Yep, and I heard it took him a whole set to adjust.
Great thread on the best 9-ball player. How about one pocket?
- Thread starter Boyd Bouknight
- Start date
Yep, and I heard it took him a whole set to adjust.
I was watching a 1-pocket video wher Ronnie was a guest commentator. He was asked who would win: Ronnie in his prime or Efren. Ronnie said something like "well, Efren may get the money but he would be too tired to spend it". That's gotta tell you something. My vote is Efren is the best of all time.
Dave
you sound like it wont even be competitive...Efren may be past peak but he is not a shot fighter
Voodoo Daddy
One Pocket 101
"IMO" is the key word/phrase in the sentence :thumbup:
One-pocket is an American pocket billiards game. You don't hear about it being played in other countries very often, if at all. 
Efren Reyes, of course, is a top echelon one-hole player, as is Jose Parica and many other Filipino champions. When you grow up playing 15-ball rotation on inferior equipment, come to the States and play 9-ball rotation on pristine equipment, it tends to enhance your all-around game.
IMHO, today's great one-pocket players, at least those who are known for playing one-pocket as their specialty, are Cliff Joyner, Scott Frost, and Tony Chohan.
Hopefully, these great players will be considered by the power(s)-that-be in the One Pocket Hall of Fame someday. Some of the inductees, I am not familiar with, other than reading about them on the pool forums, but there are some champion one-pocket players on that list too.
When I was younger, I saw one-pocket being played down South much more so than up north on the East Coast. I think 14.1 was more popular in New England, and one-pocket was more popular down South. Just an observation.
Efren Reyes, of course, is a top echelon one-hole player, as is Jose Parica and many other Filipino champions. When you grow up playing 15-ball rotation on inferior equipment, come to the States and play 9-ball rotation on pristine equipment, it tends to enhance your all-around game.
IMHO, today's great one-pocket players, at least those who are known for playing one-pocket as their specialty, are Cliff Joyner, Scott Frost, and Tony Chohan.
Hopefully, these great players will be considered by the power(s)-that-be in the One Pocket Hall of Fame someday. Some of the inductees, I am not familiar with, other than reading about them on the pool forums, but there are some champion one-pocket players on that list too.
When I was younger, I saw one-pocket being played down South much more so than up north on the East Coast. I think 14.1 was more popular in New England, and one-pocket was more popular down South. Just an observation.
I know I will catch alot of flak over this but I really think Cliff deserves to be right up there on any list past or present. Also Double J doesn't shoot a bad game. Joe Salazar deserves mention also. I do agree with Ronnie Allen, may have been the very best.
---Smitty
---Smitty
I would say the best right now is Scott Frost, he has an open challenge to anyone in the world including Efren, race to 21 for $10,000, it has been months and no one has taken the challenge. I do think Gabe is a great one pocket player along with Corey Deuel, I would put Gabe, Corey and Cliff before Tony Chohan but that is just my opinion. I would like to see Efren or Corey play Scott in this race, would be epic! :thumbup:
I know that Scott beat Efren in Az not long ago for 5k. Sources report that Efren neither was instroke or very into the match. Of course he was playing on OPM and on Scott's home court. Filipino sources don't rank him at the top of their ladder anymore either. Sorry to say it, but he is past his prime. That doesn't mean that if he was determined that he couldn't rise again, but it's unlikely. He has money and fame in his native land and is not motivated. Scott probably is the current One Hole fav against anyone. I think his world wide challenge went unanswered didn't it ? Nevertheless, that doesn't mean that he is the best of all time...lol. Would like to hear someone like Ronnie Wiseman's opinion on this. I vote for Efren narrowly over Ronnie Allen as the best of all time.
Best Nine Baller ever ? Wow ! Some would say Wimpy or Efren. Others might say Johnny Archer. Efren said Earl. Me too. Nuff said...Tom
Best Nine Baller ever ? Wow ! Some would say Wimpy or Efren. Others might say Johnny Archer. Efren said Earl. Me too. Nuff said...Tom
He didn't need'em. He's the magician.
