Efren Reyes - Would you do this for the cash?

POVPOOL

POVPOOL

POV Pool
Silver Member
This is a typical, 'What would Efren Do?' moment, playing one-pocket with Richard Grenier for $400 a set (Earlier this year at Hard Times Billiards).

As most one-hole players know, this scenario comes up quite a lot.
Here's what Efren would do...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH1wD4qRzK8

What would you do?
 
Efren has brought a lot of answers to one-hole problems.....
...but that is not one of them.....it was being played in the 60s.
 
I have only been playing one pocket for a few months other than when I was introduced to it more than 45 years ago & that is the shot. the back ball, the 9, can also be made off the foot & head rail. Hence, both balls can be put 'near' the pocket if neither one goes.

The thing to consider & worry about is where the cue ball winds up if neither one goes. It's possible to leave 2 fairly easy banks if neither ball goes.
 
Nicely struck! If you get the knack of hitting this full enough with good draw to get the CB back to the first diamond on the long rail by your shoulder, and the head ball trickling into the pocket, and you play it with the CB about 6 inches off the spot, it actually isn't much more risk than the slow roll version when you're on the hill, IMO.

In this case this was Efren's out ball and his opponent needed 2 so, all the focus should be on dripping that first ball near you hole, and that keeps your opponent on the defense anyway. It's not so good a shot choice if you're the guy who needs 2 balls. :wink:

When I try this one, I like a little bit of inside english with the draw, it seems to help getting the second ball banking toward my pocket a little better.

I think it's like anything else, get comfortable with the shot. And of course if you're Efren, shooting it will be comfortable. :)
 
Why is there no One Pocket sub forum on AZB? I'd think there are more one pocket players than 14.1.
 
POVPOOL said:
This is a typical, 'What would Efren Do?' moment, playing one-pocket with Richard Grenier for $400 a set (Earlier this year at Hard Times Billiards).

As most one-hole players know, this scenario comes up quite a lot.
Here's what Efren would do...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH1wD4qRzK8

What would you do?
Click to expand...
Pretty standard shot, but I do wonder why someone would choose it over crossing over the top or vice versa.

At DCC a million years ago, I watched Varner shoot this shot against Vickery for the case game. I guess it's high percentage for the top players, but it does seem flyer-isn against another top player. Against a scrub like me, every top player should play to make the top ball.

I use the 30 degree rule on my table.
 
POVPOOL said:
This is a typical, 'What would Efren Do?' moment, playing one-pocket with Richard Grenier for $400 a set (Earlier this year at Hard Times Billiards).

As most one-hole players know, this scenario comes up quite a lot.
Here's what Efren would do...

What would you do?
Click to expand...

This is another example of Efren's weak endgame. The safety is in order here when you need 1 ball.

When a player doesn't bet his own money, like Efren, he can shoot shots like this.

ONB
 
POVPOOL said:
This is a typical, 'What would Efren Do?' moment, playing one-pocket with Richard Grenier for $400 a set (Earlier this year at Hard Times Billiards).

As most one-hole players know, this scenario comes up quite a lot.
Here's what Efren would do...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH1wD4qRzK8
Click to expand...
That's a fairly standard shot. For those who want to know how to aim and hit this sort of shot, see:

HSV B.7 - One-pocket frozen-ball spot shot

NV B.56 - Bob Jewett's ten-times-fuller frozen-object-ball aiming system

Enjoy,
Dave
 
Old Nine Baller said:
This is another example of Efren's weak endgame. The safety is in order here when you need 1 ball.

When a player doesn't bet his own money, like Efren, he can shoot shots like this.

ONB
Click to expand...

Try again.
I saw Efren take on a prop bet on that shot .
Two balls, same pocket , two shots.

It's really not all that tough for players of his caliber .
2 inches off the center on, then straight draw.
It's on Robert Byrne's book.

How many times do you think Efren has ran into this shot when playing rotation ?
 
I shot this shot about a month ago & put the spot ball in the pocket but it did not fall. I made the back ball bank about a week earlier.

I've not shot these shots in I can't remember how long before those two times.

If one never shoots these type of shots they will never make them.

It's Like Joey said. How many times do you think Efren & other Pros have faced these types of situations?

Efren's shot off the side point & around a ball near the rail & into the corner pocket has been posted on AZB several times.

I've shot shots off the side points before but not exactly like that. When it was posted, I set it up & shot it. The first time I nipped the ball near the rail. The 2nd time I missed the ball but the ball to be pocketed too. The 3rd. time I made it straight in even better than Efren did.

Naturally Efren made it in one attempt & in competition, but the point is these types of shots may seem impossible to some but they are well within the the realm for many.

That said... one has to shoot them or...they will NEVER make one.

Best to All,
Rick
 
Last edited:
Old Nine Baller said:
This is another example of Efren's weak endgame. The safety is in order here when you need 1 ball.

