Respect....slight vent

Be Careful...

I'm not trying to patronize you (I don't know you), so for the benefit of the younger, less experienced/worldly among us reading this...I'd be careful. There are only two things a hustler looks for, and that's GREED and/or PRIDE. He will attack a mark's greed through the time honored doubling down and hiding true speed. The other way to get a player, especially if he's strong and has a little experience is by stinging his pride ("I'll show the punk..."). His whole A-hole attitude looks contrived to me, to draw you in and keep you off balance. Had you risen to the bait and said call it, you may have walked into his trap, already distracted by being PO'd. I myself have been bit by both. We all (everyone) think our game is a tad bit better than it really is...he may have already guaged your speed and feels he's got you--then again, he actually may be just a punk who doesn't realize how close he came to losing everything in his pocket...a good huster can read a room pretty quick and match up within his abilities; a good road player will play the part of a newcomer, invest the time to get the max cheese and then disappear.
 
justadub said:
... If he is so good that they won't let him play in tourneys locally, why should he expect to get weight?

This gambling stuff is so confusing...
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Nah, the gambling stuff is not so confusing, it's just different. When you go to Mexico (or some similar foreign country) do you always pay the first price asked for something in a shop? Or, do you haggle hard for the best price -- and, often walk out of the store 2 or 3 times before you come back and make the purchase?

In tournaments or league you pay your $, opponents are lined up for you and you play your best from the get go or you're gone. (note: the OP was at a distinct disadvantage in that the guy had just watched the OP play league games and probably already had a good handle on the OP's true speed.)

When playing for money you have to negotiate your game. If the OP was a gambler, he might have responded differently when asked to give weight (to anyone), like: "Hell no! Me give you weight? You're the big dog around here and have been banned from all the local tournaments. You can sit there on that bar stool until your ass grows roots if you expect me to give YOU weight." You've now just begun the negotiation phase of playing with the guy and need to wait patiently for his response (instead of stalking off in a huff like a nitty a-hole upset with a disrespectful big-fish-in-a-small-pond lock-artist a-hole).

Additionally (since the OP seems to think he's got lots more $ than the guy and can easily afford to loose some of it in order to put the guy in his place), the OP might have responded to the other guy and insinuated that he in turn has no gamble by saying: "Hell I got more gamble than you. Here's that $20 you're talking about. Let's flip a coin for it. Hell, I'll go for $100 a pop if you can stand the heat."

Then, if he takes you up on the bet you've now got 50/50 odds of beating a player that should be kicking your butt in an even match (i.e., your odds are better).

In the process of flipping for $20 bills you can try and negotiate some weight from him for your first cheap set -- like tossing out the following: "So, how many games are you going to give me on the wire in a cheap $20 race to 7 in a game of 8-ball? I have time for 3 sets."

On the other hand, if he doesn't take you up on flipping coins for $, you're still talking with him, he now thinks that you've got some gamble and you're well on your way to negotiating a cheap pool game.

Then (once a game is made) the dance begins on the table. If the OP shows no patience and shows his true speed in the first set, I'm betting that his opponent will be hiding his true speed, licking his chops and wondering how he can best reel in his fish (e-r-r-r, the OP) for a big score (or lay down and let the OP win in front of a bigger fish that's watching the action).

Oh, heck, $20 for an hour of lessons is starting to sound better. The OP would then (hopefully) get to see the guy's best game and (possibly) get some helpful feedback about his own game. Afterwards, the OP can always say, "How about giving me a chance to earn my $20 back and giving me 3 games on the wire in a race to 7?" Hopefully, the OP can then get 1 or 2 games on the wire in their next encounter.
 
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Way too much like work for me.

I'd rather play and have fun, instead of worrying about negotiating a fair spot or some such.

Glad it's fun for the rest of ya. It's fun reading about, at least. :grin:
 
Bar Box Chirper

sjharr said:
Just to preface the events that unfolded last night...There's a new guy in town, apparently a pretty good player from what I had been hearing. Now, bear in mind I am not the best player but I like to play. I chatted the new guy up last week and the gist of the conversation was him telling me - and anyone else within earshot - about nobody in our town gambling, how he loved to play cheap sets, how no more local tourneys will let him play 'cause he's so damn good.

Steve H.
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He reminds me of a version of the guy in the bar that is a tinch better than the rest of the crowd that's playing and full of himself. I've heard those bragging statements as a self-proclamation on "I am the greatest". Usually these guys eventually get around to saying something stupid like, "I'll play anyone in here for $100." I can't wait to get to him.

Either he really is good and I lose $100 (but I'd keep trying until I knew for sure), he plays and loses his bankroll (or quits after one game), or backs down because he just remembers that he needed to pick up his mother from bingo. I figure, any which way I come out a winner.

If he wins, playing more than one game, I've found somebody that will challenge me. If I win, I've got his money and shut him up. If he backs down, I've shut him up.

Personally, I like to put them on the spot with everybody watching so they REALLY have to eat humble pie or play. I can emphatically state that if challenged they will lose the majority of the time.

