best banker
Vernon Elliott, this guy could make banks no one else would even attempt.
Vernon Elliott, this guy could make banks no one else would even attempt.
Best Banker Alive
- Thread starter Cannonball55
- Start date
T-Man for mines
If you include betting my life along with betting his own life on a straight back, I want the cue in the hands of the banking devil, Truman Hogue. Another way to pose the question is who do the players not want to be shooting at a straight back for all the mibs. Fifteen years ago the question was a no-brainer, nobody was ready to fade T-man's straight backs. Even with todays diluted skills, I'm sure the little rat could still get geared up to make one extreme pressure shot. I will never forget the straight back he made on Gabe Owen at DCC a few years ago with Gabe needing 1 ball and 1 game for the set. It was a length of the table, wrist-turner, sell-out. He made it, ran out and the joint went up for grabs, me included. There was another game to play but it was a foregone conclusion. Gabe's brain was in Lala land and T-man won easily. If it means anything, Truman was the only banker in America that I didnt go looking for -- including Fargo, Bugs, Cannonball, Donnie Anderson.,etc.. We were always good friends, but I played all my other friends.
the Beard
If you include betting my life along with betting his own life on a straight back, I want the cue in the hands of the banking devil, Truman Hogue. Another way to pose the question is who do the players not want to be shooting at a straight back for all the mibs. Fifteen years ago the question was a no-brainer, nobody was ready to fade T-man's straight backs. Even with todays diluted skills, I'm sure the little rat could still get geared up to make one extreme pressure shot. I will never forget the straight back he made on Gabe Owen at DCC a few years ago with Gabe needing 1 ball and 1 game for the set. It was a length of the table, wrist-turner, sell-out. He made it, ran out and the joint went up for grabs, me included. There was another game to play but it was a foregone conclusion. Gabe's brain was in Lala land and T-man won easily. If it means anything, Truman was the only banker in America that I didnt go looking for -- including Fargo, Bugs, Cannonball, Donnie Anderson.,etc.. We were always good friends, but I played all my other friends.
the Beard
freddy the beard said:
Okay, you made me think about it. I'm changing my vote to Truman and then Tony. I have a lot of memories of Truman hammering Straight Backs too. BAM! He would put blisters in the back of the pockets. :grin:
Somehow I still like Tony to make just one for all the marbles. The man has ice water in his veins. Truman would occasionally over hit one for the cheese. Anyway, they both are fantastic bankers. I loved watching them play. Made me feel like a baby. In their prime, I still think they both played better than the current generation of Bankers. I guess I'm doomed to be stuck in the past.
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This thread comes up quite often, and as an Indiana person I like Brian as a person and as a player.
Some of the most amazing things I have ever seen him do no a pool table, were back in the days when the club next door was open and him and Doty, (RIP man) Taco, would come in to the pool room and then go to the club. At the pool hall Brian would throw some balls out and just make unreal banks, you could walk up to play him and sure no problem he would give you a game, and try really hard.
My money goes on Brian as well as my help in RL if he ever needs anything, I'm here for him.
Some of the most amazing things I have ever seen him do no a pool table, were back in the days when the club next door was open and him and Doty, (RIP man) Taco, would come in to the pool room and then go to the club. At the pool hall Brian would throw some balls out and just make unreal banks, you could walk up to play him and sure no problem he would give you a game, and try really hard.
My money goes on Brian as well as my help in RL if he ever needs anything, I'm here for him.
Excuse me, Doug.
Everybody, including Vernon himself, knows how much I love and respect him and his game, but I cant let this go unchallenged, #1 I did beat Vernon once playing even in Hot Springs, AR. Just ask him. Only once, but it meant a lot to me. #2 No human was going to beat a healthy Eddie Taylor playing banks. As great as Cannonball and Youngblood Washington played, Taylor gave them each a ball. In the whole time there was a Johnston City tournament, 1961 to 1972, I never seen Eddie Taylor get a game of bank pool, not even with a spot! When you see him, tell that rascal hello for me.