When a player doesn't bet his own money, like Efren, he can shoot shots like this.

ONB
Click to expand...

JoeyInCali said:
Try again.
I saw Efren take on a prop bet on that shot .
Two balls, same pocket , two shots.

It's really not all that tough for players of his caliber .
2 inches off the center on, then straight draw.
It's on Robert Byrne's book.

How many times do you think Efren has ran into this shot when playing rotation ?
Click to expand...

We're not talking about prop shots. We're not talking Rotation.

The question is clear; Would you do this for the cash?

It's not the correct shot when needing 1 ball. That doesn't change because it's Efren shooting it. The safety is in order here. You are getting 2-1 from your opponent and should take advantage of it. Play the percentages in one-pocket and the game will reward you.

I've seen Grady miscue shooting this shot in a big money match when he needed 1 ball. I've seen Richie Richeson draw back and scratch in the uptable corner when shooting this shot. I've seen many very good players mess this shot up. It's not a "hanger" by any means. Things can and do go wrong it. One video of one player making it means nothing.

ONB
 
an "oldie, but goodie" - also a high percentage shot

Yes, this is an "oldie, but goodie" - also a high percentage shot for a champion players. I've made both balls on many occasions and (to this day) have never sold out attempting it. Of course, like any other shot, make sure it matches your current skill level or it may be prudent to shoot the simpler version. 'The Game is the Teacher'


pt109 said:
Efren has brought a lot of answers to one-hole problems.....
...but that is not one of them.....it was being played in the 60s.
Click to expand...
 
Old Nine Baller said:
We're not talking about prop shots. We're not talking Rotation.

The question is clear; Would you do this for the cash?

It's not the correct shot when needing 1 ball. That doesn't change because it's Efren shooting it. The safety is in order here. You are getting 2-1 from your opponent and should take advantage of it. Play the percentages in one-pocket and the game will reward you.

I've seen Grady miscue shooting this shot in a big money match when he needed 1 ball. I've seen Richie Richeson draw back and scratch in the uptable corner when shooting this shot. I've seen many very good players mess this shot up. It's not a "hanger" by any means. Things can and do go wrong it. One video of one player making it means nothing.

ONB
Click to expand...

One thing that has to be considered is what is "right" for Efren might not necessarily be "right" for you. As we all know, Efren plays the game a little differently than 99% of the pool playing population...while it might be a lower percentage shot to you, it's not to him. Also, rotation and 1P are indeed two different games, but both commonly have balls being spotted up, so this kind of shot comes up commonly in both. Efren plays so much rotation in the PI that this is one shot is probably one that comes up alot for him.

I'd play the safety, but I'd probably mess that one up too :o
 
Old Nine Baller said:
We're not talking about prop shots. We're not talking Rotation.

The question is clear; Would you do this for the cash?

It's not the correct shot when needing 1 ball. That doesn't change because it's Efren shooting it. The safety is in order here. You are getting 2-1 from your opponent and should take advantage of it. Play the percentages in one-pocket and the game will reward you.

I've seen Grady miscue shooting this shot in a big money match when he needed 1 ball. I've seen Richie Richeson draw back and scratch in the uptable corner when shooting this shot. I've seen many very good players mess this shot up. It's not a "hanger" by any means. Things can and do go wrong it. One video of one player making it means nothing.

ONB
Click to expand...

Like I said, I'm just starting to play one pocket a bit over the past few months.

So, I'm interested. What safety would you play?

Thanks in advance,
Rick
 
CJ Wiley said:
Yes, this is an "oldie, but goodie" - also a high percentage shot for a champion players. I've made both balls on many occasions and (to this day) have never sold out attempting it. Of course, like any other shot, make sure it matches your current skill level or it may be prudent to shoot the simpler version. 'The Game is the Teacher'
Click to expand...


Absolutely CJ, but of course as you mention we gauge the risk in these shots based on our ability and comfort with shooting them. Shot correctly it's not a sell out, and needing 1 ball, getting that head ball near your pocket and the CB on the long rail up by the head string pocket puts a ton of pressure on your opponent, but without feeling comforable to stroke this with correct speed and accuracy, well, then it's a flier to the guy shooting it.
 
Old Nine Baller said:
This is another example of Efren's weak endgame. The safety is in order here when you need 1 ball.

When a player doesn't bet his own money, like Efren, he can shoot shots like this.

ONB
Click to expand...

If I'm Efren's backer, then I want him shooting the shot he's most comfortable with, even if it's not the textbook shot.

Overall, I'm sure all of the people that have ever backed Efren aren't complaining about the decisions he makes.
 
pt109 said:
Efren has brought a lot of answers to one-hole problems.....
...but that is not one of them.....it was being played in the 60s.
Click to expand...

A seasoned player showed me that shot a few years ago and never left a real sell out in the times he hit it then. If i got it down, damn right id shoot it, too.
 
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