Raymond Ceulemanns

Andrew Manning said:
The part that amazed me were the masses. I can't imagine being able to control a masse shot where the CB only moves 2 inches total. That's "touch" in a nutshell, I think. ...
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Well, yes, but... The masses are an absolutely standard part of carom billiards. You can't play any of the small games without them, and half-masse shots are quite frequently played at 3-cushion where the path of the cue ball off the first object ball may be changed by 45 degrees or so by elevation (and typically with an open bridge).

There are many common techniques at carom billiards that the vast majority of pool and snooker players are completely innocent of. Sadly, most of them want to remain innocent.
 
yellaman said:
He still lives in Roeselare a town in Belgium. He has his own poolhall and still plays competition with his sons they told me....
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Last November at his billiard room in Lier, I had the pleasure of playing his grandson, Peter, who averaged 1.3 against me. The room in Lier is very nice with pool, carom and snooker tables and a lot of league play.
 
Rich93 said:
... During the age of Ceulemans the game changed to de-emphasize defensive thinking. Because of more consistent equipment and his great skill, offense became a better strategy for him, and Blomdahl et al followed his style and improved upon it.
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While offense and position play may be more emphasized than before, when the modern 3-C players step away from the table, the opponent usually finds himself looking at nothing. I had the pleasure of attending a Crystal Kelly tournament in Monaco. This is an annual affair with eight of the top players invited to a week-long round robin. The average of the entire field was over 1.6 and it was rare to see anyone leave a natural when they left the table.

If anyone wants to see the Crystal Kelly tournament this year it will be June 6-14, Ceulemans will probably be there, and admission is free.
 
Rich93 said:
Bob, didn't Hoppe run 25 in an exhibition? ....
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Sort of. he ran 12 or 13 and out in an exhibition match and then continued to 25.
 
I am impatiently waiting for the next release of Mister 100. Come on Mr Ceulemans giterdone!!! Hope it will not become another 3rd edition blue book type release.....
Dan
 
StevenPWaldon said:
One of the things that has always impressed me is that Cuelemans was able to raise his average with the increased competition. Part of this is certainly attributable to the newer, faster, better conditons.... but it's also much due to his skill, persistence and genius with the cue. Truly and incredibly player, and one who really defined 3C for decades.
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Ceulemans not only raised his own average in face of the new competition but IMO he was the cause of the newcomers becoming so great. he set a new bar that was so high that it was beyound belief at the time. Kinda like once the 4 minute mile was broken, that very year 4 or 5 also broke it. A feat that was thought of as impossible for a human being.

Not only did he raise his average in his later years of competition but the games were shortened I believe in order to give someone a small chance to beat him. No way could anybody beat him in the long haul. When the rules are changed to challenge one certain person shows how dominating he is.

Ditto on who is was that commented on his friendliness. Simply a wonderful person to meet.
 
come to belgium and ill present him to you.

he is the greatest 3c player of the 20th century, even with caudron that is starting to beat some of his records, if u compare him to the "old" guys, he just is the best "old" guy u can imagine.

and using the word compare is almost overrated. its like comparing a king with prinses, its like comparing a appels with peers. he is just the 3c-man of the 20th century.
 
3kushn said:
Ceulemans not only raised his own average in face of the new competition but IMO he was the cause of the newcomers becoming so great....
Ditto on who is was that commented on his friendliness. Simply a wonderful person to meet.
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Ceulemans is one of the all time greatest - and a great role model for billiard players. Look at this great interview to get a sense of his personality:

http://caromtv.com/videos/Ceulemans_Interview.html

Also, a more recent documentary trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6-Ymoki5lg

-Ira
 
Ira, thanks for the interview. Ceulemans is a wonderful person as well as a wonderful player.
 
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