Who is the all-time, best shape player?

Bob Callahan

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
There are shot makers, and shape players, and a few rare ones who excel at both...but who do you most think really had/has "the cue ball on a string"?
 
My vote goes to Buddy Hall as well. When Buddy was in dead punch he got perfect on every ball, again, and again, and again.
 
Toby Sweet and Buddy Hall. Quick story about Buddy Hall and playing shape. About 12 years ago there was a Florida tour event by us and some of the league players from the poolhall were going to watch. I told them forget everyone else, just watch buddy hall play because hes the best. Well Buddy won the tournament and the next week the league players were talking about the tournament. I went up to them and said "see guys isn't Buddy the best" and one of the league players said and I quote..." that Buddy hall didn't show me jack shit. He didn't make any hard shots, everything he made was from a foot away" I absolutely hit the flloor LMFAO
 
526

How many times do you need to be just right on a run of 526?
My vote 15 time world champion W.Mosconi
Now to be fair I have not seen any of the legends mentioned play live.
I play straight pool and the thought of running 526 is mind boggling.
Good debate.
MCP
 
I'd have to go with Mosconi considering he would run 100 balls at virtually every exhibition he gave, and just about everyone who has ever seen him testifies to how easy he made it look.
 
NOBODY had better shape than Elisa Bridges.

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efren. buddy hall is close, but efren... sometimes he gets careless but when he needs to come with a super shot for shape he always gets there. unmatched speed control with a wealth of billiard knowledge = best shape player. alcano is exceptional as well, probably the best shape player of the younger generation
 
Willie Mosconi

Willie must certainly be considered in an all-time position player question.

But as usual, I find this question not easily answered...there is much to
be considered.
Willie's best game is played in close, very few 'white flags' involved.

Sooo, if I had to pick a player to make a tough shot.....
...AND park whitey on a dime....
...from my era, I'm picking Buddy Hall.
...of today's players, Alex Pagulayan.
 
You could almost look at who has the most notable big wins. Who, or even how is good shape determined, lots of people will play shots different ways. A great example is watching Efrens old matches where the commentators talk about his shot selection, shape...etc. Most of them had no idea what he was thinking and it shows. It boils down to which player was most dominate over the course of there carer.
 
Efren is the magician, no doubt, but Buddy Hall rarely had to shoot a difficult shot. At least after his own shots. I think Efren is the best player EVER, but Buddy played the best position in wide open games....PERIOD !
 
Put my vote in for Buddy Hall as well. I actually had the privilege of playing him for a couple hours in Las Vegas and I have never seen anyone move the ball so effortlessly into precise position. Dave Gross can verify as he sat there and sweated the session. Other players seems to force position a lot and Buddy just seems to glide the ball into position.
 
I agree with buddy hall but I'm young and have not had the pleasure of watching the legends. Best get-back-in-shape player? Larry Nevel. His power stroke is just a gear above the other top players today.
 
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