best 1 pocket player alive today?????

hilla_hilla said:
Efren Reyes, Efren Reyes, Efren Reyes, Efren Reyes Efren Reyes
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I agree, agree, agree, agree and agree. No question he is and has been the best for going on 15 years. A long reign on top. About as long as Ronnies reign in the late 60's to early 80's.
 
Cornerman said:
I'm surprised you're asking, Mike. Efren is so far above everyone else, it's sickening. I think you should pose the question at onepocket.org.

He's won the DCC one-pocket event every time he's played it.

He spotted Cliff 8-7 last year in a race to 9 and absolutely crushed him.

I video taped him playing Corey with whatever spot and Corey told him "I can't beat you with any spot."

Efren's imagination and his ability to execute virtually any path he thinks up are two of his dominant weapons. Another is what I believe is a genius IQ and the ability to play several shots ahead (in his mind). All these things combined make him the greatest one-pocket player that ever has played the game.

Fred
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Fred,

I agree with you all the way until the last statement. All the great players revered "White Rags", John Fitzpatrick. And then there was Cincinnati Clem, who was unbeatable in his day.

And I got to see Ronnie in his prime for years and countless matches. He was by far the most creative and imaginative player I ever saw. He knew things about playing clusters of balls that no one to this day knows or sees.
His ability to execute multiple ball combinations was phenomenal to say the least. And he could funnel balls toward his hole from any position on the table. He understood the rails and kicking better than anyone also. Even the great Effie cannot kick like Ronnie, on multiple rail kicks. Ronnie would run ten and out so many times, from such unlikely situations, he would make your head spin. I saw it and still couldn't believe it.

I love Efren's game and his amazing position play and fantastic cutting ability. But the Ronnie of the 1970's was his match, and maybe more. Just my humble opinion. I would like to hear from Grady on this one, because he played Ronnie many times.
 
Blackjack said:
I spent my formative years around South Florida when Skinner was there. He was definitely as tough as nails. I think he was a Marine during WWII. For years he had an underground bet where he said he would put up $25K of his own against $25K of ANY player (that means anyone) - the bet was that he would play ANY PLAYER ANY 10 POOL GAMES for the stake. The bet was out there for many years with NO TAKERS. I would never bet against Gene Skinner in any situation. The only player I think could have taken that bet and beat Gene, was Mike Carella. I played Gene many times, and though I had an edge on him in straight pool, in 1-hole he could probably spot me 8 games in a race to 10 while giving me an embarassing spot - comfortably. He was that damn good.

Someone had posted a picture of Gene a while back (could have been Macguy) it was a picture of him sitting in the chair (possibly from late 1970's- early 1980's) possibly from Hollywood, Florida which is where I lived during that time period. Gene is by far one of my all-time favorite characters in the history of pool.
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David,

Thanks for mentioning Mike Carella. He is often overlooked due to his untimely and early death. He was one great money player, and had more heart than just about anyone alive. He wore out a who's-who of top players, who tried to mess with him on their Florida swings. Miami was Mike Carella country and poolplayers who headed that way had to avoid him at all costs.

All the guys I ran with, reported a bad experience when they matched up with Mike. I asked him for the seven once at the Congress Bowl, and he said sure so fast, that I decided to reconsider. Danny told me later I had no chance. And I played Danny with the seven and held my own.

By the way, for those who don't know, Danny D. was Mike's mentor, confidant and one of his best friends. He took it hard when Mike died.
 
jay helfert said:
Fred,

I agree with you all the way until the last statement. All the great players revered "White Rags", John Fitzpatrick. And then there was Cincinnati Clem, who was unbeatable in his day.

And I got to see Ronnie in his prime for years and countless matches. He was by far the most creative and imaginative player I ever saw. He knew things about playing clusters of balls that no one to this day knows or sees.
His ability to execute multiple ball combinations was phenomenal to say the least. And he could funnel balls toward his hole from any position on the table. He understood the rails and kicking better than anyone also. Even the great Effie cannot kick like Ronnie, on multiple rail kicks. Ronnie would run ten and out so many times, from such unlikely situations, he would make your head spin. I saw it and still couldn't believe it.

I love Efren's game and his amazing position play and fantastic cutting ability. But the Ronnie of the 1970's was his match, and maybe more. Just my humble opinion. I would like to hear from Grady on this one, because he played Ronnie many times.
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And I will add one more thing about Ronnie. I have yet to see any player with Ronnie's expertise at kicking into the pack, from any angle. He could always find a way to send balls toward his hole. His specialty was a two rail kick out of the opposing corner and up into the balls. No one has these shots in their arsenal today. And Ronnie had 'em all.
 
If Frost, Daulton, Joyner, Parica,and Deuel played a round robin one pocket tourney, who do you guys like?

I still like Joyner to come out on top but all these guys can play.
 
bud green said:
Who's number one is a easy question to answer.

Who's number two is a lot trickier.

Daulton- won numerous one pocket events but hasn't won much lately.

Frost- looking stronger all the time. Reigning US Open champ, won a Legends of one pocket event.

Joyner- beat everyone EXCEPT Efren for the last ten years. Dominates lesser competition.


Corey Deuel, Gabe Owen, Alex Pagulayan also are excellent one pocket players. Parica, Varner, Hopkins are legends but I think age is taking its toll; too many young sharpshooters out there.
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I haven't seen as many of these players as the rest of you, but Cliff Joyner and Scott Frost are incredible - when Scott Frost is on, he is aggressive and can slice the paint off the ball.
 
bud green said:
If Frost, Daulton, Joyner, Parica,and Deuel played a round robin one pocket tourney, who do you guys like?

I still like Joyner to come out on top but all these guys can play.
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Parica.....!
 
