Article from the Quad City Times dated August 05, 2006
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Racking up a comeback
By S.A. Thornbloom - Saturday, August 05, 2006
Pool, or billiards, has a reputation that travels down dark alley ways to seedy and smoky saloons.
Only recently has the game left the back rooms of bars to be illuminated by the television spotlights of popularity comparable to what is occurring today with poker and darts.
Local professional billiard player Jon Kucharo has known both the dark and light side of pool. He has shined in the spotlight as a top amateur and professional player and has been enveloped by the darkness of the game.
“I got out of the game for a while a few years ago because I became frustrated with the money I was making and some other personal problems,” Kucharo said.
Oddly, though, the problems he said he had weren’t directly tied to playing the game. It was more because he wasn’t playing competitively.
“I had come home and tried to open a pool room here and get into the business side of pool, selling tables and equipment. Unfortunately, it didn’t succeed, and I developed a drinking problem,” said the 30-year-old Bettendorf resident.
But then one day Kucharo realized the reason for his drinking problem was because he missed competing in the game.
Kucharo said when he was at the top of his game — he was No. 2 in the world in 2002 — he never drank. He had seen the effects of mixing pool and alcohol from his days of learning and honing his skills while growing up in the pool rooms around the Quad-Cities.
“It could get pretty bad watching or playing against guys who drank when they played,” said Kucharo, who has quit drinking now that he is back playing.
“But I did (drink) when I stopped (playing), and it’s now strange to think it was because I wasn’t playing that led me down that dark road.”
Kucharo said he also doesn’t gamble or “hustle” the game anymore. In fact, he hasn’t for years.
“I’m too recognized now to play against someone in a bar for money. Besides there’s so much money out there to be earned on the professional circuit.”
As far as that circuit, Kucharo is making a comeback of sorts.
“I’m a competitor and looking forward to playing the game again at a high competitive level,” he said.
He has earned his card again as a member of the International Pool Tour and recently participated in an invitational 8-ball event in Las Vegas, July 22-28, where he finished tied for 37th out of 200 players and earned $10,000.
And what happened in Vegas didn’t necessarily stay there as Kucharo was able to bring back home a few lessons.
“Large tournaments, like the one in Vegas, help me become stronger mentally, and I’m able to bring home a few psychological notes,” said Kucharo, who has played in tournaments around the world and has been on ESPN 10 times.
“Believe it or not, playing in a large round-robin tournament also requires a lot of stamina and concentration.”
Kucharo said that’s why he practices 6-to-8 hours a day on one of the three tables he has in his Bettendorf home.
“Just like any sport or game, you have to put in the work to gain the prize,” he said.
Kucharo is practicing for a another IPT 8-ball tournament in Reno, Nev., Sept. 2-10, where the total purse is $3 million. He’s also gearing up for the U.S. Open of Pool in Chesapeake, Va., Sept. 25-Oct. 1, offerig first prize of $500,000.
Now ranked 37th in the world, he’s confident that he’ll once again see the light of success as a top-ranked player.
“It’s like I was born to play, and today it is my only addiction.”
Contact the sports desk at (563) 383-2285 or sports@qctimes.com.
-----------------------------------------------------
Racking up a comeback
By S.A. Thornbloom - Saturday, August 05, 2006
Pool, or billiards, has a reputation that travels down dark alley ways to seedy and smoky saloons.
Only recently has the game left the back rooms of bars to be illuminated by the television spotlights of popularity comparable to what is occurring today with poker and darts.
Local professional billiard player Jon Kucharo has known both the dark and light side of pool. He has shined in the spotlight as a top amateur and professional player and has been enveloped by the darkness of the game.
“I got out of the game for a while a few years ago because I became frustrated with the money I was making and some other personal problems,” Kucharo said.
Oddly, though, the problems he said he had weren’t directly tied to playing the game. It was more because he wasn’t playing competitively.
“I had come home and tried to open a pool room here and get into the business side of pool, selling tables and equipment. Unfortunately, it didn’t succeed, and I developed a drinking problem,” said the 30-year-old Bettendorf resident.
But then one day Kucharo realized the reason for his drinking problem was because he missed competing in the game.
Kucharo said when he was at the top of his game — he was No. 2 in the world in 2002 — he never drank. He had seen the effects of mixing pool and alcohol from his days of learning and honing his skills while growing up in the pool rooms around the Quad-Cities.
“It could get pretty bad watching or playing against guys who drank when they played,” said Kucharo, who has quit drinking now that he is back playing.
“But I did (drink) when I stopped (playing), and it’s now strange to think it was because I wasn’t playing that led me down that dark road.”
Kucharo said he also doesn’t gamble or “hustle” the game anymore. In fact, he hasn’t for years.
“I’m too recognized now to play against someone in a bar for money. Besides there’s so much money out there to be earned on the professional circuit.”
As far as that circuit, Kucharo is making a comeback of sorts.
“I’m a competitor and looking forward to playing the game again at a high competitive level,” he said.
He has earned his card again as a member of the International Pool Tour and recently participated in an invitational 8-ball event in Las Vegas, July 22-28, where he finished tied for 37th out of 200 players and earned $10,000.
And what happened in Vegas didn’t necessarily stay there as Kucharo was able to bring back home a few lessons.
“Large tournaments, like the one in Vegas, help me become stronger mentally, and I’m able to bring home a few psychological notes,” said Kucharo, who has played in tournaments around the world and has been on ESPN 10 times.
“Believe it or not, playing in a large round-robin tournament also requires a lot of stamina and concentration.”
Kucharo said that’s why he practices 6-to-8 hours a day on one of the three tables he has in his Bettendorf home.
“Just like any sport or game, you have to put in the work to gain the prize,” he said.
Kucharo is practicing for a another IPT 8-ball tournament in Reno, Nev., Sept. 2-10, where the total purse is $3 million. He’s also gearing up for the U.S. Open of Pool in Chesapeake, Va., Sept. 25-Oct. 1, offerig first prize of $500,000.
Now ranked 37th in the world, he’s confident that he’ll once again see the light of success as a top-ranked player.
“It’s like I was born to play, and today it is my only addiction.”
Contact the sports desk at (563) 383-2285 or sports@qctimes.com.
The article wouldn't read nearly as well if it said, now ranked 253rd in the world. Also that might be where he is ranked in the IPT "world" and that may be where the reference came from.
