MovieChat Forums > The Color of Money (1986) Discussion > How could this have worked?

How could this have worked?

posted 13 years ago by BigEasy1203
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The thing that always gets me about this film (and pool hustling in general) is the whole "stakehorse" situation. Would that not give the whole thing away?

The whole idea behind hustling is to make the other guy think you are some chump who thinks you are way better than you are, and get the bets up to a decent amount -- just like Amos did to Eddie. Then, you start winning, but act as if you are just on a lucky streak, so that the other guy feels like he can win back his money if just given one more chance.

So, if Vince is playing some guy in a pool hall, and playing badly, and each time he loses he goes to Eddie and gets another $20 (or whatever amount), would it not be obvious to the guy that Eddie is a stakehorse, and that would clearly mean Vince is a hustler? I just feel like it's a dead giveaway.

[–] gordonator 13 years ago

If you're trying to pretend you're really awful, yes it would give it away. However Vince usually will lose by missing one shot or scratching on the 8-ball (but still hitting the 8-ball in). The fictional skill-level Vince has the money guy because he THINKS he's so good and can win.