Billiards Digest - Greatest Player Poll (Per Disclipline)

It was the December, 1991 issue of Billiards Digest. They polled just 25 pro players (not listed). "Some were selected for their participation in tournaments featuring the various disciplines. Others were chosen because of their analytical approaches to the game." Each player polled ranked his top 10 choices in each discipline and for all-around best, giving 10 points to his top choice, 9 points to his second choice, on down to 1 point for his 10th choice. The results were as follows, showing total points from all 25 ballots and number of first-place votes in parentheses.

9-Ball
1. Varner-- 214 (11)
2. Sigel -- 194 (5)
3. Strickland -- 172 (2)
4. Hall -- 149 (2)
5. Reyes -- 142 (4)

Straight Pool
1. Sigel -- 227 (11)
2. Varner -- 199 (8)
3. Mizerak -- 192 (5)
4. Hopkins -- 187 (0)
5. Rempe -- 73 (0)

One-Pocket
1. Hopkins -- 224 (9)
2. Reyes -- 182 (8)
3. Varner -- 152 (4)
4. Mathews -- 123 (3)
5. Rucker -- 109 (1)

All-Around
1. Varner -- 215 (15)
2. Hopkins -- 202 (6)
3. Sigel -- 177 (0)
4. Mizerak -- 135 (0)
5. Reyes -- 112 (3)

Others receiving 1 first-place vote: Davenport in 9-Ball, Butera in Straight Pool, and DiLiberto in All-Around.

thanks atlarge

Based on my memory of 1991, I'd call these polls very accurate.

Bugs got number 5 in one pocket and he won a single pro tournament in 1P and that was in 1994, after this poll. That's quite a feat. But, he was quite a player. Was not aware that so many pro's realized exactly how good he was.

Watched him "rob" many folks in the day. Cannonball Chapman did the same..... just no fear at all. If you bet on Bugs, didn't matter how many balls the other guy had, because if it was 7-1, you still had a good shot at the money

Kind of shows what I have felt....

Nick is kind of an 'unsung' hero in the game, and what
he has accomplished, (and until the near past could still
compete at a high level) is pretty strong.

td

i didn't think anybody could beat varner at any game

then came efren

life goes by so fast

Ronnie Allen didn't get a mention. I wonder how those same players would vote today-those that are left.

deanoc said:

i didn't think anybody could beat varner at any game

then came efren

life goes by so fast

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I'm pretty sure Varner has a winning record overall against Efren.

PoolBum said:

I'm pretty sure Varner has a winning record overall against Efren and everyone else.

Click to expand...

Small correction

Nostroke said:

Ronnie Allen didn't get a mention. I wonder how those same players would vote today-those that are left.

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If that list was circa ‘71...Ronnie Allen would be top of the list.....
...and if it was ‘81, Buddy Hall might’ve been at the top for 9-ball...
...but the list isn’t out of line for ‘91

My humble opinion

All-time best player-Efren
14.1-Mosconi
9 ball-Earl, close 2nd Filler
1 pocket, Efren, close 2nd Ronnie Allen
10 Ball-Orcollo
3 cushion-Tie, Blomdahl and Ceulemans
Snooker- Ronnie O

fan-tum said:

All-time best player-Efren
14.1-Mosconi
9 ball-Earl, close 2nd Filler
1 pocket, Efren, close 2nd Ronnie Allen
10 Ball-Orcollo
3 cushion-Tie, Blomdahl and Ceulemans
Snooker- Ronnie O

Click to expand...

8-Ball: Efren
Rotation: Efren
Z-shot execution: Efren

PoolBum said:

8-Ball: Efren
Rotation: Efren
Z-shot execution: Efren

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Kick shots: Efren
Beating the Ghost: Efren
Can't believe he just did that : Efren

:grin:

That was about 5 years before I started playing the game, but based on my knowledge and things I've read and watched that seems about right for that year. It's an interesting snap shot of the time, and illustrates Efren's being on the come-up to GOAT status, and right before the explosion of an in prime Johnny Archer on the 9 ball scene.

Remember....that list was circa 1991
....other decades would have different people....