CJ Wiley VS Efren Reyes - June 19, 2018

[AtLarge]

While it was an interesting and enjoyable match with some good play, it wasn't consistently top-level play by either player.

- Successful breaks were under 50% for each player, averaging just 0.6 balls per break.
- Break-and-run games numbered just 2 for Reyes, 1 for Wiley -- 12% in total.
- One-inning games (B&R's plus outs by the non-breaker in his first visit) were just 31%.
- Each player fouled 4 times.
- Misses averaged a bit over 1 per game, with Reyes missing even more than Wiley.

[The table was difficult -- said to have 4¼" corners.]

 

[Cardigan Kid]

This match needs to be put into perspective.

1. It was an "exhibition".
2. Efren is a touring pro, who has never had a job, never taken a long break from the game, and has played for more than 50 years straight.
3. CJ used to be a touring pro, but quit many years ago, and now only plays part time and pool isn't his only endeavor.
4. Efren just beat Jeremy Jones playing 10-ball and I think everyone thinks Jeremy may be the favorite over CJ.
5. Efren has been playing world-class players all the way up into this event. CJ has been playing with players who aren't world class.


All in all, I think the match was good entertainment. For those who paid close attention, you definitely could see the greatly different styles of game they were playing. Efren was playing a lot of softer shots with lots of spin at times, but CJ was using TOI and slamming the balls into the pockets. You could hear the "pops" loudly. You also could see that CJ was "gliding" the ball around the table instead of spinning it. It made for interesting watching.

Aloha.

I really dig this review.
Great insight and reminds me of how much I miss CJ hanging around this forum and offering his input.

 

[Cardigan Kid]

For anyone interested, in my search for the recent match on a working platform (I can't get the video to work on the Facebook links provided on my phone)....

I did however come across this match from the 1993 US Open of CJ vs Efren posted 5 months ago on YouTube...

Part 1 https://youtu.be/Ix2kzBpIok4

Part 2 https://youtu.be/PWsWNYJiv7s

Part 3. https://youtu.be/MPO10ojKuL8

Part 4. https://youtu.be/EKOrN5CIA-s

 

[HawaiianEye]

I really dig this review.
Great insight and reminds me of how much I miss CJ hanging around this forum and offering his input.

I forgot to mention it, but I heard that Efren had been playing on that table for quite a few hours up until match time. Efren was playing "matches" with people who had paid to have the opportunity to play with him. CJ showed up later and didn't hit a ball on the table until right before the match.

Not an excuse for him losing, but he seemed to not be as "warmed up" as Efren was.

Did either of them make any money off the match? I'm assuming they got some kind of money for just being there. Was there a difference in the payout between winning and losing?

I'm assuming somebody on the side had to be betting something.

 

[Dave714]

Around this time in 93 CJ was a bad dude. The group of people I hung with we always said CJ "Will them in the pocket". He had ever bit the fire power Earl ever had.

 

[iusedtoberich]

I finally was able to watch this whole match today. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I thought CJ played very well also, but, Efren was the big favorite going in, and he proved it

 

[pt109]

I finally was able to watch this whole match today. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I thought CJ played very well also, but, Efren was the big favorite going in, and he proved it

If you have a link other than Facebook, I’d like to watch it also.

 

[iusedtoberich]

No, only the FB links from this thread.

 

[Positively Ralf]

This match needs to be put into perspective.

1. It was an "exhibition".
2. Efren is a touring pro, who has never had a job, never taken a long break from the game, and has played for more than 50 years straight.
3. CJ used to be a touring pro, but quit many years ago, and now only plays part time and pool isn't his only endeavor.
4. Efren just beat Jeremy Jones playing 10-ball and I think everyone thinks Jeremy may be the favorite over CJ.
5. Efren has been playing world-class players all the way up into this event. CJ has been playing with players who aren't world class.


All in all, I think the match was good entertainment. For those who paid close attention, you definitely could see the greatly different styles of game they were playing. Efren was playing a lot of softer shots with lots of spin at times, but CJ was using TOI and slamming the balls into the pockets. You could hear the "pops" loudly. You also could see that CJ was "gliding" the ball around the table instead of spinning it. It made for interesting watching.

Aloha.

you can basically switch the names to Strickland and sigel for their recent battle of legends matches. it was fun for the ones who saw but it was never a good idea to pit a player who is still very active against one who retired years ago.