Ronnie Allen
1 pocket
Scott Frost specialized in 1 pocket when he was young, even when he couldn't play 9 ball very good. Gabe used to give Scott the 7 playing 9 ball.
I do think of current players alive and playing today, that you have to include Gabe as being one of the very best, and he proved that when he beat Efren, among others. I think, that the edge goes to Gabe when compared to Corey.
Didn't Jersey Red play a pretty mean game of 1 Pocket too? I seem to remember that he did, from the early 70's down in Houston, when Boston Shorty and Eddie Taylor were also down there. $100 a game 1 pocket was the cheap game at that time.
Scott Frost specialized in 1 pocket when he was young, even when he couldn't play 9 ball very good. Gabe used to give Scott the 7 playing 9 ball.
I do think of current players alive and playing today, that you have to include Gabe as being one of the very best, and he proved that when he beat Efren, among others. I think, that the edge goes to Gabe when compared to Corey.
Didn't Jersey Red play a pretty mean game of 1 Pocket too? I seem to remember that he did, from the early 70's down in Houston, when Boston Shorty and Eddie Taylor were also down there. $100 a game 1 pocket was the cheap game at that time.
If they ever play a long race, or an ahead set, you could (and should) be able to get good odds for all the money you can bring.
John caught lightning in a jug going undefeated at the DCC.
There were at least 6-8 1P players in that field, who would have had the best of it over JS.
It's called "luck of the draw"
IMO (and a ton of others)
Dick
Last edited:
WTF IS ONE POCKET???? :duck:
I agree with you, Dick. JS is an excellent one-pocket player, and he deserved the win over Frost in the finals. But I think if asked, John would not characterize his 1P game as in the very top echelon.
Scott Frost is the best one-pocket player today, followed closely by Gabe Owen. Interestingly, I think Gabe can have a longer 1P career than Scott can. Owen has a more classic, dependable style of play, which can support his game into his later career. Whereas Frost's bombastic style of play will start to leave him in his later forties.
BTW, Jennie, if your avatar is a photo of you while working as court reporter, how about posting a full sized picture, so we can all see you "in action"!!
Doc
He was being modest, Ronnie has always been known for not tooting his own horn. Earl Strickland once said "Allison Fisher is as good as the top male players" that doesn't mean he really meant what he said.
I've seen Ronnie Allen back in the day run more 9 and outs and 10 and outs than you could imagine. He would play very good players with only one hand versus their two hands and more often than not he'd win. To this day I've never seen anyone better at finding a shot when it appears there is none than Ronnie Allen. On the other hand Efren has better cue ball control so it's really a toss up in my mind.
If you have some money, you could back him in this game. I know Scott would play.
I'm not sure John Schmidt could even beat Don McCaughey if you gave Donnie a little time to get in stroke.
One-pocket is an American pocket billiards game. You don't hear about it being played in other countries very often, if at all.
Efren Reyes, of course, is a top echelon one-hole player, as is Jose Parica and many other Filipino champions. When you grow up playing 15-ball rotation on inferior equipment, come to the States and play 9-ball rotation on pristine equipment, it tends to enhance your all-around game.
IMHO, today's great one-pocket players, at least those who are known for playing one-pocket as their specialty, are Cliff Joyner, Scott Frost, and Tony Chohan.
Hopefully, these great players will be considered by the power(s)-that-be in the One Pocket Hall of Fame someday. Some of the inductees, I am not familiar with, other than reading about them on the pool forums, but there are some champion one-pocket players on that list too.
When I was younger, I saw one-pocket being played down South much more so than up north on the East Coast. I think 14.1 was more popular in New England, and one-pocket was more popular down South. Just an observation.
I don't think that Tony Chohan will even be considered for a spot in the One Pocket Hall of Fame considering he will most likely be in prison for a lengthy period of time..... He will probably be playing the ole One Hole in the big house I imagine...:wink: