.- NOW there is no 3 cushion in the US. period.
I'm very fortunate to live in a mostly Hispanic city.
From where I come from originally (Venezuela and Colombia), it is 3 cushions all the way.
You can find halls with 20 3-C tables.
Regarding the top players I was referring to, I'm talking in POOL-land context.
Perhaps the term "World class player" was not the most appropriate.
But
Carlos Hallon might plays .800 now or recently, but he WAS a world class player in its heydays.
AFAIK, he was second place (or runner up) in a UMB World Championship (I may be wrong) What I know for sure is he was highly criticized in his country for representing USA instead.
Still he can give some serious ass whopping. (I can talk from first hand experience
)
Unfortunately, Diabetes, age and other problems have taken its toll.
Mercedes also used to be much more than what she is now. She now plays occasionally.
3 cushion is a very unforgiving discipline.