who wins

[real bartram]

Chris,
The other "guys" I listed are all have great 9B & 1P credentials, most being either former U.S. Open 9 Ball Champs or past World 9 Ball Champs, just like Alex. Shannon has 2 DCC 9 Ball Championships to his credit. To say they would have "NO" chance against Alex in 9 ball (10 ball) is B.S. Why wouldn't they have "NO" chance??? Is Alex undefeated in his career?

Next, I'm just going to single out your time capsule-like comment of..."Grady come on please."

***The original thread AND my response that included Grady includes PAST as well as present champs. Grady today vs Alex.....Please!

BUT....Grady in his prime won 4 World One Pocket Championships. He is enshrined in the One Pocket Hall of Fame. And probably most important to you, he gambled big with his own money against the very best players such as Ronnie Allen, Ed Kelly, Jack Breit, Billy Burge, Jack Cooney, etc,
etc.

So how is it that Grady ranks just a "pa-leeze"???

I ain't done yet my friend......Here's a link of the winners of all the major One Pocket events going waaaay back. Read the list of names of those who won. Count up Alex's One Pocket titles....He has one (1). It's the 2001 Country Club USA One Pocket title. (!) http://www.onepocket.org/records.htm

There's more...Of the 11 Derby City Classic One Pocket Championships that have been held thus far, Alex has played in 5 of them. Here are his results....
2003 7th place
2004 14th place
2005 8th place
2006 3rd place
2008 4th place

One more thing to think about. If Alex retired right now from pool, do you think he's done enough to merit induction into the One Pocket H.O.F.?

I can't think of anyone who doesn't love to watch Alex and root for him. He's an incredible player with all the heart in the world. Fearless. But I do believe there are several other equally great and fearless one pocket champs who Alex most assuredly would have his hands full with.

Lastly, I know you well enough now to know how heavy an emphasis you place on gambling match ups. Let me ask you this....Do you really think that if someone had the chance to win a prestigious One Pocket Championship, they would try any less than if they were gambling? No, they would try just as hard. To win a major title not only pays bigger money than those who did not win it, it also can end up in sponsorship deals. So saying that tournament wins are not all important contradicts what you feel about who wins the most money is the best player. The tournament winner does indeed get the most money. Who wouldn't be trying for that?

And Alex only has 1 tournament win in One Pocket.

And those other guys I named, they can bet it up high as well. They're not just one trick ponies who won a tournament and then bail in money games. They're what I call double champs...can win in tournaments and money matches.

My fingers are getting stiff from typing. I'm going to stop for a while.

you dont get it do you?
john s j jones and thise guys have no chance to play alex 10 ball or 9 ball for money.
those guys play 10 like me or a lil better thats it.
im not saying that cant play but when you talk alex now you are talking one of the best money players .

 

[real bartram]

Taylor was undoubtedly a great player in his era. And a match for anyone. I have to think that in his prime he could have played anyone, past or present. Once again the conditions (equipment) were very different in his day to what they play on now, primarily the slow cloth. Put Alex on that equipment and he might have trouble with Taylor. All this is what my heart tells me. But my head says that maybe Chris is right. Alex may be the better player, particularly at 9-Ball or Ten Ball. He just plays the game at a higher level than anyone from that earlier generation.

There is only one game where I will continue to make Taylor the favorite over Alex or anyone else. That game is Banks. If you think of a Jason Miller or a Gary Spaeth or a Wade Crane at their absolute best, that is how Taylor played all the time. He was just a little more accurate and consistent then today's bankers. To him 9-Ball Bank would be a joke. I suspect he would have run fours and fives all day, and if allowed to continue, run many six's and above as well. He might even run all nine banks every once in a while.

Now going back to Alex and his abilities. I also saw Parica at his peak. I make him the slight favorite over Alex at 9-Ball of Ten ball. To put it in perspective, think of the best skills of both Dennis Orcollo and Efren Reyes put into one package. Then you begin to grasp the skills of Parica in his prime. He was a fierce money player, who never let up and never got intimidated. He played a lot like Earl played in tournaments, except for the cash. And his run outs appeared slightly more controlled than Earl's.

