Official 14.1 High Runs

I'll take the 400+.

Mosconi's run was basically in practice as it was in an exhibition and everybody is still talking about it.

The problem is the modern straight pool player has maybe 2 tournaments a year to play in at best. Not a whole lot of chances to run 150 and out. Early rounds usually only go to 100.

There were over 150 people at Q Masters that stopped what they were doing to watch Schmidt run 403 two years ago. The ovation was louder than when he won the US open the year before. Busty still talks about it.
 
Last edited:
Marop said:
I'll take the 400+.

Mosconi's run was basically in practice as it was in an exhibition and everybody is still talking about it.

The problem is the modern straight pool player has maybe 2 tournaments a year to play in at best. Not a whole lot of chances to run 150 and out. Early rounds usually only go to 100.

There were over 150 people at Q Masters that stopped what they were doing to watch Schmidt run 403 two years ago. The ovation was louder than when he won the US open the year before. Busty still talks about it.
Click to expand...

to me it's no brainer territory.... would you rather have sigel's or schmidt's accomplishments?? very easy decision.
 
enzo said:
to me it's no brainer territory.... would you rather have sigel's or schmidt's accomplishments?? very easy decision.
Click to expand...

Tap tap tap. My thoughts exactly. Even if Schmidt ran 1000 balls in practice I'd still rather have Sigel's accomplishments.
 
This thread reminds me of the Eufemia thread on here. It is one thing to run 300+ balls when practicing, WITH NO OPPONENT! And it is still another to run 150 and out in a championship match or any match for that matter. Personally I rate the 150 and out (Sigel's, Crane's etc.) as the greater accomplishment.

Eufemia ran a zillion balls in practice and he was a great player. BUT, he could rarely muster a 50 ball run in a match. Gene Nagy had similar problems in competition and Joe Frady as well. Great players yes, but not great competitors.

Meanwhile Lassiter won a boatload of Straight Pool titles in his day, and often ran 90+ balls match after match. And they were races to 125. There is no record of this to the best of my knowledge, but one year at Johnston City, I saw all but one of his 14.1 matches, and in each one he ran at least a 90! He may have run 90 or more in the match I missed as well. Someone else said that Lassiter was never out of match, and they were so right. He won matches when he was down 100+ to maybe 7 or 10. Scores like that.

That's what champions are made of. They can do it under pressure. That's what separates the Buddy Halls, Mike Sigels, Steve Mizeraks and Earl Stricklands from the rest of the pack. They performed under pressure over and over again.
 
Last edited:
Bobby said:
Tap tap tap. My thoughts exactly. Even if Schmidt ran 1000 balls in practice I'd still rather have Sigel's accomplishments.
Click to expand...

I don't think it is a valid question as I believe massive runs and titles go hand in hand. If you can run 300-400 balls it puts you in position to win all of those titles. I don't believe it is possible to achieve Sigel or Mizerak's accomplishments in 14.1 without having achieved large numbers, or at least being capable of doing so. It makes it easier to run 150 and out when you've run considerably more than that in practice. Your not going to win multiple world titles with the caliber of players we've had over the last 50 years with a high run of less than 200.

It's kind of like saying, "would you rather run a multiple 147's or win a world snooker championship?". But the truth is that you won't be competitive on the world stage in snooker unless you have run multiple perfect games at least in practice.

Here are some of the runs of the greatest 14.1 players in recent memory.

Willie Mosconi - 526 (though we know he's gone higher in practice)
Thomas Engert - 491
Thorsten Hohmann - 408
John Schmidt - 403
Mike Sigel - 319
Steve Mizerak - 321
Oliver Ortmann - 326
Irving Crane - 309
Danny Diliberto 308
 
Last edited:
Under heat

jay helfert said:
This thread reminds me of the Eufemia thread on here. It is one thing to run 300+ balls when practicing, WITH NO OPPONENT! And it is still another to run 150 and out in a championship match or any match for that matter. Personally I rate the 150 and out (Sigel's, Crane's etc.) as the greater accomplishment.

