I've been watching the YouTube videos of the 80's and 90's, and it was mentioned that in 1989, Nick Varner won the US Open and World Championship, plus won 11 of the 22 events he entered. Has anyone had a year to compare with that? Thanks in advance for the replies.
Best Year a Professional ever had?
- Thread starter Mole Eye
- Start date
That (Varner '89) was more then likely the best one.
Efren had really good results in 1996, 2005 and 2006 and defenitely won more prizemoney in the last two but not as dominant as Varner was that year.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efren_Reyes
Efren had really good results in 1996, 2005 and 2006 and defenitely won more prizemoney in the last two but not as dominant as Varner was that year.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efren_Reyes
Harold Worst had a pretty good year in 65...while being severely ill and 70 to 80 pounds underweight, Worst still managed to retain the world three-cushion billiards title in Belgium, win two major American all-round pocket billiards tournaments, and even to win an English snooker tournament.
No knock on Nick, but Harold was on another level.
No knock on Nick, but Harold was on another level.
With all due respect, the prize money is irrelevant. Pool has seen its ups and downs in prize money, mostly down.
To the original question, Nick could very well have had the best year. I also agree Efren had some good showings too. I would give the best performance to Nick and best career to Efren.
I would like to know who has had the hottest hand in a tournament or a set as well. It would be interesting to see who has performed under the toughest positions and executed the best. A lot of metrics to compare, but it would be a fun exercise.
Simply the most dominant year that I know of in my lifetime.
I'd like to know, too...my bet would be Earl Strickland in the 1990-1992 time frame...there was a tournament (either Sands or U.S. Open) on video where they showed his record through to the finals where he only lost about 3 games through all the sets. He put big packs on everyone back then. Winner break format made for lots of white washes...
Mark Tadd?
Mark Tadd won the 9 Ball, Banks and got second in One Pocket, he could have been one of the greats, he was truly something to see back then.
Mark Tadd won the 9 Ball, Banks and got second in One Pocket, he could have been one of the greats, he was truly something to see back then.
I want to say Johnny Archer won 177k in 1996,which was the biggest year ever money-wise up until the IPT fiasco.
The funny thing is,even before the Tiger Woods phenomena that came a year later,the 135th ranked golfer,a guy that never won a PGA tournament in his life and barely held on to his PGA Tour card,made 350k in prize winnings that year.
Guys that have barely qualified for their PGA card make that in endorsements now. Tommy D.
The funny thing is,even before the Tiger Woods phenomena that came a year later,the 135th ranked golfer,a guy that never won a PGA tournament in his life and barely held on to his PGA Tour card,made 350k in prize winnings that year.
Guys that have barely qualified for their PGA card make that in endorsements now. Tommy D.
The ratio "11 of the 22 events" you've cited was heard incorrectly. Even more incredibly percentage-wise -- the commentator correctly and accurately said: -- Nick won 11 of the 12 events he entered in 1989.
No player in pool history ever approached that feat. Here are the wins the commentator was referring to:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1989 US Open 9-Ball
1989 MPBA Brunswick World Championship
1989 Rak'em Up 9-Ball Classic
1989 Knoxville 9-Ball Open
1989 Governors Cup 9-Ball
1989 Glass City Open 9-Ball
1989 Sand Regent 9-Ball Open
1989 Golden 8-Ball Invitational
1989 Scranton Open 9-Ball
1989 Lexington All Star Open
1989 Akron Open 9-Ball
Arnaldo
Less than a year later, he beat Efren in the Philippines 60-47...was never asked for a rematch.
Vaner, Hall, Sigel, Strickland, Mizerak, Rempe, Reid, Archer, Hopkins, Dallas West
I wondered where the 22 total tournaments came from, I remember him winning almost every tournament he played that year.
Nick was super dedicated and always one of the toughest players I ever played. He simply made you earn every game and there was no comfortable lead, he could win 10 straight games at any time.
Vaner, Hall, Sigel, Strickland, Mizerak, Rempe, Reid, Archer, Hopkins, Dallas West, and St Louie Louie were all extremely tough to beat back in the 80s.....they seemed more intimidating than players today, played about the same speed, just without all the racking and breaking tricks and techniques.....equipment was tougher in the 80s too.
I wondered where the 22 total tournaments came from, I remember him winning almost every tournament he played that year.
Nick was super dedicated and always one of the toughest players I ever played. He simply made you earn every game and there was no comfortable lead, he could win 10 straight games at any time.
Vaner, Hall, Sigel, Strickland, Mizerak, Rempe, Reid, Archer, Hopkins, Dallas West, and St Louie Louie were all extremely tough to beat back in the 80s.....they seemed more intimidating than players today, played about the same speed, just without all the racking and breaking tricks and techniques.....equipment was tougher in the 80s too.
No, not 11 of 12 for Varner. Here's a post I made last week in another thread:
I also remember watching a tournament during that time frame and the prize money was 20,000 for first, at the same time I was watching a bowling tournament and 32nd place paid more than 20 grand. A couple of years ago I watched a corn hole tournament that paid 30 grand to the winner. Somebody shoot me.
Yes, back then the two players having the best nine ball breaks were probably Wade Crane and David Howard. Sure seems a long time ago.
Worst was the best.
Wow, I never knew that. Thanks for sharing it.