Which Pro Has The Most Powerful Stroke?

Bob Jewett said:
So what would be a good test? I think the break shot isn't any good because it's hard to judge control, and you don't want to spin the ball much. Table length draw for maximum distance? Nevel is reported to shoot some insane draw shots.
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What would be a good test? I'm not sure that a follow shot wouldn't be a better test that a draw shot. I know I read in a thread on here that it has been proven when you shoot a follow shot, you can't get the cue ball to be spinning more than it is traveling until it hits the object ball. I know it was worded better than that when I read it here. That sounds about as clear as mud. Does anyone know what I'm talking about.

Anyway it just seems to me that because of this, a power stoke would be better tested by a follow shot. I know that if I have to get a big draw I can (no I don't mean more than Massey, just big for me). Sometimes I even get more than I want. LOL But If I need a lot of follow, I have to really concentrate on it and make sure the stoke has lots of follow through.
 
As far as artistic pool specialists go you have to go with Massey, but for guys that have powerful strokes and compete regularly in regular tournaments the stories I've heard about Breedlove are incredible.
 
I seem to remember that Massey has some un-Godly draw shot (7 rails, more??? :confused: ) in his exhibition routine back in the early 80's. I saw some pros with monster strokes who couldn't get 2/3 of that distance.

BTW, I don't mean up and down the table 7 times.
 
I have not seen all the younger players play but I did used to set up my pro shop and repair cues at professional events in the late 80's and early 90's. At that time most all of the pros would have voted for Mike Massey as having the most powerful stroke. At that time Earl Strickland would have got my vote for second and Scotty Townsend would have got the vote for third. Those that don't think Johhny Archers stroke is strong did not watch him play much back when the cloth was slow. I would definitely have put him in the top ten then. The top players have found that to win on fast cloth they have to play the patterns and finesse better, instead of being able to power their way through racks. It is not that they don't have powerful strokes, it is just they don't need them as often and with the tighter pockets they chance showing it less often.
Chris
www.internationalcuemakers.com
 
cueman said:
The top players have found that to win on fast cloth they have to play the patterns and finesse better, instead of being able to power their way through racks. It is not that they don't have powerful strokes, it is just they don't need them as often and with the tighter pockets they chance showing it less often.
Chris
www.internationalcuemakers.com
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Cueman,
You make an awfully good point. At DCC this year I was shocked by how few really great power shots I saw; very few players in this short race format on medium tight tables were even attempting the "flamethrower" type power shots. The overall type of play seemed VERY conservative. I definitely saw more power pool in the gambling matches (races ahead rather than short races) than during the tournament. The 2 big exceptions were Efren and George Breedlove. I had heard that Rodney Morris also would play some wide open pool, but he was basically sitting in his chair the 2 matches I saw (Ahhh, the beauty of short race 9-ball).
 
whitewolf said:
In class, Charlie Williams drew a ball bank the length of the table (the 2 balls were at opposite end of the table) and then it rebounded and went almost another full table length.

There is absolutely no one who can draw the ball this far that I know of.
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Larry Nevel and Corey Deuel were hitting this shot during the US Open 2003 just for fun, going all the way back up the table and down. Nevel was consistently able to draw over two table lengths:


Power Draw Post

Fred
 
CaptainJR said:
... I read in a thread on here that it has been proven when you shoot a follow shot, you can't get the cue ball to be spinning more than it is traveling until it hits the object ball. I know it was worded better than that when I read it here. That sounds about as clear as mud. Does anyone know what I'm talking about.... .
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This is probably referring to a chapter in Byrne's "Advanced Technique" book which has a demo that it is very difficult to get more top spin on a cue ball than the spin it has when rolling smoothly. It is barely possible to get "excess" top spin on the cue ball, and it does make the cue ball accelerate, but the final speed when the ball is rolling smoothly will actually be less than if you cue the ball lower. Hitting the ball so far off center puts less total energy into the ball.
 
LastTwo said:
I think that all the pro players have powerful strokes, but there are some who excel above the rest. I heard Larry Nevel is one of the best when it comes to this. Rodney Morris has a pretty powerful stroke too. Anyone else?
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To me, hitting the ball hard and drawing it a mile is not what defines a "powerful stroke". In my mind, what defines a powerful stroke is the ability a player has to obtain the combination of spin and speed necessary to do things other players won't even attempt, while still maintaining control and shot accuracy.

I've been pretty impressed with Bustamante's ability to apply extreme side spin while maintaining 100% control. His power game is amazing, developed in the tough conditions playing in the Phillipines (bad equipment, nappy cloth, humidity). Corey Deuel also can do a lot of things, like jacked up draw shots while maintaing complete control. Nils Feijen has a tremendous stroke. I also think Earl has power to burn. He used it a lot more when he was younger, now he's a little more inclined to safe.

Chris
 
sjm said:
Different equipment. Stiffer cue with shorter ferrule. Heated table. Different size balls. Different game. Unless you've seen Sayginer play pool, I wonder how you compared him to the pool players mentioned in this thread.

There's little doubt that Sayginer has the best stroke in three cushion. I've seen him live on three different occasions, and on two of those occasions, he did an exhibition, one of them without a cue (just his hands). The guy is awesome, and is a great showman, too.

So, I'll change my answer to:

Pocket billiards: Earl Strickland
3-cushion: Semih Sayginer

... fully understanding there's no way to compare the two.
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This is a bit of a nit to pick, but...the two are comparable, in that both involve cues, and balls, and strokes. Even apples and oranges are comparable--they're both fruits, they have similar sizes and shapes, etc. Still, there are obvious differences, which I think is your point. I've never seen Sayginer play pool, but I wouldn't be surprised if his pool stroke is not as developed as his 3-C stroke. I would be surprised if he were unable to develop it to be impressive though.
 
Hard to believe Bustamante's name hasn't surfaced. And I'm not talking about his break, either. My choice would be between Earl and Larry Nevel, although I find Larry's stroke more aesthetic. But I'll tell you who's not far behind: Charlie Bryant. As other's have said, George Breedlove's stroke is also pretty damn intimidating.
 
lewdo26 said:
Hard to believe Bustamante's name hasn't surfaced. And I'm not talking about his break, either. My choice would be between Earl and Larry Nevel, although I find Larry's stroke more aesthetic. But I'll tell you who's not far behind: Charlie Bryant. As other's have said, George Breedlove's stroke is also pretty damn intimidating.
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busta's name has been mentioned.........on page two i think.

what about efren? haven't heard much about him here. i know it doesn't look like much when he makes some of his shots, but some of the draw shots i've seen him play aren't two shabby.

VAP
 

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LastTwo said:
I think that all the pro players have powerful strokes, but there are some who excel above the rest. I heard Larry Nevel is one of the best when it comes to this. Rodney Morris has a pretty powerful stroke too. Anyone else?
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I've shot a couple of them a time or 2.This is gonna sound a little off your direction but Mika shut me down bad one night and I can still feel the floor vibrate from the snap. That little man can rock and roll when he is loose.I would have to say thats the best clean power stroke I have seen in my entire life from the living. Never seen him do it again in tourn play on the tv but in live action he has a real clean snap when he needs it.
 
LastTwo said:
I think that all the pro players have powerful strokes, but there are some who excel above the rest. I heard Larry Nevel is one of the best when it comes to this. Rodney Morris has a pretty powerful stroke too. Anyone else?
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Larry nevel fan from the same pool hall as him I think he has the best stroke in the world have seen him draw the ball 12 rails before no joke...
 
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