Best One-Pocket Player in the History of The World?

Who's the Best One-Pocket Player in the History of the World??

  • Efren Reyes

    Votes: 185 73.7%

  • Rich Ford

    Votes: 4 1.6%

  • Jersey Red

    Votes: 8 3.2%

  • Grady Mathews

    Votes: 5 2.0%

  • Weenie Beanie

    Votes: 2 0.8%

  • Eddie Taylor

    Votes: 10 4.0%

  • Cliff Joyner

    Votes: 3 1.2%

  • Shannon Daulton

    Votes: 1 0.4%

  • Ronnie Allen

    Votes: 19 7.6%

  • Other

    Votes: 14 5.6%
  • Total voters
    251
O

oceanweb

Banned
While I'm on the subject of one pocket........

I walked into a little pool room a few years back looking for some one-pocket action. I'm talking maybe $20 or $40 a game....nothing serious.

So I get off the bus in Mauldin, SC and ask the lady at the ticket counter to give directions to the nearest pool room. She recommends a little place called Mr T's, then points down the street. I have nothing to lose except my pride, so I start walking toward the pool room. While I'm walking, her voice keeps ringing in my ears, whatever you do, don't play the "ayatollah of one hole-a". I figure that she's just pulling my chain, so I keep walking as I try to get the voice(s) out of my head. I finally get there and open the door. Over in the corner is a guy rolling a cue on the table. He keeps rolling the butt back and forth, and back and forth, with this glazed look in his eyes. Then he looks up at me and asks, "want to play a little one hole"?

So I tell him that "he's an unknown" but I'll try him some 8 to 6 for $20 a rack. He laughs under his breath and then accepts my offer. We flip for the break, he wins. He then proceeds to run 3 racks, and I mean "8-and-out".

I threw him $60 as I bolted for the door. I found our later his real name was "Rich Ford".....the best one pocker player I've ever known.

Now....I'm curious to see your vote.
 
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FYI, Eddie Taylor noted on numerous occasions that he considered Rags Fitzpatrick to be the best one-pocket player of his era. John Ervolino used to talk about Rags with similar respect and awe.

Having noted this, I must concede that I know next to nothing about Rags Fitzpatrick's one-pocket game. Did anyone on the forum ever see him play.
 
He just got voted into the 1p HOF on onepocket.org. Many on there sonsidered him one of the best. Its hard to top Efren though. Rags' game and Efren's game are very different. Most of the older players might agree that old school one pocket was much more grueling than it is today. Players like rags would take very few if any "risky" or low-percentage shots. Efren still makes mistakes but he also can run balls with the best and stick u in jail when needed. There are quite a few good bios and interviews on the 1p site: www.onepocket.org
 
oceanweb: I have that whole set on my puter, its like an hour or more. grady ended up gettin really pissed at Efren cuz he blasted a shot and stuck Grady in no-mans land on like the 3rd or 4th rack.
 
Efren is the only player ever that could win a One Pocket event with the field strength like the Derby City Classic 4 years in a row.
 
shag_fu said:
He just got voted into the 1p HOF on onepocket.org. Many on there sonsidered him one of the best. Its hard to top Efren though. Rags' game and Efren's game are very different. Most of the older players might agree that old school one pocket was much more grueling than it is today. Players like rags would take very few if any "risky" or low-percentage shots. Efren still makes mistakes but he also can run balls with the best and stick u in jail when needed. There are quite a few good bios and interviews on the 1p site: www.onepocket.org
Click to expand...

Wow! Thanks for the link. I guess the guy could play a little!

According to onepocket.org, "Fellow Hall of Famers Eddie Taylor, ‘Squirrel’ Carpenter and ‘Weenie Beenie’ Staton all named ‘Rags’ as the greatest One Pocket player of his era."
 
it's more than a little disturbing that as of yet twenty people voted for Reyes and only one person voted for Jack Breit and four for Ronnie Allen:confused:
 
Ronnie I think used to spot Jack Breit.. =) 8 to 7 and Jack would win 9 to 8 Ronnie would win.. =)
 
oversight?

Nick Varner, Allen Hopkins...

but, most of all:
Why isn't Gene 'Clem' Metz one of the choices?
I doubt he could have beaten E. Reyes, or Ronnie,
but would have busted most, if not all of the others.

IIRC he would have played Beenie 8-5/8-6
 
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Hmmmm

Who was the very first player inducted into the one-pocket Hall Of Fame ?
Doug
( I feel like I should know this answer )
 
There are some great players on that list and some other worthy names omitted, but my suspician is one on the list couldn't hold the others' jock straps.

In all seriousness, it's probably tough to compare the old schoolers vs. the players of today. Kind of like the baseball power hitters from the 40s/50s/60s vs. today.

(even with that being the case, Efren still gets my vote)
 
Smorgass Bored said:
Who was the very first player inducted into the one-pocket Hall Of Fame ?
Doug
( I feel like I should know this answer )
Click to expand...
Grady Mathews was the leading vote getter the first year of the One Pocket Hall of Fame. I don't think anyone would question that he has done more for the game in his lifetime, all around, than any other person, ever. He also had his run as the best player, during the early 80's especially. His well-deserved place in those ballot results would have reflected not just the calibre of player he was, but also his contribution to the game.

Here is what the One Pocket Hall of Fame says:
Selection criteria for the
One Pocket Hall of Fame

1. Great Players who have demonstrated their excellence in tournament competition over time.

2. After Hours Legends who have demonstrated their excellence and their heart by matching up against the best of their time.

3. Teachers and Promoters who have had a lasting impact on the growth and popularity of the game.
Click to expand...

You can read more, including profiles of all the Hall of Fame players here:
One Pocket Hall of Fame
 
Where's My "I Voted" Sticker ?

1pocket said:
Grady Mathews was the leading vote getter the first year of the One Pocket Hall of Fame. I don't think anyone would question that he has done more for the game in his lifetime, all around, than any other person, ever. He also had his run as the best player, during the early 80's especially. His well-deserved place in those ballot results would have reflected not just the calibre of player he was, but also his contribution to the game.

Here is what the One Pocket Hall of Fame says:


You can read more, including profiles of all the Hall of Fame players here:
One Pocket Hall of Fame
Click to expand...



And yet he doesn't have even ONE vote for him in the Poll.
I think I'll vote for him.
Doug
( Floridians love to VOTE........... and tally )
 
I certainly believe that Efren belongs at the top of the list, BUT, the rest of your list is missing some of the best players who ever played. I'm sure I'm missing some too, but off the top of my head, I wouldn't consider a list of top one pocket players that didn't include Marshall "Squirrel" Carpenter, Clem Metz, Steve Cook, Joey Spaeth, Bugs Rucker, Hayden Lingo, Jack Cooney, Danny DiLiberto and Ed Kelly.
I'm also wondering about the "Rich Ford" on your list. I used to know a Rich Ford, from the Cleveland area who was a Szamboti collector, before they were collectable. We did a lot of trading and were good friends, but I never knew him as a top player. The only time we played, I held my own with him, which is better than I could do with anyone on my list!

just more hot air!


Sherm
 
Voodoo Daddy said:
Where's Boston Shorty?

Voodoo~~~walks away mumblin "What kinna poll was this?"
Click to expand...
I was thinking the same thing if not just for hometown pride:)
 
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