| |
BGonline.org Forums
Hustling
Posted By: Phil Simborg In Response To: Hustling (christian munk-christensen)
Date: Friday, 15 March 2013, at 3:59 p.m.
As the wiki definition indicates, hustling constitutes deception. As long as you are not dishonest or deceptive, it is not hustling. By definition, in my opinion, hustling is immoral and unethical. But if you sit down and play with worse players, as long as you don't pretend to be a worse player than you are, and as long as you are not deceptive, how can that be hustling or immoral?
The answer seems quite obvious to me.
Now, "throwing" a game is deceptive and dishonest. That would be hustling.
Like anything else, of course there are gray areas and there are areas where honest, intelligent people will disagree. For example, I was taught by a very fine player that in chouettes, if someone gives me a terrible cube, I should not beaver. Why? Because it alerts them that they are a far worse player; it embarrasses them; and large losses in a single game could scare them from playing. Is that hustling? Some could argue it is. You are not using all of your skills to maximize your profit even though you know you should, and you are doing it somewhat to disguise your skill difference. I would consider this to be a gray area, however, in my book it is appropriate. Why? Because if I don't beaver a bad player's cube, in the long run, I am maximizing my income, and I make no bones about the fact that is my goal. I actually will make less if I chase him out of the game, or, if I "teach" him to stop giving me bad doubles by beaving him. So I am not "throwing" the game or "giving away" money, I am doing it to maximize my income, and that is what I am there for (along with the enjoyment of playing), so unless I lie about it and if asked, say it is not a beaver, or unless I deny that I am trying to win as much as I can, which would be a lie, I am being, in my opinion, ethical and honest.
By the way, in the long run, that is the best way to make more money. Not by "hustling," but by being ethical and honest. Just because someone is a worse backgammon player does not mean they are stupid, and they know when people are trying to swindle them or take advantage of them. Even if it was not a moral issue, hustling would be counter-productive to getting more games.
I have known some real hustlers, and what I have found out, over the years, that they are more susceptible to being hustled themselves than most people. And sometimes, they, themselves, are the biggest fish.
| |
BGonline.org Forums is maintained by Stick with WebBBS 5.12.