At One Pocket, Alex might have had a slight edge, but not much. I rate Parica only a hair under Reyes at this game, and probably a better gambler. He would not give up and continue to put relentless pressure on Alex or anyone else. It is Jose and not Cliff who is the second best One Pocket player of their generation. I know one thing that maybe even Chris doesn't know. Ten years or so ago, Alex would not mess with Parica, at ANY game! He KNEW he was outmatched. If you don't believe me ask him.

That brings us to present day. I've seen Alex at his best, against Shane and others. He is an extremely talented player, maybe the best One Pocket player today. Although I'd like to see him and Gabe go at it in a long match. But at Ten Ball in a tournament I'd take Wu over him and in a money game I'd take Yang. If either of these matches happen, that's the way I would bet. It would take Parica at his best to have a chance with Yang for the cash. And I've seen Wu make even the great Mika, Ralf and Shane look like they were one speed under him.

All this being said, if the modern era of pool players all had to play a match of One Pocket and Ten Ball, I'd be betting on Alex too! :wink:

ok 10 years ago alex might not wanted to mess with him.
he is a much better player now or till the past year or so.
he did not play much the past year and beat svb easy.
that is saying something.
and this year he did beat him easy .

 

[Mr441]

Taylor was undoubtedly a great player in his era. And a match for anyone. I have to think that in his prime he could have played anyone, past or present. Once again the conditions (equipment) were very different in his day to what they play on now, primarily the slow cloth. Put Alex on that equipment and he might have trouble with Taylor. All this is what my heart tells me. But my head says that maybe Chris is right. Alex may be the better player, particularly at 9-Ball or Ten Ball. He just plays the game at a higher level than anyone from that earlier generation.

There is only one game where I will continue to make Taylor the favorite over Alex or anyone else. That game is Banks. If you think of a Jason Miller or a Gary Spaeth or a Wade Crane at their absolute best, that is how Taylor played all the time. He was just a little more accurate and consistent then today's bankers. To him 9-Ball Bank would be a joke. I suspect he would have run fours and fives all day, and if allowed to continue, run many six's and above as well. He might even run all nine banks every once in a while.

Now going back to Alex and his abilities. I also saw Parica at his peak. I make him the slight favorite over Alex at 9-Ball of Ten ball. To put it in perspective, think of the best skills of both Dennis Orcollo and Efren Reyes put into one package. Then you begin to grasp the skills of Parica in his prime. He was a fierce money player, who never let up and never got intimidated. He played a lot like Earl played in tournaments, except for the cash. And his run outs appeared slightly more controlled than Earl's.

At One Pocket, Alex might have had a slight edge, but not much. I rate Parica only a hair under Reyes at this game, and probably a better gambler. He would not give up and continue to put relentless pressure on Alex or anyone else. It is Jose and not Cliff who is the second best One Pocket player of their generation. I know one thing that maybe even Chris doesn't know. Ten years or so ago, Alex would not mess with Parica, at ANY game! He KNEW he was outmatched. If you don't believe me ask him.

That brings us to present day. I've seen Alex at his best, against Shane and others. He is an extremely talented player, maybe the best One Pocket player today. Although I'd like to see him and Gabe go at it in a long match. But at Ten Ball in a tournament I'd take Wu over him and in a money game I'd take Yang. If either of these matches happen, that's the way I would bet. It would take Parica at his best to have a chance with Yang for the cash. And I've seen Wu make even the great Mika, Ralf and Shane look like they were one speed under him.

All this being said, if the modern era of pool players all had to play a match of One Pocket and Ten Ball, I'd be betting on Alex too! :wink:

Jay, how do you think Harold Worst would have done against Alex in both games?

