Who Will Be the Person to Beat Efren at One Pocket..

[jsp]

Hey peeps,

I think the majority of you guys are missing the point. Some got it, but most haven't.

What makes Efren the best in One Pocket is not really his pocketing ability. A lot of people named people like Chohan, Shuffet, etc as possible replacements. What it really comes down to is that Efren THINKS differently than everyone else in One Pocket.

He just makes it to the first opportunity before his opponents much more consistently than anyone else. That cannot be taught. Orcullo might, or he might not, be the guy that steps up to replace Efren in one Pocket. To tell you the truth, I have no reason to believe that he will, or that anyone else will. The only way to prove you have the potential to equal Efren in One Pocket is either to consistently place high in One Pocket events, or to beat Efren or Cliff straight up for the dough.

One Pocket is a funny game. It doesn't matter how good you are at running balls. As Efren says, and is mostly true, "Everyone can run out." But Efren still beats those people like they stole his cue.

So, please don't make the false assumption that just because these guys can shoot straight, and run a million balls, that they are a viable candidate to replace Efren. There's just no evidence to support that..

Russ

Great points, Russ. Ronnie Allen was the best one pocket player for ages. He was not the straightest shooter. He was the best one pocket thinker. The Miz shot straighter but couldn't win. Buddy, shot straighter but couldn't win. Sigel, Hubbart, Searcy, etc. all shot straighter than Ronnie but no one could win because Ronnie saw things they didn't.

Efren sees the things Ronnie saw and maybe even more, plus he shoots as straight as anyone in history. There should be a surtax on all of us who are fortunate enough to get to watch Efren play one pocket. Half going to Efren and the other half to a fund payable to the guy who finally knocks him off the top of the mountain. Then you might see Wu and all of those young kids studying the game.

Two excellent posts that clearly explain why Efren is the best one-pocket player in history...and only another Efren-like figure will be the one that beats him. Through time, his run out ability with naturally go down, but his mind will always be there. I predict that he'll continue to be the world's best one-pocket player even when he reaches 60, maybe even beyond.

 

[Southpaw]

IMO you cant rule out Shannon Daulton. He is one of the best one pocket players out there even though he doesnt frequent the tourney scene much anymore. Shannon still says that anyone in the world has action playing 9ball, one pocket and banks. He has been saying this for years, and no one has taken him up on it yet.

Southpaw

 

[gulfportdoc]

How popular is game of one pocket world wide?
I know it's a big part of DCC and gambling scene, but is there an official World One Pocket Championships? I may be misinformed, but I don't think there is any.
Who is going to put serious practice time into this game if it is that obscure??
And people call straight pool dead...

Steve Booth at onepocket.org might be able to give you an estimate of one pocket's popularity world wide. My guess is that it's very sparse. Pool is a relatively recent endeavor outside the U.S. I don't know if it was really popular anywhere else --with the exception of the Phillipines-- prior to the 1970's. Pool has been avidly played in the U.S. for 125 years or more, and one-pocket has been fairly commonly played here since prior to WWII. Consequently, in effect, other pool playing areas have simply not had enough time for an interest to naturally develop toward more mature or cerebral pool games. International pool (including the U.S.) seems to be pretty much locked into the 9-ball mentality, which is basically rack'em/smack'em/run'em.

Still, the world seems to slowly be showing interest in one-pocket; most notably the Phillipinos, but other countries as well. Steve Booth has compiled a good list of past one-pocket tournaments at: http://www.onepocket.org/records.htm These tournaments have been open to anyone in the world. However I don't expect major one-pocket tournaments to be held in other countries until their pool players have become more adept at the game.

One-pocket is the premier gambling game. It's skillful, there are endless was to handicap it, and there is relatively little luck in the game. I'm confident that there will likewise be more one-pocket tournaments as the game becomes more popular.

Doc

 

[Island Drive]

There might be allot of different opinions on whos the Second best In One pocket... Well who do think will overcome Efren's dominance...

My pick Corey

Mother time...................

 

[Onepocket73]

When Efren starts getting too old and can't see anymore,people will start beating him.Until then....me no think Efren gonna lose to anyone...period!!

 

[Schon-desi]

Efren is back in his home in Angeles, Pampanga. He has prior commitments to attend. But Django is still in U.S. waiting to finish some business.

 

[Hail Mary Shot]

After Efren's Era, Who's reign would it be?

 

[Russ Chewning]

IMO you cant rule out Shannon Daulton. He is one of the best one pocket players out there even though he doesnt frequent the tourney scene much anymore. Shannon still says that anyone in the world has action playing 9ball, one pocket and banks. He has been saying this for years, and no one has taken him up on it yet.

Southpaw

Let's be totally honest here... Efren would swim a river of **** to play Shannon even One Pocket. And I'd bet a walnut-sized body part that Shannon hasn't woofed to play Efren in ANY game in the last 10 years...

