Best Bar Box Player in the World?

I saw both of these players in their prime playing many times and I would have to call it a toss up between David Matlock and Joe Lawrence if they were both in their prime and playing their best. Keith, Earl, Jose, Buddy and Johnny all played top notch bar table pool also.
 
Pigcarver said:
If you want to go with the oversized rock....how about King Kong (Bernardo Chavez)?
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That big cue ball made a big difference to players. I think Keith said something about that in one of his post. That ball is missed by a few. :(
 
My vote would probably go to Cliff, I haven't seen Keith shoot on a barbox so I can't comment on his barbox game.
 
Without question, I give the nod to Dave Matlock. There is nobody better. Honorable mention goes to the following:

Keith McCready - (seen his game on a bar box - SUPERB)

Cowboy Jimmy Moore- Seen him beat Earthquake at one of the Huebler Bar Box Turkey Shoots in Las Vegas back in the late 80's. Jimmy was quite simply the most amazing player I have ever seen, played against or talked with. Jimmy played in Tavern leagues in Albuquerque when he was in his 80's.

Louie Roybal- Another great player from Albuquerque. Awesome game with the big ball.

Scotty Townsend- Scotty has this bad habit - its called "not missing".

Ismael Paez- This choice may surprise you, but he is able to impart his masse' magic to the bar box. Morro is always fun to watch as long as your not playing him.

Jeff Carter- If there was one player I could watch play for hours, it would have to be Jeff Carter. There are absolutely no weak spots in his game. He is by far the greatest player to observe for proper fundamentals, stroke, stance, attitude, shot selection, position play etc etc etc. Jeff Carter da man.

Jon Hennessey - This kid could be great if he just concentrated his energy on the playing surface of the table. Great player, great energy, too much production. Still, he gets included on Blackjack's short list.

Roy Yamane - The Sensei. Everytime I see him play or teach I learn so much. Great bar box player, great teacher of the game.
 
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Jon Hennessey is one that WOULD NOT make my top 100.

Whitey Walker is another great bar box player with tons of heart. I saw Whitey beat & torture the ghost on a bar table WITHOUT taking ball in hand to start each game.
 
Right now, Cliff Joyner.

Give some props to the old guys:

Louie Roybal from Albuquerque is amazing for an old guy. I don't think he sees too good either. I've taken a couple of lessons from him and he's a great guy.

I see Clyde Bowles listed in just about every national 8-Ball seniors finals. Don't know much about him, but I think Louie's matched up against him a few times.
 
Lots of folks like Cliff and I do too but he could only garner a third place in the Gulf Coast Classic bar box event. Will Pay, or who ever he is, beat Nat Green in the final. I watched. It wasn't a fluke, Cliff got beat. Scotty was in that too. I liked Scotty for that event but he finished out of the money.

Later, Pel
 
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How about Jason Kirkwood? Don't know if he's best, but he can light it up on a barbox.
 
I'm surprised to see no mention of Johnny Archer :confused: He dominated the barboxes for years before turning strictly to pro events. My top five in no certain order would be Buddy Hall, Johnny Archer, Cliff Joyner, Scotty Townsend, Dave Matlock.
 
wizard said:
I'm surprised to see no mention of Johnny Archer :confused: He dominated the barboxes for years before turning strictly to pro events. My top five in no certain order would be Buddy Hall, Johnny Archer, Cliff Joyner, Scotty Townsend, Dave Matlock.
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Reed Pierce fits in there. I heard Buddy say that Reed was a monster on the bar boxes until he couldn't get a game anyplace in the US. This is why he finally went on the tour. This was in 94 or so at the Bicycle Club hanging around the practice table.
 
Pigcarver said:
If you want to go with the oversized rock....how about King Kong (Bernardo Chavez)?
Click to expand...

Isn't the large cueball what all barbox players use/are known for?
 
Best Bar Box Player

Vernon Elliott was the best. His name won't register with many of the under 30 age group and you haven't see his name on tournament rosters but ask some of the pros mentioned here ie, Keith McCready, Buddy Hall, Nick Varner, Earl Strickland, Mike Massey, Shannon Daulton, Grady Mathews-(no Grady would never play him-9 ball or one pocket ) and many others. No one beat him playing even.
 
Doug said:
Vernon Elliott was the best. His name won't register with many of the under 30 age group and you haven't see his name on tournament rosters but ask some of the pros mentioned here ie, Keith McCready, Buddy Hall, Nick Varner, Earl Strickland, Mike Massey, Shannon Daulton, Grady Mathews-(no Grady would never play him-9 ball or one pocket ) and many others. No one beat him playing even.
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We had a thread once that talked about Vernon. Keith said he was really good. If you have some good true stories about Vernon start a Vernon Elliott thread and see if we get more imput this time. I have heard he was the best on either table, but I never saw him play.
 
I can't say who I think is the best barbox player, I've seen so many in the past 40 years. I saw John Schmidt play flawless and go undefeated through the entire barbox tournament against a number of the names listed here as the greatest. I appreciate how well these new young players play on the Simonis newly covered tables with new Centenial balls. But, I used to really enjoy the great players that would come into a spot with a less than perfect table, balls and the large cueball and then toast their opponents. It was beautiful.... imo
 
Bob Romano said:
I made a post and mentioned Jesse Bowman being the best bar box player (In my opinion only) in the world. It drew controversery ~ Ok, let's hear it, who is the best in your opinion?

Eydie
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Eric Durbin, Brandon Ashcroft, Jeff Sargeant, Cliff Joyner, Buddy Hall, ...
 
Fred Agnir said:
Eric Durbin, Brandon Ashcroft, Jeff Sargeant, Cliff Joyner, Buddy Hall, ...
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...........James Baracks, Jon Kucharo, Jeremy Jones, Gabe Owen......... so many that could be the best on any given day.

But, imo, day after day, day in and day out, for the money, on any table with any rock, against anybody, indoors or outdoors, above or under water, it had to be Buddy.

Nowdays I don't know and there's no way to tell but lilke Bob said in the beginning Jesse is somthun to see. Poetry in motion. The epitome of cool (until he screws up :rolleyes: )
 
U R right last two

LastTwo said:
Isn't the large cueball what all barbox players use/are known for?
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The large cueball is what made the bar player. Now that they are no longer used their really is no difference anyone who plays well on a regulation table can also play well on a bar box. Especially nine ball, that game is really a easy game on bar tables.
As for King Kong, he is a strong bar player but Keith used to give him the 7, and I think Joe Salazar used to give him the 8.
 
The :Box"

I"ll agree ,Buddy ,Keith,Vernon in that order I've been around most of the older players grew-up with them, helped them when they needed it{when I could] Thats hard one Best,WoW!!! I think Little Al Mason should be in there somewhere?? I remember Buddy when he was beating all the older pl/ at 16.,I remember Mike Massie taking down all the $ that was around . I remember that BBQ PLACE north of Nashville Tenn.Bill Payton, Buddy Dennis also played his ass-off then there was Steve Smith {Lizzard} And--of course that ??Player I was on the road with???WHO tried to put me away so he could drive my car!!!! The times I had would make most run !! My dad made me promise to get-away from pool-players Hell it was like most, in my blood! Some time soon Ill write a book an tell the storys[ all true]!!Ha,Ha :D
 
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