To most people, pool is perceived as a game. Chicago shooter Marvin Guss views the sport as a work of art.

If you've ever been to an APA National Championship, you've probably run into Marvin Guss. Chances are good he was shootin' or smilin' at the time. Guss, a member of the APA in the Chicagoland area for the past six years, is an accomplished player with an impeccable reputation.    "To a lot of people, they view these types of competitions as purely that, and a lot of them are in it for the money," he said. "That's really not me. I love to watch games develop and see how other players approach the game and work magic on the table."

    He's worked a little magic himself, having beaten the likes of U.S. Amateur Champion (and Chicago resident) Henry Brodt and '98 Runner-Up Dan LaVoie. In fact, Guss is the person responsible for letting Brodt know what the Championship is all about and encouraging him to get involved.     Guss's prediction on the outcome in '99: "Balls roll funny for everyone; if they were to fall right I think I just might have a shot," he said.    He definitely has a shot. If Guss were to win this Championship, it would take one heck of a tranquilizer to bring him down. "Winning it all would be a dream come true, a real fantasy. That's the title I've been shooting at for years now, and if it were to happen I think I'd be smiling non-stop for a week."