I mean, I understand if you're local to his area and are high on his game, but let's be realistic. Shannon won all his One Pocket tourneys before Efren learned the game.

Russ

 

[stolz2]

Efren right now is missing balls he never use to miss both in 9 Ball & One Pocket. If he didn't need the action so much it would be a good time for him to take some kind of vacation. Many of the regulars at Hard Times commented on this last week. But he must have the action. He won a game of cards at HT last week and laughed and giggled like it was a World Championship. Love to watch him but there is a little edge missing, at least for now. Like someone on here mentioned--Age does take a silent toll.

There is a big difference when he is playing at HT then say bigger tourny's. I bet he is not missing come say next Jan at DCC.

Just my .2

 

[wayne]

Shannon won all his One Pocket tourneys before Efren learned the game.

Russ

That's not true. Shannon beat Efren 4-3 on the loser side final of the Legends of One Pocket in 1998. He then went on to beat Buddy Hall in the final. Efren had been playing top one-pocket for many years at that time and he won his first Derby City just months later.

 

[Robertduke]

yea boy..

Let's be totally honest here... Efren would swim a river of **** to play Shannon even One Pocket. And I'd bet a walnut-sized body part that Shannon hasn't woofed to play Efren in ANY game in the last 10 years...

I mean, I understand if you're local to his area and are high on his game, but let's be realistic. Shannon won all his One Pocket tourneys before Efren learned the game.

Russ

See if Efren wants to play any bank pool.... I saw Shannon at the Derby a couple of years ago.. Saying that he would play "anybody" A race to ten in ten ball and a ten ball banks.. =)

 

[Russ Chewning]

That's not true. Shannon beat Efren 4-3 on the loser side final of the Legends of One Pocket in 1998. He then went on to beat Buddy Hall in the final. Efren had been playing top one-pocket for many years at that time and he won his first Derby City just months later.

???

How many One Pocket tournaments had Efren won by that time? And LOTS of people play "top one-pocket". And can get spotted 2 balls by Efren now. And get broke doing it.

We're not talking "professional" level one-pocket. We are talking Efren level one-pocket. And I stand by what I said. Shannon won his tournaments before Efren "got it".

Don't forget. Efren used to place 2nd-3rd a lot in 9 ball tourneys, too. Now, if he gets in the final 8, he is an odds-on favorite to win. That is, he is a lot more likely to win than any of the other 7 players. Statiscally speaking.

Since Efren started "winning" one-pocket events, he's had a virtual stranglehold. I know he lost one event he entered, or was it two? Otherwise, he has won every single one he entered.

Players have gotten much better than what Shannon had to compete against. And Efren is much more dominant in one-pocket events than Shannon was. Players seem to be almost demoralized before they shoot their first shot against Efren.

I usually don't woof like this, but I'll say this. You back Shannon, I'll back Efren. Race to 8 ahead, Efren spotting Shannon 10-8 his break, 9-8 Shannon's. If Shannon has any chance to get there, I'll admit that he is a possible succesor to Efren.

Otherwise, I'm going to believe that no one out there has proven they can equal Efren.

Heck, I'll even let Shannon practice for a month or two.

Russ

 

[Russ Chewning]

See if Efren wants to play any bank pool.... I saw Shannon at the Derby a couple of years ago.. Saying that he would play "anybody" A race to ten in ten ball and a ten ball banks.. =)

Really? I thought I heard a report on that. And I think the report said Shannon would play any AMERICAN.

Am I mistaken? I mean... I can look it up on here.. I don't think I am mistaken... These reports are also from people on scene..

Are you sure he put that bet out for Efren to bite on? Because I'd bet my mortgage on Efren in 10-ball, as the breaks are not as big in that game, and I don'tthink Efren is any worse than a 7/5 dog in the banks. That would be like freerolling Shannon.

I VERY much doubt that bet was open for Efren.

Russ

 

[Robertduke]

Really? I thought I heard a report on that. And I think the report said Shannon would play any AMERICAN.

Am I mistaken? I mean... I can look it up on here.. I don't think I am mistaken... These reports are also from people on scene..

Are you sure he put that bet out for Efren to bite on? Because I'd bet my mortgage on Efren in 10-ball, as the breaks are not as big in that game, and I don'tthink Efren is any worse than a 7/5 dog in the banks. That would be like freerolling Shannon.

I VERY much doubt that bet was open for Efren.

Russ

You could be right but I think that the offer was up to anyone.. and Just my thoughts Efrens a little more than a 7\5 dog in banks.. =)

 

[wayne]

???

How many One Pocket tournaments had Efren won by that time? And LOTS of people play "top one-pocket". And can get spotted 2 balls by Efren now. And get broke doing it.

We're not talking "professional" level one-pocket. We are talking Efren level one-pocket. And I stand by what I said. Shannon won his tournaments before Efren "got it".