 

[real bartram]

Chris,
The other "guys" I listed are all have great 9B & 1P credentials, most being either former U.S. Open 9 Ball Champs or past World 9 Ball Champs, just like Alex. Shannon has 2 DCC 9 Ball Championships to his credit. To say they would have "NO" chance against Alex in 9 ball (10 ball) is B.S. Why wouldn't they have "NO" chance??? Is Alex undefeated in his career?

Next, I'm just going to single out your time capsule-like comment of..."Grady come on please."

***The original thread AND my response that included Grady includes PAST as well as present champs. Grady today vs Alex.....Please!

BUT....Grady in his prime won 4 World One Pocket Championships. He is enshrined in the One Pocket Hall of Fame. And probably most important to you, he gambled big with his own money against the very best players such as Ronnie Allen, Ed Kelly, Jack Breit, Billy Burge, Jack Cooney, etc,
etc.

So how is it that Grady ranks just a "pa-leeze"???

I ain't done yet my friend......Here's a link of the winners of all the major One Pocket events going waaaay back. Read the list of names of those who won. Count up Alex's One Pocket titles....He has one (1). It's the 2001 Country Club USA One Pocket title. (!) http://www.onepocket.org/records.htm

There's more...Of the 11 Derby City Classic One Pocket Championships that have been held thus far, Alex has played in 5 of them. Here are his results....
2003 7th place
2004 14th place
2005 8th place
2006 3rd place
2008 4th place

One more thing to think about. If Alex retired right now from pool, do you think he's done enough to merit induction into the One Pocket H.O.F.?

I can't think of anyone who doesn't love to watch Alex and root for him. He's an incredible player with all the heart in the world. Fearless. But I do believe there are several other equally great and fearless one pocket champs who Alex most assuredly would have his hands full with.

Lastly, I know you well enough now to know how heavy an emphasis you place on gambling match ups. Let me ask you this....Do you really think that if someone had the chance to win a prestigious One Pocket Championship, they would try any less than if they were gambling? No, they would try just as hard. To win a major title not only pays bigger money than those who did not win it, it also can end up in sponsorship deals. So saying that tournament wins are not all important contradicts what you feel about who wins the most money is the best player. The tournament winner does indeed get the most money. Who wouldn't be trying for that?

And Alex only has 1 tournament win in One Pocket.

And those other guys I named, they can bet it up high as well. They're not just one trick ponies who won a tournament and then bail in money games. They're what I call double champs...can win in tournaments and money matches.

My fingers are getting stiff from typing. I'm going to stop for a while.

i said in one pocket gragy was close.
but 9 ball or 10 ball please.
and yes i still say please he had no chance.
im not talking a tourney like i said i dont care about a tourney.
hell i beat mika in the us open big deal one race.

 

[Terry Ardeno]

hell i beat mika in the us open big deal one race.

Don't diminish your own accomplishments. You played some great pool to knock him off that match. It was a big deal to those who root for you.
Something you should be proud of!

 

[The Saw]

Chris,
The other "guys" I listed are all have great 9B & 1P credentials, most being either former U.S. Open 9 Ball Champs or past World 9 Ball Champs, just like Alex. Shannon has 2 DCC 9 Ball Championships to his credit. To say they would have "NO" chance against Alex in 9 ball (10 ball) is B.S. Why wouldn't they have "NO" chance??? Is Alex undefeated in his career?

Next, I'm just going to single out your time capsule-like comment of..."Grady come on please."

***The original thread AND my response that included Grady includes PAST as well as present champs. Grady today vs Alex.....Please!

BUT....Grady in his prime won 4 World One Pocket Championships. He is enshrined in the One Pocket Hall of Fame. And probably most important to you, he gambled big with his own money against the very best players such as Ronnie Allen, Ed Kelly, Jack Breit, Billy Burge, Jack Cooney, etc,
etc.

So how is it that Grady ranks just a "pa-leeze"???

