NYC pool vs. all of America

[malm16]

I'm posting this to perhaps start a discussion about NYC players compared to the rest of America. From my own point-of-view, I think there are a ton of good players in NYC, and a chock full of pro's, open's and world class. However, I feel that despite the high level of game play, I feel that a lot of players' potential are hindered by the lack of "real" or "serious" competition. Action is low, tournaments are few and weak, and all in all, players don't get themselves involved enough. But seeing that I'm still pretty novice to the game, and have not gotten around enough to see competition from around the country, I'm not too adament in saying all this, so I'd like to hear from other people.

I'd like to get the insight of players from all around the country (as well as NYers) who would be familiar with the differences in games, style, technique, etc. of their own region and/or that of NYC or even all around the country. For instance, I hear often that Kentucky is the Bank Pool capital of the world. That's awesome! I'd like to know what identity NYC has that would be give it a well-known label.

Please feel free to explain yourself in matters of (but aren't limited to): gameplay, pros-amateurs, 9Ball, One Pocket, Rooms, tournaments, culture, social scene, action, etc. etc.

It'd be nice to hear what the rest of America thinks of pool in NYC--or even what NYers think of themselves.

Thanks for reading. Peace.

 

[jimmy-leggs]

there should be good tallent out of n.y. area.theres only a bijillion people there.

 

[Steve Lipsky]

My opinion is we're pretty weak at the top, stronger in the middle. For a city of about 8 million, we have 2 legitimate pro-level players (Tony and Ginky), one of whom hasn't been competing much in the last five years or so. We have a transplanted pro (Mika), who sometimes spends time here but not that much anymore. We have Danny Barouty, who for the most part only competes at 14.1.

At a level below that, we have 10 or so guys who play pretty damned strong. All in all, that's really not that many people.

We are loaded with C to A players, so our depth is pretty strong. But I would have to say we are pretty weak on any kind of a world stage.

- Steve

 

[CrownCityCorey]

I'm posting this to perhaps start a discussion about NYC players compared to the rest of America. From my own point-of-view, I think there are a ton of good players in NYC, and a chock full of pro's, open's and world class. However, I feel that despite the high level of game play, I feel that a lot of players' potential are hindered by the lack of "real" or "serious" competition. Action is low, tournaments are few and weak, and all in all, players don't get themselves involved enough.

That describes California as well.

It is highly probable that all states/regions are like this.

 

[cuesrus]

My opinion is we're pretty weak at the top, stronger in the middle. For a city of about 8 million, we have 2 legitimate pro-level players (Tony and Ginky), one of whom hasn't been competing much in the last five years or so. We have a transplanted pro (Mika), who sometimes spends time here but not that much anymore. We have Danny Barouty, who for the most part only competes at 14.1.

At a level below that, we have 10 or so guys who play pretty damned strong. All in all, that's really not that many people.

We are loaded with C to A players, so our depth is pretty strong. But I would have to say we are pretty weak on any kind of a world stage.

- Steve

I would like to add Frankie Hernandez to our list of pro level players. I think he still lives in NY? When he plays well, he is tough to beat...

 

[instroke75]

florida would have to be the strongest state for pool players right now,(though i admit most of them are not from Fl, we are still loaded top to bottom!)

 

[Koopa]

florida would have to be the strongest state for pool players right now,(though i admit most of them are not from Fl, we are still loaded top to bottom!)

Agreed. We have tons of good players in the state. I'm not sure how they rank against the top players in NYC or Cali, but there are lots of top notch players in Miami, Tampa, Orlando and probably a bunch further north.

 

[DeadPoked]

I think Texas is probably one of the strongest states for shortstop A level players. It doesn't seem to produce many top pro's though.

 

[Johnnyt]

One of the big reasons NY, CA, and others don't have many top pro's is because they are too expensive to live in. Rents are too high for most pro players a afford. Johnnyt

 

[thrasher789]

I would like to add Frankie Hernandez to our list of pro level players. I think he still lives in NY? When he plays well, he is tough to beat...

