Morality, Money and Pool. Where do you stand?

[Methodman201]

Double Post..My Bad

 

[Methodman201]

Never Give A Mile When Someone Is Willing To Kill You Over An Inch.
I would have Taken Every Dollar They Had and would have Slept sound the same night. I'm A Cold Ass Bastard, It's What I'm good at but most of all it's what I know...

 

[JoeW]

Try to think about why you really did what you did. I know that the very fact that you posted this thread indicates to me you lost the money back to this guy for selfish reasons, to make yourself feel better and perhaps to have others see what you saw in yourself at that moment of supposed altruism. Having others see the compasionate behavior you exhibted will in turn make you feel better, a type of self affirmation. Problem is, you should already know you're a good person (I think), and not have to do things like this. Rob the guy, spend the money on what you want, and then go help an old lady cross the street or something (without telling anybody about it). Everyone comes out ahead in this scenario. Just something to think about.

There are places for discussion of the philosopical and psychological underpinnings of altruism -- this isn't one of those places.

Seems to me that a fellow told a story and had second thoughts about the best way to proceed. He asked people with similar interests how they would have proceeded. Nothing more -- nothing less.

Have you considered why you wrote this missive? Are you evangelical? Do you understand the roots of your own thoughts? Incisive comments cut both ways.

 

[crawfish]

To be honest

Try to think about why you really did what you did. I know that the very fact that you posted this thread indicates to me you lost the money back to this guy for selfish reasons, to make yourself feel better and perhaps to have others see what you saw in yourself at that moment of supposed altruism. Having others see the compasionate behavior you exhibted will in turn make you feel better, a type of self affirmation. Problem is, you should already know you're a good person (I think), and not have to do things like this. Rob the guy, spend the money on what you want, and then go help an old lady cross the street or something (without telling anybody about it). Everyone comes out ahead in this scenario. Just something to think about.

To be perfectly honest, I was hoping the forum would make me feel better about my "act of compassion." I may need the cash just as much as him, or I may not. I almost felt like I lost the "killer instinct." I have definitely had situations where I busted guys that were on their last legs. I guess I am affirming a good deed out of guilt. Guilt that I could have really opened up and left him wishing he never played pool. I don't need a trophy, just everyone's thoughts on the subject. I thought that's why we posted here.

 

[ShootingArts]

you were the one there

To be perfectly honest, I was hoping the forum would make me feel better about my "act of compassion." I may need the cash just as much as him. I have definitely had situations where I busted guys that were on their last legs. I guess I am affirming a good deed out of guilt. Guilt that I could have really opened up and left him wishing he never played pool. I don't need a trophy, just everyone's thoughts on the subject. I thought that's why we posted here.

You were the one there and you are the one that was in the position to make the best judgment. It may have been a con, probably not. They didn't take any money out of your pocket that you came into the room with and speaking for myself I would rather let three people con me in that situation than know that I was the one that might have taken food out of the five year old's or expectant mother's mouth. "Somebody is going to do it" is the kind of answer that never flew when I was raising three children and it certainly doesn't fly when I tell myself that.

I was talking to a young man about gambling day before yesterday and he was mentioning various problems. I told him that the solution was simple, gamble with gamblers, the guys that gamble all of the time and know the score. Harder to win from but never a problem win or lose.

No way you could have known it to begin with but you made a bad choice of who to gamble with. You took a decent way out. We can debate if it was the very best way from now on but if I were you I would sleep easy nights knowing that my decision didn't harm anyone.

Hu

 

[jay helfert]

True, but word was getting out and he was afraid he was burned anyways. The first few times that someone that told money bags Gene was laying down, he quickly denied it. "I've been playing this buys for months - he's a dog" and similar.

But you're absolutely correct. Gene was thinking of today's payday, not tomorrows. Though he couldn't dip that well again, he also killed all other action in town.

Jay, when you coming back to the Bay Area? Are you making it to the Dave Piona Memorial Tourny??

-von

Is it Sept. 9 at Hard Times?

 

[supergreenman]

The fact that gambling was involved does complicate the matter. Several of you have pointed out that a casino or a race track certainly wouldn't give back money even if a losing patron faces severe hardship. Why should it be different in a pool game or a card game that has no corporate element? I think the difference is that the business world operates on principles of pursuing self-interest and respecting people's rights, whereas genuine charity goes beyond these principles. The idea of a "walking stick," which is admirable as a personal gesture in the pool room, would be absurd in the context of corporate gambling.

Corporations have no souls.

 

[Kyzyl]

Corporations have no souls.

I agree. Massive amounts of money and bonues have turned Man into souless creatures, who will do anything to get more, even if they don't need it. Like Kevin Traudau, he had millions, but started scamming people and such, even though he did not need it. I'm telling you, money messes you up good! IMO.

BTW. I was one of Kevin's victims.