Earl Strickland - Great Player OR the Greatest Player?

[CJ Wiley]

there has to be consequences and disciplinary actions or it must be "ruled fair".

I always thought integrity and behavior were factors in being a "team" player...I could be wrong.

Yes, you can make that point, and it's still just a judgement call.

In professional sports we all have to agree that if the rules allow certain behaviours then they are ok....that doesn't mean we have to like them ourselves, but there has to be consequences and disciplinary actions or it must be "ruled fair".

Professional football players do things on every play that's much worse than anything a pool player as ever done....that I know of anyway. I'm, of course, just making a point too.

I would rather play Earl with his "stuff" than someone that "slow plays" and "slugs the rack," and/or makes you re rack or racks so they can make a ball every time unfairly ..... - that's just my preference, I'm aware there's many varying opinions.

 

[SeabrookMiglla]

many greats up there. IMO earl is the best rotation player, although efren all around is a more solid player. not to say that earl doesnt have an amazingly well rounded game as well. although i would be interested to see efren in his twenties. but earl, well- earl is just earl. his high gear in 9 ball is scary, and you can watch it in the color of money. even when i watch the match, i still have a hard time understanding how efren came back from the deficit. earl has mental issues that other players dont have, and i think that may have held him back from becoming the GOT. but with out a doubt he is up there. its hard to gauge, pool is a very flemsy game as earl would put it.

 

[trob]

Deleted post.....

 

[JD_Hogg]

Yes, you can make that point, and it's still just a judgement call.

In professional sports we all have to agree that if the rules allow certain behaviours then they are ok....that doesn't mean we have to like them ourselves, but there has to be consequences and disciplinary actions or it must be "ruled fair".

Professional football players do things on every play that's much worse than anything a pool player as ever done....that I know of anyway. I'm, of course, just making a point too.

I would rather play Earl with his "stuff" than someone that "slow plays" and "slugs the rack," and/or makes you re rack or racks so they can make a ball every time unfairly ..... - that's just my preference, I'm aware there's many varying opinions.

I agree, I don't think what Earl does is any worse than what some of the other players are doing. He sure is fun to watch play.

 

[JAM]

Time for a little Earl jam ---> HERE

 

[smokey]

hey Jam...

thanks for your post...

i was born a yankee but...
nobody in the world can play on stings like my southern brothers

just unbelievable!

[sri for sidetracking the thread]

all the best,
smokey

Time for a little Earl jam ---> HERE

 

[CreeDo]

I would rather play Earl with his "stuff" than someone that "slow plays" and "slugs the rack," and/or makes you re rack or racks so they can make a ball every time unfairly ..... - that's just my preference, I'm aware there's many varying opinions.

Lost me on this one, it sounds like apples and oranges.
You'd rather play someone who is noisy than someone who actively cheats?
Well sure, that's how anyone would feel.

But why are slow play and rack slugging part of the conversation?

How about "I'd rather play Ralph with his quiet stuff than Earl with his noisy stuff".
Guys like Ralph, Thorsten, Efren show it's all possible. And they can be entertaining
in victory even if they're stoic in defeat... remember when Ralph Souquet cried
after winning one of the major? They're not bad for ratings.

 

[thewhiffer]

Based on his ability to stay on top for so long.......The Greatest.

I think it interesting to note that at Turning Stone, when Earl started to have his conversations with the crowd, Jeremy Sossei asked him not to talk while he (Jeremy) was at the table. He asked it in a respectful and non confrontational way (the other Jeremy could take note). Earl stuck to business for the rest of the match for the most part and it was an enjoyable match.

I am of the opinion that since he has been at Steinway, Earl has brought his game back to the point where it is not necessary to rant. Good on him.

As an aside, I find those that Shark in a sneaky, subtle way are far more offensive. than Earl getting chatty.

 

[CJ Wiley]

his eye sight is not quite as good and he doesn't make the long shots off the rail

Based on his ability to stay on top for so long.......The Greatest.

I think it interesting to note that at Turning Stone, when Earl started to have his conversations with the crowd, Jeremy Sossei asked him not to talk while he (Jeremy) was at the table. He asked it in a respectful and non confrontational way (the other Jeremy could take note). Earl stuck to business for the rest of the match for the most part and it was an enjoyable match.

I am of the opinion that since he has been at Steinway, Earl has brought his game back to the point where it is not necessary to rant. Good on him.

As an aside, I find those that Shark in a sneaky, subtle way are far more offensive. than Earl getting chatty.

And remember, Earl in the 90s could give himself the "7 Ball" the way he plays now......his eye sight is not quite as good and he doesn't make the long shots off the rail as well.....and of course he's lost a couple MPH off his break shot.....besides that he's playing really well, his dedication and training is paying off - he certainly deserves respect for those things at the ripe ole age of 53.

 

[westcoast]

And remember, Earl in the 90s could give himself the "7 Ball" the way he plays now......his eye sight is not quite as good and he doesn't make the long shots off the rail as well.....and of course he's lost a couple MPH off his break shot.....besides that he's playing really well, his dedication and training is paying off - he certainly deserves respect for those things at the ripe ole age of 53.

I agree that his break has declined, sometimes to a quite noticeable degree. I am of the opinion that he would be better served using a break cue all of the time rather than his gigantic cue. I don't understand why he breaks with that cue a lot of the time.