Eufemia ran a zillion balls in practice and he was a great player. BUT, he could rarely muster a 50 ball run in a match. Gene Nagy had similar problems in competition and Joe Frady as well. Great players yes, but not great competitors.

Meanwhile Lassiter won a boatload of Straight Pool titles in his day, and often ran 90+ balls match after match. And they were races to 125. There is no record of this to the best of my knowledge, but one year at Johnston City, I saw all but one of his 14.1 matches, and in each one he ran at least a 90! He may have run 90 or more in the match I missed as well. Someone else said that Lassiter was never out of match, and they were so right. He won matches when he was down 100+ to maybe 7 or 10. Scores like that.

That's what champions are made of. They can do it under pressure. That's what separates the Buddy Halls, Mike Sigels, Steve Mizeraks and Earl Stricklands from the rest of the pack. They performed under pressure over and over again.
Click to expand...

I agree. When you play under heat there is a decision every shot
whether to play it in or play safe.When you practise you're like a
calling station at poker.You always go for the shot so more big runs
occur.But they aren't realistic choices under fire.In practise i never
wanted to learn shots that weren't reasonable when competing.

Your true game is how well you play when you have to play well.
 
your right

enzo said:
to me it's no brainer territory.... would you rather have sigel's or schmidt's accomplishments?? very easy decision.
Click to expand...

i would rather have his wins for sure. ive only played a few 14.1 tourneys so my 14.1 titles will never compare.
also people are right when you practice you go for some crazy shots to keep going.
my 2 400 plus runs though i never shot a ball that i would not have shot in match.
my 294 on diamond that i just did on film same thing all legit shots,some runs have crazy shots but believe me 80 percent of my 59 200 plus runs i never shot a crazy shot ,i didnt have too because i play the game the right way i think.
i promise i can run 150 and out on someone in tourney before i can run 403 again. to run 400 practicing is so much harder and unlikely than running 150 and out its hard to even compare.

if i got to play 15 ,14.1 tourneys a year believe me i would have a few 150 and outs.

the fact that you guys even care about 14.1 enough to talk about it is cool with me though. in closing sigel is probably my pool hero he was awesome.
 
john schmidt said:
i would rather have his wins for sure. ive only played a few 14.1 tourneys so my 14.1 titles will never compare.
also people are right when you practice you go for some crazy shots to keep going.
my 2 400 plus runs though i never shot a ball that i would not have shot in match.
my 294 on diamond that i just did on film same thing all legit shots,some runs have crazy shots but believe me 80 percent of my 59 200 plus runs i never shot a crazy shot ,i didnt have too because i play the game the right way i think.
i promise i can run 150 and out on someone in tourney before i can run 403 again. to run 400 practicing is so much harder and unlikely than running 150 and out its hard to even compare.

if i got to play 15 ,14.1 tourneys a year believe me i would have a few 150 and outs.

the fact that you guys even care about 14.1 enough to talk about it is cool with me though. in closing sigel is probably my pool hero he was awesome.
Click to expand...

Well said, John.

For me, I'd rather run 400 balls. Countless people have run 150. Few have run 400+. Regardless if some shots are fliers... if they go, they go. Pool is outcome-based. Either you make the ball/runs or you don't.

If I ran 400 today, I might have enough peace-of-mind to finally quit the game and do something good with my time hahahaha.
 
who's yo poppa?

to John Schmidt
Don't stop practising.I have a feeling 14&1 ,the father of pool games,is
coming back into favor.Short games are starting to look like paint by
numbers.The pool world is getting more sophisticated.
1-hole is looking good also.
 
john schmidt said:
i would rather have his wins for sure. ive only played a few 14.1 tourneys so my 14.1 titles will never compare.
also people are right when you practice you go for some crazy shots to keep going.
my 2 400 plus runs though i never shot a ball that i would not have shot in match.
my 294 on diamond that i just did on film same thing all legit shots,some runs have crazy shots but believe me 80 percent of my 59 200 plus runs i never shot a crazy shot ,i didnt have too because i play the game the right way i think.
i promise i can run 150 and out on someone in tourney before i can run 403 again. to run 400 practicing is so much harder and unlikely than running 150 and out its hard to even compare.

if i got to play 15 ,14.1 tourneys a year believe me i would have a few 150 and outs.

the fact that you guys even care about 14.1 enough to talk about it is cool with me though. in closing sigel is probably my pool hero he was awesome.
Click to expand...

