Pool Table

Eddie Felson has been a hustler all his young life. He travels all over the country to different pool halls and hustles young men there. Only one man is better than him - Minnesota Fats - and Eddie plans to beat him as well.

The pool table is symbolic of Eddie's way of life. He lives around the table, eating, drinking and playing all day and all night. Eddie has never known a different way, and he enjoys making easy money. As viewers see Eddie around the table, we also see him change and grow up.

Eddie finds truth around the table as well. He realizes after talking with Bert that he is his own biggest enemy. Eddie doesn't feel like he deserves to win against Minnesota Fats, so he gets drunk for an excuse to lose. In the end, Eddie comes back and plays Fats like...