5 best players ever (in your opinion)

My all time ten best at any cue game (I can't limit it to five):

Raymond Ceulemans
Ralph Greenleaf
Harold Worst
Efren Reyes
Luther Lassiter
Steve Mizerak
Mike Sigel
Jose Parica
Buddy Hall
Walter Lindrum

At specific games:

One Pocket:
Ronnie Allen
Rags Fitzpatrick
Efren Reyes

Nine Ball:
Luther Lassiter
Jose Parica
Buddy Hall
Earl Strickland
Efren Reyes
Harold Worst
Steve Mizerak
Mike Sigel

Three Cushions:
Raymond Ceulemans
Willie Hoppe
Harold Worst
Welker Cochran

Snooker:
Joe Davis
Steve Davis
George Chenier
Walter Lindrum
Stephen Hendry

Banks:
Eddie Taylor
Leonard "Bugs" Rucker
John "Cannonball" Chapman
"Youngblood" Washington
Freddie The Beard (just kidding)

Straight Pool:
Ralph Greenleaf
Willie Mosconi
Steve Mizerak
Mike Sigel
Luther Lassiter

I decided to add a category for the best all around players:
EFREN REYES
Ralph Greenleaf
Ed Kelly
Jack Breit
Steve Mizerak
Mike Sigel
Nick Varner
Allen Hopkins
Jim Rempe

Bar Tables:
David Matlock
Buddy Hall
Keith McCready
 
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Just about all of the 70's, 80,s, and mid 90's players fell victim to Buddy hall several several times playing for the cash. Hopkins, sigel, and many others couldn't beat buddy for the cash playing 9 ball on the 9 foot or the barbox. Now when you talk about all around. Nick Varner, Sigel, Hopkins, reyes, and parica come to mind. Some of you younger pool fans need to ask some old timers about what Buddy Hall did to all of the guys that were mentioned playing nineball. Pinoy's included. Dave Matlock did some amazing things 20 + years ago as well.
 
Toby in Vegas is a great $$$ player, he dosent rattle no matter the stakes, he isnt the best player but he negotates good and has the right backers and a good track record. He is rock solid. More of a business man approach to the game, he waited for along time to play Archie, he said it for months he would make his move when the time was right and he did just that. I respect that he isnt a action player addicted to action, he is all business. He was just an aquiatance of mine not a friend, thus my opinion is more valad than a cheerleader.
 
Fatboy said:
Toby in Vegas is a great $$$ player, he dosent rattle no matter the stakes, he isnt the best player but he negotates good and has the right backers and a good track record. He is rock solid. More of a business man approach to the game, he waited for along time to play Archie, he said it for months he would make his move when the time was right and he did just that. I respect that he isnt a action player addicted to action, he is all business. He was just an aquiatance of mine not a friend, thus my opinion is more valad than a cheerleader.
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yeah, toby is a good but not great player, however, he matches up great. I believe he originally is from Oklahoma City. he always played high stakes one pocket, he and James Walden had the same stake horse for many years. it takes good players to beat him. and they usually sneak up on him when he isn't playing all that much. i remember scott frost and gabe owen going there and playing him. If i remember right they beat him but they struggled and he was really out of stroke at the time. I think it was about 5-7 years ago. You have to bet high and play really good to get his cash!
 
rbgarmon said:
i know how great efren is and a classy player but bustamante played a little better in his day.
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All of this talk is just opinion anyway, but yours is an opinion that you'd have a hard time finding anyone to agree with. Bustamante certainly had a better break (and even that could be debated these days - people only seem to remember Efren's break from 15 years ago. His current break is highly underrated), but played a little better? :confused:
 
jay helfert said:
My all time ten best at any cue game (I can't limit it to five):

Raymond Ceulemans
Ralph Greenleaf
Harold Worst
Efren Reyes
Luther Lassiter
Steve Mizerak
Mike Sigel
Jose Parica
Buddy Hall
Walter Lindrum

