[pwd72s]

Hustling is a dangerous game...pre arranged matchups for money isn't...usually pretty boring if you're looking for excitement beyond watching the game played at a high level. Often these are 9 ball or ten ball, races to 100 over three days, first two days ending at 34 games won. Everything negotiated before hand..table, cloth, pocket size, rack type, balls used, everything. And, of course, the money in the middle as it's called...winner take all. Usually mid 5 figures, though I've seen them go to 6 figures. Backers involved, and often on live pay per view stream.

I'm not saying it never happens, but you really don't see top pros in any bar action like described by Crowbob. Pre arranged money matchups and tournament winnings are it. Ralf Souquet of Germany, a long time pro, won't even do money matches...only tournaments.

(edit) And the money earned is getting better as of late. Fedor Gorst, the player interviewed by Joe Rogan, had a hair over $1/4 million in tournament winnings in 2022. Not big bucks, but at least a decent living wage for the top players...