I ain't done yet my friend......Here's a link of the winners of all the major One Pocket events going waaaay back. Read the list of names of those who won. Count up Alex's One Pocket titles....He has one (1). It's the 2001 Country Club USA One Pocket title. (!) http://www.onepocket.org/records.htm

There's more...Of the 11 Derby City Classic One Pocket Championships that have been held thus far, Alex has played in 5 of them. Here are his results....
2003 7th place
2004 14th place
2005 8th place
2006 3rd place
2008 4th place

One more thing to think about. If Alex retired right now from pool, do you think he's done enough to merit induction into the One Pocket H.O.F.?

I can't think of anyone who doesn't love to watch Alex and root for him. He's an incredible player with all the heart in the world. Fearless. But I do believe there are several other equally great and fearless one pocket champs who Alex most assuredly would have his hands full with.

Lastly, I know you well enough now to know how heavy an emphasis you place on gambling match ups. Let me ask you this....Do you really think that if someone had the chance to win a prestigious One Pocket Championship, they would try any less than if they were gambling? No, they would try just as hard. To win a major title not only pays bigger money than those who did not win it, it also can end up in sponsorship deals. So saying that tournament wins are not all important contradicts what you feel about who wins the most money is the best player. The tournament winner does indeed get the most money. Who wouldn't be trying for that?

And Alex only has 1 tournament win in One Pocket.

And those other guys I named, they can bet it up high as well. They're not just one trick ponies who won a tournament and then bail in money games. They're what I call double champs...can win in tournaments and money matches.

My fingers are getting stiff from typing. I'm going to stop for a while.

Terry,

I know you are on top of the records of past titles and all of that but the past 15 years there haven't been near as many major tournaments and titles to win in the US as there was in the past. It would be akin to the PGA Tour being cut down to say 4 tournaments a year instead of 30. If Tiger only had 5 tournaments to play each year and could only win 3 how could you compare that to Nicklaus, Watson, Palmer, etc...?

In 98 the Camel Series had a stop here in Columbus. Alex was too young to play in the pro tournament (20, IIRC). Alex and I just walked into the convention center at the tournament and Grady walks up and tells Alex that he would love to play Alex some 1p to help Alex get better at the game and play him some cheap like $100-200/game (read: Grady thought he was stealing). Alex says that he isn't doing anything right now so lets go to the poolroom and play. Mind you, this is when Grady still played pretty good... We head back to the poolroom and they match up for 200/game. Alex shoots a dead one out of the stack a couple of times and runs 8 and out. Alex slaps a long railer straight back and runs out a couple of times. Next thing you know Grady loses 5 straight in maybe 40 minutes. He pays off cussing and screaming about getting robbed.... The point? Alex plays a game that none of the older players are familiar with! Plain and simple, he and IMO Corey are the two most talented guys to ever hold a cue and if either are dedicated to pool none of the rest have much of a chance, at any game! In any decade.....

 

[Terry Ardeno]

Terry,

I know you are on top of the records of past titles and all of that but the past 15 years there haven't been near as many major tournaments and titles to win in the US as there was in the past. It would be akin to the PGA Tour being cut down to say 4 tournaments a year instead of 30. If Tiger only had 5 tournaments to play each year and could only win 3 how could you compare that to Nicklaus, Watson, Palmer, etc...?

In 98 the Camel Series had a stop here in Columbus. Alex was too young to play in the pro tournament (20, IIRC). Alex and I just walked into the convention center at the tournament and Grady walks up and tells Alex that he would love to play Alex some 1p to help Alex get better at the game and play him some cheap like $100-200/game (read: Grady thought he was stealing). Alex says that he isn't doing anything right now so lets go to the poolroom and play. Mind you, this is when Grady still played pretty good... We head back to the poolroom and they match up for 200/game. Alex shoots a dead one out of the stack a couple of times and runs 8 and out. Alex slaps a long railer straight back and runs out a couple of times. Next thing you know Grady loses 5 straight in maybe 40 minutes. He pays off cussing and screaming about getting robbed.... The point? Alex plays a game that none of the older players are familiar with! Plain and simple, he and IMO Corey are the two most talented guys to ever hold a cue and if either are dedicated to pool none of the rest have much of a chance, at any game! In any decade.....

