Where are the new 3-cushion players coming from?

dogloose

dogloose

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
In Houston, the answer is clear...

The other day I was playing with my friend Jay Karahan at Bida Goodays where a recent tournament was held. On one of the tables was a group of 4 young men having a raucous time. Although they looked barely old enough to order a beer, they were drinking and playing three cushion... and really were laughing and pointing after every shot... hit or miss! While they didn't yet demonstrate any skill or finesse two things were certain: they understood the basics and could make points, and most of all they really enjoyed playing. If that enthusiasm persists the next generation of top players could emerge from a group like them.

Oh... did I mention they were Vietnamese? Yeah... that's where the new 3-cushion players may come from.

Doug Deitel, Publisher, 3-Cushion Billiards
 
I noticed a few new faces, and obvious new players last time i was at us billiards, seen them a few times now, maybe theyre getting hooked like i did

hitting way to hard,jumping up right on the hit etc etc

but having alot of fun, actually scoring a few points with the basic first shots everyone learns
and seemed to be enjoying themselves,
mexican america young adults
 
The growth of 3-Cushion in the US will depend on the continued introduction of new young players to the game... that is entirely dependent on access to a table... and that is why Houston has such potential. There are many places to play and more than 40 top quality 10' heated tables to play on... very few cities elsewhere can make that claim.

Clearly the Vietnamese community is a likely group from which new players will emerge, as most of the Houston rooms are owned by a Vietnamese proprietor. But beneath_the_sur is correct... there is also strong support in the Hispanic community including players from both Mexico and Colombia...

The recent tournament at Goodays... a handicapped event.. was won by Jorge Gonzalez (Colombian) who beat Cong Nguyen (Vietnamese)...

Paul Frankel (aka Professor-Q-Ball) has sponsored youth events at the Super Billiards Expo... but once a year is certainly not enough to sustain real growth...

Does anyone know of any other places where younger players can get started? Are there any real outreach programs to recruit our next generation?
 
Trust me if I could afford it I'd have my own room 5 billiard tables and 5 pool tables, atleast one of each in a small size for the youngsters

I'd also introduce youngsters/anyone to the small games first as going from pool right to 3c can be a bit daunting a task for some ,even more for children


My two are getting started early on billiards pool later when old enough to take to the pool hall
 
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I believe 3kushin had a thread on this very topic in the main forum, comes down to culture I believe

Most Americans snoff at a table without pockets,if they've ever even heard of such a thing

It'll be hard to turn the general pool playing public on to billiards, much easier to do with seasoned pool players that really learn how to play and have a passion for hitting ball's around

as apposed to the general pool playing population that simply slap the balls around with elevated cues and only know and play bar rules 8 ball

It will take generations of raising children and getting them disciplined on tables early, then I think we will have junior freegame tournaments with kids in vests that display the class, elegance and respect they show for carom in Europe or any other place in the world Carom has been forgotten

But I doubt we'll get there, and that's OK not everyone needs to play 3c not everyone is built to love the finesse involved or the hard work it takes to attain such skill/knowledge

Just my 2 cents
 
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Last Sunday at Drexeline Billiards in Philly, I had the pleasure of playing with an 11 year old named Ivo. He came over and introduced himself and asked if he could play with me. He is a pool player and wanted to learn how to play 3 cushion.

We started with some basic shots and was thrilled when he made them as was I. I taught him a banking system and he caught right on. If someone with teaching skills better than mine took this young man under his wing, he could be something special. He has as much natural ability as I have ever seen in a young man.

As a side note:

Bill Smith is the only /Instructor/Top player that will hold a 3C clinic for just the cost of His expenses in the USA.

He came to Philly a few months back, it was very informative with having him show us the proper concept and techniques to allow ALL levels of players to attempt to play position to elevate one's game to their own abilities.

He helped me a great deal, Thanks Bill.
 
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