Can't forget Saez either, unless I have my info wrong.

 

[Steve Lipsky]

One of the big reasons NY, CA, and others don't have many top pro's is because they are too expensive to live in. Rents are too high for most pro players a afford. Johnnyt

Johnny, I've never thought of that, but you are absolutely right. Now that you said it, it seems so obvious.

And Thrasher, it's been years since Robb Saez lived in Connecticut. He's been in Florida as far as I know for awhile.

 

[Johnnyt]

Johnny, I've never thought of that, but you are absolutely right. Now that you said it, it seems so obvious.

And Thrasher, it's been years since Robb Saez lived in Connecticut. He's been in Florida as far as I know for awhile.

Yes Robb is down here in Florida. He plays out of Capone's in Spring Hill. Johnnyt

 

[Travis Bickle]

I've got to wonder how many $1,000 sets get played here when everybody who doesn't live with Mom or have 5 roommates has got to find at least that much every month to keep from living in a cardboard box. And forget the backseat of the car ... who's got one?

 

[pwd72s]

Hey, we all know that NOTHING happens west of the Hudson River, right?

 

[thrasher789]

Johnny, I've never thought of that, but you are absolutely right. Now that you said it, it seems so obvious.

And Thrasher, it's been years since Robb Saez lived in Connecticut. He's been in Florida as far as I know for awhile.

I'm an idiot

I remembred reading about him playing out of New York in "Playing off the Rail" and thought I had read an article about him recently that talked about him being in New York, my mistake.

 

[caromkidd42]

I may be mistaken but I think Joey Korsiak lives in NY and then you can't count out the women, two come to mind- Jennifer Baretta and up and comer Liz Ford who plays out of W. Hempstead. Charlie Williams was at a time from NY as well, but I think he is another Florida transplant.

 

[Travis Bickle]

I'm not sure how long it's been since Saez left the NYC scene. Seems he was a regular around Master's at the Monday tourney a few years ago when I played in it some. I remember clearly him muttering one night, after getting knocked out early, "My time will come." A few months after that -- winter of '03-04 maybe? -- he started winning some stuff ...

 

[instroke75]

I'm not sure how long it's been since Saez left the NYC scene. Seems he was a regular around Master's at the Monday tourney a few years ago when I played in it some. I remember clearly him muttering one night, after getting knocked out early, "My time will come." A few months after that -- winter of '03-04 maybe? -- he started winning some stuff ...

he's been at Capones since at least the middle of 05, i played in an amateur tourney their, and him and Rodney were practicing on the side all night!

 

[bud green]

Kid Delicious is in Jersey - I thought Jose Garcia was from the NY or Jersey area,too.

Kid isn't currently competing again yet but will be soon and is definately a pro level player.

 

[VIProfessor]

Kid Delicious is in Jersey - I thought Jose Garcia was from the NY or Jersey area,too.

Kid isn't currently competing again yet but will be soon and is definately a pro level player.

Another top player out of the NY/NJ area that hasn't been mentioned yet is Al Lapena. Back in '99, on my first pool trip to NYC, I got in with Alex Lely against him in the Golden Q just after Lely had beaten Efren or Bustamante at the International Challenge of Champions. Ginky told us not to put him in agains Lapena, but we said "Hell, this guy just came from barbecueing Efren--we like our chances. Who the hell is this guy Al Lapena anyway? Sounds like a pepper or something!" Well--we got some pepper that night, and we damned sure found out who was Al Lapena! He kept putting that Filipino sh*t on our boy 'til he shot him right into a coma. After a couple sets and $4K of beating, Alex couldn't make a ball!

Also, don't leave out Flaco Rodriquez and Spanish Pete! Flaco can hang with damn near anybody in one hole and straights, and Pete has won a few Joss stops and has taken down some top guns along the way.