The greatest 9 ball player ever.
- Thread starter Gilbertfan81
- Start date
Mr. Lassiter, should be at the top of the list.
Except for Don Willis who Wimpy wanted no part of. Female is Jean Balukis, no question.
Johnny Archer has to be mentioned.
how about dominance?
When Earl was in his prime, nobody I ever saw ran out sets the way he did;
In races where he was playing some of the best champions of his era, he would put together 5, 6, 7 packs and win sets. Accu-Stats must have at least 4 or 5 of these videos which show what I'm referring to. I am so glad that Accu-Stats has it all recorded for posterity. I particularly remember matches where he did this to Buddy Hall, Steve Mizerak, and Nick Varner. The opponents would be sitting in their chairs watching the runs and shaking their heads. Earl was also one of the greatest for "come" shots, really tough shots which he made to win; anybody who has seen the shot he made to win a set against Danny Diliberto can attest to it as a prime example of what I'm talking about.
When Earl was in his prime, nobody I ever saw ran out sets the way he did;
In races where he was playing some of the best champions of his era, he would put together 5, 6, 7 packs and win sets. Accu-Stats must have at least 4 or 5 of these videos which show what I'm referring to. I am so glad that Accu-Stats has it all recorded for posterity. I particularly remember matches where he did this to Buddy Hall, Steve Mizerak, and Nick Varner. The opponents would be sitting in their chairs watching the runs and shaking their heads. Earl was also one of the greatest for "come" shots, really tough shots which he made to win; anybody who has seen the shot he made to win a set against Danny Diliberto can attest to it as a prime example of what I'm talking about.
Last edited:
Every book or story about a top player seems to say "he beat them all for the cash".
Nobody ever writes "I was a great player and won some majors, but when gambling
I just fell apart and got my ass kicked by every known player from coast to coast".
Players won't even say "I lost about as often as I won".
They always "owned" the rest of the field.
It's kid thinking to assume there's a guy who is so good, he beat everyone else
almost 100% of the time under pressure.
In pool, being the best means you're shooting 5% better than the next guy, this week.
Next week you may be shooting 5% worse.
I think if even parica and his fans say he couldn't beat buddy, then probably buddy's name
belongs higher on the list than parica's. But who knows?
Nobody ever writes "I was a great player and won some majors, but when gambling
I just fell apart and got my ass kicked by every known player from coast to coast".
Players won't even say "I lost about as often as I won".
They always "owned" the rest of the field.
It's kid thinking to assume there's a guy who is so good, he beat everyone else
almost 100% of the time under pressure.
In pool, being the best means you're shooting 5% better than the next guy, this week.
Next week you may be shooting 5% worse.
I think if even parica and his fans say he couldn't beat buddy, then probably buddy's name
belongs higher on the list than parica's. But who knows?
That is impressive and makes me appreciate Mike Seigal even more. he retiired very youmg and still known as having won the most money in the Pro ranks to date.
Earl was the best tournament 9-Ball player I ever saw. He ran more racks than anyone, match after match. I put Sigel second, although no pro wanted to draw Keith EVER! Parica is by far the best money player at Rotation games I ever saw. He beat everyone (Buddy ducked him!) and no one wanted to play him for 20 years! He was the Lassiter of modern times.
Harold Worst and Efren are the two best pool players I ever saw, for excelling at all games. Ronnie was the best One Pocket player, Efren included. Buddy was a great money player, the best in America, but Jose would have been the favorite if they played imo. NO ONE could (or did) beat Jose in his prime! Just like Lassiter, who reigned for over 20 years.
There have been many great champions, probably 40 or 50 guys who at one time were near unbeatable, the list just goes on and on. Billy Incardona, Bernie Schwartz, Greg Stevens, Keith, Buddy, Jimmy Reid, Billy Johnson/Wade Crane, Richie Florence, Denny Searcy, Johnny, Francisco, just to name a few. But for staying power at the top, I'll take Lassiter first and Parica second. I will say this as a fact, for nearly 20 years not one of the best players in the world, wanted to even discuss playing Parica for the cash. He gave weight to the world!
Right now it's Dennis O. who's the top dog in the pool world. Just ask his peers who the best player is. I guarantee you they will all say Dennis. Rodney proved that even the best can be beaten on a given day. It took an inspired performance to do it though. I think Dennis was a little worn down after four days of play night and day. He's off today to represent the Philippines in the World Games in Columbia. Flying now as I type this. Good luck my friend.
Harold Worst and Efren are the two best pool players I ever saw, for excelling at all games. Ronnie was the best One Pocket player, Efren included. Buddy was a great money player, the best in America, but Jose would have been the favorite if they played imo. NO ONE could (or did) beat Jose in his prime! Just like Lassiter, who reigned for over 20 years.
There have been many great champions, probably 40 or 50 guys who at one time were near unbeatable, the list just goes on and on. Billy Incardona, Bernie Schwartz, Greg Stevens, Keith, Buddy, Jimmy Reid, Billy Johnson/Wade Crane, Richie Florence, Denny Searcy, Johnny, Francisco, just to name a few. But for staying power at the top, I'll take Lassiter first and Parica second. I will say this as a fact, for nearly 20 years not one of the best players in the world, wanted to even discuss playing Parica for the cash. He gave weight to the world!
Right now it's Dennis O. who's the top dog in the pool world. Just ask his peers who the best player is. I guarantee you they will all say Dennis. Rodney proved that even the best can be beaten on a given day. It took an inspired performance to do it though. I think Dennis was a little worn down after four days of play night and day. He's off today to represent the Philippines in the World Games in Columbia. Flying now as I type this. Good luck my friend.
Last edited:
Mr. Lassiter, should be at the top of the list.
Harold Worst could make Luther find other things to do.....
..and like Jose, he could bet his own money.
I can believe this. It's a different ballgame when cash is involved...
Efren was tops. He would struggle in tournaments but really don't think anybody would mess with him after hours
Don't think Jose and Efren would really play each other for the cash. Jose (older) resented all saying Efren was the man but being fellow country men, they had a ton of respect for each other
The ladies? Too many never saw Jean Balukas play before retiring. Allison would have had trouble with her. 'Queen Jean' was (is) on top of the list of the ladies, sorry to burst someone's bubble
... and only had to play one of his losses ...
might have to give him 'honorable mention' :smile:
Definitely agree. I'd say the best 9-ball I"ve personally witnessed is a toss-up between Buddy Hall and Earl Strickland. Yet, Mike Sigel seemed to always win the tournaments.
Go figure.
From the late 80's to the late 90's,Playing 9ball tourneys...there was this one guy that everyone hoped they didn't draw and I mean everyone.Earl Strickland. He played the Gold Crowns like they were bar tables.He put more racks together back then,than anybody,not even close. Simonis took alot away from Earls game as did the Diamond tables..He would just jump the ball if he ever did get hooked.He didn't need a jump cue either
:wink: John B.
:wink: John B.