National/Cultural contributions to the game

[Darth-Pinoy]

The game of Pool has undergone many changes by way of influence from many different countries.

Though its origins are still in question, America has been credited for spreading pool all over the world. The great protagonists of the game. Aside from spreading the good news of pool, the US today still brings in the newest and best technologies to the game. (I'm no fan of Earl Strickland, but I do love his idea of the in famous "finger extensions". It shows innovation!)

The Philippines has shown everybody how to play it best. Of course let us not forget how Efren Reyes alone has changed the trend of the game. He's the first who brought the ideas of shots and possibilities that even masters before him thought impossible.

The Taiwanese who've adopted the jumpshot, and afterwich made it theirs, also have shown everybody else how that shot is done right. And also now is proving to be a dangerous opposition to Philippine dominance of the game. Their highly technical approach in playing the game proves very formidable in most situations.

Europe, whose initial disposition is snooker, now also brings a new flavor to the table. And so does all the other new Asian countries now showing serious interest and talent in the sport.

I wonder what other AZB forumers think of this?



FYI - If the Philippines and Taiwan were to go out in an all out pool war....the US would be the arms-dealer were both countries would be getting their ammo! hehehehehehehe

 

[selftaut]

The Philippines has shown everybody how to play it best.

:

I can't agree with that , not to take anything away from them but Efren and company has been around for a long time now and back when Earl and others were in dead stroke Efren and company did not win a lot. I think its a matter of economics at this point , the USA is producing less full time touring pros that can sustain , simply because there is no money in it to support a decent lifestyle here.

Willie Masconi showed everybody how to play it best.

 

[Darth-Pinoy]

Willie Mosconi was a great player indeed. No question there. But the game has evolved since his time. And continues to do so with the rise of newer equipment and higher caliber players. If Willie Mosconi was alive today, he will definitely say that there is tougher competition today than during his time.

But it is the professional American pool-players themselves who say how different the level of play is at the Philippines. This is backed-up by the reasons why pool-pros come here. Foreign pros come here to train and hone their skills. Filipinos go to the US and other countries not for training, but to try and earn money and pool-glory.

Another contribution the US has consistently made is providing the world's most richest tournaments on a regular basis. The tournaments in the US are some of the toughest and most lucrative around. Back here, tournaments are tough indeed, but do not offer nearly the same amount of incentives as those in the US.

And yeah, I guess there has been a decline in the number of upcoming American pool-pros. It's probably because of higher standards of living in the US. Same with Europe I guess. I've heard the same argument from some Europeans.

 

[selftaut]

Willie Mosconi was a great player indeed. No question there. But the game has evolved since his time. And continues to do so with the rise of newer equipment and higher caliber players. If Willie Mosconi was alive today, he will definitely say that there is tougher competition today than during his time.

Willie VS. Efren , 150 point straight pool for 2k a game , 10k freeze out.

Willie = even money favorite
Efren = 5 to 1

 

[whitey2]

Stirring up the pot?

Stirring up the pot? Why doesn't Efren try to break the high
run in straight pool on a table with the same specifications?

Care to see a good nine-ball match? Archer vs. Reyes?

http://www.poolvideo.com/Capelle on Nine Ball.htm

I won't spoil it by announcing the results. It's a great match though...

 

[Darth-Pinoy]

While I do not wish to continue the arguement of who's the better player between greats of different eras, the current debates on that subject have been many and pointless. Pointless coz they will definitely have no chance to go up against each other, atleast not in this world in our time. And that the biases of people always come into the arguement instead of concetrating on facts.

That question, for me, has been answered many times before by pool-pros from America and most other countries. And I am satisfied.

My interest is more of knowing who or what else has influenced the game as we know it today.