1995 EFREN REYES vs MIZERAK+final vs Davenport 9-ball 

@ray Carlton billiards do you know who the interpreture was to Reyes? Just wondering seen Reyes hand him the check he won so figured he must know him?

Byron: In 1988 Efren teamed up with long-time friend -- and very capable interpreter -- Rolando Vicente, his manager of many years. The relationship continues till the present.

❤ see aww

😊

1:53:40 jjj

*THE* perfect comment, Boyd! Couldn't agree more, as would any lifelong fan and player of our mutually beloved sport. It's worth noting that hands-down, *Efren has had the longest period of peak skills of any player in the 170-year history of professional billiards* . For more pool beauty (perfection actually) simply watch this video (link below) from beginning to end: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PYGYGrChn5A.html then give a reply here after watching it.* The skill displayed in this flawless 1992 performance was widely acknowledged by contemporary pool experts as a very rare display of perfect pool. I was lucky enough to have been in the NYC audience for it.

Total agreement

Would like to see him and Ronnie O’Sullivan play straight pool.

I cant stop smiling this is amazing

​@@raycarltonbilliards5798pp00lpp😊😊pp😊.

Armando: Miz -- a three-time World 14.1 champion and BCA Hall of Fame inductee -- never once squirmed during his entire world-class playing career . . . *no matter who the opponent was.* He and Efren respected each other enormously.

The Dunning-Krüger effect. One knows not how much he doesn't know about something until one learns more about it.

Este si es juego los 2 muy buenos

A spot-on observation, PZ and very well described. Thanks for the positive and accurate comment. Glad you enjoyed the proceedings and the warmth and color he added. He (Tom Kelly) had a long career hosting major golf tournaments and was much beloved for his ever-present unique style, golf knowledge, collegiality and friendliness. He passed away two years ago.

@@raycarltonbilliards5798 Yes, Tom Kelly was also the USC Trojans football play by play man and also did boxing and a lot of other sports. A very versatile and likable sports broadcaster.

Would have been more impressive if you had done a shootaround after he had passed on.

Yeah, everything has gotten weirder and weirder ever since.

Great to hear those kinds of comments, Kelly. Efren is not only a pool genius, but such a decent, wholesome man. I've known him for more than 30 years. He's a wonderful role model for young and older folks alike, and for emerging players everywhere. Pool players of all ages around the world (and millions of non-players too) all love Efren. His skills, sportsmanship and unmistakable human kindness dazzle everyone. *He has inspired more players to begin playing our wonderful sport, than any player in the 170-year history of professional pool.*

Early Cuyler that's why I agree with Johnny Archer (who won a lot in the winner breaks format) when he said, "9-ball is more fair, and fun to watch when there's an alternate break." Efren showed in these matches how if he kept break, show was over, lol.

Welcome aboard, FLRaider, and I'm glad you're enjoying. Many thanks for the comment and your kind words. *

AngrierGorilla absolutely, anybody leave him a window of opportunity, he would capitalize. I love this era of pool.

Reyes in his prime

He's a lot better now.

@@TAXCOLLECTOR-mx3mg with pain on his shoulder and 60 above old, yes, still best player on the world

Efren don't want to win

As you'll already know, Gary, he was a very beloved school teacher back in Jersey for a few of his adult years.

@@raycarltonbilliards5798 , He certainly has a nice smile and seems to enjoy it all whatever happens.

Glad you're enjoying/have enjoyed it, Phil. Thanks for the comment. *

Many thanks, Michael for starting 2022 off with a comment like that which so thoroughly radiates healthful positivity. I vote you "Man of the New Year!"

@@raycarltonbilliards5798 Thank you so much for your vote, it came at a moment when I really need badly. Thank you and keep posting your great videos.

TY: Tom Kelly was primarily a leading golf and football commentator for various networks and very popular for those sports. Prime recruited him for their Pro Tour pool coverage. Tom was only a hobby-level pool player, but an excellent golfer. *Here he essentially served -- as you've perceived -- as a non-expert surrogate for the home viewing audience with lesser pool experience, and asking many innocent questions they might ask* and deserved easy to understand answers as to what was going on in certain situations . Sponsors rightfully appreciated his colorful presence in that role . Golf coverage often has a lot of dramatic language . . . pool not so much, as is appropriate. Sad to report Tom passed away four years ago after a long illness.