Great story, great post.

 

[jay helfert]

Jay, how do you think Harold Worst would have done against Alex in both games?

It's just so arbitrary to try to compare players from one era with those from another era. Like comparing Mickey Mantle to Mark McGuire. And Mantle didn't use Steroids!

That said, Worst was number one, a WINNER at anything he did. He found a way to beat his opponents, regardless of the game. He was the quickest learner of new pool games until Efren came along. Show Harold a new game and he would master it in days or weeks at the most.

Talent wise, it's probably a draw. Any player of any era would have problems with a man like Harold Worst. He was the single most focused pool player I ever saw until Ralf and Wu came along. Neither one can match his intensity or his determination though. He wasn't about to let anyone beat him at any game. If there was an opening he would take advantage. You could not make a mistake when playing him. You were toast if you did! Harold would pounce on every little opportunity and make you pay, big time.

Alex hasn't seen the likes of Harold Worst in his career. There is no one like him playing pool today. Ralf is probably the closest and he doesn't have the presence that this man did. And Harold had no qualms about playing for big money. The top hustlers of his era gave him respect and a wide berth. You would never hear someone like Cornbread or Ronnie or Ervolino (all great gamblers) say anything demeaning about Harold, lest it get back to him. Harold Worst backed down from no man. In a word, Worst was universally respected in the pool world, kind of like Greenleaf before him. And Harold had no bad habits!

Most pool players would rather wrestle a bear than step in the ring with Harold Worst. Even the great Lassiter backed down from a $10,000 match with him. Believe me Harold wanted to play! He is a man I will never forget and consider myself fortunate to have seen him play and how he conducted himself. Harold Worst was a man's man who happened to be one of the greatest cue artists to ever live. Worst was not a braggart or a big talker. In fact he was soft spoken and a gentleman gambler too boot, who would call a foul on himself before his opponent did. I'm not quite ready to put Alex Pagulayan in his category yet.

 

[PoolBum]

Most pool players would rather wrestle a bear than step in the ring with Harold Worst. Even the great Lassiter backed down from a $10,000 match with him. Believe me Harold wanted to play!

Jay, I hadn't heard this before, can you explain the story behind this?

 

[Mr441]

It's just so arbitrary to try to compare players from one era with those from another era. Like comparing Mickey Mantle to Mark McGuire. And Mantle didn't use Steroids!

That said, Worst was number one, a WINNER at anything he did. He found a way to beat his opponents, regardless of the game. He was the quickest learner of new pool games until Efren came along. Show Harold a new game and he would master it in days or weeks at the most.

Talent wise, it's probably a draw. Any player of any era would have problems with a man like Harold Worst. He was the single most focused pool player I ever saw until Ralf and Wu came along. Neither one can match his intensity or his determination though. He wasn't about to let anyone beat him at any game. If there was an opening he would take advantage. You could not make a mistake when playing him. You were toast if you did! Harold would pounce on every little opportunity and make you pay, big time.

Alex hasn't seen the likes of Harold Worst in his career. There is no one like him playing pool today. Ralf is probably the closest and he doesn't have the presence that this man did. And Harold had no qualms about playing for big money. The top hustlers of his era gave him respect and a wide berth. You would never hear someone like Cornbread or Ronnie or Ervolino (all great gamblers) say anything demeaning about Harold, lest it get back to him. Harold Worst backed down from no man. In a word, Worst was universally respected in the pool world, kind of like Greenleaf before him. And Harold had no bad habits!

Most pool players would rather wrestle a bear than step in the ring with Harold Worst. Even the great Lassiter backed down from a $10,000 match with him. Believe me Harold wanted to play! He is a man I will never forget and consider myself fortunate to have seen him play and how he conducted himself. Harold Worst was a man's man who happened to be one of the greatest cue artists to ever live. Worst was not a braggart or a big talker. In fact he was soft spoken and a gentleman gambler too boot, who would call a foul on himself before his opponent did. I'm not quite ready to put Alex Pagulayan in his category yet.

