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If you are one of those individuals who absolutely must stay in instant contact with everyone in the world, via your smart phone and other devices, you are an easy victim of this distraction. Your obsession with communications (voice, text, email, chat etc.) with friends and non-pool players is a destructive habit in any competitive situation. Just when you need to focus and concentrate on a critical win/lose effort, receiving a phone call or text message is guaranteed to disrupt your competitive spirit. Continue reading →

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This is an old geezer shark - usually pulled on any player younger than the pool hustler (minimum age to qualify as a geezer is mid-fifties). If you see this scheme in action, stay and watch the match. It can be quite entertaining. Continue reading →

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The rules committee members for pool and billiards players work very hard to ensure clarity and explicit explanations for the rules of competition. Even so, there are always many areas where interpretations can be applied. It's the Clinton excuse, "It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is." This area is ripe for abuse by the pool hustler. It is the ongoing, ready-to-dispute attitude of nit-picking and quibbling is what makes this sharking trick work. Continue reading →

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Are you an individual who is courteous and attentive to others when they talk? Do you try your best to "get along"? If you fit this profile, you might find yourself the victim of this trap. Continue reading →

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Every once in a while you face a hustler who uses this tactic to throw you off your game. It is designed to be effective over a period of time. He basically trains you to believe that he has the majority of the good luck being handed out by the billiard gods, and you have the majority of the bad luck. Continue reading →

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It's nice to have good allies and advisors around you. These people can help improve your life and life style. But on the pool table, do NOT expect your opponent to be one of the individuals who have your best interests at heart. There are two reasons why an opponent would provide help and guidance. One, you are not a threat to his pocket book or self-esteem, or two, he wants to enfeeble your intentions to win. Continue reading →

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This tactic is commonly used by older players (qualified AARP members) on younger shooters (20-somethings). They are fulfilling an obligation to the past and the future. When they were young, they were victims of the oldsters. Now that they have joined the gray hair league, it is their obligation to use those same tricks on today’s youth. Basically, what they suffered decades ago, they pass onto the next generation. Continue reading →

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This shark is designed to slowly develop a strong sense of irritation and frustration. The pool hustler calls out every single ball action about every single shot - in excruciating detail. Continue reading →

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This is another hustling trick that is common in most pool playing environments where the pool tables are not in excellent condition. It is commonly used against a player who is playing on the tables for the first time. The shooter might be a regular at another place but is checking out new places and players. Or he could be traveling and just happened to find this place. Of course, this does make you a new “victim” for the resident pool hustler. Continue reading →

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You would think that a key requirement of any sharking trick is to intrude on your thoughts. But this apparently innocent tactic is a destroyer of focus if you are the type of person who likes to inform others about your opinions and viewpoints. A knowledgeable gamesman, well trained in applied psychology, immediately recognizes your personality type and uses this very effective tactic. All he has to do is appear to be a genial fellow whose only purpose in life is to find you and become your confidant. His intent and purpose is to get you talking, a lot. Continue reading →