5 best players ever (in your opinion)

Euro players play money matches to make themselves mentally tougher and to learn something, not necessarily make a living off of it. They have got strong passion for the game, money is not a primary motivator. Upcoming EU championships will be played for 0 euros prize money!!! But all of them top players will be there, you can count on that.

Could be mistaking, but I feel that US players have a very different attitude. Either there's money, or I'm not interested...
 
My top 5

1- Willie Mosconi
2- Ralph Greenleaf
3- Allen Hopkins
4- Mike Sigel
5- Jim Rempe
6- *

*There are probably a dozen others that I could inter-twine in there!;)
 
predator said:
Euro players play money matches to make themselves mentally tougher and to learn something, not necessarily make a living off of it. They have got strong passion for the game, money is not a primary motivator. Upcoming EU championships will be played for 0 euros prize money!!! But all of them top players will be there, you can count on that.

Could be mistaking, but I feel that US players have a very different attitude. Either there's money, or I'm not interested...
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And I agree, and you are right. There is a different discipline in the European pool culture. Whereas, American pool had much different beginnings than elsewhere. Today, there are some in the American pool culture that think money players are the scum of the earth, but there's a few of us old-timers who disagree vehemently with this school of thought. Rather, some Americans enjoy gambling when it raises its ugly head.

European players bring a lot to the table by way of shooting mechanics and skills set. It's a whole different mentality than other pool cultures, IMHO. Money players, though, they are not.

JAM
 
in no particular order;

buddy hall
luther lassiter
johnny archer
jersey red
nick varner
big train stevens
 
predator said:
Euro players play money matches to make themselves mentally tougher and to learn something, not necessarily make a living off of it. They have got strong passion for the game, money is not a primary motivator. Upcoming EU championships will be played for 0 euros prize money!!! But all of them top players will be there, you can count on that.

Could be mistaking, but I feel that US players have a very different attitude. Either there's money, or I'm not interested...
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Interesting point you make here. I wonder how many American players would fly to another country, pay for their own hotel and expenses for the whole week to win a medal?

I would hazzard a guess at Zero giving the number that recently turned down the chance to play in a $100,000(?) world Championship!

PS
I'm still amazed that so many players would do this, good to see that for many honor is still as important as money.
 
5 best players in my opinion are:

Joe Davis
Ray Reardon
Steve Davis
Stephen Hendry
Ronnie O Sullivan

Now you didn't say pool did you? ;)
 
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JAM said:
Best Money Player: Keith McCready, Jose Parica, Ronnie Wiseman, Ronnie Allen, Tony Watson, Marcus Chamat, Santos, Shannon Daulton, Minnesota Fats, Cliff Joyner, and Alex Pagulayan. I honestly have trouble thinking of one European who I'd consider as a good money player. I know. I know. It's because they don't gamble, with the strong exception of Sandor Tot! :D

Best Tournament Soldier: Allen Hopkins, Mike Sigel, Nick Varner, Buddy Hall, Earl Strickland, and Willie Mosconi. I also throw in all Filipinos, not only because of their shooting skills, but because they have the financial means to follow the entire international tournament trail, as they are supported strongly by the Filipino pool culture.

Best 9-ball Break-and-Rack Player: Johnny Archer.

Best All-Around Player (all games and proficiency on all equipment): Keith McCready, Jose Parica, Shannon Daulton, Larry Lisciotti, Corey Deuel, Dave Matlock, Louie Roberts, Ernesto Dominguez, and Alex Pagulayan.

As far as best one-pocket, 14.1, 9-ball, 8-ball, 10-ball, bumps, and snooker games of pocket billiards, the answer always seems to be based on geographic location and age of the respondent, IMHO. ;)

JAM
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Lets not forget about the break of "JERRY SLIVKA".....................You need ear plugs :)
 
JAM said:
The highest stakes I ever witnessed, the Russian was involved. He showed no fear ...
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Hi JAM, would you be so kind as to elaborate on this story? I'm sure most of us would love to hear the details.

-Andrew
 
JAM said:

Best All-Around Player (all games and proficiency on all equipment): Keith McCready, Jose Parica, Shannon Daulton, Larry Lisciotti, Corey Deuel, Dave Matlock, Louie Roberts, Ernesto Dominguez, and Alex Pagulayan.

JAM
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Wow! That is quite the nod for Ernesto Dominguez.

He is a good friend of mine and I have known him for 20 years, sadly I have watched him play far less than just about any other top player.

He is certainly known as a master of all games. I think I need to watch more closely :D .
 
Andrew Manning said:
Hi JAM, would you be so kind as to elaborate on this story? I'm sure most of us would love to hear the details.

-Andrew
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Jennie
You and Keith need to write a book. With your style and his stories:) :)
it would be something to read.
 
Snapshot9 said:
I'm surprised that noone mentioned Irving 'The Deacon' Crane's name.
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Not surprising, given that Mosconi has a hard time making the lists. Our voting members are too young, I guess, to know how he dominated his era (1941-1957, and then an amazing exhibition player during the 60's).

In chronological order:

Ralph Greenleaf
Willie Mosconi
Luther Lassiter
Mike Sigel
Efren Reyes

In a category by himself, for brilliance in all games during a too short career: Harold Worst
Players I wish I could put on but hard to do if limited to five: Steve Mizerak, Buddy Hall
 
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Snapshot9 said:
that noone mentioned Irving 'The Deacon' Crane's name.
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My thoughts exactly...

My List:

Luther Lassiter
Willie Mosconi
Irving Crane
Earl Strickland
Efren Reyes
Jim Rempe
Mike Sigel
Nick Varner
Buddy Hall
Johnny Archer
Jimmy Caras
U.J. Puckett
Joe Balsis
Keith McCready
John Schmidt
Ralph Greenleaf
Ronnie Allen
Jose Parica
Fransicsco Bustmante
Thorsten Hohmann
Ralph Souquet
Shannon Daulton

I tried to make it a top 5, but there's so many good players that could win at any time who do you leave off. If you put a 9-Ball match between Luther Lassiter and Earl Strickland, both in their prime, who wiuld win? There's no way of knowing, as both are considered among the most elite of their particular era. Same goes with Crane and Rempe in a straight pool match, whoever got the first chance to shoot was a money favorite to run a century.

I love to think about this kind of stuff, but reallistically there'd be know way to tell. So I just list my favorites.

Jim
 
all around pool:
Efren Reyes
Luther Lassiter
Willie Mosconi
Ronnie Allen
Harold Worst

other significant mentionables
Willie Hoppe
Ralph Greenleaf

9 ball only
Earl Strickland

Snooker
Steve Davis
Steven Hendry

Billiards
Raymond Cuelmans (spelling???)
Sang Lee
 
I know the Miz was a school teacher but did he really teach full time during his peak years?

if so, pretty amazing
 
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