EFREN “Bata” “The Magician” REYES TRIBUTE … The GOAT’s BEST SHOTS EVER

Cornerman said:
The intentional foul with Efren rolling the cueball on top of the head spot out of the jaws of his pocket when his opponent needed one with a ball almost hanging in his pocket (frozen on the end rail) was the greatest one pocket move I’ver seen. When the ball spotted up because of the foul, there was no reasonable kick by his opponent to that ball by his pocket. Efren won the game, controlling every move from that one intention
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That is definitely an Efren move. We cover it in VEOP.
 
dr_dave said:
Again, if you or others can find a link to the shot (if it is available online), please post it.

I should have included more Efren 1P shots in the video. I certainly collected a lot in preparing for VEOP.
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Dave, your video is outstanding. When I think about Efren’s career, I feel that one pocket was the game that allowed him to express himself the most as a player, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t do some remarkable things in rotation games, too.

I recall what legendary one-pocket player John Ervolino said about Efren’s one pocket game about twenty years ago. John said, Efren looks at a pool table and sees things that no other player ever saw before.
 
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Cornerman said:
The intentional foul with Efren rolling the cueball on top of the head spot out of the jaws of his pocket when his opponent needed one with a ball almost hanging in his pocket (frozen on the end rail) was the greatest one pocket move I’ver seen. When the ball spotted up because of the foul, there was no reasonable kick by his opponent to that ball by his pocket. Efren won the game, controlling every move from that one intention
Click to expand...

Timestamp on video?
 
Cornerman said:
The intentional foul with Efren rolling the cueball on top of the head spot out of the jaws of his pocket when his opponent needed one with a ball almost hanging in his pocket (frozen on the end rail) was the greatest one pocket move I’ver seen. When the ball spotted up because of the foul, there was no reasonable kick by his opponent to that ball by his pocket. Efren won the game, controlling every move from that one intention
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is there a video of that shot?
i have heard about it but never saw it
another one i would like to see since i have only heard about it
efren has cue ball on foot rail frozen to another ball on the foot rail
playing one pocket
he masse around the object ball with the cue ball to end up in a mirror position of cueball and object ball
 
Cornerman said:
Sorry, it wasnt on Dr Dave’s videos. I saw Efren shoot this shot live.
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Also not on video, but I saw live -- against I believe Dave Matlock at DCC in 1P, with the cue ball lodged up against a single object ball near the center diamond on the foot rail (with both players having threats near their pocket), Efren perfectly masse'd around that lone ball in close quarters to lock up Matlock. Dave tried to do the same, but the cue ball leaked out. Unfortunately not on tape, but I won't ever forget it!
 
1pocket said:
Also not on video, but I saw live -- against I believe Dave Matlock at DCC in 1P, with the cue ball lodged up against a single object ball near the center diamond on the foot rail (with both players having threats near their pocket), Efren perfectly masse'd around that lone ball in close quarters to lock up Matlock. Dave tried to do the same, but the cue ball leaked out. Unfortunately not on tape, but I won't ever forget it!
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Someone else just posted about that shot. I wish it were on video!
 
Efren pulled off a damn nice kick against me at Bogie's Senior One Pocket 2021. I was quite pleased with myself to have won one game, and although he only needed one ball at the time of this shot, I had everything on my side with dead and hanging balls lol. Stunned me for sure, as it happened pretty fast in real time!

 
sjm said:
Dave, your video is outstanding.
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Thank you!


sjm said:
When I think about Efren’s career, I feel that one pocket was the came that allowed him to express himself the most as a player, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t do some remarkable things in rotation games, too.
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Agreed. Efren really shines in 1P, even at the ripe age of 68!


sjm said:
I recall what legendary one-pocket player John Ervolino said about Efren’s one pocket game about twenty years ago. John said, Efren looks at a pool table and sees things that no other player ever saw before.
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I like it.


PS: If you haven't seen it yet, check out my SVB Tribute video. I posted it during Derby City, so you and many others probably missed it.
 
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Cornerman said:
The intentional foul with Efren rolling the cueball on top of the head spot out of the jaws of his pocket when his opponent needed one with a ball almost hanging in his pocket (frozen on the end rail) was the greatest one pocket move I’ver seen. When the ball spotted up because of the foul, there was no reasonable kick by his opponent to that ball by his pocket. Efren won the game, controlling every move from that one intention
Click to expand...
bbb said:
is there a video of that shot?
i have heard about it but never saw it
another one i would like to see since i have only heard about it
efren has cue ball on foot rail frozen to another ball on the foot rail
playing one pocket
he masse around the object ball with the cue ball to end up in a mirror position of cueball and object ball
Click to expand...

For those who have VEOP, Bob and I show several variations on that shot in Section 33d of Volume V.
 
Cue Alchemist said:
Dr dave,
This is one of my favourites of his.on his 9 rack run 1999. It looks simple, but there's not much room for the bank.he made several big shorts in that match.
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Wild. He starts the first rack with his JT1, misses. When he gets back to the table he's using a different cue.

Edit: On second look, he's always breaking with the Judd cue... but was also playing with it on that first rack. After that he uses a different player and continues to break with the JT1.
 
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Yeah, he was known to switch cues. He did it at start of the match, if you find the full video, That judd must have been one he really liked, along with his jessie cue. Against Toshikawa in the quarters. The commentary pick up on that!
 
Cue Alchemist said:
Yeah, he was known to switch cues. He did it at start of the match, if you find the full video, That judd must have been one he really liked, along with his jessie cue. Against Toshikawa in the quarters. The commentary pick up on that!
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He used a JT1 for a long time. Which caused me to buy one... so I always like to watch him playing one. It's about the only butt that "feels different" to me. It's got an ebony handle, maple forearm. So the weight distribution puts more of its weight right at your hand. Better or not? I don't know, I'd guess not. But you can definitely tell the difference. It feels more like it's part of your arm that other cues.

I play the fancy 6pt ebony judd now, which is pretty much the opposite (probably maple under the linen, and ebony front and back). But the choice is honestly just down to the sound, and the shaft differences.
 
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