Jay
 
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At the bar

sjharr said:
Was at the hall on Monday night, had just finished up playing league and I noticed said fellow at the bar.

Steve H.
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Ha Ha Ha. I just reread the OP and it was at a bar.:lol:

Jay
 
Dude's obviously a tool.. no cheap sets, but will spend an hour to get $20? And without even showing you how 'good' he is by taking a cheap set first? Sounds like he's just full of (himself).. probably moved into town to stay with his aunt or something. Don't leave your stick laying around..
 
First of all , thanks for all of your input, there are some interesting perspectives and that is exactly what I was hoping for - beyond the obvious venting.

Second, the facts were given verbatim as best as I could recollect. We spoke/met initially through a mutual pool playing acquaintance, we exchanged initial greetings and that is when he began telling me about how the area we are in is so bad for gambling, he couldn't get a game, etc... I offered him a game, I assumed (maybe that was my mistake) by his prompt and emphatic response of yes, that we did indeed have a game sometime in the near future.

The near future came, I politely asked if he would like to play previous agreed to game and he belittled me. I politely excused myself by indicating "fair enough" and walked away.

I tend to give everyone the benefit of doubt and usually am likely to let little things slips whilst getting to know someone. I am very good action and very much enjoy a competitive game, even if I may be outmatched. I will get beat with a smile on my face, tap my stick and say good game, I just expect the same in return.

Last of all,
Am I asking for too much?


Steve H.
 
justadub said:
Way too much like work for me.

I'd rather play and have fun, instead of worrying about negotiating a fair spot or some such.

Glad it's fun for the rest of ya. It's fun reading about, at least. :grin:
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Yep. I played for money exclusively as a kid, it was like a full-time job and I made more than I could have at a typical minimum-wage job. However, it does wear on you and the pickings are not nearly as easy these days.

Now I just play league and local tournaments (and sometimes cheap games afterwards with friends) and my only goal is to do my best and have fun. Makes it easy to fade any negative goings on and just smile at life.
 
sjharr said:
Just to preface the events that unfolded last night...There's a new guy in town, apparently a pretty good player from what I had been hearing. Now, bear in mind I am not the best player but I like to play. I chatted the new guy up last week and the gist of the conversation was him telling me - and anyone else within earshot - about nobody in our town gambling, how he loved to play cheap sets, how no more local tourneys will let him play 'cause he's so damn good.

So, I'm thinking to myself that this guy's kind of self proclaimed the best in town. We should play and I say to said guy, "Would you like to gamble, I'll play some cheap sets with ya to see just how good you are", his reply was "sure", I said I'll catch you next time as I was on the way out.

Was at the hall on Monday night, had just finished up playing league and I noticed said fellow at the bar. I walked up to him and said that if he wanted to play some that I would in about 4 o'clock tomorrow. His response was "How are we going to play?" I told him "Even of course, were you expecting weight already?" He then said "How much?" I said, we can start cheap and go from there. His reply was "not worth my time"...okay, I simply replied "fair enough" and began to walk away. I made it about two steps before he bellows over my back " I'll give you lessons for $20 an hour though". I stopped and began to turn around...and reply that I had more money in my back pocket than he had in his entire bank account and he would not be getting a single penny of it....but, I didn't - the younger me would have - the older me shook my head and continued on my way home.

Now I understand why he was complaining that no one would play him, he's an a-hole. I have been around this game for many years, respect me, even if you have never played me. I just don't understand why some folks are so disrespectful yet it seems as though they feel like they deserve automatic respect from everyone else around them?

Steve H.
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I say he is full of ca ca....especially if you still live in Charlotte.

If he can't find a money game in Charlotte he obviously isn't looking because there are quite a few people who will play anyone between Charlotte, Greensboro and Hickory to obviously make him a liar.

If he's getting kicked out of tournaments he also isn't playing in any around the area because there are a lot of weekly tournaments around Charlotte, Greensboro and Hickory that take everyone from Joe Beginner to Earl Strickland in and handicap them.

Call him out and say exactly what tournament is he banned from. Next tell Ron Parks, or Tyson, or Josh to come in when he is there and ask him exactly why he is scared to play this guy?
 
sjharr said:
I just don't understand why some folks are so disrespectful yet it seems as though they feel like they deserve automatic respect from everyone else around them?

Steve H.
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This is pool, man. Just what kind of people who spend their time gambling do you expect?
 
HDR10 said:
He's NOT an A-hole!!!!!He's a true blue bonifide................N.I.T
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Very much so

Like I said he is also completely full of ca ca. Amazing that he can't get a money game in that area with people like Ron Parks, Josh Newman, Adam Pendley, Sammy Monday, Brian White, Jeff Abernathy, Tyson, Brian Capps and if he is so far above them I am quite sure he could get one with Earl Strickland among the other great players in the area. That guy probably should have taken a look around before he opened up that nitty hole in his face.
 
sjharr said:
I made it about two steps before he bellows over my back " I'll give you lessons for $20 an hour though"
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You should have said "I'll play you some for $20 a game and we'll see who learns what." :cool:

Aaron
 
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