Analysis of the GREATEST POOL MATCH of All Time – Sigel vs. Varner

[dr_dave]

FYI, I just posted a new video that replays some amazing highlights, attempts to recreate shots, and analyzes shot options from the most shocking pool match of all time between Mike Sigel and Nick Varner from the 1990 US Open 9-ball Championship. Check it out:

Contents (with timestamp links):
0:00 – Intro
0:48 – Color Commentary
1:35 – Break Shots
1:52 – Early Shot
2:46 – Comeback Start
3:38 – Kick Bank Re-creation
5:15 – Long Kick Pot Re-creation
6:51 – Mid Match Action
8:20 – Mike’s First Lost Opportunity
9:14 – Position Play Re-creation
10:51 – Mike’s Second Lost Opportunity
11:19 – Hill-Hill Case Game
12:31 – Mike Final Lost Opportunity and Re-creation
14:23 – Wrap Up
15:11 – Nick Shot Montage

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!

 

[JusticeNJ]

Awesome- will check it out!

 

[dr_dave]

Awesome- will check it out!

Please let me know what you think after you do.

Thanks.

 

[justnum]

DrDave calling out Mike Sigel for making bad decisions during a competition. The most compelling video to date.

 

[JusticeNJ]

I thought it was great - enjoyed the analysis of Mike's final shot. I've heard through the forums that Mike claimed he had no safety and was going for a four rail bank. His body language certainly suggests otherwise, and the video demonstrates a few alternatives. Thanks for the video, Dr. Dave.

 

[pt109]

12:31....the shot I saw, having played a lot of snooker, where you can’t shoot into the ball, was to thin hit it on the other side, spinning whitey with right english four rails while the 9-ball floats to the top rail.

Doc, would you try that one on a video, please?

 

[justnum]

I thought it was great - enjoyed the analysis of Mike's final shot. I've heard through the forums that Mike claimed he had no safety and was going for a four rail bank. His body language certainly suggests otherwise, and the video demonstrates a few alternatives. Thanks for the video, Dr. Dave.

was the video edited so he could pocket the shot Mike "missed"
DrDave has a video on bending balls and that was a two rail bank so....

 

[dr_dave]

DrDave calling out Mike Sigel for making bad decisions during a competition. The most compelling video to date.

I was just agreeing with Grady Mathews and Buddy Hall. Do you also doubt them?

 

[justnum]

I was just agreeing with Grady Mathews and Buddy Hall. Do you also doubt them?

I'd rather ask Mike what happen.

 

[dr_dave]

I thought it was great - enjoyed the analysis of Mike's final shot. I've heard through the forums that Mike claimed he had no safety and was going for a four rail bank. His body language certainly suggests otherwise, and the video demonstrates a few alternatives. Thanks for the video, Dr. Dave.

Thanks. I’m glad you liked it.

In Mike’s defense, none of the alternative shots I demonstrated were very easy or super effective.

 

[dr_dave]

12:31....the shot I saw, having played a lot of snooker, where you can’t shoot into the ball, was to thin hit it on the other side, spinning whitey with right english four rails while the 9-ball floats to the top rail.

Doc, would you try that one on a video, please?

I did try that shot, and several others, while filming. I couldn’t get a good result in a reasonable number of tries.

 

[dr_dave]

was the video edited so he could pocket the shot Mike "missed"

Nope. I never “cheat” on video. If I use video editing trickery, I am honest about it. For example see:

 

[pt109]

I did try that shot, and several others, while filming. I couldn’t get a good result in a reasonable number of tries.

Thanx for trying, Doc.....if I ever get back to a pool hall, I’m going to try it...between snooker and 3-cushion, I feel comfortable thin-cutting with a lot of english....but only doing it will tell.

 

[DieselPete]

I'd rather ask Mike what happen.

You typically didn't have to ask him. Mike "Complain and Explain" Sigel would tell you all about it in real time, on his meandering way back to his chair. I could never figure out if he was playing a tournament or shooting an instructional video.

 

[justnum]

You typically didn't have to ask him. Mike "Complain and Explain" Sigel would tell you all about it in real time, on his meandering way back to his chair. I could never figure out if he was playing a tournament or shooting an instructional video.

i saw mike at us open 09 or 08 in chesapeake, i was one of three spectators. he seems ok, when no one is calling him names. he even said something encouraging as i sat watching him.

some pro players interact with fans, i like that.

other pro players are all about the win and money. i prefer the earlier

as for daves vid i think those shots are highly edited

 

[Chip Roberson]

Concerning the last shot on the 9 by Mr. Sigel, I have always thought that he should have shot the cue ball from a soft kiss off the 9 and planted the cue down as close as possible to the bottom rail on the other side of the table. Mr. Varner had just missed one easy shot for the win and even a great player such as he might still have cob webs circling the mind afterwards when stretching out a full length of the table shot that would have resulted,,

 

[dr_dave]

Thanx for trying, Doc.....if I ever get back to a pool hall, I’m going to try it...between snooker and 3-cushion, I feel comfortable thin-cutting with a lot of english....but only doing it will tell.

Give it a try and please post a video if you can get good results. I think it might be tougher than you think with that ball layout.

 

[dr_dave]

You typically didn't have to ask him. Mike "Complain and Explain" Sigel would tell you all about it in real time, on his meandering way back to his chair. I could never figure out if he was playing a tournament or shooting an instructional video.

I'm not sure I would use the work "instruction" to describe Mike's "chirping." I think it is more "entertaining" than "educational."

 

[dr_dave]

as for daves vid i think those shots are highly edited

I'm not sure what you mean. Of course my videos are highly edited. I sometimes spend days working on the editing part of video production.

If you mean: I didn't include all of my misses when showing the options Mike had on the final shot of the match, then you are correct. I didn't include any of my misses; unlike with the Nick shots I recreated, where I did include all my misses (38 and 10).

 

[dr_dave]

Concerning the last shot on the 9 by Mr. Sigel, I have always thought that he should have shot the cue ball from a soft kiss off the 9 and planted the cue down as close as possible to the bottom rail on the other side of the table. Mr. Varner had just missed one easy shot for the win and even a great player such as he might still have cob webs circling the mind afterwards when stretching out a full length of the table shot that would have resulted,,

Agreed. That's why I showed that option.