Introduction:
Step into the gloomily lighted world of cue sports, where every shot is a work of art, every table a stage, and every player a felt master. History has witnessed great individuals who have raised pool from a casual pub pastime to an art form in this world of planned finesse and irresistible attraction.
Welcome to a compelling tour of the eternal legends who have weaved their stories into the rich tapestry of pool history, passionate readers and billiards aficionados. From smoky pool halls in small-town America to major tournaments broadcast across the world, we're about to embark on a trip through the decades, revealing the incredible stories, extraordinary skills, and unrivaled dedication of the best pool players of all time.
Prepare to be enchanted as we cast a light on the brilliant minds and calm hands that have adorned the cue, transforming it into a mystical wand capable of incredible feats. Join us as we pay tribute to the cue artists who have left an indelible stamp on the green felt, forever in the annals of pool's greatest players. This is a tribute to individuals who not only mastered the game, but also contributed to its enduring legacy. So, let us take our cues and enter the fascinating world of history's best pool players.
Best Pool players of all time:
This compilation does not establish a hierarchical ranking of pool players; instead, it presents a selection of the most accomplished players in the history of the sport.
1. Ronnie Allen
Video credits: Accu-Stats Video Productions
Ronnie Allen was an American professional pool player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest one-pocket pool players of all time. He won four World One-Pocket Championships and five U.S. Open One-Pocket Championships. He was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 1996.
Ronnie Allen passed away in 2013 at the age of 74. He is remembered as one of the most charismatic and talented pool players of all time.
2. Buddy Hall
Video credits: Backwards Billiards
Buddy Hall is a retired American professional pool player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest nine-ball pool players of all time. He won six World Nine-Ball Championships and was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame. After retiring from professional pool in 1995, Hall remained active in the sport as a commentator, coach, and author. In 2023, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the World Pool-Billiard Association.
3. Mike Siegel
Video credits: Accu-Stats Video Productions
Mike Siegel is a former American professional billiards player and is widely considered one of the greatest billiards players of all time. He won his 108 professional tournaments, including three at the World Straight Pool Championship and three at the United States Championship. Open Nine Ball Championship and two BCA US Open Straight Pool Championships. He received his two Hall of Fame inductions and his Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023
4. Earl Strickland
Video credits: Billiard Matahari
Earl Strickland is an American professional pool player who is considered to be one of the greatest nine-ball pool players of all time. He has won four World Nine-Ball Championships, five U.S. Open Nine-Ball Championships, and three World Pool Masters. He was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 2006 and is still active in pool today.In 2023, he reached the semi-finals of the World Pool Masters.
5. Johnny Archer
Video credits: Mike Serra
Johnny Archer is an up-and-coming American professional billiards player and is considered one of the best young players in the world. He has won the world championship twice and is currently ranked number 2 in the world. In 2023, he won two world championships, and even reached the semi-finals of two major tournaments.
6. Luther Lassiter
Video credits: InsidePOOLmag
Luther Lassiter was an American professional pool player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest nine-ball pool players of all time. He won seven world pocket billiard championships, including four World Nine-Ball Championships. He was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 1983. Luther Lassiter passed away in 1988 at the age of 69. He is remembered as one of the most talented and charismatic pool players of all time.
7. Rudolph Wanderone
Video credits: InsidePOOLmag
Rudolph Wanderone, nicknamed "Minnesota Fats," was an American professional billiards player and widely considered one of the greatest billiards players of all time. Although he never won any major billiards tournaments, he was known for his flamboyant personality and ability to overwhelm his opponents. He was inducted into the Billiards Congress of America Hall of Fame in 1984. Rudolf Wanderone passed away in 1996 at the age of 82. He is remembered as one of the most entertaining and iconic pool players of all time.
8. Willie Mosconi
Video credits: rebardan
Willie Mosconi was an American professional pool player who is widely regarded as the greatest pocket billiards player of all time. He won 15 world pocket billiards championships, including the World Straight Pool Championship 14 times in a row. He was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 1968
9. Ralph Greenleaf
Video credits: InsidePOOLmag
Ralph Greenleaf was an American professional billiards and carom player who is considered by many to be one of the greatest billiards and carom players of all time. He won the World Straight Billiards Championship nineteen times and the World Straight Billiards Championship 18.2 in 1919. He was inducted into the American Billiards Hall of Fame in 1966. Ralph Greenleaf passed away in 1950 at the age of 50
10. Francisco Bustamante
Video credits: TJ POOL
Francisco Bustamante is a Filipino professional pool player who is considered to be one of the greatest nine-ball pool players of all time. He has won 79 international titles, including the World Nine-Ball Championship in 2010. In 2023, he reached the semi-finals of the World Nine-Ball Championship and won the Philippine 9-Ball Open for the third time in his career.
11. Efren Reyes
Video credits: Gentleman Efren Reyes
Efren Reyes is a Filipino professional pool player who is widely regarded as the greatest pool player of all time. He has won over 70 international titles, including six World Nine-Ball Championships, more than any other player. He was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 2003.In 2023, Reyes competed in the Southeast Asian Games, where he made an early exit in the men's 3-cushion carom single event. Despite his age, Reyes remains a popular and respected figure in the world of pool.
