The MOST EPIC POOL MATCH of All Time

dr_dave

dr_dave

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FYI, I just posted a new video that might be the best 35 minutes of pool you’ll ever watch. I show highlights and comment on the most epic pool match of all time! It paired up Efren “Bata” “The Magician” Reyes against Earl “The Pearl” Strickland, arguably the two greatest 9-ball players of all time near the prime of their careers. It was a 3-day race to 120 called the “Color of Money” match. The $100,000 winner-take-all event was sponsored by Hong Kong’s Ridgway’s in 1996. Check it out:


Contents (with timestamp links):
0:00 - Intro
0:49 - Day 1 (to 35)
8:57 - Day 2 (to 70)
12:13 - Day 3 (to 120)
15:46 - The Comeback
34:45 - Wrap Up

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!
 
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poolhustler said:
Watched that one a few times and agree... maybe one of the greatest matches of all time!!
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I hope you enjoy my summary video. It is a lot easier to watch than the 13+ hours of original video, but I think I captured all the important highlights and "moments."
 
Thanks a ton for the video. The entire 13+ hour match should be considered required watching for any rotation player. So much to be learned from probably the two best in their prime.

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Many thanks! Excellent editing. Was this the match where Caesar was ready to clock Earl? I guess that would hold true anytime they matched up!

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sonny burnett said:
Many thanks! Excellent editing. Was this the match where Caesar was ready to clock Earl?
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I can't image Efren clocking anybody, but Earl probably deserved it with his "antics" in this match, which I also documented.
 
pt109 said:
I think Efren is a realist....he was probably relieved at Earl’s antics....that frame of mind shows cracking under heat.
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Well stated. Efren did seem to elevate his game a little after each "situation." That's a sign of a true champion. And the fact that he never instigates "situations" is a sign of a true professional.
 
Thanx for this thread, Doc...I’ll watch it...I’ve never watched the whole tape and I probably never will.
...race is too damn long. The only long match I’ve watched every bit of was the first Chohan/Orcullo race to 40.
two other epic long race comebacks....Alex vs SVB....Dennis vs SVB.
Orcullo’s comeback might be the best one I’ve seen.
 
Very well put together Dave!
Everybody should see full comeback video. It is a Show of Efren!
I remember watching it first time with my jaws dropped on floor!
 
Btw. About break i remember Efren said some interview he tapped balls on last dinner break. He told that Earl did it earlier so he just wanted to mess up Earl tap ;)
He is so sneaky smart.(and there was no knowledge about tapping back in 1995)
 
pt109 said:
Thanx for this thread, Doc...I’ll watch it...I’ve never watched the whole tape and I probably never will.
...race is too damn long. The only long match I’ve watched every bit of was the first Chohan/Orcullo race to 40.
two other epic long race comebacks....Alex vs SVB....Dennis vs SVB.
Orcullo’s comeback might be the best one I’ve seen.
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I think I am done with Epic Long Races for a while. This one took a ton and time and effort. I need a break. Thanks for the suggestions, though.
 
Poolmanis said:
Btw. About break i remember Efren said some interview he tapped balls on last dinner break. He told that Earl did it earlier so he just wanted to mess up Earl tap ;)
He is so sneaky smart.(and there was no knowledge about tapping back in 1995)
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I wouldn't be surprised. Thanks for the story.
 
Great Dr. Dave! I agree it is one of pool's greatest matches. IMHO it is the greatest 9 ball match. The emotions, level of play, the comeback, etc. make for non-stop great viewing.

However, I think at a certain point it was Earl's match to lose. And he did just that. Not to diminish the monster comeback at all, it is one of the greatest stories of pool. I also think that as high as the level of play was (and as soft as that table played), it's remarkable that the biggest package was 4 racks by Earl IIRC.

I also cant help but laugh that during the first day with Efren wearing red and Earl wearing green, they look like Mario (Efren) and Luigi (Earl) duking it out on a pool table.
 
I bought this entire match on VHS when it first came out,and watched it while I was messed up with strep throat and couldn't go out. It took right at 14 hours.

If you total up the 2nd day,Earl breaks and runs 19 out of 35 games,dominating the ghost without ball in hand. Tommy D.
 
JusticeNJ said:
Great Dr. Dave! I agree it is one of pool's greatest matches. IMHO it is the greatest 9 ball match. The emotions, level of play, the comeback, etc. make for non-stop great viewing.
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Agreed.


JusticeNJ said:
However, I think at a certain point it was Earl's match to lose. And he did just that. Not to diminish the monster comeback at all, it is one of the greatest stories of pool.
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Agreed. It was definitely Earl's to win (or lose), and he had his chances, many times, near the end.


JusticeNJ said:
I also think that as high as the level of play was (and as soft as that table played), it's remarkable that the biggest package was 4 racks by Earl IIRC.
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I think Earl ran a 5-pack. I think that was awesome given how poorly the balls were racking. The wing ball rarely went.


JusticeNJ said:
I also cant help but laugh that during the first day with Efren wearing red and Earl wearing green, they look like Mario (Efren) and Luigi (Earl) duking it out on a pool table.
Click to expand...

:)
 
Tommy-D said:
I bought this entire match on VHS when it first came out,and watched it while I was messed up with strep throat and couldn't go out. It took right at 14 hours.
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Ain't nobody got time for that ... unless you have strep. :geek:


Tommy-D said:
If you total up the 2nd day, Earl breaks and runs 19 out of 35 games, dominating the ghost without ball in hand. Tommy D.
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That's strong, especially when the balls aren't racking well.
 
Somebody PM'd me with the following "back story:"

The promoter/host of the match Bob Moore committed suicide due to significant debt not long after the COM match.
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The players weren't really playing for $100,000. The winner was guaranteed $65,000 and the loser $35,000; although, there was significant "side action," and the players most likely had a piece of that.
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There was also a Part II shorter-race COM match that occurred soon after that Efren also won.
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Has anybody heard these things or can verify them?

Thanks,
Dave
 
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