. . . *_and his "worth" as the possibly the most decent, kind and humble man among all the world champions who ever played during the entire 172-year history of professional pool_*

@@raycarltonbilliards5798 That is certainly a part of his greatness in my book.

To me Nick Varner is more like a pool room hustler

Effren is brilliant to watch

I'd smile if I only missed once a day.

Thank you for taking the time to send those kind words, Riley. I''m very pleased that you're enjoying all the videos. Makes my time and archiving efforts worthwhile. Nice to give something back to our beloved sport that has been giving me *many decades of pleasure in playing it regularly, and while watching champions playing it with astonishing skill and confidence* .

What *one can say* is that one player has nothing to do with the other* except for the very important commonality that they were/are both BCA Hall of Fame inductees for all the right reasons. In the entire 170-year history of pool only 81 pool notables have that honor -- 75% of them as national or world-class players champions.*I totally agree about Steve. I knew him for 25 years. As you know he passed away in 2006, much too young. His career and life are well detailed here:* en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Mizerak I was one of a rotating crew of L.A.-residing volunteer scorekeepers for most of the 1960s - early '70s years that Fred Whalen held his annual US Invitational 14.1 Championships at the huge downtown Los Angeles Elks Club. I score-kept many of Steve's matches. *He was very fit and in his early twenties then* and a supremely talented 14.1 master with many *300-plus exhibition runs* in his *teenage* years! . A nicer guy you couldn't find, and he went on to dominate Straight Pool for several of his prime years. Here's my vid of him in a 1997 tourney I saw in-person: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Ibq-95Mh7ec.html I sure enjoyed chatting with him after the match ended. He remembered a number of the long conversations we had in the practice room of that L.A. Elks Club venue back in the 1960s. A brilliant, likable man who's still missed by many of us who were so privileged to have known him.

@@raycarltonbilliards5798 thanks for sharing that. I always hoped that he was the man that he seemed to be. He was always so easy to root for because of his pleasant demeanor. I sure do miss the pool matches of the 70s and 80s.

Glad you enjoyed it all, Anita. Thanks the pleasant comment.

@@raycarltonbilliards5798 ok clicked it

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Appreciate the kind words, Paul. Glad you enjoyed it. *

You are correct, James. Circa 1985 he played hundreds of challenge matches using that pseudonym "Cesar Morales" and cleaned out the best of the best in about nine different states. All of his hustler opponents and their backers went broke every time. He was virtually unbeatable and his real name and country of origin eventually emerged (he was always -- *fatally* -- presumed by opposing gamblers to be a visiting player from south of the Texas border and *_seemingly_* very lucky when made impossible shots at just the right moment). ~ Ray C.

You're welcome; glad you're enjoying the vids.

totally agree Efren "bata" Reyes the Magician the GOAT in this Sport!!!!

Glad you enjoyed it, Koko. Thanks for the comment. *

tombulasok51 cxdc

Excellent table choice. As Earl once said: "They tell the truth on every shot."

@@SheikhaSarah2010 god damn it karen!

Thanks for the appreciate feedback, Kev. Click on the colored balls logo to the left

Yes indeed, BB. That's why he was 3-time World Straight Pool Champion where both of those elements you cite are critical. He had a number of 300-ball exhibition runs *when he was still a teenager!* His early instructor in Elizabeth NJ? . . . _none other than _*_Willie Mosconi_*_ himself._ Willie said the Miz was his best student ever.

You're quite welcome, Al. Glad you're enjoying them. Thanks for the comment. (Click on the colored pool ball logo to the left of this reply to choose from 40 more of my videos you'll enjoy.)

@@raycarltonbilliards5798 Trust me... I've seen them all. Been playing for about 25 years 👍☺

guilty here! LOL!

😂😂 man! You nailed it

Absolutely right, Paul. *All pro players and most 14.1 fans have made that same comment throughout Steve's entire playing career.* Hal Mix, a renowned "tune-up" coach to dozens of pro players (Varner, Davenport, etc.) once said that "only three pros in the world have [at that time period] a truly straight stroke . . . and Steve is one of them." (I have no personal knowledge of who he indicated as the other two.)

