[pwd72s]

Okay, some local gossip from the Cue Ball, Salem, Oregon.

That funny game played on a pocketless table call 3 cushion billiards? The local best at that game absolutely roasted a good 9 ball player. Hey, almost as exciting as a cow chewing a cud. right?

The story behind the story. The 9 ball player, really a lower level pro...very skilled. able to break and run sequential racks. Would often clean house in local BCAPL amateur league tournament. The league wants to remain amateur, so they use Fargo ratings to determine which class a player competes in. Their highest amateur rating is "grand master" class...the class my honorary nephew is in.

Anyway, this 9 ball player got banned from BCAPL tournaments. Foolishly, he bragged on twitter how he was able to keep his Fargo rating low by losing in tournaments that paid less. He is a really good player, but just not good enough to play with the big boys. If he went on the pro tour, he couldn't win enough to pay expenses. So, he would play in area tournaments paying $1,000 or up to the winner..usually winning those...it's easy for a low level pro to beat a working stiff although well skilled amateur. So now, he's down to hustling and small bar tournaments to try to make a living...a very tough row to hoe.

He came into the Cue Ball, wanting to hustle. Locals know this guy, naturally nobody wanted to play, not even with a generous spot. In desperation, he asked Leonard, a local retired guy, if he'd play 3 cushion for money. Leonard definitely not hurting for money, so he agreed. Like I said, Leonard roasted the 9 ball hustler. Beat him flat..was never close. Then Leonard wouldn't take the hustler's money. "I couldn't do that to you Stan, I know you're hurting now."

Hey, like I said, about as exciting as a cow chewing her cud...but it's something.

(edit) The moral...even pool players have a code. They don't really mind hustlers, but they don't like cheaters. There is a difference.

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