Who do you think is the top 5 pool players ever in the world?

Afredo DeOro

I'm throwing in

DeOro
Mosconi
Reyes
Worst
Willis

No real order here. Not so sure that Greenleaf shouldn't bump Worst, since I believe he was his Elmer ? Can't remember.

Really Lock, there needs to be more room on this list !
 
i truly believe had Mosconi devoted all his talents to 9 ball and one pocket he would have been the best there ever was in all these games. Nobody handled the cue ball as good as him.And that's the secret to the game.
 
Lonestar_jim said:
I'm throwing in

DeOro
Mosconi
Reyes
Worst
Willis

No real order here. Not so sure that Greenleaf shouldn't bump Worst, since I believe he was his Elmer ? Can't remember.

Really Lock, there needs to be more room on this list !
Click to expand...


I second the more room thing.:grin: I really wanted to include guys that played in that period when 9 Ball and Straight pool both got attention - guys like Sigel, Miz, and Varner. But I just couldn't bump anyone to make room.


measureman said:
i truly believe had Mosconi devoted all his talents to 9 ball and one pocket he would have been the best there ever was in all these games. Nobody handled the cue ball as good as him.And that's the secret to the game.
Click to expand...

I agree. He really disliked 9 Ball and he still would have been the best at it.
 
Last edited:
Lock N Load said:
It could mean dead players as well. Top 5 best pool players in the world from the good old days to now? Your opinion is what matters! Thanks.
Many Regards,
Lock n load.
Click to expand...


Best Ever...hmm many good options to choose. Here's my Top 5.

1. Alfredo de Oro (17 time World Pocket Billiard Champion) Source (http://home.bca-pool.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=31)
I've got to think for him to be that dominating he would have to be included.

2. Lassiter

3. Nick Varner

4. Irving Crane

5. Efren
 
AtLarge said:
I'd be interested in hearing your logic for including a 14.1 specialist (Crane) not named Mosconi or Greenleaf.
Click to expand...

Crane won a world championship in each of 4 decades. 1940-1970.

Specifically 1946, 1955, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1972

In addition he won the 1968 International Round Robin Championship.

He also won the 1978 World Series of Billiards (combination of 14.1 and 9 ball).

He gets the call in my list mostly for the world titles in 4 separate decades. Incredible longevity.

You don't have to agree :)
 
dr9ball said:
Best Ever...hmm many good options to choose. Here's my Top 5.

1. Alfredo de Oro (17 time World Pocket Billiard Champion) Source (http://home.bca-pool.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=31)
I've got to think for him to be that dominating he would have to be included.

2. Lassiter

3. Nick Varner

4. Irving Crane

5. Efren
Click to expand...

None of these guys won 12 championships nor were they 5 time player of the year in the world! None of these guys beat Efren when he came to the USA! Only Buddy Hall and you forgot him!!! Hmmmmm! Thanks for your input and post.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
 
Willie Mosconi
Ralph Greenleaf
Efren Reyes
Irving Crane
Mike Sigel
 
dr9ball said:
Crane won a world championship in each of 4 decades. 1940-1970.

Specifically 1946, 1955, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1972

In addition he won the 1968 International Round Robin Championship.

He also won the 1978 World Series of Billiards (combination of 14.1 and 9 ball).

He gets the call in my list mostly for the world titles in 4 separate decades. Incredible longevity.

You don't have to agree :)
Click to expand...

Aha -- longevity! Yes, Crane was certainly one of the greatest. I don't know whether you have read it, but Mosconi's autobiography, Willie's Game, has lots about their encounters -- so you'd probably find it a fun read. Crane won several of their match-ups, but far fewer than Mosconi.
 
Efren Reyes
Mike Sigel
Buddy Hall
Shane Van Boening
Francisco Bustamante

There are other players that I like a lot to be on my list, but these are my favorites. I'd take these five and match up with any five you can name!

James
 
Lock N Load said:
None of these guys won 12 championships nor were they 5 time player of the year in the world! None of these guys beat Efren when he came to the USA! Only Buddy Hall and you forgot him!!! Hmmmmm! Thanks for your input and post.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
Click to expand...

Lock, Alfredo de Oro, won 17 world titles that's more than 12 last time I counted.
 
dr9ball said:
Lock, Alfredo de Oro, won 17 world titles that's more than 12 last time I counted.
Click to expand...

