What does the term pool skark actually mean?

Question

i believe the term is wrongly used? am i wrong? i thought a pool shark, was someone sharking the other player, by distracting him or her on different ways, to try to break their concentration. i hear alot of people using that term, to describe a good pool player. just curious on peoples thoughts on this? johnny, lag, trickshot, and many other regulars, what do you consider the term. i havn't googled it yet. Just a thought that i have, that comes up alot when someone says shark, and is using it in different terms. thanks

Answer 1

Well I think a pool shark is an way above average player. To me your description  of a pool shark is more of the description I would use for a pool hustler. To me a pool shark is people like Allison Fisher, Earl Strickland, Buddy Hall, Johnny Archer, Efren Reyes, and all the other top players. A pool hustler is a less known player who is just as good as these people that play on the road going from city to city hustling

Answer 2

Never heard of a skark ;^) As LAG cited from Wikipedia, I think a lot of recreational players or non players use the term shark to refer to a good player, because that player can usually beat anyone they're hanging out with. Pool players tend to use the term in the other ways, as the shark is trying to win using other means than just skill.

Answer 3

A "pool shark" preys on "pool fish".  They're usually pretty good or at least, they find players who they know are not as good as them and then they play against them for money.  They can be pretty shady, pretending to play terribly to make you think you can beat them and then challenge you to a game with money on the line.  

Answer 4

Hi Bone,

I've heard the term: "pool shark" used in various ways as well. I've understood a "pool shark" to be a hustler, a good pool player, or someone who is trying to throw your game off ---- just as you've described.

My initial understanding of the term: "pool shark" (in my era) is simply, someone who is a really good pool player.

wikipedia's definition is directly in line with the three meanings that we have come to understand the term as well:

Shark:

Also pool shark, poolshark (US); sharp, pool sharp (British)

1) Verb: To perform some act or make some utterance with the intent to distract, irritate or intimidate the opponent so that they do not perform well, miss a shot, etc. Most league and tournament rules forbid blatant sharking, as a form of unsportsmanlike conduct, but it is very common in bar pool.

2) Noun: Another term for hustler.

3) Noun: A very good player. This usage is common among non-players who often intend it as a compliment and are not aware of its derogatory senses.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of...

And there you have it!

From one pool shark to another -

LAG

Answer 5

A pool shark is kinda like a hustler except a pool shark is more into distracting the pool player as he is playing where as a hustler plays like c**p at first acts like he doesn't know what he is doing then beats you for your car. Yes I believe the term is wrongly used I have herd it used both ways.

Answer 6

I always thought of it as not so much a hustler but a player who is good but only plays when he is pretty sure he will win (watches everyone play for a while before picking his prey) and is willing to cheat to win, not so much by distracting the opponent when he is on his shot, but more those little follow through shots and the like that I am sure you know to watch for.