Road Player - Billiard Term Definition
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Definition of Road Player
Road Player is a billiards term that is a part of Gambling and Betting Terminology.
A road player is a billiard player who earns money through hustling while traveling. As referenced in wikipedia, Keith McCready is known as the most notorious real world road player hustlers.
See: road agent, road warrior for more on the meaning of "Road Player".
Road Player - Usage
You want to be a road player? They are all cowards. They scam local players, and don't have the balls to stick around.
Billiards - Road Player
- Title: Road Player
- Author: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)
- Published: 1/13/2008 5:51:08 PM
Road Player Comments
Rob "Roadplayer" Wolfe from CA, United States on 12/15/2008 11:37:54 AM
A road player is a person of real talent and showmanship when it comes to the game of pool.
They have learned to entertain their opponent with their knowledge and skill. They give their opponent many opportunities to win while teaching them just how great a game pool is.
A road player is NOT hustling or scamming when it is done right. The person they played has truly been given a show. It makes them a better pool player when they have played a real road player.
Rob "Roadplayer" Wolfe
billiardsforum from Halifax, NS on 12/16/2008 6:33:10 PMHi Rob, thanks for the addition to this billiard road player definition.
I agree with what you wrote; but do you have any examples, or references to support your definition that I can include?
For example, can you provide a real-life example, or reference to a written example where a "road player" - "gave their opponent many opportunities to win while teaching them just how great a game of pool is"? Do you mean "its not PERCEIVED as a hustle or a scam when its done right"?
If a player wanted to "spend money" to get better, wouldn't they hire an instructor?
I'm 50 years old now and have been playing since I was 13. I started playing for money when I was 17 at the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO. I played in Denver for four years out of the Family Fun Center. I then went to Wichita, KS and saw a ton of road agents at Burke's Steakhouse. I then moved back east and did the Atlantic coast route along with Fusco's in Philly, etc.
I would entertain my opponents with my play. Leave them so it teaches them. Give them advice along the way, etc. Just barely winning sometimes makes them think "This guy is lucky, if I just played a little better, I could beat them." Instructors are great, I took some lessons from Ray Martin and it was great. Real life lessons are not taught by instructors.
I spent over 30 years in the bars playing. I got real good at reading people. Nobody wants "holes drilled in their head" It's not fun and I've learned the hard way e.g. had guns drawn on me, bats swung, knives pulled, etc. I once got two broken ribs for a one dollar game.
Most of the road agents I have come across have little or no "style". All they do is leave their opponent broke and pissed off.
I like to play the mouthy guys who think they are all that.
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