Glad you like them, Universe guy.

Efren is in pool what Ronnie O'Sullivan is in snooker. Super talents with extreme skill and both great guys.

*I totally agree. I knew Steve for 25 years He passed away in 2006 much too young. We miss him greatly. His career and life are detailed here:* en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Mizerak *And here's the famous beer commercial that made him (and pool) more widely recognized by the general, non-playing public:* ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3tYL2Btxmjg.html

Reyes also respects Sigel and Strickland a lot. The few players who can keep up with him

Efren at age 67 is still playing at a world-class level when the wager appeals to him. *He has had the longest period of peak playing ability of any player in the entire 170-year history of professional billiards.*

@@raycarltonbilliards5798 lol..... I believe you ...... and Rempe said he had a goofy stroke..... lol .... seems to work pretty well

Efren is completely ambidextrous with that same stroke; rarely has to use the bridge. His positional and shot making results are world-class level with either hand. *Willie Mosconi -- also ambidextrous -- often ran hundreds at his 14.1 exhibitions, playing opposite-handed. Very likely no other player will ever be capable of such a remarkable thing -- hundred-ball runs opposite-handed.*

It's funny how Davenport doesn't seem to have the same level of current recognition as so many others from that era. I don't seem to run across many of his matches but he definitely achieved a lot in his career.

Yes, Yuki, Efren is completely ambidextrous with that same stroke; he rarely has to use the bridge. His positional and shot making results are world-class level with either hand. *Willie Mosconi -- also ambidextrous -- often ran hundreds at his 14.1 exhibitions, playing opposite-handed. Very likely no other player will ever be capable of such a remarkable thing -- hundred-ball runs opposite-handed* .

Just like R. O'Sullivan, a genius too.

@@raycarltonbilliards5798 I'm working on my ambidextrous shooting. I can shoot really well with both hands. Always been good with both hands in Pool. I just started learning and training properly recently. Bought a pool table, some training tools and labels and im planning on spending the next year training and learning and playing in the APA. I want to become a pro pool player, even if i don't make money doing it, it'll be a ton of fun learning.

Michael: (1) Be sure to install a shelf or fixture in your home table location that can rigidly hold a camcorder or smartphone to *frequently* record & review your vital solo-practice sessions. The camera is an objective observer (a coach of sorts) that will privately see (and upon play-back, "report" about) strengths & weaknesses in your alignment, aiming, eye-movement,stance, bridging, and all elements of your stroking, position play,and the quality of shot choices you make. (2) A very vital tip I always give to emerging players is to acquire -- very early -- the habit of closely *observing* your performances in practice and in competition rather than *judging* your performances. This is fundamental to augmenting your strengths and correcting your weaknesses. *The better your observational abilities for even the smallest details, the faster and more certain your progress* . (3) And every couple of years or so, you'll hugely benefit from travelling to any recognized professional pool instructor in your region for a paid assessment and upgrade to your skills. *Great instructors notice things that other people would miss* . (4) Having a multi-decades-long career as a pro player takes an extraordinary amount of courage, resilience, passion for the sport, and productive *obsession* -- to a degree that even the most talented emerging players can scarcely imagine. -- From your comments, Michael, it sounds like your passion, dedication and unmistakable love of our wonderful sport are already firmly established within you. I predict that you'll be very successful in reaching your goals. Let me know from time to time how you're progressing.

@@raycarltonbilliards5798 MY obsession with billiards starting at 14 when my mom would drop me off at school in the morning and I would spend an hour a day after school waiting for my mom at the Pool hall rather than the library. This is a lifelong thing to own a pool table for me. First time I've had the space, and the money, and the time to invest in it. So I am very excited.

Glad you enjoyed it, BH. Thanks for the kind words. *

@@raycarltonbilliards5798 I very much do enjoy the vids I've seen from you and will watch the others!! Thanks again for sharing both the videos and your knowledge !

Indeed. No pretense, no swagger, just two great players who let their cues do the talking.

