I watched them both play in the late 80s. They seemed about even then as far as who they were winning against. But Efren had a flair about him with his getting out of impossible situations much more than Parica. Parica would play a safe back on you with his kicking, much like, but better than most top American players would. Efren would kick to make the ball and keep going. Efren was a riskier player and Parica was just Rock solid higher percentage player. Efren playing risky high reward but lower percentage shots kept the cameras rolling during his matches. Parica playing text book 9 ball with plenty of safeties and solid run outs were not as entertaining so the cameras were not rolling as often for his wins. Thus Efren became the more famous player. Who was the best? They were different ages so who knows? I really think the late 80's players were more afraid of Efren as I never saw anyone matching up with him at the tournaments and Parica was always matching up.

are you ever going to make new ones? what parts need to be replaced after a year of use? are those publically available?

bump

playing in Vegas at BCA/VNEA 8 ball tournaments 25 years ago, there was a young man who played, but he had a birth defect where his arms were short...his hands were at his elbows, had no forearms. He used a "table bridge" made from 2 bridge heads and a short lenght of shaft. He played very well considering this handicap. He was an inspiration to all that saw him play.

If, by chance, he sees this, God bless you.

iusedtoberich said:

See the dr dave thread SJM quoted.

No, I disagree with it being called a foul. It should not be a foul, imo. The EU refs started doing it A. out of the blue about 5 years ago. About the same time they started calling a foul if a player put their hand in the pocket to remove a ball when the game was over. They travel worldwide to major events so it became "standard" the past few years.

B. I'm actually quite surprised this is the first you're hearing about this.

The latest rule set, released in 2025, aimed to explicitly NOT make it a foul I believe.

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Out of the blue huh . The Blue Rule?
Cool your Surprised
your quote:

''The latest rule set, released in 2025, aimed to explicitly NOT make it a foul I believe''

Who printed the rule set?????????????????????

Show me the ''latest rule set'' your talking about.



AND
at the end of your above sentence you said.

I believe...
99% or 100%???????????????






.

Puts things in perspective. Cheers to him.
We have a local player with type 2 who recently had to lose his 2nd lower leg.
He is now playing every week standing on two of those spring-type prosthetics.
Still plays real well too. I don't recall ever hearing him complain about his physical limitations while playing.
Can't say enough about people like that. Thanks for posting.

JerseyBill said:

How much for it just the way it is?

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I have continued to build more as i've tried different items and didn't want to tear down a working machine. if you're interested, I would be willing to sell this one.

boogieman said:

Right, it screams big FED energy.

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Over the course of my life I've been around enough people who operated in less than legal areas to know that it's not my business to talk about their dealings.

GDD1966 said:

Thoughts on reputable makers still using Ivory. I love the hit, and am in the market for another custom.

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You need to check your State laws. I was told that in many States it is legal to use it for cues staying in the cuemaker's State.
Ordering one from out of State violates the Interstate Ivory trade band. I could be wrong on any of this as laws often contradict themselves. So I am just sharing what my understanding of things are.

To the top for a very nice offering!

Hello "fab944". I do not know. I will measure it for you and advise.

jasonlaus said:

You seem to have missed the point. Good luck

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Apparently I did miss the point. I try to be a student of life, though. So if you'd like to explain it, I'm all ears.

Great post and it seems you have learned to count your blessings.

dr_dave said:

Thanks. I should have the 9-ball examples posted by Monday.

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Here it is. Enjoy!

jbart65 said:

The question of where all the talent has gone is huge, of course. As is how to develop what talent already exists.

For now I just want the best U.S. players to simply get better and be more prepared. Improving the talent pool, even if achievable, will take time.

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Amen to that. You can't grow the talent pool overnight, so the focus must be on bringing the most promising players to the highest possible level, and it is in this regard that, I feel, America has failed for many years now.