I think that one thing that has offset Earl's slight physical decline is that his knowledge of the game has improved over the last 20 years. I think he plays better safes that he ever has in the past.

 

[seven_7days]

I agree that his break has declined, sometimes to a quite noticeable degree. I am of the opinion that he would be better served using a break cue all of the time rather than his gigantic cue. I don't understand why he breaks with that cue a lot of the time.

I think that one thing that has offset Earl's slight physical decline is that his knowledge of the game has improved over the last 20 years. I think he plays better safes that he ever has in the past.

His kicking is much better too. And his cue ball control? Awesome.

 

[West Point 1987]

I agree that his break has declined, sometimes to a quite noticeable degree. I am of the opinion that he would be better served using a break cue all of the time rather than his gigantic cue. I don't understand why he breaks with that cue a lot of the time.

I think that one thing that has offset Earl's slight physical decline is that his knowledge of the game has improved over the last 20 years. I think he plays better safes that he ever has in the past.

I agree...his safety play is MUCH better and his cueball control is just a bit better, too--and it was awesome before. He used to leave himself longer shots with more angle, but now parks it tight like Buddy Hall. Scary. He shoots a lot of safes now that he would have cut in like butter 30 years ago, but that has probably made him even more dangerous now.

 

[2v12]

Earl won the N.C. Open 1-pocket tournament a few years ago. He CAN play all games well !

Years ago, when Earl was preparing to go to the Maine event straight pool tournament I played practice dummy and designated rack boy. As far as strategy goes and the "proper" way to play the game, Earl was lost. He merely unloaded sheer firepower and ran 120+ balls in a way that would make most 14.1 purists cringe. Yes, Earl can indeed play all games well and he surprised a lot of people in Maine.

Also, and more to your point, two or three years ago he was second in the Derby city one pocket division. Shane Van Boening made a "miracle shot" to beat him for the title.

 

[j_zippel]

Earl is the man.. Although he's a loose cannon he's the Best player of all time in my opinion

 

[CJ Wiley]

"staying awake!"

Years ago, when Earl was preparing to go to the Maine event straight pool tournament I played practice dummy and designated rack boy. As far as strategy goes and the "proper" way to play the game, Earl was lost. He merely unloaded sheer firepower and ran 120+ balls in a way that would make most 14.1 purists cringe. Yes, Earl can indeed play all games well and he surprised a lot of people in Maine.

Also, and more to your point, two or three years ago he was second in the Derby city one pocket division. Shane Van Boening made a "miracle shot" to beat him for the title.

Yes, quite a few "pool experts" were making fun of Earl and me in that tournament....I guess they got a surprise. They ask me in an interview "for you, what is the hardest part about straight pool"...I answered "staying awake!".... 'The Game is the Teacher

PS: I actually think straight pool is a great game to practice, but playing it against other players that can run 100+ balls is tedious. For learning the pure Art and fundamentals of the game of pocket billiards I highly recommend 14.1.

 

[RunoutJJ]

I was thinking the same thing.
The man beat Normanding in 32 mnutes score 9-2. He was literaly running while running the table. He makes it look too easy, for thise that know it isn't.

All this petty hatred of Earl, Dechaine and others is just forum fuel... it doesn't add up to anything when it's time to matchup man to man on the table. The petty racking wars are no excuse for bad play.

Sossei is a great regional player no doubt. He got through undefeated with a couple hill hill wins against other top regional players. Earl showed him the difference when playing top world class talent. From a guy who has been at it for 30 years. He did nothing to shark Dechaine or Sossei who both got beat down.

Heard from many sources that he was sharking the hell out of people!! Hell one pro player took it off his FB probably because he thought it was wrong to say the things he did. Much respect for that person. As for Earl he's Earl... Doesn't mean shite that he's a stone cold champion. He's disrespectful and unprofessional to players and his fans.

 

[CJ Wiley]

Everyone's a "loose cannon" when they're "Breaking Bad"

Earl is the man.. Although he's a loose cannon he's the Best player of all time in my opinion

Most people would agree ... especially when he's "Breaking Well".

 

[Gsitz89]

Earl is the best nine ball player ever. If you don't think so tell who else has won the us open 5 times and the world championships six...

 

[Kim Bye]

Earls talent is overshadowed by his bad manners.
I do like Earls traditionalist views on things like the banning of jump cues.

 

[Ken_4fun]

For learning the pure Art and fundamentals of the game of pocket billiards I highly recommend 14.1.

I asked Ray Martin about this years ago. Remember Ray Martin was a Champion Straight Pool player. He said that it was a terrible game to practice and recommended 9 ball. His reasoning was you have to try to on specific ball in 9 ball, where you just have to get position on A BALL in straight pool.

I know Danny Harriman has often said that playing Straight Pool really helps playing One Pocket. Danny is a great pool player of many if not all games. DCC Banks Champ, 9 ball, 10 ball and One Pocket, but his favorite game is Straight Pool.

Most folks including todays players are specialists. Last night I watched SVB play Scot Frost One Pocket. Scott beat SVB and to it appeared that Scott just knew too many shots and moves. SVB played One Pocket Earl Strickland style. Frankly, SVB is a better shot maker than Scott, but Scott just out smarted SVB.

I see beginners almost without fail start out playing 8 ball. I really think folks progress faster if they played more 9 ball as Ray suggested.

Interesting.

Ken