Was he the best 9 ball player around? Was he 5 time player of the year in the world? Did he beat Efren? I am trying to think if world titles are the same as world championships are the same? I may be a little slow! Where have you been Lock Doctor? :thumbup:
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
 
dr9ball said:
Lock, Alfredo de Oro, won 17 world titles that's more than 12 last time I counted.
Click to expand...

Copy and paste this link into your browser. Or put it in Google. Doctor!
Billiard Congress of America
home.bca-pool.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=31Cached - Similar
You +1'd this publicly. Undo
The career of the distinguished Spanish champion ALFREDO DeORO encompassed both Three-Cushion and Pocket Billiards and spanned the closing ...
 
Efren Reyes
Willie Mosconi
Luther Lassiter
Earl Strickland
Johnny Archer

Other close calls:
Buddy Hall
Portland Don Watson (Surpised no one else mentioned this one)
I was told by some pros that in his prime almost all other pros wanted weight from him in 9 or 10 ball.
Mike Sigel
Nick Varner
 
Lock N Load said:
Copy and paste this link into your browser. Or put it in Google. Doctor!
Billiard Congress of America
home.bca-pool.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=31Cached - Similar
You +1'd this publicly. Undo
The career of the distinguished Spanish champion ALFREDO DeORO encompassed both Three-Cushion and Pocket Billiards and spanned the closing ...
Click to expand...

Is this what you're wanting to read Lock? Not only did he win the World Pocket Billiards Championship 17 times he also Won the Three-Cushion title 10 times. I didn't include those 10 which would have made him a 27 time world champion. Your original post didn't say name the top 5 9 ball players it said "Who do you think is the top 5 pool players ever in the world." So I only counted Alfredo de Oro's 17 World Pocket Billiards Championships. That's pool Lock whether you like it or not. In the games of his day de Oro was the king.

I know you are a good friend to Buddy Hall and it seems obvious that you are upset that Buddy isn't on everyone's list of who were the top 5 players ever in the world. He can be on your list Lock he's just not on mine. That's the great thing about people's opinions, everyone has one and we can't really fault someone for not agreeing with us. I respect your opinion and hope that you also respect mine and others who may disagree with you.

From the BCA website...

"The career of the distinguished Spanish champion ALFREDO DeORO encompassed both Three-Cushion and Pocket Billiards and spanned the closing decades of the 19th century and the opening decades of the 20th. DeOro, who served in his country's diplomatic corps, first gained the Pocket Billiard crown in 1887. He was to repeat the achievement 16 times in the next 25 years. DeOro held the Three-Cushion title 10 times from 1908 through 1919. In 1934, at the age of 71, DeOro came out of retirement for a Championship Tournament, winning two dramatic victories from defending champion Welker Cochran and the ultimate winner of the tournament, Johnny Layton. "
 
dr9ball said:
Is this what you're wanting to read Lock? Not only did he win the World Pocket Billiards Championship 17 times he also Won the Three-Cushion title 10 times. I didn't include those 10 which would have made him a 27 time world champion. Your original post didn't say name the top 5 9 ball players it said "Who do you think is the top 5 pool players ever in the world." So I only counted Alfredo de Oro's 17 World Pocket Billiards Championships. That's pool Lock whether you like it or not. In the games of his day de Oro was the king.

I know you are a good friend to Buddy Hall and it seems obvious that you are upset that Buddy isn't on everyone's list of who were the top 5 players ever in the world. He can be on your list Lock he's just not on mine. That's the great thing about people's opinions, everyone has one and we can't really fault someone for not agreeing with us. I respect your opinion and hope that you also respect mine and others who may disagree with you.

From the BCA website...

"The career of the distinguished Spanish champion ALFREDO DeORO encompassed both Three-Cushion and Pocket Billiards and spanned the closing decades of the 19th century and the opening decades of the 20th. DeOro, who served in his country's diplomatic corps, first gained the Pocket Billiard crown in 1887. He was to repeat the achievement 16 times in the next 25 years. DeOro held the Three-Cushion title 10 times from 1908 through 1919. In 1934, at the age of 71, DeOro came out of retirement for a Championship Tournament, winning two dramatic victories from defending champion Welker Cochran and the ultimate winner of the tournament, Johnny Layton. "
Click to expand...

Doctor Lock,
I respect your opinion very much! I like all of your post as well. That is the same website I went to. Your pick is a bad man! Hang in there and keep up the good work!
Many Regards,
Lock n Load.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top