Thanks to Bob Jewett and a few others. Straight Pool has made a little comeback. A few years ago we were lucky to see one Straight Pool tourney a year. Now at least there are a few.

Like so many others, I enjoy watching the high runs at DCC in the Straight Pool Challenge. When Schmidt, Thorsten, Mika, Ralf, Alex, Niels, Danny and Thomas get going, anything could happen. I wouldn't be surprised to see a 200 ball run.
 
Missing Thomas Engert's 492 in Cameron Smith's list

Cameron Smith said:
I don't think it is a valid question as I believe massive runs and titles go hand in hand. If you can run 300-400 balls it puts you in position to win all of those titles. I don't believe it is possible to achieve Sigel or Mizerak's accomplishments in 14.1 without having achieved large numbers, or at least being capable of doing so. It makes it easier to run 150 and out when you've run considerably more than that in practice. Your not going to win multiple world titles with the caliber of players we've had over the last 50 years with a high run of less than 200.

It's kind of like saying, "would you rather run a multiple 147's or win a world snooker championship?". But the truth is that you won't be competitive on the world stage in snooker unless you have run multiple perfect games at least in practice.

Here are some of the runs of the greatest 14.1 players in recent memory.

Willie Mosconi - 526 (though we know he's gone higher in practice)
Thorsten Hohmann - 408
John Schmidt - 403
Mike Sigel - 319
Steve Mizerak - 321
Oliver Ortmann - 326
Irving Crane - 309
Danny Diliberto 308
Click to expand...

Cameron:

You're missing the high watermark of modern day 14.1 high runs, and that's Thomas Engert's 492. This should definitely be included in "some of the runs of the greatest 14.1 players in recent memory" -- Thomas Engert is definitely in that small elite circle.

-Sean
 
sfleinen said:
Cameron:

You're missing the high watermark of modern day 14.1 high runs, and that's Thomas Engert's 492. This should definitely be included in "some of the runs of the greatest 14.1 players in recent memory" -- Thomas Engert is definitely in that small elite circle.

-Sean
Click to expand...

True enough. I only left him out because he's generally regarded in the same manner the others are.
 
john schmidt said:
i would rather have his wins for sure. ive only played a few 14.1 tourneys so my 14.1 titles will never compare.
also people are right when you practice you go for some crazy shots to keep going.
my 2 400 plus runs though i never shot a ball that i would not have shot in match.
my 294 on diamond that i just did on film same thing all legit shots,some runs have crazy shots but believe me 80 percent of my 59 200 plus runs i never shot a crazy shot ,i didnt have too because i play the game the right way i think.
i promise i can run 150 and out on someone in tourney before i can run 403 again. to run 400 practicing is so much harder and unlikely than running 150 and out its hard to even compare.

if i got to play 15 ,14.1 tourneys a year believe me i would have a few 150 and outs.

the fact that you guys even care about 14.1 enough to talk about it is cool with me though. in closing sigel is probably my pool hero he was awesome.
Click to expand...


John, have you ever considered doing a big straight pool challenge match on TAR? Say a 1,000 point match over 3 days between you and Hohmann? Or Appleton or Mika? I'll bet it would generate a lot of interest and excitement.
 
oldzilla said:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmyg
Terry, if you're sure about Ralf's you may want to contact the oerson that put together the list at this link. Maybe you two can exchange some info.

