Reyes clearly the best ever

[JoeyInCali]

. . . and we're seeing the old Efren now. His best game was from about early 1970's to 1979, when he then stopped for about 6 years because nobody wanted to play him without getting the nuts. That's when he followed Parica under the pseudoname Cesar Morales. Back then the game gambled on was rotation. Backers and birdrails alike would bet on run-outs before the break and 'chalk-marked' cue ball stops after each shot for big bucks. It was gambling on top of gambling and boy did it go on for days. It was pool-fest central. The 50+ yr. old Efren now can be spotted by the 1970's Efren a ball or two in 1-hole, the 8 on 9B and +10 on rotation.

THe 1970's Efren did not know to play one hole. Efren reached his one-pocket greatness when he beat Grady at Hard Times for some serious cash.

 

[iralee]

Just a question. Do any of the top three cushion players play Balkline?

Jamison

Almost all of them did (or still do) at a very high level. There are a couple of exceptions, but most all of them play "small" carom games extremely well according to normal standards. In all of the carom playing countries in the world, straight-rail (free-game), 1-cushion and the various balkline games (47.1, 47.2, 71.2) are the first cue-games learned before moving on to 3-cushion.

-Ira

 

[Jaden]

Efren spots..

Thunderball, believe it or not, Efren plays so solid, he could give a few touring pros that spot. I've never been much of a money player, never liked playing for my rent. So I only played him as a lark. I won the first race to 4 easily, playing well, but it became late and I'm usually in bed by 11PM. I still had opportunities to win the second set, but couldn't do it.

By the way, Efren has given very good players (that play on a pro level) incredible spots in nine-ball as well. Like 7,8,9 and the breaks, the 6,7,8,9 but no break spot. He usually wins.

Danny

Hey Danny, did he give one of those spots playing Ramin?

 

[cuetechasaurus]

Reyes is a great pool player, without a doubt. But, you are quite wrong about Efren being the best balkline player in the world - and wrong on the spelling, too (no space). Efren couldn't hold a candle up to Frederic Caudron - he's not even in the same league.

However, I believe it would be very safe to say that Reyes is the best balkline player out of all the professional pool players. I've often heard it referenced - how incredible and how quickly Efren learned how to play one-pocket well. Based on my observation, I think the control he displays (especially while playing one-pocket) came from years of carom/balkline training - where balancing cue-ball/object-ball speed to the millimeter are keys.

-Ira

Ira have you seen Efren play balkline, and if you have, what level would you say he plays at? Has he competed against the other top players? Just curious.

 

[fanthom]

During a visit to a pool hall I frequent Efren said that he was "MUCH BETTER" in the late 70s than now. He also surprised me and said that another Pinoy played better than him. Cant remember the name but he said he didnt miss.

Must be 'Bicol Bata' (Bicol Kid, pronounced as 'Be Cool Kid'). My uncle made wads-o-cash back in the 70's betting on the guy. Back then they played rotation and this guy and his backers will bet on top of bets usually 'run-out' from the break and cue-ball stops on chalk marks after every shot.

I was told that when Bicol Bata was in the house, Efren and Parica stayed clear. It's unfortunate that him and his possey wandered into a Phil. 'Dodge City", cleaned everybody out, mysteriously disappeared only to be found in a rice paddy weeks later with his hands cut-off along with the possey. Had he lived and played in today's pool, ESPN will be airing matches at primetime.

 

[JoeyInCali]

Must be 'Bicol Bata' (Bicol Kid, pronounced as 'Be Cool Kid'). My uncle made wads-o-cash back in the 70's betting on the guy. Back then they played rotation and this guy and his backers will bet on top of bets usually 'run-out' from the break and cue-ball stops on chalk marks after every shot.

I was told that when Bicol Bata was in the house, Efren and Parica stayed clear. It's unfortunate that him and his possey wandered into a Phil. 'Dodge City", cleaned everybody out, mysteriously disappeared only to be found in a rice paddy weeks later with his hands cut-off along with the possey. Had he lived and played in today's pool, ESPN will be airing matches at primetime.

Boy Bicol.
That's not exactly the story I heard on Boy getting hacked.

 

[JayBates]

Efren Reyes
Tiger Woods
Michael Jordan

We live in a great era for sports fans

Efren Reyes
Tiger Woods
Michael Jordan
Kobe Bryant
Tom Brady
Payton Manning