it’s hard to compare styles from yesterday and today. Players back when Efren was in his prime hardly jumped, however I think Efren was an extremely smart player and would have adapted if he had to use the jump cue more often.
I make the comparison because most think 8ball is too easy. Watching pros play nineball is just as easy IMO. Like I said earlier they are making the 1 in the side almost every time, and sometimes they are just playing 7 ball after the break.
It’s no different when the pros play nineball. they make the 1 in the side 95 percent of the time, and if they can see the two they’re pretty much out.