Great post Jay, you are a wealth of pool knowledge.

 

[real bartram]

It's just so arbitrary to try to compare players from one era with those from another era. Like comparing Mickey Mantle to Mark McGuire. And Mantle didn't use Steroids!

That said, Worst was number one, a WINNER at anything he did. He found a way to beat his opponents, regardless of the game. He was the quickest learner of new pool games until Efren came along. Show Harold a new game and he would master it in days or weeks at the most.

Talent wise, it's probably a draw. Any player of any era would have problems with a man like Harold Worst. He was the single most focused pool player I ever saw until Ralf and Wu came along. Neither one can match his intensity or his determination though. He wasn't about to let anyone beat him at any game. If there was an opening he would take advantage. You could not make a mistake when playing him. You were toast if you did! Harold would pounce on every little opportunity and make you pay, big time.

Alex hasn't seen the likes of Harold Worst in his career. There is no one like him playing pool today. Ralf is probably the closest and he doesn't have the presence that this man did. And Harold had no qualms about playing for big money. The top hustlers of his era gave him respect and a wide berth. You would never hear someone like Cornbread or Ronnie or Ervolino (all great gamblers) say anything demeaning about Harold, lest it get back to him. Harold Worst backed down from no man. In a word, Worst was universally respected in the pool world, kind of like Greenleaf before him. And Harold had no bad habits!

Most pool players would rather wrestle a bear than step in the ring with Harold Worst. Even the great Lassiter backed down from a $10,000 match with him. Believe me Harold wanted to play! He is a man I will never forget and consider myself fortunate to have seen him play and how he conducted himself. Harold Worst was a man's man who happened to be one of the greatest cue artists to ever live. Worst was not a braggart or a big talker. In fact he was soft spoken and a gentleman gambler too boot, who would call a foul on himself before his opponent did. I'm not quite ready to put Alex Pagulayan in his category yet.

the game of 10 ball is diff from the past.
the phill would beat any of the great americans of the past or present.
they play a diff game and a better one.
lets face it jay you know this.
you know if alex or orcullo or lee van played any american 10 ball 15 ahead or a long race you would bet on the phill.
from past or today thats just the way it is.

 

[Island Drive]

Jay how would Sigel fit into this mix in his prime? I never got to see Mike play much cept at the Denver Open back in the early 80's also, at the last call for 9ball in NJ at the casino, Jack....forgot his last name was the promoter I think.

 

[Terry Ardeno]

Jay how would Sigel fit into this mix in his prime? I never got to see Mike play much cept at the Denver Open back in the early 80's also, at the last call for 9ball in NJ at the casino, Jack....forgot his last name was the promoter I think.

Jack Johnston was the promoter.

 

[Terry Ardeno]

you know if alex or orcullo or lee van played any american 10 ball 15 ahead or a long race you would bet on the phill.
from past or today thats just the way it is.

Chris,
We'll never know for sure, but I'll tell ya, I would take Sigel and / or Strickland in their prime against any Pinoy ever in a 15 ahead race.
Buddy Hall also.

These guys were the absolute summit of 9 ball greatness.

You think I'm under-estimating the great Filipinos. I think you're under-estimating some of the legends.

But again, we'll never know for sure.

(Poll, anybody?) :grin:

 

[real bartram]

Chris,
We'll never know for sure, but I'll tell ya, I would take Sigel and / or Strickland in their prime against any Pinoy ever in a 15 ahead race.
Buddy Hall also.

These guys were the absolute summit of 9 ball greatness.

You think I'm under-estimating the great Filipinos. I think you're under-estimating some of the legends.

But again, we'll never know for sure.

(Poll, anybody?) :grin:

i dont need a poll.
i see pool every day and this is not close.