the Beard
Doug said:
Everybody, including Vernon himself, knows how much I love and respect him and his game, but I cant let this go unchallenged, #1 I did beat Vernon once playing even in Hot Springs, AR. Just ask him. Only once, but it meant a lot to me. #2 No human was going to beat a healthy Eddie Taylor playing banks. As great as Cannonball and Youngblood Washington played, Taylor gave them each a ball. In the whole time there was a Johnston City tournament, 1961 to 1972, I never seen Eddie Taylor get a game of bank pool, not even with a spot! When you see him, tell that rascal hello for me.
the Beard
I love this tread 
I love hearing about all these great banks players. Does anyone have any accu stats banks matches that they can recommend? Plus just curious how Luther lassiters bank game was rated, if he played it. Any input will be greatly appreciated.
I love hearing about all these great banks players. Does anyone have any accu stats banks matches that they can recommend? Plus just curious how Luther lassiters bank game was rated, if he played it. Any input will be greatly appreciated.
I think a lot of posters are getting away from the original post. Who would you have shoot a straight back with your life on the line today?
My choice would be Tony Chohan, or Jose Parica. Both are champion caliber one pocket players with great banking skills and extremely accurate. Accuracy is critical on straight backs.
Of the players who are bank specialists, I like Brian Gregg or Jason Miller.
Larry Price is not mentioned as much because his effectiveness in bank pool comes partly from his defensive play. This is why he is so successful at the DCC Bank Pool Tournament. Remember, at the DCC the races are short (race to three.) Look at all of the great bankers who have not won the DCC: Piggy Banks, Truman Hogue, Tony Fargo, John Brumbach, Brian Gregg and the list goes on.
My choice would be Tony Chohan, or Jose Parica. Both are champion caliber one pocket players with great banking skills and extremely accurate. Accuracy is critical on straight backs.
Of the players who are bank specialists, I like Brian Gregg or Jason Miller.
Larry Price is not mentioned as much because his effectiveness in bank pool comes partly from his defensive play. This is why he is so successful at the DCC Bank Pool Tournament. Remember, at the DCC the races are short (race to three.) Look at all of the great bankers who have not won the DCC: Piggy Banks, Truman Hogue, Tony Fargo, John Brumbach, Brian Gregg and the list goes on.
Road Warrior said:
Now Luther could bank. Hell, he could shoot any shot! But like Mosconi, he preferred to play position where he didn't have to bank. But if he had to in 9-Ball or One Pocket, he was hitting it dead at the hole. I saw him zing a few cross-siders in playing 9-Ball when that's all he had.
WheatCues
Banned
Don't overlook PETE OHMAN !!!
He has a world class bank game... I have seen parts of it firsthand on a double shimmed 9ft table and I can only imagine what it's like when he's actually IN STROKE !
The man can play and I'm not talking about 1 rail banks either... 2-3 rails minimum....
In short...his bank game is equivelant to his cuemaking skills !!!!
- Eddie Wheat
He has a world class bank game... I have seen parts of it firsthand on a double shimmed 9ft table and I can only imagine what it's like when he's actually IN STROKE !
The man can play and I'm not talking about 1 rail banks either... 2-3 rails minimum....
In short...his bank game is equivelant to his cuemaking skills !!!!
- Eddie Wheat
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Mike Dechaine Is One Hell Of A Banker For A Young Guy
vagabond said:Reportedly it was done in Ashville, NC more than 45 years ago during an action game for small change. when his turn came he made 10 in one game and immediatley in the following game he broke and ran 15 and in the following game he made 12 .
I was lucky to see 'The Bear' months before he passed away.Grady arranged some sort of ceremony - HOF or something like that in Shreveport , LA in 2004 and I was there for that.On that day 'The Knoxville Bear ' gave exhibition of a bank shot and postion play after that shot.It was amazing.Even if I practice for 12 hours a day for 365 days I will never be able to duplicate that shot.
This HOF induction was held at Sidepocket Billiards in Shreveport, Louisiana. The owner, Brett Sempter is an old friend of mine. I haven't seen him in years. Does anyone know if that poolroom is still open? Here is a link to some pictures from that event.
http://www.onepocket.org/Taylor_HOF_Event.htm
Jimmy Fusco hasn't been mentioned... I have seen him doing some crazy banks.
