Attitudes of high level players?

Hey Straight, I didn't know you were from WI. Where they heck about? I'm in Green Bay.

To answer your question. Through my experiences most of the top players in the state are not interested in helping anyone but themselves. And a few of them, like Kaufman and Lamar are down right *******. Currently the best player in the state is a very good friend of mine Billy-The-Kid. He has a small pool hall in Antigo, WI now. He would probably be my best recommendation for what you are asking for as far as the picking of his brain. He is wicked smart on a pool table and he is a very approachable guy who loves to help people with their game. I do have to warn you though his lifestyle is not something you want to follow. He lives the life of a hustler which is something I would not recommend.

Not sure if you will be at BCA state, but he will be there to try and 3 peat the masters division.

Mentor-Hands down mine was Eddie Taylor,For my money the best all round player that ever lived.He also had a wry sence of humor that at times he really got a point across and made it last

Top players in Houston right now are as good as I have seen in the 35 years I have been here some well known some not so much but all top players that have no problem with pros like Keith McCreddy ,Archer.Kid D,Even Earl the dancing chicken

Caution bad spelling ahead but some are--

Bobby pechecko

Billy Sharp

Rene Rendon

Kim White (WPBA

Javair Franco

Jeremy Jones

Charlie Bryant ---Hillbilly

Chris Young

Barry Strickland

Plus the road players that wouldnt want their name mentioned like a guy called Top Water??

They are all fine people

But I rem a question you answered for a guy a few yrs ago about a top players game being a guarded secret kind of thing We know in the 40s and 50s that was very true but today not so much

I think their problem today is just plain ego for the most part and I have never understood it .The contempt part is "I" dont play on those boxes so no one should

As far as a brain to pick I prob have most answers hidden away in mine if you have a small pair of tweezers The rest is kind of general and hard to throw a blanket answer over but im always home

indianjohn@yahoo.com I lost your real one a few years ago in my haven johnny profile

The problem you're having is because pool players will show you almost everything, except their strategy. Each individual player takes years developing their own strategy, as far as their shot selection and positioning. A lot of players feel their time is too valuable to waste it on someone trying to pick their brains, that's why they get paid for exhibitions, etc. The most valued advice I've ever gotten was from the older players. They might not play competitvely anymore, but their advice is just as valuable than the "touring pros". There are still people willing to give up their time for the game they love, but everyone else seems to be too busy these days. Good luck!

I really don't have an answer for you, reading Johnny's post and your question just makes me appreciate the game more and miss it more. I am the same age as Johnny but he and you are probably miles and miles ahead of my game. I assume that you are much younger and still have a lot of time, while I don't both in age and my work....but I would only tell you one thing....I learned to play Tennis late in life (36) and the Pro asked my how serious I was....I wanted to play amateur tournaments and be state rank....."well you are an old dog and you are going to have to learn new tricks"....I did learn them and eventually was......POINT here, is to never stop looking and learning, and you with out a doubt, appear to be doing that with this question....one of my biggest tip in Tennis came from a 15 year old.....so it doesn't really have to be from a "old timer" like Johnny....maybe even I could point out something...."watch, learn and listen"......with your level game, my response might be a little basic and maybe just a shade of insulting but I really don't think you really need anyone.....just your attitude and wanting to improve shows a lot and tells me a lot....just keep looking for ways to improve and the right person might just pop up....."don't be surprise if it ends up being yourself!"