How good is the average chess hustler?

Just out of curiosity, how good is the average chess hustler playing in a park or somewhere?

Don't quote but I think I remember reading they are something along the lines of 1600-1700 usfc.

Well if they are a hustler at chess they have to be pretty good lol otherwise they would hustle something esle lol.

I just quoted you.

An even better chess hustler is about at the 1100 level, and knows how to manipulate you into investing in his timeshare property after he loses.

I played two at Washington Square Park (one is in my avatar). I got 1/2 but I should have won both- was really low on time in the first game and I am very bad at blitz. The first was probably around 1800 skill, the second (whom I beat and who is in my avatar) was more like 1600 and I beat him easily.

I think (and I am biased) that I was definitely better at chess than both of them, but not necessarily blitz (since they both played very quick time controls, I think G5 or G10), which makes a difference

That squares with what I remember reading somewhere also.  Most are around the equivalent of a B class player USCF.  And no I don't remember where I read it.

I'd say they are good enough. That's what is about.

It depends on where you go .  I went to the cafe of Chess in Frankfurt Germany in the 80s and there were hustlers in there that were better than GMs at blitz . In fact , I was told by some Germans that Roman Dzindzihashvili had been there before and lost money ! I have also been told by a Russian GM that the hustlers in Moscow regularly beat known GMs at blitz for money and many of them have no rating at all as they dont play organized chess but are super strong blitz players . 

Hmmm, ok interesting. Seems like they should be alot better lol. I wish there was a chess park by me :( also, how often do they have dirty tricks with them as well? It just seems like they wouldnt be profiting if they were that low.

Dang, wow haha thats crazy. Good thing I live in the US lol

_Searching for Bobby Fischer_ (the book, not the movie) talks about a few IM and even GM-level players holding court in parks in LA (MacArthur Park) and NYC (Washington Square Park).  But this was back in the 80s.  Don't know what it's like now.

I guess 1600-1700 might be a good guess. I actually wonder how they survive...

I played three hustlers at Washington Square Park. I beat two of them. They played like 1500ers. The one I lost to told me he had an Elo of 2200 ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxKbs14r1qM&list=PLyypAtJbxVnB3yN3vn9_ebbT6s2xkhGW8

I have seen videos on youtube, and the ones in New York parks seem to have ratings of 1700-2000 USCF/FIDE. Even though these players are beatable, they often trash talk and cheat in order to increase their chances of winning. Some of the hustlers even have a temper, for example, in the video above one of them pushes the clock off of the table in a time scramble. 

Come on, that can't be true. It takes hours of study a day, a large opening repertoire, good understanding of opening, middle game, and endgame, and plenty of practice against really good players or coaches to be a GM.

If Paul Morphy couldn't make it to GM strength, then bullcrap that random hustlers in parks can be GMs without coaches or consistent study habits.

You were careful to say that it was at blitz and not slow time controls, and the GMs mentioned are not necessarily strong blitz GMs, but even still. A GM is a GM is a GM. Those stories have to be made up. If you saw some of them beat GMs at blitz, then I would still bet either the GMs were very distracted/casual or the hustlers were disguised GMs themselves, not just hustlers.

Blitz is not the same as normal chess... You can even see some 2400 blitz untitled players here recking GMs.

I don't have a hard time believing you and that Story! 😁

But, just how Good do You really think the Hustlers were? 

Did they have around 3000 in Rating?

Let's call the Chess Street Hustler you were takling about; The Hustler

If, The Hustler met Bobby Fischer at their both's Highest peak. Who do you think would Win?

😀😁😂😎

I really do Think there's People ETC. That is better at that thing then the Official World Record Holder for that Record! 

+

I Love This Thought BTW!

Best Regards!

There was a legendary hustler who took two knights in one move

Everything I've heard from multiple sources converging on a pretty consistent conclusion seems to indicate they are usually around 1500-1800, with a few hovering around 2000. If you get to 1500 USCF, you should be able to hold your own, and at 1800, you'll be able to defend yourself against them quite well. One area they have an advantage is just being utterly and completely comfortable in their environment. You and I are comfortable playing in our nice homes in a chair at a computer, or a well regulated tournament setting.

With them, you'll be playing in a chaotic environment on a shitty board with shitty pieces place all askew on the board and off kilter on the squares, noise, people watching, talking going on, distractions, weird, bizarre openings, playstyles and variables. If you are both 1600, you'd have to add in at least 100 pts advantage to the hustler just for environmental and psychological comfort (They play thousands of these games, daily, for years). I'm guessing at the 100 pts psychological factor but I am confident it's not too far off reality.