Dennis and Tony Sitting in a Tree
- Thread starter JAM
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Well, one thing for sure, the Scott Frost v. Dennis Orcullo match seemed to showcase one-pocket to the masses, generating new interest. Folks who did not understand the strategy of one-hole previously are now interested and want more. And that is a good thing.
A back-and-forth discussion about Scott, Dennis, Alex, and Tony's capabilities in one-pocket has taken place, and I have concluded, after hearing bits and pieces of phone conversations, the following.
Scott, of course, is a one-pocket machine, no question about it. Like Cliff Joyner, Grady Mathews, Ronnie Allen, and the one-pocket legends who came before him, he will always be known for his championship qualities in one-pocket. When he's running out, nobody can stop him, but when faced with multiple safeties, roadblocks, and challenges, that seems to be his kryptonite and thwarts his momentum.
Dennis is the Action Player of the Year and continues to take any and all challenges, giving up massive amounts of weight just to get played sometimes. He is in dead-punch stroke, can play on any equipment as well as all pocket billiard games. If a one-pocket phenom comes along and punishes him for any mistake, keeping him benched, it will be hard for him to keep his momentum going. He needs to be knocked down with a Nick Varner-esque safety game where he can't run consecutive balls over and over and over again.
Alex is the darling of the entire world and has no fear. It doesn't matter who you are or what game you want to play, Alex will step up to the plate. If he is well rested and has 100 percent of his attention devoted to the game at hand, he will be hard to beat, maybe impossible, but if he's been playing cards the night before or enjoying other non-pool-related festivities, he doesn't have to win. With Alex, one needs to be on site and see if he's preparing for an upcoming pool challenge and taking care of himself.
Tony has desire and most definitely one-pocket skills. Like Scott Frost, one-pocket is his game of choice and always has been since he was a young teen in California. He knows the strategy of one-pocket inside and out. Unlike Scott, though, Tony doesn't always go for the run-outs in one-pocket and plays safety, knows how to lock up his opponent. Remember that for every bottom side, there's a paddle out there that will fit it, and Tony just might be the paddle to shoot down Dennis and/or Alex.
So there you have it. That's my tout sheet for the above players based on hearing others much more knowledgeable than I share their thoughts on their capabilities in one-pocket.
A back-and-forth discussion about Scott, Dennis, Alex, and Tony's capabilities in one-pocket has taken place, and I have concluded, after hearing bits and pieces of phone conversations, the following.
Scott, of course, is a one-pocket machine, no question about it. Like Cliff Joyner, Grady Mathews, Ronnie Allen, and the one-pocket legends who came before him, he will always be known for his championship qualities in one-pocket. When he's running out, nobody can stop him, but when faced with multiple safeties, roadblocks, and challenges, that seems to be his kryptonite and thwarts his momentum.
Dennis is the Action Player of the Year and continues to take any and all challenges, giving up massive amounts of weight just to get played sometimes. He is in dead-punch stroke, can play on any equipment as well as all pocket billiard games. If a one-pocket phenom comes along and punishes him for any mistake, keeping him benched, it will be hard for him to keep his momentum going. He needs to be knocked down with a Nick Varner-esque safety game where he can't run consecutive balls over and over and over again.
Alex is the darling of the entire world and has no fear. It doesn't matter who you are or what game you want to play, Alex will step up to the plate. If he is well rested and has 100 percent of his attention devoted to the game at hand, he will be hard to beat, maybe impossible, but if he's been playing cards the night before or enjoying other non-pool-related festivities, he doesn't have to win. With Alex, one needs to be on site and see if he's preparing for an upcoming pool challenge and taking care of himself.
Tony has desire and most definitely one-pocket skills. Like Scott Frost, one-pocket is his game of choice and always has been since he was a young teen in California. He knows the strategy of one-pocket inside and out. Unlike Scott, though, Tony doesn't always go for the run-outs in one-pocket and plays safety, knows how to lock up his opponent. Remember that for every bottom side, there's a paddle out there that will fit it, and Tony just might be the paddle to shoot down Dennis and/or Alex.
So there you have it. That's my tout sheet for the above players based on hearing others much more knowledgeable than I share their thoughts on their capabilities in one-pocket.
Tony announced his retirement on AZ last month. Said he was gettin a job.
