Young people across Zimbabwe's suburbs have turned pocket billiards into their daily bread. Many jobless teens play pool or snooker not just for fun but as their main way to make money. These players spend fifty cents to start a game and place bets beginning at one dollar. The cash they earn helps them support themselves and their families despite never knowing exactly how much they'll win each day.
These pool sharks travel between different neighborhoods looking for fresh challengers willing to bet cash. Leeroy, just fifteen years old, became one of these players after his family couldn't pay for school fees or basic needs. He first picked up a cue stick as something fun to do when sitting around home but quickly learned he could earn money with his skills on the table.
Tinotenda Makarima, another young player from Glenview, explains how they move between locations because locals stop betting against someone who beats them regularly. This traveling strategy serves two purposes: finding people ready to gamble against them and improving their game through varied competition. Many players develop strong beliefs about their equipment, refusing to let others touch their special sticks because they fear bad luck might rub off.
Pool betting represents the only realistic income option for these teenagers. Some have completely abandoned their education after discovering talent at the billiards table. One player who preferred to remain anonymous mentioned failing at school studies before realizing his real abilities lay with pocket billiards. He takes pride in contributing to household expenses through his daily pool earnings despite lacking formal education or traditional employment.
These pool sharks travel between different neighborhoods looking for fresh challengers willing to bet cash. Leeroy, just fifteen years old, became one of these players after his family couldn't pay for school fees or basic needs. He first picked up a cue stick as something fun to do when sitting around home but quickly learned he could earn money with his skills on the table.
Tinotenda Makarima, another young player from Glenview, explains how they move between locations because locals stop betting against someone who beats them regularly. This traveling strategy serves two purposes: finding people ready to gamble against them and improving their game through varied competition. Many players develop strong beliefs about their equipment, refusing to let others touch their special sticks because they fear bad luck might rub off.
Pool betting represents the only realistic income option for these teenagers. Some have completely abandoned their education after discovering talent at the billiards table. One player who preferred to remain anonymous mentioned failing at school studies before realizing his real abilities lay with pocket billiards. He takes pride in contributing to household expenses through his daily pool earnings despite lacking formal education or traditional employment.