12. Nick Varner
Video credits: Accu-Stats Video Productions
Nick Varner is a retired American professional billiards player, considered by many to be one of the best billiards players of all time. He has won several world championships in various billiards disciplines, including nine-ball billiards, eight-ball billiards, straight billiards, one-pocket billiards and bank billiards. Varner remains involved in the billiards community, occasionally participating in tournaments and serving as a commentator and ambassador for the sport.
13. Irving Crane
Video credits: REELIVE TV
Irving Crane was an American professional pool player who is widely considered to be one of the greatest straight pool players of all time. He won seven world straight pool championships, more than any other player. He was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 1988.Irving Crane passed away in 2001 at the age of 64. He is remembered as one of the most skilled and dominant straight pool players of all time.
14. Mike Massey
Video credits: Bilijar9 Channel
Mike Massey is a retired American professional pool player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest one-pocket pool players of all time. He won multiple world and U.S. Open championships in one-pocket pool. Massey remains active in the pool community, competing occasionally and working as a commentator and instructor.
15. Allen Hopkins
Video credits: rss empresas
Allen Hopkins is a retired American professional pool player who is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and skilled pool players of all time. He won multiple world and U.S. Open championships in various pool disciplines, including nine-ball, eight-ball, straight pool, and one-pocket. Hopkins remains involved in the pool community as a commentator, instructor, author, podcaster, and World Pool-Billiard Association Hall of Famer.
16. Charles Ursitti
Charles Ursitti is a retired American professional pool player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest all-around pool players of all time. He won multiple world and U.S. Open championships in various pool disciplines, including nine-ball, eight-ball, straight pool, and one-pocket. Ursitti remains involved in the pool community as a commentator, coach, author, and video instructor.
17. Kim Davenport
Video credits: Accu-Stats Video Productions
Kim Davenport is a retired American professional pool player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest pool players of all time. He won over 100 professional tournaments, including three World Straight Pool Championships, three U.S. Open Nine-Ball Championships, and two BCA U.S. Open Straight Pool Championships. He was inducted into two halls of fame and is still active in the pool community today.
18. Oliver Ortmann
Video credits: Matchroom Pool
Oliver Ortmann, born in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, in 1967, is a professional pool player renowned for his all-around skills and calm demeanor. He has won over 100 professional tournaments, including three World Straight Pool Championships, four WPA World Nine-Ball Championships, and fourteen Euro-Tour tournaments. With sixteen German championships, he is the most successful German pool player of all time. Inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 2014, Ortmann remains active in the pool community as a commentator, coach, and businessman. He reached the World Pool Masters semi-finals in 2023.
19. Rodney Morris
Video credits: World Billiard TV
Rodney Morris, also known as "Rocket", is an American professional pool player born in Anaheim, California, in 1970. He is considered one of the best nine-ball pool players of all time, winning over 50 professional tournaments, including the US Open Nine-Ball Championship in 1996. He also played on the American Mosconi Cup team ten times, winning the Most Valuable Player award in 2004. Morris is known for his aggressive and exciting playing style, making him a fan favorite. He is also a mentor to other players, helping them improve their game.
20. Dallas West
Video credits: Deno Andrews
Dallas West, born in Rockford, Illinois, in 1941, is an American professional pool player renowned for his straight pool prowess. He has won over 50 professional tournaments, including two World Straight Pool Championships. West is also a seven-time American Mosconi Cup team member, winning the Most Valuable Player award in 1978. Known for his competitive spirit and sportsmanship, West is also a skilled instructor, helping many players improve their game.
21. Ray Martin
Video credits: Deno Andrews
Ray Martin, nicknamed "Cool Cat", is a retired American professional pool player born in 1936. Widely considered one of the greatest straight pool players of all time, Martin won three World Straight Pool Championships and several nine-ball tournaments. He is also a respected commentator and instructor.
22. James Rempe
Video credits: Matchroom Pool
James Rempe, nicknamed "King James", is a retired American professional pool player who won over 100 tournaments in various pool disciplines. He is a world champion in five pool disciplines and was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 2002. Rempe was known for his all-around game, competitive spirit, and contributions as a commentator and instructor.
Conclusion:
These pool players are more than simply athletes; they are also artists, strategists, and shining examples of unflinching dedication. Their mastery of the cue, the accuracy with which they calculate angles and make split-second decisions, and the theatrics with which they execute their shots have distinguished them as sports superstars.
In wrapping off our look at the greatest pool players of all time, we salute not just their tremendous exploits on the felt, but also the motivation they continue to bring to players of all skill levels. They have left a legacy that transcends time and continues to attract new generations of aficionados and aspirants, luring them into the enthralling world of billiards.
So, whether you're a seasoned pool player or a newbie inspired by their stories, remember that the spirit of these amazing pool players lives on in every game, every well-placed shot, and every thrilling moment at the table. They are the epitome of perfection, and their contributions to the sport are worthy of our eternal gratitude and admiration.
Let their stories and accomplishments serve as a constant source of motivation and a reminder that effort, focus, and a love for the game can lead to greatness as we conclude this tribute to the top pool players of all time. The pool world is richer for their existence, and we, as fans, will be eternally grateful for the indelible impression they have made on the green felt.