Earl Strickland - Great Player OR the Greatest Player?

[3andstop]

Best 9 ball player ever.

I didn't read beyond this post because if he were the greatest player, this restriction would have to be part of the statement, and then it at least could be arguable. Without its inclusion I wouldn't think so.

 

[CJ Wiley]

9 Ball is a great game if the shots are called and the rules are "2 Shot Shoot Out".

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

Yes, different games bring out more types of shots and strategies. 9 Ball is a great game if the shots are called and the rules are "2 Shot Shoot Out"......playing "One Foul Ball in Hand" and "slop" takes everything away from the game that makes it great.

10 Ball's the same way, Earl, Johnny and many other champions practice straight pool for concentration and touch, even to prepare for 9 Ball tournaments and it is great for one pocket too.

Earl Strickland has a high run of 407 balls playing straight pool...that's pretty "sporty".

 

[Ken_4fun]

Yes, different games bring out more types of shots and strategies. 9 Ball is a great game if the shots are called and the rules are "2 Shot Shoot Out"......playing "One Foul Ball in Hand" and "slop" takes everything away from the game that makes it great.

10 Ball's the same way, Earl, Johnny and many other champions practice straight pool for concentration and touch, even to prepare for 9 Ball tournaments and it is great for one pocket too.

Earl Strickland has a high run of 407 balls playing straight pool...that's pretty "sporty".

If 407 is pretty sporty, what would 526 be?

I think a lot of folks (pool players) pooh pooh Mosconi's record. I think it is still a pretty tall mountain.

But remember, all of the old pool players that either played him or was around him, without fail say, ".......yeah, but he was an a$$hole".

Kinda sounds like someone else....

Ken