Debate on who was/is the best ever player will always be one of the most interesting of threads because in many instances it brings out the fervent passions we have for player(s) of our choice. And rightfully so, because to decide who was the best ever would end the appeal of this debate. Although still subjective, who was the best ever High Stakes player thread may be made up of less candidates and bring, in many cases, new players to consider, many of whom will be unknown except by the most experienced/informed forum members. Many champions would not match heads up with high stakes players and as likely as not wouldn't play if they received weight. Freddy already knows my pick, who I will give later, so who is your choice when the the only thing being played for is the money? To give greater credibility to your choice(s) tell who they were matched up against, when, where, type of game, where discretion allows the stakes.
Best ever High Stakes player
- Thread starter Doug
- Start date
Although Efren is the with no dought, Cooney probaly has taken the most big scores.
Good Question.
Yes, Jack Cooney made the biggest scores, but he was usually playing a sucker.
As far as betting sky high and playing good, I would have to go with Ronnie, Keith and Richie in no particular order. In One Pocket, R.A. and in 9-Ball Keith. I never saw a bet that could even phase Keith. Or Ronnie for that matter.
I left out one important player. The King of high stakes pool for almost 20 years, modern times. Surprise, it's not Efren. It's Parica. He was the most feared money player for a long long time. Efren plays real good for the cheese too, but he is vulnerable at 9-Ball or Ten Ball. Parica was not.
Yes, Jack Cooney made the biggest scores, but he was usually playing a sucker.
As far as betting sky high and playing good, I would have to go with Ronnie, Keith and Richie in no particular order. In One Pocket, R.A. and in 9-Ball Keith. I never saw a bet that could even phase Keith. Or Ronnie for that matter.
I left out one important player. The King of high stakes pool for almost 20 years, modern times. Surprise, it's not Efren. It's Parica. He was the most feared money player for a long long time. Efren plays real good for the cheese too, but he is vulnerable at 9-Ball or Ten Ball. Parica was not.
Please do not forget James Walden or Toby Flaherty.
Who not to give a gamble to
I look at this question from a little different perspective. I rate not who played the best for the big money, but rather who you had better not give a gamble to. Some guys played great for big money, but they always had a good game. I'm talking about guys that didnt need a good game, just a good gamble. Just show them that they could win big money, what the game was was secondary. Artie played great for big money, but he wouldnt play with a bad game. Corn Bread Red, Ronnie Allen and Bugs, their only requirement for a game was to just give them a gamble and tititlate them with the prospect of a score. Having the worst of it did not really matter. Actually, every time I seen those guys playing for the big stuff they had the worst of it. The standard advice about playing one of those guys for big cheese was, "Whatever you think you need to have the nuts, you better still try to get one or two more balls if you want to win. I never in my life seen any of those guys get an even-up gamble for the mega-bucks. As the bet went up, so did their speed.
the Beard
I look at this question from a little different perspective. I rate not who played the best for the big money, but rather who you had better not give a gamble to. Some guys played great for big money, but they always had a good game. I'm talking about guys that didnt need a good game, just a good gamble. Just show them that they could win big money, what the game was was secondary. Artie played great for big money, but he wouldnt play with a bad game. Corn Bread Red, Ronnie Allen and Bugs, their only requirement for a game was to just give them a gamble and tititlate them with the prospect of a score. Having the worst of it did not really matter. Actually, every time I seen those guys playing for the big stuff they had the worst of it. The standard advice about playing one of those guys for big cheese was, "Whatever you think you need to have the nuts, you better still try to get one or two more balls if you want to win. I never in my life seen any of those guys get an even-up gamble for the mega-bucks. As the bet went up, so did their speed.
the Beard
red
in my opinion "corn bread red "in his day.i have seen him bet high and he plays the same as when he was playin in a tournament .no one could out bet him or out play for the big cash.nobody during his prime could beat him playing 1 hole on a snooker table,no matter what they bet.he also made a name of "out running the nuts".giving up a spot that seems like a lock and winning .he was one of my pool heros and is missed,rip.
in my opinion "corn bread red "in his day.i have seen him bet high and he plays the same as when he was playin in a tournament .no one could out bet him or out play for the big cash.nobody during his prime could beat him playing 1 hole on a snooker table,no matter what they bet.he also made a name of "out running the nuts".giving up a spot that seems like a lock and winning .he was one of my pool heros and is missed,rip.
I would have to mention Allen Hopkins.
How about Bucktooth, aka Rich Cook?
How about Bucktooth, aka Rich Cook?
ironman said:
Yes and yes. Denny was a master gambler with no fear of anyone or any bet.
In his prime, he would have been a great match for Jose. May be the only one who could beat him at 9-Ball. That's too close to call. I wouldn't bet here, just watch.
freddy the beard said:
Great answer oh Bearded one. Ronnie liked to say he "outran the nuts". And often he did. At first when I saw him make these outrageous games, I thought he was crazy. I came to learn, that this is how he made big scores, giving up the nuts.
One of Ronnie's secrets that can be told now. Everyone rates the break at a couple of balls. Not Ronnie. He said it was worth four balls to him. I saw him play good players even One Handed (they played with two of course) and he would take the break. I never saw him lose that way. And he liked to give up 10 to 6 (or more) to good players and take the break. Again, they thought they had the best of it. Au contraire.
And Red was so damn intimidating. He scared you out of two or three balls a game. Something about his presence was overwhelming. Playing him was like getting ready to go into surgery or being chased by a bear. SCARY!!
And Bugs was Mr. Cool. No matter what, he acted like he had you and you belonged to him. It was like at any moment that he chose, the game would be over. He was never flustered. It didn't matter if you just made the shot of your life. It was only prolonging the agony, which was inevitable. With Bugs, any shot could be your last, and you knew it and felt it.
What do you think Fred. Am I close here?
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Doug said:
Mataya was another dangerous gambler and he robbed many ring games. he would draw the line at Denny and Richie though. He and Jimmy Reid played about on a par, with Mataya a little better at reaching the goal line first.
Cardon didn't book a loser for only about 25 years. He has to have the best record all time, like the Globetrotters. But Billy was a very careful gamemaker. He didn't want to outrun the nuts. He wanted to run with the nuts.