At specific games:

One Pocket:
Ronnie Allen
Rags Fitzpatrick
Efren Reyes

Nine Ball:
Luther Lassiter
Jose Parica
Buddy Hall
Earl Strickland
Efren Reyes
Harold Worst
Steve Mizerak
Mike Sigel

Three Cushions:
Raymond Ceulemans
Willie Hoppe
Harold Worst
Welker Cochran

Snooker:
Joe Davis
Steve Davis
George Chenier
Walter Lindrum
Stephen Hendry

Banks:
Eddie Taylor
Leonard "Bugs" Rucker
John "Cannonball" Chapman
"Youngblood" Washington
Freddie The Beard (just kidding)

Straight Pool:
Ralph Greenleaf
Willie Mosconi
Steve Mizerak
Mike Sigel
Luther Lassiter

I decided to add a category for the best all around players:
Ralph Greenleaf
Ed Kelly
Jack Breit
Steve Mizerak
Mike Sigel
Nick Varner
Allen Hopkins
Jim Rempe

Bar Tables:
David Matlock
Buddy Hall
Keith McCready
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Jay,

I most definitely respect your knowledge of the game, but I am surprised you had no place for Irving Crane on your list, especially in straight pool.

Any particular reason why not?

Did you get to be around or see the Deacon much? Any stories about him?

pineknot
 
Tony Fargo???

jay helfert said:
My all time ten best at any cue game (I can't limit it to five):

Raymond Ceulemans
Ralph Greenleaf
Harold Worst
Efren Reyes
Luther Lassiter
Steve Mizerak
Mike Sigel
Jose Parica
Buddy Hall
Walter Lindrum

At specific games:

One Pocket:
Ronnie Allen
Rags Fitzpatrick
Efren Reyes

Nine Ball:
Luther Lassiter
Jose Parica
Buddy Hall
Earl Strickland
Efren Reyes
Harold Worst
Steve Mizerak
Mike Sigel

Three Cushions:
Raymond Ceulemans
Willie Hoppe
Harold Worst
Welker Cochran

Snooker:
Joe Davis
Steve Davis
George Chenier
Walter Lindrum
Stephen Hendry

Banks:
Eddie Taylor
Leonard "Bugs" Rucker
John "Cannonball" Chapman
"Youngblood" Washington
Freddie The Beard (just kidding)

Straight Pool:
Ralph Greenleaf
Willie Mosconi
Steve Mizerak
Mike Sigel
Luther Lassiter

I decided to add a category for the best all around players:
Ralph Greenleaf
Ed Kelly
Jack Breit
Steve Mizerak
Mike Sigel
Nick Varner
Allen Hopkins
Jim Rempe

Bar Tables:
David Matlock
Buddy Hall
Keith McCready
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I'm suprised that you didn't mention Tony Ferguson (Tony Fargo) in your bank catergory. He is the best bank pool player in the world, bar none. He has a open invitation to anyone in the world to play full rack banks for 10,000 -20,000 a session. This isn't big talk. It is a consistent offer to anyone in the world. Americans, euro's and the pinoy's. If you can find someone to beat him, they usually don't mind playing 2 sets. if you know someone pm me and we can try to match it up.
 
pineknot said:
Jay,

I most definitely respect your knowledge of the game, but I am surprised you had no place for Irving Crane on your list, especially in straight pool.

Any particular reason why not?

Did you get to be around or see the Deacon much? Any stories about him?

pineknot
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I did get to see him play and definitely thought about putting his name on here. But if I add him, I have to add Jimmy Caras too. They could easily be on here as well. Balsis too for that matter.

Irving Crane always wore a suit when playing, even in Johnston City. He was a quiet scholarly man, who stood up straight and erect when away from the table. He had good posture, a strong firm voice and was articulate and well educated. A cut above the average pool player.

