Chris “THE MAGICIAN” Melling Does It Again … More Amazing Shot Sequences

From a longer perspective: the title "Magician" was applied previously to Walter Lindrum, Charlie Peterson and Clarence Anderson. I think it's reasonable to say that Lindrum has as much right to the title as anyone. As mentioned above, Shaun "The Magician" Murphy is a former World Snooker Champion who is still playing (and has a YouTube channel).

Thinking about the "magic" shots of Efren and Chris, I remember more "OMG! OMG!" shots from Melling. As a pool player, Efren has had a lot more impact on the game, but I think Melling's magic is more impressive. As an example, compare Efren's Z shot to the first shot (time kiss bank) of Melling's 8-ball out. Even I could have figured out the famous Z shot.

Before Efren, a lot of nine ball players used the "hit it hard and hope" strategy for kicking out of hooks. Efren used his carom knowledge to get intended safeties on kicks. I think that was a large part of his magic. He also did the completely unexpected at times, but his real strength was in controlling the cue ball with amazing accuracy.
 
Bob Jewett said:
From a longer perspective: the title "Magician" was applied previously to Walter Lindrum, Charlie Peterson and Clarence Anderson. I think it's reasonable to say that Lindrum has as much right to the title as anyone. As mentioned above, Shaun "The Magician" Murphy is a former World Snooker Champion who is still playing (and has a YouTube channel).

Thinking about the "magic" shots of Efren and Chris, I remember more "OMG! OMG!" shots from Melling. As a pool player, Efren has had a lot more impact on the game, but I think Melling's magic is more impressive. As an example, compare Efren's Z shot to the first shot (time kiss bank) of Melling's 8-ball out. Even I could have figured out the famous Z shot.

Before Efren, a lot of nine ball players used the "hit it hard and hope" strategy for kicking out of hooks. Efren used his carom knowledge to get intended safeties on kicks. I think that was a large part of his magic. He also did the completely unexpected at times, but his real strength was in controlling the cue ball with amazing accuracy.
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i've seen several players do the famous Z shot in competition since. i think even tyler styer did it last year. but "if they have seen further it's because they've been standing on the shoulders of giants". pretty much how i see the yesteryear's players vs today's players debate in general.

chris has for sure spent a lot of time practicing and perfecting his kicking. he uses two or three systems iirc. if he had spent more time practicing the break he would have made much more money..
 
the rocket rodney
the rocket ronnie o

earl the pearl strickland
earl the pearl monroe

i feel a nickname is a shortcut and
not a longcut so when any explanation
is needed (which the magician
are you talking about?) your endearing
phrase has just lost all meaning

melling needs another cute name
 
Bob Jewett said:
From a longer perspective: the title "Magician" was applied previously to Walter Lindrum, Charlie Peterson and Clarence Anderson. I think it's reasonable to say that Lindrum has as much right to the title as anyone. As mentioned above, Shaun "The Magician" Murphy is a former World Snooker Champion who is still playing (and has a YouTube channel).
Click to expand...

Thanks for the history lesson. I joined the pool scene a little late, so I don't have the same "perspective."


Bob Jewett said:
Thinking about the "magic" shots of Efren and Chris, I remember more "OMG! OMG!" shots from Melling. As a pool player, Efren has had a lot more impact on the game, but I think Melling's magic is more impressive. As an example, compare Efren's Z shot to the first shot (time kiss bank) of Melling's 8-ball out. Even I could have figured out the famous Z shot.
Click to expand...

Chris' highlights certainly have a bit more wow factor, but he is far from Efren's GOAT status.


Bob Jewett said:
Before Efren, a lot of nine ball players used the "hit it hard and hope" strategy for kicking out of hooks. Efren used his carom knowledge to get intended safeties on kicks. I think that was a large part of his magic. He also did the completely unexpected at times, but his real strength was in controlling the cue ball with amazing accuracy.
Click to expand...

Well stated. Efren was definitely a game changer.
 
dr_dave said:
FYI, I just posted a video that shows a collection of amazing pool shot sequences that have earned Chris Melling the well-deserved nickname: “The Magician.” Check it out:


Contents:
0:00 - Intro
0:20 - Best Sequence Ever
1:20 - More Brilliance
---- 1:27 - Ultimate Pool
---- 3:11 - 9-Ball
---- 4:02 - 8-Ball
---- 5:06 - Heyball
5:53 - More Info

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Very entertaining
 
Bob Jewett said:
Before Efren, a lot of nine ball players used the "hit it hard and hope" strategy for kicking out of hooks. Efren used his carom knowledge to get intended safeties on kicks. I think that was a large part of his magic. He also did the completely unexpected at times, but his real strength was in controlling the cue ball with amazing accuracy.
Click to expand...
Mizerak was always an advocate of the "hit it hard and pray to god" method of kicking, insisting that it was the best percentage play. Perhaps it was ... until the Magician came along.
 
Bob Jewett said:
Thinking about the "magic" shots of Efren and Chris, I remember more "OMG! OMG!" shots from Melling. As a pool player, Efren has had a lot more impact on the game, but I think Melling's magic is more impressive. As an example, compare Efren's Z shot to the first shot (time kiss bank) of Melling's 8-ball out. Even I could have figured out the famous Z shot.
Click to expand...
Maybe because there are more videos of chris.
Efren made magic when cameras were not so common.
I don't think that anybody in pool can scrap Efren's knowledge of the table and rails, maybe only the top 3C players but that's a different table.
And while Chris makes great reels, Efren won big titles. Anybody can get a great shot every now and again.
The greatness of Efren is that he could adapt faster then anybody to any table and any playing conditions, he would learn the table and cushions faster than most.
 
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dr_dave said:
It could be worse: Efram, like some of the old ESPN commentators used to pronounce it.
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I always thought it was disrespectful to not learn how to pronounce the simple name of possibly the greatest overall player the sport has ever seen. "Efren" is pretty simple to pronounce.
 
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