Carella

jay helfert said:
Thanks for mentioning Mike Carella. He is often overlooked due to his untimely and early death. He was one great money player, and had more heart than just about anyone alive. He wore out a who's-who of top players, who tried to mess with him on their Florida swings. Miami was Mike Carella country and poolplayers who headed that way had to avoid him at all costs.

All the guys I ran with, reported a bad experience when they matched up with Mike. I asked him for the seven once at the Congress Bowl, and he said sure so fast, that I decided to reconsider. Danny told me later I had no chance. And I played Danny with the seven and held my own.

By the way, for those who don't know, Danny D. was Mike's mentor, confidant and one of his best friends. He took it hard when Mike died.
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In keeping with my new motto of, if I cant say something bad about someone dont say anything at all, I must add my take on Mike Carella. I knew him from when he was 15 yrs old until the day he was murdered. Yes, he was murdered in a dope deal gone bad. He was an unbelievable player, I think he ran balls playing 1pkt better and faster than any human. However, as far as I and many others who knew him, thought of him as one of the worst creeps in pool. Example:exerpt from my next book,
Cheapskate Award:
Mike Carella of Hialeah, FL. After winning $25,000 in Detroit, he was obligated to tip the gamekeeper, Bugs Rucker, who had refereed the game for 24 hours. Mike told Bugs that Kenny "Romberg" Remus owed him $200, and if Bugs could collect it he could keep it.
If you played him and he broke you, all you could get from him as to some wake up money, was a sneer of derision.

BlackJack,
I had forgotten about Gene Skinners standard offer of 25k to anyone and play 10 different games. However, 3 cushion billiards, and other billiard games were included in that package. Gene played 3 cush just under the top ten monsters, Hoppe, Cochran, Shaefer etc.

the Beard
 
bud green said:
If Frost, Daulton, Joyner, Parica,and Deuel played a round robin one pocket tourney, who do you guys like?

I still like Joyner to come out on top but all these guys can play.
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Parica is the craftiest of the 4, he is my horse!!
 
Parica played incredible at one of the Roanoke one pocket tourneys (1995?), beating his last three opponents 15-1 on his way to winning the tourney.

I haven't heard of him doing too much lately, though. Anyone have any stories of Joyner and Frost matching up?

I don't think Joyner, Frost, or Corey want to gamble Shannon any banks any time soon, but it seems like he hasn't been placing as well as he used to in one pocket events.
 
Thanks Jay

For mentioning the natural flow (of balls) that Ronnie could send to his pocket. When he would make those ten and out runs, he not only would kick to the pack but could also see where there was no danger of balls going towards his opponents pocket.

Efren is the best, but Ronnie has his own world also. Different times but not so different outcomes.

And while everyone is mentioning other top players (of all time), I was surprised not to hear Bugsy being mentioned. He was a monster...
 
Ok,,,OK,,,I surrender...lol

Ok everybody, I should have known better than to ask this silly question. i realize that Efren "BATA" Reyes is the best 1 hole player out there alive today.....So i surrender to your knowledge................mike
 
Blackjack said:
I spent my formative years around South Florida when Skinner was there. For years he had an underground bet where he said he would put up $25K of his own against $25K of ANY player (that means anyone) - the bet was that he would play ANY PLAYER ANY 10 POOL GAMES for the stake. The bet was out there for many years with NO TAKERS.
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First, Efren is the best at one-pocket, period. Second, I have a standing wager as well--I will put up $25K of my own money that I will play any player, any game, anywhere, any time. Any takers?
 
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supergreenman said:
I'll play him too, I don't mind losing either, um..... but I don't want the lesson to be too expensive.:D
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I've played Efren races to 5 for $50 at HardTimes a few times. How's that for cheap?

Contrast that with a player who shall remain nameless but who is playing in the 14.1 World Championship going on now. I told him I was trying to improve my game by playing better players, but it was difficult because I didn't have a lot of money. I asked him if he would be willing to play me and he said, "Sure, I'll play for $500 a set." Thanks a lot pal.
 
efren but also watch corey

At derby city every year efren gives joiner a ball and beats him then corey gambles some cheap sets with Efren the night before they play the finals to try to learn something to help but Efren blisters him anyway, But you need to see Corey Duel play 15 ball one pocket ghost for a thousand a game 3 to 1 on the money for hours and every one but Coreys side loses there dough, it was as amazing as watching Efren run 15 ball rotation rack after rackweaving the cueball through traffic and allways on line. I could watch either of those games forever even though I am a big fan of Earl the pearls 9 ballin.
 
poolcuemaster said:
At derby city every year efren gives joiner a ball and beats him then corey gambles some cheap sets with Efren the night before they play the finals to try to learn something to help but Efren blisters him anyway, But you need to see Corey Duel play 15 ball one pocket ghost for a thousand a game 3 to 1 on the money for hours and every one but Coreys side loses there dough, it was as amazing as watching Efren run 15 ball rotation rack after rackweaving the cueball through traffic and allways on line. I could watch either of those games forever even though I am a big fan of Earl the pearls 9 ballin.
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Was it really 3 to 1? I heard it was 6 to 1. 3 to 1 just sounds insanely good to me.
 
PoolBum said:
First, Efren is the best at one-pocket, period. Second, I have a standing wager as well--I will put up $25K of my own money that I will play any player, any game, anywhere, any time. Any takers?
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Hey, I'll put up 25K to play you. Not saying I'll win, but I will play. lol
 
jay helfert said:
Hey, I'll put up 25K to play you. Not saying I'll win, but I will play. lol
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Come on Jay.
Share some of that 1 mil you beat Superstroke Bruce.:eek: :D :D
 
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