I don't play much any more. Went to hit some balls the other night. Some kid approached me, asked me if I wanted to play. I thought it would be fun to let him hustle me, so I said OK.
He asked if I prefer 8-ball or 9-ball. I chose 9, even though I don't play it, just so we wouldn't have any arguments about the rules. I racked 'em, and invited him to break. Surprisingly, he broke without mentioning a wager.
We took turns winning racks by running 3-4 balls at a time. He never played a single safety. I decided that if this was anywhere near his true speed, I'd be a favorite if we started keeping score.
I didn't have all day to hang out, so I wanted to wrap this up. I asked him if he'd be interested to play a race to five, loser pays the table time. He turned pale, and it became clear he had no money. He pointed back to the group of friends he was with at another table, and said they're covering his time (this place charges each player by the hour, and his meter was still running on the other table, it did not affect my bill).
I told him that's fine, this was fun too--but I'm keeping score starting now, and going home after a race to five.
I was then very impressed with my own shooting. I got out from the 2-ball once, and the 3-ball another time. I was making shots that I *never* make. But above all, I didn't dog a single shot. I was so relaxed over the 7-8-9, I didn't approach those shots fearful of screwing up.
I took a 3-1 lead. He tied it at three (I left a 9 hanging for him, I wouldn't say I dogged it, as it wasn't an easy shot), then I put him away. That felt good.