Jonathan Smith at Turning Stone

Jude Rosenstock

Jude Rosenstock

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I'd just like to take a moment to congratulate Jonathan Smith on an outstanding finish. For those of you that have never heard of him, he is a photographer by trade, father of twin-sons and has been a fixture in the New York City pool scene since he re-emerged back in 1990. All of us in New York City have known him to be a great player but because he frequently passes on many of the major tournaments, he is not as known as many of our other greats. However, as unknown as he may be, I have never known a single professional player who didn't sneak a smile after taking a match from him. He's tough and the list below only shows how tough he is After losing his second match, he went on to beat the following players:

Joe Tucker
Danny Hewitt
Danny Basavich
Dave Varano
John Fernandes
Raj Hundal
Hong Vongxay

Once again, congratulations! I expect some great stories when you return, sir!
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
I'd just like to take a moment to congratulate Jonathan Smith on an outstanding finish. For those of you that have never heard of him, he is a photographer by trade, father of twin-sons and has been a fixture in the New York City pool scene since he re-emerged back in 1990. All of us in New York City have known him to be a great player but because he frequently passes on many of the major tournaments, he is not as known as many of our other greats. However, as unknown as he may be, I have never known a single professional player who didn't sneak a smile after taking a match from him. He's tough and the list below only shows how tough he is After losing his second match, he went on to beat the following players:

Joe Tucker
Danny Hewitt
Danny Basavich
Dave Varano
John Fernandes
Raj Hundal
Hong Vongxay

Once again, congratulations! I expect some great stories when you return, sir!
Click to expand...


Tap! tap! tap!


Well done.
 
Right on, Jude. Congratulations to Jonathan.

I know Jonathan would be very popular among the old timers on the board.

Last spring, in a straight pool event at Amsterdam Billiard Club, all of us wondered which of our two local straight pool worldbeaters would walk away with the title, Tony Robles or Dan Barouty? The answer was, of course, neither as Jonathan Smith took out both of them en route to the title, including 102 and out against Robles.

Jonathan is a solid one pocket player, too, and I used to watch him sparring with Johnny Ervolino years ago.

In short, Jonathan plays all the games and plays all of them well.
 
Jude it was very kind of you to write such a nice post. Thanks for telling those of us that didn't know, just who Jonathan is. :)

SJM, thanks for the story. ;)

Jonathan, congrats on a good tournament!
 
I was going to start up a thread about Jonathan too!

Congratulations to Jonathan. A hell of a guy, and a hell of a player. He's one of the people I learn most from when I'm sweating matches at Amsterdam. Not only from his play at the table, but his conduct as well. Well done!
 
Hi jude, I think it was a great idea to post your note about Jonathan. I not only have to say that jonathan is a very good players in all games, but also a very good teacher. I have seen him teach and also have taken classes from him myself. He is very patient and knows what the pool players need to improve their games.
Cheers for Jonathan and we keep waiting for more!!!!!
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
I'd just like to take a moment to congratulate Jonathan Smith on an outstanding finish. For those of you that have never heard of him, he is a photographer by trade, father of twin-sons and has been a fixture in the New York City pool scene since he re-emerged back in 1990. All of us in New York City have known him to be a great player but because he frequently passes on many of the major tournaments, he is not as known as many of our other greats. However, as unknown as he may be, I have never known a single professional player who didn't sneak a smile after taking a match from him. He's tough and the list below only shows how tough he is After losing his second match, he went on to beat the following players:

Joe Tucker
Danny Hewitt
Danny Basavich
Dave Varano
John Fernandes
Raj Hundal
Hong Vongxay

Once again, congratulations! I expect some great stories when you return, sir!
Click to expand...

Tap, Tap, an absolute gentleman on the table and a pleasure to watch, always forward Johnathan.
 
Jonathan is a great player! He also often plays in Jean Balukas' tournament on Thursdays at Hall of Fame Billiards. I had always seen Jonathan play at Amsterdams and at the Open tournaments with the Tri State tour, but the day I really got to see him play was back in 02 I think when Danny Barouty held an invitational Straight Pool tournament at Carom Cafe.

Anyway, good for Jonathan and though some may not know who he is, I'm sure that they've seen, unbeknownst to them, some of the great pictures that Jonathan has taken!
 
When I moved to NYC 8 years ago, I knew of only three top players in the area: Ginky, Tony, and Jon. I didn't know any of them personally, and they certainly didn't know me, lol.

On my second or third very lonely night hanging out by myself at Amsterdam East, I saw Jonathan at the bar. I remember the rest like it was yesterday - I got up my courage and introduced myself to him. I told him I had seen him play Ginky some one-pocket at a tournament somewhere, and he was giving him a good game. At that point in my life, there was pretty much no difference between Ginky and Superman, so here I was, asking a guy that could keep up with him to show me the ropes around Manhattan. I was very nervous.

Anyway, Jon was kind enough to play me, a total stranger, for nothing. As the days and weeks passed, he introduced me to basically everyone in the NY pool scene, and for that and many other things I will always be forever grateful to him.

Eight years later, we've had some incredible matches, in tournaments, leagues, and practice. I remember a game to 150 where I was beating him something like 142-23. He shut me down, and a couple beautiful innings later, I was shaking his hand in congratulations. In another memorable game, I beat him 150-143... in two innings.

You'd be hard-pressed to find someone in Manhattan with more heart than Jonny. It has been my pleasure to know him all these years and to consider him such a good friend.

- Steve
 
Cheers

A job well done, Jonathan, congratulations.

Your tenacity during tournament play, and your depth of knowledge has finally paid off. I sweated your action by telephone as I was in the poconos, getting hourly updates on your progress.

For those who don't know, NO ONE deserves this more than Jonathan. He for years has taken a back seat to such new york notables as ginky, robles and barouty, but like SJM said, he can beat anyone in the world at any given time at straight pool and has finally gained his overdue notariety at 9ball.

I can't wait to see you SHOCK the world at the 14.1 world straight pool championships. You deserved your invite and I will be routing you through that event.

Cheers again.

Randy
 
Thanks to Jude for starting this thread.
I have to admit that although this guy seemed to be playing very well I had no clue who he was. Obviously a true threat and to make it even better, a great person to boot.

Best of luck,
Koop
 
I kept noticing

his name in the brackets too, and wondered who he is. Obviously, one of the unsung great players that exist in our sport. And when I say great, I mean skill, attitude, sportsmanship, and just a real nice person. He, obviously is all of those. Congratulations Jonathon...
 
thanks again

I am truly humbled by all of your kind words which give me the resolve to play better.
Jonathan Lockwood Smith
 
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