...........
Last edited:
A pool player in his late fourties, dressed to kill. One cue, Old Huebler, not a scratch on it. He even has an old 1+ 2 hard case for heavens sake. In his chair, like a statue, on the table: solid player. You make a good shot, three taps of the cue, every time. If you beat him you get a firm handshake and he actually gets out of his chair as well. Never complains about anything in the poolhall. I got lucky and beat him one time and I said "The table beat you", his reply: "The table didn't beat me, you did". That's class, and it felt really good too, I have to admit.
5 or 6 years ago he put his Huebler away for good. And about that time the last of the really classy old players quit. Pool hasn't been the same since. It's not all the whining, sharking etc. that is getting to me, it is the fact that no one is even trying to be a good sport anymore. I think this is a global phenomenon, it certainly reared its ugly head at this years Mosconi cup. At least the Europeans were ok, but even some of them acted a bit out of line in my opinion.
I mean, is it so much to ask that players actually get out of their chair and shake your hand when they lose? If I had 5 dollars for every seated, limp fish handshake I have gotten playing pool I could easily retire right now. I play pool mostly for fun. I take it seriously but I try to enjoy myself as much as possible. I have to admit that some of the behaviour I am seeing lately is taking a bit away from the enjoyment for me. People are constantly whining about equipment, even in the poolhall I frequent, which I find outrageous. The tables are all perfectly level and the cloth is changed so often it's almost a joke. Gold Crowns, the best tables ever made in my opinion. I don't care what anyone else says, especially when perfectly set up and maintained. Perhaps I am really starting to get old, but I am not even middle aged for heavens sake!
"The oldschooler" and I should be playing pool right now. Instead his Huebler is in the attic getting dusty (but still in pristine condition I bet) and I'm online complaining. C'est la vie, I guess.