Don't forget. Efren used to place 2nd-3rd a lot in 9 ball tourneys, too. Now, if he gets in the final 8, he is an odds-on favorite to win. That is, he is a lot more likely to win than any of the other 7 players. Statiscally speaking.

Since Efren started "winning" one-pocket events, he's had a virtual stranglehold. I know he lost one event he entered, or was it two? Otherwise, he has won every single one he entered.

Players have gotten much better than what Shannon had to compete against. And Efren is much more dominant in one-pocket events than Shannon was. Players seem to be almost demoralized before they shoot their first shot against Efren.

I usually don't woof like this, but I'll say this. You back Shannon, I'll back Efren. Race to 8 ahead, Efren spotting Shannon 10-8 his break, 9-8 Shannon's. If Shannon has any chance to get there, I'll admit that he is a possible succesor to Efren.

Otherwise, I'm going to believe that no one out there has proven they can equal Efren.

Heck, I'll even let Shannon practice for a month or two.

Russ

Duh! You made 1 statement that was NOT TRUE!!!! quote "Shannon won all his One Pocket tourneys before Efren learned the game." I just pointed out the untruth of that one statement. Efren had been playing top level one-pocket for many years and was widely considered the best one-pocket player in the world at the time Shannon beat him. IT was 1998!!!! Case CLOSED!

Woof when you have something to woof about. I never said anything about Shannon being able to beat Efren, although I have competed against them both and if Efren is not playing his top game Shannon could upset him again.

If you think your statement was true then tell me what year Efren learned the game. Was it after the early 90's when he went across the States beating every one-pocket player, or the mid 90's where he was spotting top one pocket players and continually winning or did he just learn the game after Shannon beat him in 1998.

 

[Russ Chewning]

You could be right but I think that the offer was up to anyone.. and Just my thoughts Efrens a little more than a 7\5 dog in banks.. =)

Efren getting to the bank finals in DCC 2007, and Shannon getting eliminated in round 6 would tend to make me disagree with you.

I was actually being very generous saying Efren was a 7/5 dog.

Generous to Shannon, that is..

Russ

 

[Russ Chewning]

Duh! You made 1 statement that was NOT TRUE!!!! quote "Shannon won all his One Pocket tourneys before Efren learned the game." I just pointed out the untruth of that one statement. Efren had been playing top level one-pocket for many years and was widely considered the best one-pocket player in the world at the time Shannon beat him. IT was 1998!!!! Case CLOSED!

Woof when you have something to woof about. I never said anything about Shannon being able to beat Efren, although I have competed against them both and if Efren is not playing his top game Shannon could upset him again.

If you think your statement was true then tell me what year Efren learned the game. Was it after the early 90's when he went across the States beating every one-pocket player, or the mid 90's where he was spotting top one pocket players and continually winning or did he just learn the game after Shannon beat him in 1998.

We are talking about winning tournaments AND gambling, but first and foremost we are talking about the tournament side.

You would agree that tournament play is different than gambling, yes? And specifically, tournament one-pocket is different than gambling one-pocket, yes?

Either way, it does not matter. Shannon has no chance against Efren gambling, and in a one-pocket tournament match, Shannon beating Efren would be an upset. Either way, saying Shannon might be a contender to replace Efren is way out of the ballpark.

Russ

 

[jay helfert]

You could be right but I think that the offer was up to anyone.. and Just my thoughts Efrens a little more than a 7\5 dog in banks.. =)

Efren finished second in Banks at Derby City this year out of 400+ players. So he can bank a little too. As much as I like Shannon's all around game, I seriously doubt he wants to mess with Efren playing One Pocket, Ten Ball and Bank Pool. This is not a good spot for him to put his money in, and Shannon has to know it.

 

[Hail Mary Shot]

That's not true. Shannon beat Efren 4-3 on the loser side final of the Legends of One Pocket in 1998. He then went on to beat Buddy Hall in the final. Efren had been playing top one-pocket for many years at that time and he won his first Derby City just months later.

If you said the year was 1998, then Efren was more preoccupied or concerned competing on 8,9,10 ball tourneys during those times. I believe it was also the year that he got his first acid test on one pocket tourney play and garnered a strong finish in spite of being a first timer. Efren started playing near the mid 80's and quickly built a reputation on 1P play. by the time of the late 90's , he was already considered as one of the greats in 1P despite only playing low profile money matches (but lots of it) and lack of 1P tourney play.

actually it took him 15 years to finally give his 1P skills a first push in 1P tourney play, a few months to win one, and another 8 years to show his complete dominance of the 1P game (20+ years of experience).We could only imagine what the scenario would had been if he started sooner than that.

 

[Hail Mary Shot]

See if Efren wants to play any bank pool.... I saw Shannon at the Derby a couple of years ago.. Saying that he would play "anybody" A race to ten in ten ball and a ten ball banks.. =)

I believe Shannon is careful enough not to mention Efren's name. Every dog has his day but not everyday. The question is, would you put your money on Shannon or Efren?