I came across a discussion centered on pool cues.
The question on what cue does Efren Reyes, aka The Magician, use came up.
Truth be told, this is a very popular topic among pool players and enthusiasts.
Everyone is curious as to what type of cue Efren uses. Believe you me, everyone.
I remember doing some posts in the past about the pool cues of the BCA Hall of Famer.
Though penned in 2008, the articles are informative reads,
especially for those who really wish to know more
about Efren’s cues, his habits, and more.
I went over the articles of interest, including one from a friend.
I then edited a few bits and pieces for clarity and combined them into one post.
The words and thoughts of friends who contributed to the article are presented verbatim.
The only items missing are the pictures I used for the article,
which are unavailable due to Photobucket restrictions.
Boy! What I would give to have those pictures back.
I hope you like the post, friends.
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Pool Cues of Efren Bata Reyes
Meucci
Efren was under contract with Meucci in the 1990’s as seen in an interview
from Billiards Digest done on October 3, 1997.
He states that it was 21 oz. and 13 mm. But there are claims in AZBilliards
that he had his Meucci tapered down to 12.5 by Judd Fuller.
He played with the Meucci in the Color of Money - race to 120, which he won,
against Earl Strickland aka The Pearl. If you haven’t seen The Color of Money yet,
you are missing a lot friends! And I kid you not!
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Pampanga cue
This cue was made by Jesus “Jessy” Bundalian, as per Linds,
a good friend of mine and a popular cue maker in the Philippines,
in his site's about page.
It was what Efren used when he won the 1999 World Pool Championship in Cardiff, Wales!
If you are from the Pool Capital of the World, you’d probably remember
Efren holding that cuestick in his life-sized San Miguel Beer posters.
Apparently, there is another local cue that Efren used
before the “Jessy” or “Jessie” cue; it was made by someone named “Boyet.”
More on Boyet later.
An article also claims that Efren’s cue is more than 20 years old,
was bought for roughly $10, and was offered $10,000 for it but he refused it
– though I’m just not sure if it’s the “Boyet” or the “Jessy.”
The “Jessy” cue later developed a rattle and was sold to a collector.
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Aylwin Tan talked to pool cuemaker Ronnie Powell about the QP Cue,
and more interesting info comes from JoeyInCali,
who credits US-based Filipino cuemaker Joey Bautista with the quotes.
QP Cue:
With regard to the QP cue, the pool cue was made by cuemaker Ronnie Powell
and loaned it to Efren Bata Reyes on the understanding that World Pool Champion would use it to play in competition.
According to Ronnie Powell, Efren Reyes normally takes one to two months
to get used to a new cue fully but he could not find the time in between competitions
to get accustomed to it, so apparently Efren has never used it in competition.
Update as of September 2008: My good friend, Aylwin Tan,
has been informed by Ronnie Powell that Efren Reyes has been seen
using the QP in different competitions since he took delivery of it.
And lest I forget, the picture showing Ronnie Powell with Efren Reyes posing with the QP cue is owned by Ronnie Powell.
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More on Efren’s pool cues:
(JoeyInCali crediting Joey Bautista with the quotes)
Efren Bata Reyes likes his cues' tip to be as high as his moustache.
His Jessie cue seemed longer though - 61".
His Judd cues have never been 60"; all 59" and none weighed near the Jessie cue.
Efren played with a JT-1. The Magician used it sparingly with the Jessie right after
he quit using Meucci. In fact, when he ran that 9 racks on Busta
at the World 9-Ball the year he won it (1999), he alternated the Jessie and Judd.
Efren then started using his friend Alex Laoingco's fancy ebony
with ivory points Judd (but he used his older JT 1 shaft ) in 2004 iirc.
Reyes won two (2) Derby Classics with that cue,
which he later sold to a very wealthy collector in Dubai.
Efren also used a fancy Linds cue. JoeyInCali bought it from Efren
and is now the proud owner of the cue.
At this point in time, Efren Reyes is currently going back and forth with that Mezz and Judd.
Before Efren started using the famous Jessie cue, the BCA Hall of Famer
played with another locally made cue. According to my good friend,
Rodolfo “Boy Samson” Luat, it was made by a man named Boyet. In 1994,
Efren Reyes won the US Open with the Jessie cue!
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More from JoeyInCali
What's not known by many is Efren Reyes and his manager, Rolando Vicente,
one time had dinner with Gus Szamboti. Gus offered Reyes a cue
and Efren turned it down.
Efren also at one time had a GINACUE. Ernie told me this himself.
Ernie told me this during a UPA event at the Bike Casino in 2005 ii.
The one where Efren lost to Gabe Owen in the semis.
Ernie told me the cue was stolen. I did some investigation and I won't mention
who supposedly stole it and sold it in Japan.
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Now, the Judd JT-1 pool cue:
What is so special about the JT-1? That is probably the cue he uses
for the longest time. Nothing except Efren Reyes likes his cues wrapless.
Or if it's wrapped, he likes it sprayed. I (JoeyinCalil) asked him one time
why he likes it wrapless. Don't laugh. He showed me how lightly he holds the cue.
He said if the cue was wrapped, he might hold it the way Americans do,
tightly-held. Efren literally lets the cue slide off his grip hand when shooting.
Efren Reyes' road manager/best friend Alex Laoingco is a great friend of Judd Fuller.
Judd Fuller used to live near Riverside, California where Alex lives.
Judd was the one who retapered Efren's Meucci shaft.
After Efren's contract with Meucci expired, Judd gave Efren that JT1.
Efren has been offered cues by so many American cuemakers.
Two claimed (and with photos) Efren used their cues.
But, I (JoeyinCali) have yet to see Efren use them.
Efren was talked into using a Mezz cue by Mika as far as I know.
Charlie Williams tried having Efren use Predator shafts/cues.
But, Efren has not used Pred as far as I know. It doesn't work for his backhand english style.
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And what happened to the Judd JT-1 pool cue?
The Judd JT1 used by Efren Reyes is now with one of his kumpadres.
Efren gave the cue to my good friend, Glen Capacio, who used to play
professional basketball in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
“It is an honor to use the cue of the greatest poolplayer ever,” says Glen.
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The truth is, you can probably hand Efren a mop handle to shoot pool with
and he would still beat us. Yup! He uses what feels right to him,
sometimes surprisingly he switches cues or shafts in the middle of racks.
He could make a ton of money endorsing a particular brand
but if it does not feel right for him it might just affect his game.
In addition, Efren is also a superstitious person,
he will let go of a cue if he feels it has become unlucky.
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PIC NOTES:
*Efren’s Judd cue (above pic) features 4 high ivory points and 4 low ebony points
with an ivory diamond in the middle, set on a birdseye maple forearm.
There’s a thread in AZBilliards that shows the Judd up close; he wrapped part of this cue with masking tape in one tournament because it felt cold to his hands.
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Efren “Bata” Reyes Signature Series
There cues are Japan-made Efren Reyes signature cue sticks made by Cosmo.
My friend believes this is the same company that makes Mezz Cues.
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Much thanks to my online friends who shared their thoughts
about the billiard cues used by the Filipino pool player.
Special thanks go to Aylwin Tan, Glen Capacio, and JoeyInCali
who shared info about the topic at hand.
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Part 2 of Efren Reyes and His Pool Cues - https://www.facebook.com/theanitokid/posts/1736725433028668
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