Mind the Hustlers, Please.

In Washington Square Park, love of the game may cost you.

Thursday's New York Times contained some welcoming advice to college freshmen on things to avoid in NYC, including: falling asleep on the subway, public urination, swimming in the East River, and (our favorite), playing chess with hustlers in Washington Square Park.

Don't play chess for money with the hustlers in Washington Square Park. As they are hustlers, they will take your money. Also, you could be hit with a summons for unlawful gambling and sent to the criminal courts, where a judge would determine what you owe, according to Jama Adams, a spokeswoman for the city's Parks Department.

Of course, we can only assume it's okay to play with the hustlers in Tompkins Square Park.


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