Your gambling mentality...

[JCIN]

To paraphrase a movie line:

" I don't play for glory or some Vegas pipe dream...I play for Rent!"

As I have gotten older I have come to realize most of the guys who talk about the glory of the "Hustling Life" and all that comes with it are either broke or broken down.

The smart ones take what they have learned on the road, such as, how to read people, how to talk to people, and how to nut up and perform under pressure, and leverage that in the " Real " world.

Having said that, most of us being Americans love the idea of the rambling gambling road warrior out there living on heart and determination, I know I do. But I also know from experience ( a good Friend) it is sad to see that guy when he is 50 and realizes it is getting late and he is way behind the curve.

It seems most of the great champions of our game have had to travel that path for at least part of their life, so I guess there must be something to the pressure of the road seperating the Wheat from the Chaffe.

 

[Gerry]

Then why do you waste time and money gambling????

simply, there are some players I wanted to test myself against, and you can't get to them without betting something.

as far as "wasting time, and money" you said that not me. I make a lot of money in my chosen professions, and pool has always been relaxation, a challenge, a diversion, entertainment, and a life long passion of mine.....not how I make a living. I'd never consider my time playing pool as "wasted"

Gerry

 

[Tommy Joe]

A game is not a game unless two people play. There is larceny on both sides, or the game never would have taken place.

I agree. But recently I saw a post in this group from a guy who said he disliked hustlers. I don't like them either. I've done it myself, but was very bad at it, probably because I didn't enjoy it. And I'm glad I was bad at it.

What I really hate is the full-time hustler with the annoying persistence of a panhandler. Like for instance, maybe you haven't played in years and now you walk into a poolroom for a beer and to say hello to a few people, and here comes some guy asking you to play. He's on your level - or above - even back when you were playing. You tell him you haven't played in years, and he instantly replies that he hasn't either, but you know for a fact he hangs in that poolroom nearly every day. I don't blame the guy for asking, for trying to get a game. But I despise that sort of ritualistic cliche hollow hustler bullshit.

Tommy Joe

 

[ironman]

I agree. But recently I saw a post in this group from a guy who said he disliked hustlers. I don't like them either. I've done it myself, but was very bad at it, probably because I didn't enjoy it. And I'm glad I was bad at it.

What I really hate is the full-time hustler with the annoying persistence of a panhandler. Like for instance, maybe you haven't played in years and now you walk into a poolroom for a beer and to say hello to a few people, and here comes some guy asking you to play. He's on your level - or above - even back when you were playing. You tell him you haven't played in years, and he instantly replies that he hasn't either, but you know for a fact he hangs in that poolroom nearly every day. I don't blame the guy for asking, for trying to get a game. But I despise that sort of ritualistic cliche hollow hustler bullshit.

Tommy Joe

Many pool rooms have the little Weasle hanging around hoping to find a wallet on the floor. They can be a little entertaining at first, but like a child looking for attention, it can get very old. The problem is that there is always someone to listen and eventually buy into their BS and take the bait. Once they let hime get under their skin, the trap is in motion and the one listening acts on his emotions and ends up being the sucker.
Still, it takes all kinds to make a pool room what it is. A pool room could be a great setting for a sit-com.
For those who think the hustlers of today are hard-core, they should have known some of the real ones, like UJ Puckett or Pots and Pans. When they walked in though, you could just about et that things were going to start happening.

 

[ShootingArts]

yes it does and it's an honest answer

Freddy,

Thanks for a straight answer. Every time I read another post by a youngster dreaming of the romantic life on the road I want to load them up for a week of fun on the road staying in the malibu hilton and eating whatever is cheapest once a day. Dirty clothes and three or four days without a shower might bring a little reality home too.

I don't think there is a hard core gambler alive that has been at it long that hasn't went down to broke and having to play for little more than pocket change to survive. With a name you might find a backer. Without a name . . .

Hu

Freddy,

Sure looks like you favor the hustler out to "WIN MONEY" and the hustler mentality...

(quote from Freddy's post)
"It depends on whether you have a huster's mentality or a square-johns. A hustler is looking to create action, ALLOW action, and WIN MONEY. If you are hanging in the poolroom with a hustler's mentality then you should learn to hate the knockers and the mother hens that run around looking to "protect" their flock. If on the other hand you want to make sure that every game is exactly even (and who are you to make that determination), and take it personal when you see someone going "off," why did you pick a poolroom to spend your time in the first place?"
(end quote)

There is a world of difference between gambling and hustling. A hustle involves a con of some sort. You indicate very high ethics in several recent posts on this board and I genuinely want to know which is the real Freddy...

Hu



Hu,
Let me clear this up. High ethics was not a big part of my pool playing career.
While I respect high ethics, the reality of pool hustling and eating every day, caused me to do many things I wished I hadnt. If you are aspiring to become a top player and top gambler/hustler you must work on both sides of the street. To be a top player/gambler you must be a gunfighter that plays tough action and who is not afraid to take a little the worst of it. Someone who is willing to fight to the death. However, and here comes reality again, in order to subsidize and finance these noble ideals, you must play "sucker" action periodically. That involves conning and hustling and robbing some opponents in order to pay for those tough-action sessions. So in my case, while I loved tough-action with champions, I was also a seasoned "lemon" hustler like Bunny Rogoff (someone who didnt like tough action and only sought out "lemon" scores). I hope that explains my philosophy a little better.

the Beard