I never saw him gamble, although he would occasionally peek into the backrooms at Johnston City and the Stardust, just to see what was going on. Very dignified and respected by his peers, including the hustlers. No one bothered him or woofed at him. I mean, did you really want to get into a 14.1 game with this guy? I suspect he would play if pushed, but I never saw anyone push him. Why would they? It was certain death. The only 14.1 players at these tourneys who played his speed were Lassiter and Balsis.

He was another guy who, although he didn't really play 9-Ball, had little problem with this simple game. He was a consistent high finisher in the tournaments he did play in, and was a threat to beat anyone into his 60's.

It was sad to see this healthy and robust man in the latter stages of his life, when he became frail and thin. He was still coming around tournaments into his 70's, and was competitive although no longer a winner. Like everyone else, I had a lot of respect for this man. Mike Sigel learned a lot just by watching him practice day after day in Rochester.
 
clint3612 said:
I'm suprised that you didn't mention Tony Ferguson (Tony Fargo) in your bank catergory. He is the best bank pool player in the world, bar none. He has a open invitation to anyone in the world to play full rack banks for 10,000 -20,000 a session. This isn't big talk. It is a consistent offer to anyone in the world. Americans, euro's and the pinoy's. If you can find someone to beat him, they usually don't mind playing 2 sets. if you know someone pm me and we can try to match it up.
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I have seen Tony play on several occasions and beat some good players (like Sigel and Ronnie in their prime). I do not think he was quite as good as the players I have listed (well maybe one). He is definitely one of the best Bankers around today, but I would have a hard time betting against Jason Miller if they were to match up. I suspect they have played already.

I also don't think Tony was the favorite over Truman in his prime. John Brumbach, Cliff Joyner and Piggy Banks are three other players that may give him a game as well. I could be wrong about all the above, but it is my opinion based on what I have seen. I put Tony in the top five of current Bank Pool players.
 
jay helfert said:
My all time ten best at any cue game (I can't limit it to five):

Raymond Ceulemans
Ralph Greenleaf
Harold Worst
Efren Reyes
Luther Lassiter
Steve Mizerak
Mike Sigel
Jose Parica
Buddy Hall
Walter Lindrum

At specific games:

One Pocket:
Ronnie Allen
Rags Fitzpatrick
Efren Reyes

Nine Ball:
Luther Lassiter
Jose Parica
Buddy Hall
Earl Strickland
Efren Reyes
Harold Worst
Steve Mizerak
Mike Sigel

Three Cushions:
Raymond Ceulemans
Willie Hoppe
Harold Worst
Welker Cochran

Snooker:
Joe Davis
Steve Davis
George Chenier
Walter Lindrum
Stephen Hendry

Banks:
Eddie Taylor
Leonard "Bugs" Rucker
John "Cannonball" Chapman
"Youngblood" Washington
Freddie The Beard (just kidding)

Straight Pool:
Ralph Greenleaf
Willie Mosconi
Steve Mizerak
Mike Sigel
Luther Lassiter

I decided to add a category for the best all around players:
Ralph Greenleaf
Ed Kelly
Jack Breit
Steve Mizerak
Mike Sigel
Nick Varner
Allen Hopkins
Jim Rempe

Bar Tables:
David Matlock
Buddy Hall
Keith McCready
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Thats pretty good! You have 8 players in your best all around category and Efren is not 1 of them!! Wake up pal! Efren at his best robs 7 out of the 8 playing 9 ball with the exception of Sigel which is real close. 10 ball Efren robs all of them. Rotation Efren robs all of them. 1 pocket Efren robs all of them. Efren beats at least 6 of your guys playing banks. 8 ball Efren robs all of them. Straight pool Efren won one of the few he played in. Snooker he robs all of them with the exception of Mizerak maybe. Billiards he robs all of them with the exception of Kelly and maybe Mizerak. Nice job have an all around list and not even include the man whoi is by FAR the best all around player ever!! Wake up and smell the sanka buddy
 
