It is interesting reading the opinions given regarding who is the best. The answer can best be given by the players chosen but in the end that would be incomplete too because they haven't all played each other. The opinions of us who are less than champions naturally are affected by emotions and sentiments. Consideration needs to be given to the variable conditions of the game too ie, tournaments, low stakes gambling, and high stakes gambling. Vernon Elliott was primarily a high stakes gambler and a shadowy figure. The fact he is even mentioned gives insight into how well he played. Never played in a tournament but showed up at many to play anyone if the money was right. To get an insight into how well Vernon really played ask Keith, Buddy, Ronnie Allen, Eddie Taylor, Shannon Daulton, Nick Varner, Freddie The Beard, (and fellow poster OHB)----the list of champions goes on and on, how Vernon played and how they matched up against him. He played all of them. Any champion can win on a given day but when the money gets high there are fewer standing. Not any of the champions I have talked to say they never went looking for Vernon. The game could be one pocket, 9 ball, or banks and the table any size. Vernon said the primary stipulation he had when playing a champion was the money had to be high because playing a world champion for bragging rights was stupid. About 4 years ago I chided Vernon into playing on our local BCA team. It was his first association with team play and although he downplayed his enjoyment, for a year he was normally the first to get there and never left until the last person played. He never beat a lower handicap player and only beat the higher handicaps if they were arrogant. We won the session and his share was $120! Right after the session he suffered a serious stroke. He was definitely one of the best ever!
