I'm really glad we got to a topic in this thread that REALLY interests me. That is, as a sociologist, the CULTURE of gambling and pool fascinates me. It strikes me as interesting the way the roles in the culture play themselves out. For example, you have a guy who is otherwise unremarkable - working class guy who drives a truck and struggles to get by. However, place him in a pool hall, with a cue - say a Ronnie Allen type - and his status is slightly above president.
To get to my point, the whole "heart" thing with gambling is funny. On the one hand, if you take a risk and it pays off, you've got stones. Do the same thing and scratch, its stupid. The other thing that is noteworthy is this whole romanticization of "going off." Likely just part of the larger gambling culture, it does not make a whole lot of sense. I mean, don't get me wrong, I like watching players wear their heart on their sleeve and bet it up, but what happens later is interesting - later on, they are somehow ascribed some abilities or talent for pool and gambling based on the fact that they LOST a lot of money.
At any rate, we romanticize gambling and life on the road. Truth is, even for the very few who do it and the even fewer who succeed, it's a bitch. We remember and tell stories only about the good parts.