Who is your pick to win the upcoming Turning Stone Classic VI 9-Ball Open?

[JAM]

Joe Tucker, though an author, inventor, and instructor, also packs a mean punch. Joe really impressed me a few weeks ago, coming in third place to Ginky and Allen Hopkins at the Ocean State Championship at Snookers in Providece, RI, and my eyes will be glued to his table next week. He's playing GREAT! He'll be the one to watch!

JAM

 

[JAM]

Here comes JOHNNY, from Georgia to New York, and what a year he's having so far. Snapping up the Glass City Open title, the Scorpion will be zeroed in on this $25,000-added event. Always a pleasure to see excellence and an American pool champion! Johnny is so nice to railbirds like me, allowing me to snap this picture with Keith. Johnny is truly an asset to this sport, and he'll go down in the history books as a gentleman player. He always takes time out to speak to his fans. He's one of the good guys!

JAM

 

[JAM]

Here's a picture of the homeboys in my neck of the woods, Mike Davis, Ryan "Genie Man" McCreesh, and Keith.

Ryan came in second place at the Turning Stone a year ago and is in his realm at his homestate of New York. Mike Davis is comfortable in a tournament setting and is another player who will be very tough to beat.

JAM

 

[JAM]

My pick is Thorsten Hohmann.

And yes, I am very pissed that I can't make it because he is one I have yet to see in person

I'm counting on you JAM for your great coverage as always

I'm bringing my laptop and will have no trouble hooking up. There is a business center right next door to the tournament room which has a HIGH-SPEED connection, too. This is going to be a great event, and I can't wait to get on the road again. I am so much looking forward to it.

Seems like just yesterday we were all hanging out in the "Hallway of Echos" there at the Turning Stone. That hallway was COOL! One of the BEST things I like about AzBilliards is getting the opportunity to meet people like you, Koop! You will be missed.

JAM

 

[bud green]

1. Johnny A
2. Mika
3. Kid D
4. Putnam

I'd still like Kim D to snap it off but I think he needs a little more time before he starts playing like the old kimmer.

 

[Koop]

That hallway was COOL! One of the BEST things I like about AzBilliards is getting the opportunity to meet people like you, Koop! You will be missed.

JAM

Yes it was JAM. I felt like my son walking through there all the time. He likes to hear his voice echo

Matt and I will see you in Valley Forge and like last time, tell Keith we'll have plenty of beverages

Koop

 

[iacas]

I'm picking Corey Deuel. But what do I know?

 

[stick8]

i GOT MY MONEY ON ARCHER AND COVERING ALL [stick}

 

[JAM]

This is a hard pick, this tournament. I have a feeling the super stars of today, like Thorsten Hohmann, Mika Immonen, Corey Deuel, and Johnny Archer will all rise to the top. Shawn Putnam played EXCELLENT at the last Joss/Turning Stone event, and he'll be there giving it his all, believe me. Danny "Kid Delicious" Basavich is due for a big win, but that casino evironment with all of its ding-ding-dings, bells, and whistles can be VERY distracting for a few of my FAVORITE players.

You never know what game the veteran players will bring, and recently, I've witnessed a couple of them play phenomenally. I mean eye-opening and mouth-dropping match-ups, shots that most can only dream about, i.e., Kim Davenport, Allen Hopkins, George "Ginky" Sansouci, and Mike Zuglan. These gentlemen have shot so many balls in their lifetime that they don't have to practice every day to play well, but when they do practice and get in stroke, be prepared for them to snatch a championship every now and then. They're bred for it, these thoroughbreds, and the closer they get to the winner's circle, the better they play.

There are some dark horses in this race, Tommy "Shorty" D'Alphonso (just off a long road trip and in dead punch), Joe Tucker (breaking and racking expertise, also in stroke), and though Dennis Hatch certainly is not a dark horse, I think sometimes his name gets shoved under the rug because he's not a frequent flier on the tournament trail these days, but definitely a New York favorite.

So there you have it, my tout sheet! Remember, you heard it here first!

JAM