What takes place in the Pool Hall? Why?

The Pool Hall in the summer was lively and full of black people, as they were not allowed to go to many other recreational areas. Many black men tried to out-brag and out-lie one another's tales of their youthful exploits, run-ins with the law, gun-fights and the like. The men spend most of their days being treated poorly. This is their chance to stand out among their equals.