TheOne said:
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.
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unless hotels, airlines , gas stations and restaurants are taking medals in exchange for their goods and services it just doen't seem to make sense to play for them. you(theone) are always on this forum taking jabs at jam and you don,t seem to understand that pool in america is not like being on the olympic team(summer or winter sports) where the u.s. government sponsors the team and pays every expense. if so , our pool players might play for a medal ON OCCASION. but over here, in the U.S., pool players have to simply put their priorities first and that my friend is to PAY THE BILLS.
 
clint3612 said:
I'm suprised that you didn't mention Tony Ferguson (Tony Fargo) in your bank catergory. He is the best bank pool player in the world, bar none. He has a open invitation to anyone in the world to play full rack banks for 10,000 -20,000 a session. This isn't big talk. It is a consistent offer to anyone in the world. Americans, euro's and the pinoy's. If you can find someone to beat him, they usually don't mind playing 2 sets. if you know someone pm me and we can try to match it up.
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I,ve known TONY for a couple of decades and consider him a friend.

Although I wasn't with him I recall him taking his camper to CHI apprx 12-15yrs ago and beating EVERYBODY he bumped em with for the month or two that he was there.

IIRC he also beat BUGS ( not the circa 70's version) in MEM apprx 10 yrs ago.

He was/is good;)
 
thebighurt said:
Thats pretty good! You have 8 players in your best all around category and Efren is not 1 of them!! Wake up pal! Efren at his best robs 7 out of the 8 playing 9 ball with the exception of Sigel which is real close. 10 ball Efren robs all of them. Rotation Efren robs all of them. 1 pocket Efren robs all of them. Efren beats at least 6 of your guys playing banks. 8 ball Efren robs all of them. Straight pool Efren won one of the few he played in. Snooker he robs all of them with the exception of Mizerak maybe. Billiards he robs all of them with the exception of Kelly and maybe Mizerak. Nice job have an all around list and not even include the man whoi is by FAR the best all around player ever!! Wake up and smell the sanka buddy
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What are you talking about? Efren's on that list! You just missed his name, and so did I. I smell the coffee!
 
you're mistaken

thebighurt said:
Thats pretty good! You have 8 players in your best all around category and Efren is not 1 of them!! Wake up pal! Efren at his best robs 7 out of the 8 playing 9 ball with the exception of Sigel which is real close. 10 ball Efren robs all of them. Rotation Efren robs all of them. 1 pocket Efren robs all of them. Efren beats at least 6 of your guys playing banks. 8 ball Efren robs all of them. Straight pool Efren won one of the few he played in. Snooker he robs all of them with the exception of Mizerak maybe. Billiards he robs all of them with the exception of Kelly and maybe Mizerak. Nice job have an all around list and not even include the man whoi is by FAR the best all around player ever!! Wake up and smell the sanka buddy
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If you didn't know when efren first came to america and played in houston and beat everybody and won a big tournament he played Buddy Hall soon after and buddy drilled him a 10 ahead session playing. A little bit later he offered to play parica as well. I have never ever heard of efren beating or even trying to match up with buddy hall after that occasion. These days efren could beat buddy. buddy is a few years older and about 125lbs overweight. We don't have really an americans that play well for the cash and everybody is swinging from the pinoy's strap, but remember buddy beat efren playing 9 ball and offered to play the other pinoy's as well.
 
Oh yeah.... The only time sigel ever beat buddy was in tournaments. hell i remember when sigel played fat randy in tulsa and randy busted him and sent him home, buddy could give fat randy the 7....
 
are your memories fading or dont you guys remember

tom cruise aka vinnie
tom cruise aka vinnie
tom cruise aka vinnie
tom cruise aka vinnie
paul newman

they hustled them alllllllllllllll
 
here is mine list:

ortmann
bustamante
strickland
mizerak
hohmann

14/1 especially:

ortmann
ortmann
ortmann
mizerak
hohmann
 
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