Why does bigger deliberately slice docs pool table cloth?

Bigger is putting on a show o9f his masculinity at Doc's pool hall. Bigger pulls a knife. Doc has continued laughing even as Jack and GH are horrified. When Doc sees the knife, he more forcefully warns Bigger to behave himself and Gus soon flees the scene, but not before hurling a billiard ball at Bigger. The ball smacks into his wrist and after Jack and GH desert Bigger, effectively ending his membership in their "gang," Bigger ends the scene by slicing the green felt of Doc's pool table. Doc promises to shoot Bigger the next time he enters the establishment.