*Efren's jest that his teenage years were his prime was an illustration of his characteristic, anti-braggadocio, self-effacing modesty.* His teenage years ended in 1974. His *35 years of titles and achievements* (listed below) as a professional between 1985 and and 2019, vividly convey that he has had the longest period *of peak playing ability of **_any player in the history of poo!_* ------------------------------------------------------ *2019 "6th Annual Junior Norris Memorial Shootout 9-Ball Champion" 2018 1st Asian Culture Day Lifetime Achievement Award (Las Vegas, Nevada, USA) 2018 Taiwan Pool Classic (Team Philippines) 3rd 2018 The Break Room 8-Ball Classi 2016 Accu-Stats Make-It-Happen One-Pocket Invitational 2015 Accu-Stats Make-It-Happen One-Pocket Invitational 2014 MP Cup Gensan International Open 10-Ball 2014 Smokin' Aces One-Pocket Shootout 2014 Derby City Classic One-Pocket 2012 Chuck Markulis Memorial One-Pocket Division 2011 World Mixed Doubles Classic (with Rubilen Amit) 2011 US Open One Pocket Championship 2010 Spanish Open 2010 2010 Predator International Ten-Ball Championship 2010 Derby City Classic Master of the Table 2010 Derby City Classic Fatboy Challenge 10-Ball 2010 Derby City Classic Nine-Ball 2010 Asia vs. Europe Challenge Match 2009 World Mixed Doubles Classic (with Rubilen Amit) 2009 Galveston World Classic One Pocket 2009 World Cup of Pool (with Francisco Bustamante) 2007 Derby City Classic Master of the Table 2007 Derby City Classic One-Pocket 2006 San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour (Indonesia Leg) 2006 IPT World Open Eight-ball Championship 2006 World Cup of Pool (with Francisco Bustamante) 2006 San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour (Vietnam Leg) 2006 Derby City Classic One-Pocket 2005 IPT King of the Hill Eight-Ball Shootout 2005 San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour (Indonesia Leg) 2005 All Japan Championship 2005 Derby City Classic Master of the Table 2005 Derby City Classic Nine-Ball 2005 Derby City Classic One-Pocket 2004 WPA World Eight-ball Championship 2004 On Cue 3: Intercontinental Conquest 2004 San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour (Singapore Leg) 2004 San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour (Vietnam Leg) 2004 San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour (Taiwan Leg) 2004 Derby City Classic Master of the Table 2004 Derby City Classic One-Pocket 2003 Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame 2003 World Classic Billiards Tournament 2003 Las Vegas Nine-Ball Open 2003 San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour (Manila Leg) 2003 Mid-Atlantic Nine-Ball Championship 2003 All Japan Championship 2002 Asian Games Eight-Ball singles 2002 World Pool League 2002 Cafe Puro Challenge of the Masters 2002 Shooters Labor Day Weekend Open Nine-Ball 2002 International Challenge of Champions 2001 World Pool League 2001 Tokyo Open 9-Ball 2001 US Masters Nine-Ball 2001 International Billiard Tournament 2001 Accu-Stats Eight-Ball Invitational 2001 The Color of Money II (vs. Earl Strickland) 2000 U.S. Open One-Pocket Championship 2000 PBT World Eight-Ball Championship 2000 Camel Pro Eight-Ball Championship 2000 Pennsylvania State Nine-Ball Championship 2000 USA Billiards Challenger Event 2 1999 ESPN Ultimate Nine-Ball Challenge 1999 ESPN Ultimate Shootout 1999 Sands Regency Open 29 Nine-Ball Championship 1999 World Professional Pool Championship 1999 Derby City Classic Master of the Table 1999 Derby City Classic One-Pocket 1998 World Eight-Ball Championship 1998 Camel South Jersey Ten-Ball Open 1997 PCA Shooters Challenge 1997 PCA Treasure Island Resort Event 1996 The Color of Money (vs. Earl Strickland) 1996 PBT World Eight-Ball Championship 1996 PBT Legends of Nine-Ball Championship 1996 Camel World Nine-Ball Championship 1996 PBT Western Open 1996 PBT Florida Flare Up III 1995 Sands Regency Open 21 Nine-Ball Championship 1995 PBT World Eight-Ball Championship 1995 Pro Tour Nine-Ball Championship 1995 Maine 14.1 Event 1995 Bicycle Club VII 1994 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships 1994 PBT Bicycle Club Invitational 1992 International Nine-Ball Classic 1992 World Nine-Ball Open (Tokyo) 1990 World Cup (Taipei) 1988 PBA McDermott Masters Nine-Ball 1986 Sands Regency Nine-Ball Championship 1985 Sands Regency Nine-Ball Championship 1985 Red's Nine-Ball Open 1985 Tar Heel Open 1985 Willard's Open 1985 Chicago Billiard Cafe Open*