Jim

Link:http://hermund.ardalen.com/straightpoolhighruns.htm

STRAIGHT POOL HIGH RUNS

High Runs For The Men

600 Plus
PLAYER HIGH RUN

Arthur Babe Cranfield 768 in practice
Tom Parker 642 as told to Dick Leonard
Michael Eufemia 626
No one saw the run from beginning to end, except for Eufemia himself. According to Billiards Digest historian Mike Shamos, this is one of the reasons his record has never been granted official status.


500 Plus
Willie Mosconi 526
Min-Wai Chin 500+

400 Plus
Thomas Engert 492
Gene Nagy 430
Dallas West 429
Ray Martin 426
Allen Hopkins 421
Thorsten Hohmann 408
Earl Strickland 408
Alain Martel 408
John Schmidt 400

found this among this thread in the area of this post by Pat Howey about his mentor Babe Cranfield

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?p=1222078#post1222078

second post on this page is where it is (Cranfield's 768)
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=100583&page=14
Click to expand...

Would the "Tom Parker" reference be the same Tom Parker from Cleveland? He is legendary in NE OH (died some time ago). JR (Leil Gay) ran something over 300 at River City Billiards in Cleveland area around 10 years ago.
 
Cameron Smith said:
I don't think it is a valid question as I believe massive runs and titles go hand in hand. If you can run 300-400 balls it puts you in position to win all of those titles. I don't believe it is possible to achieve Sigel or Mizerak's accomplishments in 14.1 without having achieved large numbers, or at least being capable of doing so. It makes it easier to run 150 and out when you've run considerably more than that in practice. Your not going to win multiple world titles with the caliber of players we've had over the last 50 years with a high run of less than 200.

It's kind of like saying, "would you rather run a multiple 147's or win a world snooker championship?". But the truth is that you won't be competitive on the world stage in snooker unless you have run multiple perfect games at least in practice.

Here are some of the runs of the greatest 14.1 players in recent memory.

Willie Mosconi - 526 (though we know he's gone higher in practice)
Thomas Engert - 491
Thorsten Hohmann - 408
John Schmidt - 403
Mike Sigel - 319
Steve Mizerak - 321
Oliver Ortmann - 326
Irving Crane - 309
Danny Diliberto 308
Click to expand...


You can add Dick Lane. I don't know his exact high run but he has had several runs over 300 balls.
 
311 on a diamond table is my high run.

Bobby Chamberlain
 
Last edited:
mr441 said:
i think it's a crying shame that you can't even find an official or unofficial list of the top 14.1 runs of all time. Imagine not being able to find the top career home run leaders compiled? I figure we should try and compile at least an unofficial list here on this forum. I've listed below the best runs i've ever heard of, they're only runs i've heard from at least one reputable source, but some of the runs are more commonly known.

1- 625 michael eufemia (4 x 8 table?) 2- 526 willie mosconi (4 x 8 table)
3- 491 thomas engert
4- 430 gene nagy
5- 429 dallas west
6- 426 ray martin
7- 421 allen hopkins
8- 408 thorsten hohmann
9- 408 earl strickland
10- 403 john schmidt
11- 396 jose garcia

anyone want to add to the list? Any german posters here? Surely souquet or ortmann have impressive runs.


.
Click to expand...
nick varners 2 highest runs are 339 and 339.amazing that his highest runs are the same.
 
I have never seen huge runs but i did see Crane run 141, Sam "One Poke" Fauver run 169 and Joe frady run 135. Crane and Frady were in match games and Fauver was solo.
Talk about zoning out, one night at The Ballroom in Toms River NJ Tony (The owner ) and myself watched Jimmy Fusco practicing on a very tight pocket table and he ran 14 racks and when he was done we told him we counted 14 racks and he acted very surprised and said "I Did?"
The other high run i witnessed was my own 101 in practice and an 80 in competition that the only thing that stopped me was a behind the rack break shot where i froze to the 8 ball and had to play safe. Talk about the old phrase "stuck behind the 8 ball" pretty ironic.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top