Who is the best shotmaker in America? Strickland perhaps?

Luxury

Luxury

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Who is the best pure shotmaker in America? I was told that Strickand dominated in 9 ball because he could make the first initial tough shot after the break where others played safe.

So how about we try the TAR format idea of having a 4 man tourney each putting in $3000 and play in a format where you can push after the break 9 ball but after that it is a foul on all misses. No safeties. Just exciting banks and thin cuts down the entire table that we never get the joy of viewing in normal rotation formats.

This type of game might be right up Earl's alley. Who would you think would win in this format? Archer? Deuel? Schmidt? I would definitely pay to see this and I bet others would too.
 
Luxury said:
Who is the best pure shotmaker in America? I was told that Strickand dominated in 9 ball because he could make the first initial tough shot after the break where others played safe.

So how about we try the TAR format idea of having a 4 man tourney each putting in $3000 and play in a format where you can push after the break 9 ball but after that it is a foul on all misses. No safeties. Just exciting banks and thin cuts down the entire table that we never get the joy of viewing in normal rotation formats.

This type of game might be right up Earl's alley. Who would you think would win in this format? Archer? Deuel? Schmidt? I would definitely pay to see this and I bet others would too.
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archer or svb.
 
You would have to give each of them the EXACT same layouts as well as consider perhaps 20 breaks, picking the best break for each of them. Then you would have to consider how they choose to run out the table as well as what a "perfect" leave is...Sounds like a LOT of numbers and calculations to consider just to determine who is the "best".
 
Luxury said:
Who is the best pure shotmaker in America? I was told that Strickand dominated in 9 ball because he could make the first initial tough shot after the break where others played safe.

So how about we try the TAR format idea of having a 4 man tourney each putting in $3000 and play in a format where you can push after the break 9 ball but after that it is a foul on all misses. No safeties. Just exciting banks and thin cuts down the entire table that we never get the joy of viewing in normal rotation formats.

This type of game might be right up Earl's alley. Who would you think would win in this format? Archer? Deuel? Schmidt? I would definitely pay to see this and I bet others would too.
Click to expand...

I don't know how great his shotmaking is right now, but in his prime there was no one who could pocket balls like Earl. He made tough shots look routine, he'd easily win in a format like you're describing.

Right now though, I'm not sure who would win a game like that. You may see someone like Shannon Daulton win because of his explosive style of play. John Schmidt would be a good candidtate too.
 
I'm gonna have to go with SVB, Earl unfortunately has started to miss makeable balls he's still great and I'd probably take him as number 2. With a format like this, I have a feeling it will be who shoots the ghost the best. If you opened this up to a worldwide debate I doubt any American is in the top 2.
 
SVB, John S. Many more as good or close to them. At that level it's the best defense and the moves that win the games. IMO. Johnnyt
 
Being really strong at banks would have to give a guy an edge. Of the top 9 ballers in America who is the best banker?
 
Luxury said:
Being really strong at banks would have to give a guy an edge. Of the top 9 ballers in America who is the best banker?
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Most of the best players don't bank much anymore. For most it is their last option after hard thin cut and safe. Johnnyt
 
Luxury said:
Being really strong at banks would have to give a guy an edge. Of the top 9 ballers in America who is the best banker?
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Brian Gregg is a great banker but I would give him no chance to win something like this. Danny Harriman banks great and plays great all around, I'd give him the nod.
 
Luxury said:
Who is the best pure shotmaker in America? I was told that Strickand dominated in 9 ball because he could make the first initial tough shot after the break where others played safe.

So how about we try the TAR format idea of having a 4 man tourney each putting in $3000 and play in a format where you can push after the break 9 ball but after that it is a foul on all misses. No safeties. Just exciting banks and thin cuts down the entire table that we never get the joy of viewing in normal rotation formats.

This type of game might be right up Earl's alley. Who would you think would win in this format? Archer? Deuel? Schmidt? I would definitely pay to see this and I bet others would too.
Click to expand...

Years ago they had an event like this in Vegas. It was the most exciting pool event I have ever attended to watch.

I think who did well would surprise people. The break is so much of a strength or liability that guys that are very good players without the giant break might have a chance.

Others that are consistent pattern guys would adjust quicker than some might think and become super competitive.


This is kind of like a Bar Box vs Big Table best of discussion....
Everyone always brings up different guys for the bar table. Let someone put up a bunch of bar table big events and the same guys will still be on top.


However, I will say that a guy that stands out as a shot maker that is not in the top ranks is Tony Watson. When in stroke he runs out from everywhere. Scotty Townsend was like this years ago as well.

For you older guys.... Would Greg Stevens be considered one of the best shotmakers from years past? I had two stakehorses tell me that he was the best offensive pool player ever or at least top 3-5.
 
Schmidt, Harriman, or Van Boening -- take your pick

Best American pocketer of all time --- Lassiter by a mile
 
If table size and when I've seen it doesn't matter: Louie Roberts, Keith, Jack Hines and Jesse Bowman come to mind off the top of my head.
 
Back in the day Earl was the best shotmaker by far. He would stroke in shots with huge spin and a huge stroke getting perfect shape that other "good shotmakers" would cinch.

Before him a younger Keith McCready would be scary good in a format like you mention here.

There is not an American today that is as pure a shotmaker as either of those players were back in their prime.

I think I would probably still give Earl the nod in a format like this over any other player in America, if he lost it would be his head getting in the way of his talent.
 
Didn't there used to be a tourney called "Sudden Death Seven-ball"?
I think Corey Deuel was the only one to win it twice.
 
I'll take Johnny Archer when it comes to crunch time. I'm not crazy about his slow speed game, but when he's on he's as good as it gets. Johnny has been at the top for many years and he's always a threat to win any tournament he enters.

James
 
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