@@raycarltonbilliards5798 990

Dee: I totally agree, about Miz. I knew Steve for 25 years He passed away in 2006 much too young. We miss him greatly. His career and life are detailed here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Mizerak *And here's the famous beer commercial that made him (and pool) more widely recognized by the general, non-playing public:* ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3tYL2Btxmjg.html

+nguyễn thành công agreed, altho him and busty tho, shortened/modified their strokes somewhat compared to back then. also, efren seems to play with a closer to standard length cue nowadays

William Taylor His break is weaker than many great players

@@nikoh2286 True. Just love his overall game though. Such a great thinker, such a cool head. Arguably the greatest safety player ever, particularly under pressure.

Glad you liked it, Fred. Thanks for the feedback.

*I totally agree, Van. Excellent observations about Efren. Tyvm*

Yes, but Shannon is The Cannon. :`)

Yes. But like all these sports where you need 99% skills, and 1% luck IN ORDER to win, Efren ALWAYS, but I mean, ALWAYS gets that 1% luck, during those deciding, crucial and critical moments. ALWAYS. How many dozens, if not hundreds of times, during quarter-finals, semi-finals or finals, Efren was about to lose, no way he had one single chance to win... and suddenly, out of nowhere, his opponent would miss that unmissable shot...would pot the cue ball..., etc etc ! ...or suddenly, Efron would pot a ball, with a 1- in-a-trillion shot, and that shot would totally change the outcome of the game! The kind of shot he could repeat 1 billion times and miss. The kind of shot one can't succeed, without that famous 1% luck ! Watch some of his matches, like a few a few against Strickland (without some eventual fan/fanboy goggles...), and you will see what I mean. But regarding his skills, talent, etc, he is absolutely marvelous. He is so precise, it seems like he is being controlled by an alien AI. He can think of shots like nobody else. He will try difficult tricks, during semi-finals or finals, while playing for 100 or 200k, as if he was playing for fun against some random dudes, at a local pub ! He is a genius, just like O'sullivan. But is he lucky ? Fuk, YES !

@@only4posting Best players make their own lucky. Players don't play quite up to their level because they know who they are playing. Efren IMO is the greatest 9 ball player who has ever lived...and there have been a lot of great ones. They all run rack after rack until they play Efren. He plays better safeties and he kicks at balls better and plays better position than any other living player.

“Luck is the residue of design.” - John Milton

An accurate summation. I was one of a rotating crew of L.A.-residing volunteer scorekeepers for most of the 1960s - early '70s years that Fred Whalen held his annual US Invitational 14.1 Championships at the huge downtown Los Angeles Elks Club. I score-kept many of Steve's matches. He was very fit and in his early twenties then, and a supremely talented 14.1 master with many 300-plus exhibition runs *in his teenage years!* . A nicer guy you couldn't find, and he went on to dominate Straight Pool for several of his prime years. Here's my vid of him in a 1997 tourney I saw in-person: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Ibq-95Mh7ec.html I sure enjoyed chatting with him after the match ended. He remembered a number of the long conversations we had in the practice room of that L.A. Elks Club venue back in the 1960s. A brilliant, likable man who's still missed by many of us who were so privileged to have known him.

I found myself cheering against Efren. The Miz played really well but Efren was untouchable.

We all appreciate them, BB, don't we.

I watched his videos from the sands regent in late 80s he was a great 9 ball player

Never heard of him/her.

You'll greatly enjoy this re-visit to the famous beer commercial that made Steve (and pool) more widely recognized by the general, non-playing public: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3tYL2Btxmjg.html

As with all cue sports, it's also arguably *the most precise of sports* -- one in which scant millimeters regularly make the difference between a win and a loss.

Nicanor Tiongson I've never heard Efren say a word

😂😂😂