I feel the need to interject that when Efren first came to the States, he wouldn't play Keith McCready even, meaning no spot, in any game. Efren's backers steered him away from Keith. Fast forward to when Keith aged well into his 40s and 50s. Efren and Keith matched up many times in games of stake. Efren did spot Keith in one-pocket in the later years of Keith's life. The two of them didn't engage in games of stake in 9-ball very often, though. One-pocket was, and still is, the game of kings, veterans players, and champions.
I find these "Who's the Best" threads really challenging to read sometimes. When we'd go to regional tour events, I'd always get a kick out of somebody saying, with pride, "I beat Jim Rempe" or "I beat Keith McCready" or "I beat Jose Parica" or "I beat Earl Strickland." Of course, they were not in their prime, number one. Number two, in case you haven't noticed, 9-ball, with it's short races, is dependent on the break and whether the rack is fair. Let's be honest about it. The luck factor is major in 9-ball, unless, of course, it's an ahead game or a race to 100. 9-ball with its short races is quite different than one-pocket which requires cueing skills of all levels, e.g., defense/offense, banking, long shots, et cetera. The break in one-pocket doesn't usually determine the winner of the frame/game. This is why most seasoned pros prefer one-pocket for action.
Not taking anything away from Efren Reyes. Of course, he's the GOAT of pool. When you can get a photo of Efren smiling, you've got a pool treasure, and I got one. Why? Because Efren and Keith are good friends and remain that way today. They've both been through quite a few battles together and still have a great deal of respect for each other. Photo taken in 2003 at the U.S. Open in Virginia.
