How to Hustle People at Pool

To watch a skilled pool hustler at work is a true thing of beauty. Most billiard players and witnesses will never see it happen, even if it is going on right in front of them.The differences between a pool shark and a pool hustler are staggering. A pool shark is an arrogant soul, out to not only win his opponent's money but destroy her game.A pool hustler, on the other hand, wants to leave his opponent thinking she almost won. Given the opportunity, a losing opponent will gladly give a pool hustler money every week.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pool table
• Pool cue
• Money

Master Your Pool Game

1. Learn to play your best game. You will need to master every nuance of your own game before taking on someone else's. Hustling pool is like playing poker; there is a lot of bluffing involved. A pool player must be good enough to turn on and off his ability on the spot.

2. Learn your own pool limit. Once a pool player has lost interest in the game or become overtired, the level of play will fall. A player should know how long he can play pool comfortably and plan the betting accordingly.

3. Practice acting with friends. A good pool hustle, where no one gets hurt, involves a lot of acting and good sportsmanship. Remember, you may be trying to hustle a hustler. Acting is required for a player with a killer instinct to not appear to be throwing games.

4. Practice losing, then winning on command. This may sound easy, but the pool player's mind works in mysterious ways. There is as much aim in missing a shot by a fraction as in making the ball. Missed pool shots and lost games must be purposeful while appearing accidental for a hustle to work.

5. Practice setting bets and races; a hustler doesn't want to look too anxious. On the other hand, setting the bet too low or the race too long can make for a losing proposition.

Hustle An Opponent At Pool

6. Find the right opponent to hustle at pool. This is a critical step and may take the longest. Until a billiard player feels completely comfortable with an opponent's level of play, he should not try to hustle. Play all opponents in a relaxed manner. Show no flash ever, just decent shooting.

7. Start right out with money games once you have chosen an opponent to hustle. Do not let a billiard opponent warm up with free play, if possible. Appear eager for cheap games and excited to play.

8. Alternate winning and barely losing, all the while pumping up your opponent's confidence. At this point a pool hustler should be slightly down in winnings. Stay social with the billiard opponent during the hustle.

9. Decide if your assessment of this opponent was correct. After a few games or sets, ask yourself a couple of questions:Can I without a doubt beat this pool player consistently, with or without luck? Can I still play comfortably?If yes, bump the bet slightly. Try to keep the race the same so the money starts to add up quicker.

10. Slowly start to win pool games or sets. A good starting formula to shoot for is to beat the opponent 3 to 2 (game or sets), then 2 to1, then 3 to 1. Be sincerely gracious and complimentary of your opponent the entire time to keep spirits up.

11. Decide if it's time to raise the bet or leave the billiard hall. The player being hustled is now either on the fence about leaving or wants to play more to get his money back. Ask the same questions in Step 4. If you decide to play on, raise the bet, and keep the race the same.

12. Repeat Step 5 from the very beginning or things could get ugly. Be very careful at this point; an opponent can get angry when losing money and feeling "had."

13. Leave a good impression with as many people as possible when it's time to leave. A pool hustler needs as many friends as he can get. A great pool hustler has thousands of friends, and not one person knows the hustler's game!

Tips & Warnings

• A great pool hustler doesn't look like the best player and never seriously practices in public.
• A great pool hustle can go on for several years, milking a payday from an opponent or bar of opponents. Yes, sometimes a great pool player can hustle an entire bar full of opponents on a weekly basis.
• Never hustle people at pool by yourself; always use the buddy system. Pool hustling can be dangerous.
• Playing pool or billiards for money is gambling and can be addictive; play at your own risk.
• Never borrow money to hustle people at pool.
• Be very careful about taking all of any opponent's money; it is a dangerous world.