Don't see how he figures in this. This was Scott's mistake. You cant just practice
for a match when you haven't been in action, Dennis has been in constant action
betting thousands here in VA and played 2 10 ball tourneys on his way to WI.
No substitute for action.
Alex is the logical choice here. He just beat Dennis at DCC 3-1. The last game, Alex comes from behind 7-3 to win the set. See below.
One thing people seem to miss in 1 hole is that styles of play make a great difference
in who can beat who. Ex: player A beats player B. Player B bets player C. Then
player C beats player A. Happens a lot due to different styles. Hardly ever happens
in 9 or 10 ball.
Scott was not prepared to play, Alex is.
Hope to see that match.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX1nTgNzj8A&t=523s
Don't see how he figures in this. This was Scott's mistake. You cant just practice
for a match when you haven't been in action, Dennis has been in constant action
betting thousands here in VA and played 2 10 ball tourneys on his way to WI.
No substitute for action.
Alex is the logical choice here. He just beat Dennis at DCC 3-1. The last game, Alex comes from behind 7-3 to win the set. See below.
One thing people seem to miss in 1 hole is that styles of play make a great difference
in who can beat who. Ex: player A beats player B. Player B bets player C. Then
player C beats player A. Happens a lot due to different styles. Hardly ever happens
in 9 or 10 ball.
Scott was not prepared to play, Alex is.
Hope to see that match.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX1nTgNzj8A&t=523s
Since we have the AzBilliards expert handicappers on board, what is a fair game between Dennis and Keith McCready? Negotiations are in progress with Dennis' handler(s). Keith has not been playing, and Dennis is in dead-punch stroke.
Dennis is returning to Metro D.C. area before SBE, so this game is a possibility if the handicap is right.
Dennis is returning to Metro D.C. area before SBE, so this game is a possibility if the handicap is right.
Yeah, T will have more than he can handle.
1 year ago, this would of been close. Not now.
If they play.........The only real question seems to be............how much of his own money will DO put up........I'm thinking a lot more then when he played Scott.
Once again, Or-Cool-Yo
Scott Frost gave Keith 10-7, 9-7 when Keith was hitting 'em, and Scott beat him. Cliff Joyner gave Keith 10-7 and 9-7 all the time when Keith was hitting 'em and when Cliff was playing his best.
Being that Orcullo spots the best one-pocket player in Virgina named Brian 13 to 5 or 13 to 6, a guy who's hitting them every day, I'd like to see that kind of game come forth for Keith. We're not talking about betting a lot of money, TV crap or anything like that. We're talking about just getting out there, hitting balls, and having fun, yet make it a little interesting for the winner.
Keith said for coming out of retirement and having the play the best player in the world right now, having not hit a ball for 10 years or more, he would normally try to pick a little better spot to put his money than playing Dennis Orcullo, the best player in the world as we speak. 13 to 7 looks like the right number.
That said, if the game is right, Keith's doing it to have some fun.
Keith said if anybody things he's taking 9-7, he said, "Think again." :grin-square:
Scott Frost gave Keith 10-7, 9-7 when Keith was hitting 'em, and Scott beat him. Cliff Joyner gave Keith 10-7 and 9-7 all the time when Keith was hitting 'em and when Cliff was playing his best.
Being that Orcullo spots the best one-pocket player in Virgina named Brian 13 to 5 or 13 to 6, a guy who's hitting them every day, I'd like to see that kind of game come forth for Keith. We're not talking about betting a lot of money, TV crap or anything like that. We're talking about just getting out there, hitting balls, and having fun, yet make it a little interesting for the winner.
Keith's best years were 25-30 years ago, that's what I'm talking about. When Efren used to give him 9-8 and they would battle it out. Like I said, I have no idea of the right game now. Let them decide, not me. :wink:
Negotiations are in progress. :groucho:
I'll bet Dennis has a line a block long of people wanting to play him. It's good for pool.
Tell Keith if he gets that game, count me in! I'll take a chance on the old dog walker!
When I practice with Dennis on my table (about the only time I play anymore), he gives me 9-6 and the break (the equivalent of 11 or 12-6) and I actually win games once in a while. I don't think I've ever won a set though. When he gives me 5-4 in Banks, I have occasionally won dinner.
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Tell Keith if he gets that game, count me in! I'll take a chance on the old dog walker!
Keith just laughed out loud, a belly laugh. :rotflmao1::rotflmao1::rotflmao1: