Who is the best player you ever beat?

[onepocketchump]

I beat Helen Keller. I have to admit that I was getting the six out and the breaks and won on the hill. )

In show matches, race to three or five, I have beaten many, many top players. Most of the time they didn't play like they cared.

The best guy I beat for money was Alex Lely getting the eight. Now I couldn't get there with the rainbow against him.

The best guy I thought I would beat is Ronnie Wiseman when I ran out the first five racks going to 11 and lost 11:5 :-(

John

 

[DaveK]

Thanks Willie, I resemble that !

... most of us won't have anything to contribute otherwise, so...

... I beat Cliff Thorburn at one of his exhibitions

What amazed me was how convincingly he could finish his excellent runs with a multi-rail foul that just drops into a pocket, but had it not, would have very good shape to continue running out. He did that perhaps 15 times playing 25 games against people from the audience, brilliantly handing the table back to the paying spectator with ball-in-hand. Great show.

I haven't beat any 'names' ... I'll shut up now ... carry on ...

Dave

 

[Williebetmore]

I beat Helen Keller. I have to admit that I was getting the six out and the breaks and won on the hill. )

In show matches, race to three or five, I have beaten many, many top players. Most of the time they didn't play like they cared.

John

John,
First off, let me say that Helen is a big-time sandbagger - I'm just not buying that whole blindness thing.

Secondly, I wonder if you are not short-changing yourself in comparison to the pro's. While I am pretty sure they probably didn't care, that doesn't mean they weren't playing at their highest level. While many on this forum claim to be unmotivated (and therefore not exhibiting their best and true skills) unless money or prestige is on the line; I have definitely NOT found that to be the case with the pro's that I have known. They play at an extremely high level ALL of the time. I played 4 or 5 hours of totally meaningless straight pool with Johnny Archer, and it is hard to imagine him playing any better for a few grand. He played 15 or 20 challenge 9-ball matches against the patrons and did not miss a SINGLE BALL. I think the top pro's insist on giving every shot their very best, no matter the circumstance; that is how they improve, and how they avoid falling into bad habits (or at least an attempt on their part to avoid embarrassment).

An interesting experience I had: I was fortunate enough to have a long practice session with a top touring pro. I asked for a "friendly game", and was told that there is no such thing; and there were only 2 ways we could play - an educational session (where we discussed shots and strategy), or competition. I asked to play straight pool to 150 with a spot of 75 (absolutely no money on the line). I was told, "well, if we're keeping score, then this is a competition and even though you are my friend, I'm going to try to rip your heart out."

I've been working very hard to try to get consistency in my game, and I think it is BRUTALLY HARD to try to play at your absolute best, every stroke, in practice or in competition against an inferior opponent - but I try. My game has been improving by leaps and bounds as a result. No excuses or rationalizations - you are only as good as you are shooting now.

 

[sjm]

Let's not forget South Philly before they closed.

SUPERSTAR

Ah yes, Jimmy Fusco's old room. A hotspot for both pool and poker action!

 

[wizard]

Actually the best match I played against a pro was one that I lost. I played the late Tony Ellin in the TN State Championship about 13 years ago. My game was really on and I had advanced to the final 8 undefeated when we matched up. I hadn't really heard that much about him at the time but later learned that he was #12 in the world at that time. He started out by running 4 straight before coming up dry on the break, then I in turn ran that rack plus 3 more equaling his score. The rest of the match was grueling with us trading games back and forth until finally we were on the hill with me having the break. I made a ball then made a 3 ball combo which unfortunately left me hooked on the 1. I kicked 2 rails and made a good hit but the cueball came off and went right up close to the side rail and fell in the side. Tony had an easy 1-9 combo to set up and finally win. It really meant a lot to me that he complimented very highly on my game when it was over because he was the first pro I had ever played. He was a real class act and I really miss being able to watch the Hurricane play.

 

[PoolBum]

Tony Ellin

Tony Ellin was the first guy who ever showed me how to use just the shaft of his cue to jump the cueball over a full object ball that was within a ball's distance from the cueball.

 

[Rude Dog]

I've beaten Buddy Hall 3 of 3 in tournament play. I beat Jose Parica and then Ralf Souquet in the finals in Vegas at the Cue Club. I beat Keith and then Buddy in the finals in San Antonio. I lost 9-7 to Efren and lost 9-5 to Nick Varner after running 5 racks after he ran 6 on me from the coin flip. I beat a real good player from Japan at Hard Times for the money, don't remember his name though. Francisco Galindo 9-3 and 9-3 in the same tournament. And Morro Paez in tournament play many times. But, I've lost to Bobalou and not too many people can say that.

 

[TheOne]

Wow!

Well if anyone ever had any doubt of the quality of players on this forum then they only need read this thread. What I want to know is how many Pro's replied to this thread as I'm sure there's a few hiding behind aliases according to what they wrote!

Just goes to show that anyone is beatable on their day, especially at 9 ball.

 

[Jimmy M.]

I beat a real good player from Japan at Hard Times for the money, don't remember his name though.

His last name was Toda, I believe. I want to say his first name was Takashi, but I could be mistaken. I remember you guys playing. In fact, I think I had side-action on you.

 

[SUPERSTAR]

Well if anyone ever had any doubt of the quality of players on this forum then they only need read this thread. What I want to know is how many Pro's replied to this thread as I'm sure there's a few hiding behind aliases according to what they wrote!

Just goes to show that anyone is beatable on their day, especially at 9 ball.

But...then you have to go back to that age old question. What is a PRO?
Something that is very hard to define.

Is it stictly based on ability, or does it require something else.
Cause i know many high caliber player, that wouldn't consider themselves pros, even though they beat them enough in competition.

When does that boundary get crossed...from shortstop to pro.

VERY tough to define.

SUPERSTAR