I frequent the bars and poolhalls in my area weekly. The name pool hustler or simply Hustler has stuck with me since I was a teen, when I got addicted to the game. But I was hanging out with some known shooters when a guy shouted to me "what's up pool hustler??" And my friends looked at me like I should of taken offense by him saying this. So is it better to be known as a gambler or hustler??? I've done both and enjoyed both but don't know the right answer here.
Is Being Known As A Pool Hustler A Bad Thing?????
- Thread starter Hustler85
- Start date
If you're asking this question, and if you actually made your user name "Hustler," you've probably not been around real action, and not too familiar with the modern view of the hustler from real players.
If you're asking would I rather be known as something like: "That Tramp fellow sure is a nice guy. Why, he'd give you the shirt off his back." Or, rather: "That Tramp fellow is nothing but a low down, good for nothing, pool hustler."
I would take the former over the latter. :smile:
I would take the former over the latter. :smile:
It's not something I tell others....
In general not a good move. But many a gambler will toss this line out, to wakeup the real hustler who thinks he has a sucker....it's one of the oldest moves in the book.
In general not a good move. But many a gambler will toss this line out, to wakeup the real hustler who thinks he has a sucker....it's one of the oldest moves in the book.
Last edited:
I think the general connotation of a "Hustler " is a lying, cheating swindler/crook not unlike the 3 card Monte guys and the like.
To those more familiar with a person its more often a wise crack acknowledgement of better than average ability simple a joke in reference to someone they know spends all their free time in a pool hall.
Lastly would be someone who felt like you robbed them, were dishonest with a match up or cheated them in some way during a game.
So I guess whether or not I was offended would depend on who said it.
To those more familiar with a person its more often a wise crack acknowledgement of better than average ability simple a joke in reference to someone they know spends all their free time in a pool hall.
Lastly would be someone who felt like you robbed them, were dishonest with a match up or cheated them in some way during a game.
So I guess whether or not I was offended would depend on who said it.
To a non-pool player, anyone that has their own cue is a "pool hustler" or "Minnesota Fats", I get called both of those things all the time soon as anyone finds out I play.
Why not broaden you repertoire so that you can be called a confidence man instead? It sounds much more pleasant.
As you have seen there are opinions on both sides of the coin.
In the old days it definitely had bad connotations with the general public. It was nearly equivalent to being called a thief. In fact being called a thief was probably better because at least you were an 'honest' thief, where a hustler was, well you've seen some of the descriptions.
Now days many say it more jokingly. I have been called a hustler before & don't like it. I immediately tell them that I am NOT a hustler. I play well & they know it.
I've been called a player & a stroker before & I knew that they were compliments.
When someone calls you a hustler you just can't be sure how they mean it unless you know them real well.
Best Wishes,
Rick
In the old days it definitely had bad connotations with the general public. It was nearly equivalent to being called a thief. In fact being called a thief was probably better because at least you were an 'honest' thief, where a hustler was, well you've seen some of the descriptions.
Now days many say it more jokingly. I have been called a hustler before & don't like it. I immediately tell them that I am NOT a hustler. I play well & they know it.
I've been called a player & a stroker before & I knew that they were compliments.
When someone calls you a hustler you just can't be sure how they mean it unless you know them real well.
Best Wishes,
Rick
my baseball coach told me to hustle all the time.
Hustler is the 2nd most popular word that word non-players use to describe anyone who's good at pool.
The most popular is shark. Just about everyone on this forum has had this conversation.
"So what do you do for fun?"
"Well I play a lot of pool."
"oh cool! So you're a pool shark eh?"
There's zero advantage to being known as a hustler. If you think hustling is sleazy
then that means people think you're sleazy. Not good. If you think there's nothing
wrong with hustling then being called a hustler means people have figured out what you've
been doing and they're knocking your action. Not good.
The most popular is shark. Just about everyone on this forum has had this conversation.
"So what do you do for fun?"
"Well I play a lot of pool."
"oh cool! So you're a pool shark eh?"
There's zero advantage to being known as a hustler. If you think hustling is sleazy
then that means people think you're sleazy. Not good. If you think there's nothing
wrong with hustling then being called a hustler means people have figured out what you've
been doing and they're knocking your action. Not good.
Depends on ones definition of ''old days''. At one point in time, Willie Mosconi was the highest paid sports person on the planet. I heard during the depression years he made $25,000 a year + expenses. Back then a home cost a couple thousand.
I'm afraid I don't understand your point.
Mr. Mosconi said many times that he never hustled anyone, not ever, not even for a nickle. Now he did say that he played a few jokes on some unsuspecting people as a favor.
The point is that Mr. Mosconi was a Legitimate Tournament Champion & not a hustler & certainly dd not like being considered or called one.
He also did not like the image that Fat's displayed as being a hustler.
He felt that it was a black eye on the reputation of the legitimate game.
So...I don't see your point. What am I missing?
Best,
Rick
