Quote:
Originally Posted by GH85Carrera
My grandparents bought a house at the edge of town in the very early 60s. Town quickly moved that way and suddenly it was a busy area. A bank went in next door, and strip shopping center went in across the street. One of the business was a pool hall. Of course my brother and I wanted to go play pool. Granddad went ballistic, and it was clear we would each get a pet dragon before he allowed us to play pool. My grandad was born in 1902 and had lived through the tough times, and been in some pool halls that were a bit unsavory. I learned later in life that he was in a lot of fights from playing pool. He did not want us to have any part of that life. In his mind, pool halls were at the same level as whore houses and seedy bars.
|
Aye, that's the reason pool will never reach "mainstream" status like golf. Bobby Riggs was spot on though...when he said the first time he laid eyes on a golf course he knew he was looking at a big beautiful outdoor pool hall.
The reality is quite different than you see in the movies. I've never seen a fight over a pool game, even when money involved. Generally very quiet affairs, few rules disputes when top players are involved. The loser pays up. Kind of a code of honor thing. Nobody wants to be known as an airballer, one who doesn't pay on a bet. When things get noisy in the hall I go to, it's usually young unskilled kids who believe the tripe they've seen on film. In top level tournament play with a referee watching every shot? The play itself is amazing in the skill shown...I sit mesmerized, knowing enough to know what they're doing and why, but also knowing I'll never reach that level.
(edit) Watch beginning at the 21 minute mark here. Dechaine breaks, left with a terrible position. Playing 8 ball on 7' "bar tables" made by Diamond. So, Dechaine shoots a safety play, leaving Bergman nothing...or so thought both Dechaine and the announcers. I love the way Bergman uses his cue to determine where he plans on leaving the cue ball...his speed control to that end is top notch. The numbers on the screen are their "fargo ratings"...then percentage of their odds of winning change as the match goes on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=348Zyyax1as