 

[huckster]

I am very familiar with Alex's game he and Corey were running around as teenager's and robbing everyone didn't matter who you threw at them they were mowing people down. Alex has all the talent in the world he can adjust to any game on any equipment and get the cash most of the time, but there is one thing that sets Alex apart from most straight shooting son of a guns if you play him a real long race or a long ahead set he's the ultimate grinder. When I layed down a huge wager on Alex when he played John Schmidt in Straight pool my buddy thought I was nuts since John's prowess at the game was well known and most thought Alex was just a rotation type player well I was aware that Alex was the complete package and totally unflappable. Great match great sweat and a nice lil score for me. I don't think the past legends get enough credit from a lot of people on this site but playing both games 1pkt and 9/10 ball I make Alex the favorite of everyone that's played the game except a few and if he would work on his game like he did when he was in Canada as a kid with his seasoning now then that few would be a very very few if any.

 

[Terry Ardeno]

I am very familiar with Alex's game he and Corey were running around as teenager's and robbing everyone didn't matter who you threw at them they were mowing people down. Alex has all the talent in the world he can adjust to any game on any equipment and get the cash most of the time, but there is one thing that sets Alex apart from most straight shooting son of a guns if you play him a real long race or a long ahead set he's the ultimate grinder. When I layed down a huge wager on Alex when he played John Schmidt in Straight pool my buddy thought I was nuts since John's prowess at the game was well known and most thought Alex was just a rotation type player well I was aware that Alex was the complete package and totally unflappable. Great match great sweat and a nice lil score for me. I don't think the past legends get enough credit from a lot of people on this site but playing both games 1pkt and 9/10 ball I make Alex the favorite of everyone that's played the game except a few and if he would work on his game like he did when he was in Canada as a kid with his seasoning now then that few would be a very very few if any.

Huck,
Great to see you jump in here. My only problem with you is that you don't post nearly as much as I would like! Always good stuff buddy!

I hear you on Alex's greatness and staying power. But in a 15 ahead set of 9 ball, I'm still going to stick with Sigel or Strickland.

I wish we could put all these guys in some sort of a time machine and have a super-duper tournament replete with money matches for the ages!

Your opinion always counts heavily with me Huck. I'll be mulling over what you said.

 

[real bartram]

I am very familiar with Alex's game he and Corey were running around as teenager's and robbing everyone didn't matter who you threw at them they were mowing people down. Alex has all the talent in the world he can adjust to any game on any equipment and get the cash most of the time, but there is one thing that sets Alex apart from most straight shooting son of a guns if you play him a real long race or a long ahead set he's the ultimate grinder. When I layed down a huge wager on Alex when he played John Schmidt in Straight pool my buddy thought I was nuts since John's prowess at the game was well known and most thought Alex was just a rotation type player well I was aware that Alex was the complete package and totally unflappable. Great match great sweat and a nice lil score for me. I don't think the past legends get enough credit from a lot of people on this site but playing both games 1pkt and 9/10 ball I make Alex the favorite of everyone that's played the game except a few and if he would work on his game like he did when he was in Canada as a kid with his seasoning now then that few would be a very very few if any.

yes i have never seen a champ grind like alex.
i have posted this before but have to again.
i played alex with the 8 9 on a tight diamond with old cloth.
first day 12 ahead after 22 hours i was 3 games ahead.
2nd day he wins the set i think 18 hours.
3rd day i win the set 26 hours.

 

[PoolBum]

I hear you on Alex's greatness and staying power. But in a 15 ahead set of 9 ball, I'm still going to stick with Sigel or Strickland.

I've said it before but I'd take Earl's top speed at 9-ball on the right equipment over anybody in the history of the game. I don't care who you are you can't win if you never get to the table and Earl could string racks together like nobody before or since.

 

[Mr441]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, anyone who didn't see Buddy Hall play in the 70's can't make a fair comparison between him and the modern players. I would put a prime Buddy up against anyone I've ever seen in an ahead set of 9 ball or 10 ball...even Efren who was supposedly even better back then didn't want any part of Buddy. He made the fewest mistakes (if any) of anyone I've ever seen. I can't speak for Harold Worst or anyone before that but Buddy's the best I ever saw and everyone that saw Buddy back then says the exact same thing.