Wow, what a thread. And I was just gonna post the results of the Ten Ball tourney at Hollywood Billiards. It will have to wait.
First of all, I have to agree with Watchez and The Saw. Jon Kucharo WAS a great player! He had it all, and then some. The biggest break, the best shot making, deft cue ball control, most powerful stroke, etc. etc. And he LOVED to practice. He was on a fast train, headed for the top.
But somehow that train got derailed, and a promising career that had already garnered titles, money and even Mosconi Cup fame, went down the drain. At 23-24 years old, Jon was on the cusp of stardom. Within a year or two, he was nowhere to be found.
I guess it happens in all sports. A great young talent comes along and for one reason or another, they fall by the wayside. The two best I've seen this happen to in pool, are Jon Kucharo and Michael Coltrain. Two great players and where are they now. Only heard from on an internet forum.
I did see and talk to Jon in Vegas. We have always been on good terms. He looked quite a bit different, much larger than the thin lad I remembered. I almost didn't recognize him when he said hello to me. He told me he was in town looking for action and I wished him luck. We were sitting in the pro arena, and I couldn't help but wonder how it felt to be a spectator now, when he had been a star once.
As far as this public woofing on here, all I can say is that the internet is part of the fabric of our culture. And a pool player/hustler who is any good uses whatever means are available to make games. In the old days, a pool player was like a one man road show. He had to be able to come into town and drum up action. I have personally seen Ronnie Allen go into a bar in a small town, where he was told no one ever plays for more than a drink.
Before the night was over, nearly everyone in the bar is betting and Ronnie walks out with well over a thousand in his pocket. And they were asking when he would be back. Now that's a pool hustler! So I definitely won't fault John Schmidt for trying to make a game on here. WHY NOT! If he thinks it will help him get down with Kucharo, then I think he's pretty smart. 2008, I like John's end of it a lot. At any game!
Every player finds the tricks that work for him. Schmitty ain't going anywhere! These Action Challenges seem to be enriching him quite nicely in case you hadn't noticed. And John knows quite well who to woof at and who to leave alone. He picks his spots rather nicely I think. And he can come with it when he has too, see Danny Harriman, no slouch himself.
I think I'll just follow John around and bet on him when he plays. Oh, I guess I've already done that too.
