may be getting hustled, but since I am up, agree. At $50 a game, I win several more games of 8-Ball in a row and now he wants to switch to 9-Ball. We switch and I proceed to win again, now I'm up to $320 in his money, with him paying up after each rack. At this point, he has no money of his own, so borrows $100 for his friends and wants to play one game of rack your own 9-ball for all of it. I agree, being up so much and proceed to break and run for the cash. He goes to the ATM to get more money and it is broken!!! I take his last $100 and unfortunately have to quit. I was $420 winner is about an hour and from what his friends told me, he might have gone off for at least $1000. :(

I stay and chat with the guys after the money is dry. They thought that they were going to hustle a girl that "thought she could play". Unfortunately, they in turn got hustled. :)
Click to expand...

Man, this chica can play, I got done by her myself......at least once! LOL

Ray
 
Firecracker said:
I had an interesting experience with a wannabe hustler one night a few years back. I went to the bar with the intention of hanging out with my girls team on my night off. While I am watching their matches, a group of guys setup at a nearby table. One of the guys starts watching the girls league match and wants to know if any of us play for money. Being there on my night off, I was not interested in playing and don't normally gamble much anyway. His friend was persistent, claiming that he wanted his friend to get beat by a girl because his friend really thinks he plays well.

After some pressure from the girls, I reluctantly give in and decide to play. He wants to play $50 per game 8-Ball on an 8-ft table. Not knowing him and not being a big gambler, I tell him I'll play for $20 a game. He ends up being a decent shooter and do to some mistakes on my part, wins the first game. I end up winning the next 3 or 4 games and he wants to bump the beat. I was still a little reluctant, thinking I may be getting hustled, but since I am up, agree. At $50 a game, I win several more games of 8-Ball in a row and now he wants to switch to 9-Ball. We switch and I proceed to win again, now I'm up to $320 in his money, with him paying up after each rack. At this point, he has no money of his own, so borrows $100 for his friends and wants to play one game of rack your own 9-ball for all of it. I agree, being up so much and proceed to break and run for the cash. He goes to the ATM to get more money and it is broken!!! I take his last $100 and unfortunately have to quit. I was $420 winner is about an hour and from what his friends told me, he might have gone off for at least $1000. :(

I stay and chat with the guys after the money is dry. They thought that they were going to hustle a girl that "thought she could play". Unfortunately, they in turn got hustled. :)
Click to expand...

I love that story. I wish my fiance could shoot pool. Id make millions:smile:. Guys got too much pride to pull up even when they should.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top