Who is King Kong? I keep seeing references to him but I confess I don't know who it is.
Bernardo Chavez aka King Kong.
Who is King Kong? I keep seeing references to him but I confess I don't know who it is.
Bernardo Chavez aka King Kong.
Don't forget "Mexican Johnny" Vasquez or "Mexican Phil" Valdez from back in the day.
Efren Reyes is the greatest player ever from Mexico, but then again it is a small town.
Hu
I met a middle age Mexican at the farm where I lease the stable, Hector. I asked him if he played pool. The next day he brought me a cue that needed a new tip. I asked him if he would like to come over and play a little and knock down a few beers. He came over and plays a very good game. He introduced me to a game he called Mexican Pool. Have any of you played it? 13 balls, 12 on the rail at the diamonds with the 3 ball on the foot spot. The 3 counts as 6 points. Just curious if you guys have tried it or know anything about it.
Don
I don't think that Frank "The Barber" Almenza is from Mexico but he held his own in and around El Monte and LA and is very personable.
Another from Gardena is Lil Jesse Mojica who got married, started a family, got a job, quit smoking and doesn't shoot much...because he doesn't have to.
Frank is from Mexico but came to the USA very young. He is also one of the better older players around.
I guess you are an idiot, or have a stupid sense of humor. Do you often find yourself telling jokes and no one laughs? Well, it's your fault.
Re best Mexican player, in the first place you have to distinguish between Bernardo Chavez (King Kong) and Ignacio Chavez, aka Jessie, Mexico, El Mago, etc. Two different people, and Ignacio played much better. Although the fact is, Ignacio had two different careers or stages. When he was in Houston for example, he had to ask for the 8 from Davey G, then say about 2008 in the Derby City Classic he beat Davey G 8 ahead in less than an hour. Ignacio had his weaknesses, he was not a great racker, that is, he didn't master how to put the rack on you, and he was not a great breaker. But he had some notable wins, in '09 he beat Tony Watson in Florida, he won and then lost to Keith Bennett in Florida, he beat Tony Crosby in Florida. But then he really started on a roll. He beat Darren Appleton straight up in Clifton, NJ, race to 21, and then then beat Darren Appleton with the 9 at Master's in Queens. He beat Warren Kiamco with the 9 at Master's. I understand, on very good authority, that he beat John Schmidt playing even 10-ball at Clifton's. Ignacio won the all-around in Atlanta in about '09 with Stevie Moore Sean Putnam and John Schmidt in the field. Ignacio was never a great bettor, in the sense of matching up, and he never had a great break. He almost won a huge tournament in Nicaragua a couple of years ago, but he's now 55 and has diabetes, so his game is up and down. I forgot to mention that a couple of years ago he beat Jeremy Jones with Ignacio having the 9 for 5k. Ignacio played good once he hit 50, kind of unusual. I'd have liked to see him and Bartrum play, and they almost did after the Mike Janus tournament in Atlanta. Whether Ignacio was better than Ernesto, when Ignacio was at his best, is an open question. I think now, Ernesto's son is too strong with those young eyes and young heart. Ignacio at his best was better than Ismael Paez, in my opinion, though I like Ismael. But like all pool players, or almost all, Ignacio is destined to be forgotten, except by the few who were thrilled by his play and choose to remember. He controlled the cue ball like almost no other (Efren and some others excepted), and watching him was like watching a great artist paint an exceptional canvas.
One more thing, his performance at the straight pool in '09, where he beat Thorsten Hohman and other world champions straight up, and I assure you, Ignacio didn't even play straight pool. But he was a monster.
I guess you are an idiot, or have a stupid sense of humor. Do you often find yourself telling jokes and no one laughs? Well, it's your fault.
I am surprised that no-one has mentioned Gildardo "Helio" Mascarena.