The 5 Greatest Pool Players of All Time
The Best Pool Players of All Time
For many of us, pool may be a fun bar game - but for others, it’s a professional, competitive sport.
But who are the greatest pool players of all time? Read on to find out about the incredible titans of this sport!
Ralph Greenleaf (right), one of the greatest pool players of all-time
Pool, also known as pool billiards or pocket billiards, belongs to the family of cue sports.
It is considered a stylish and sophisticated indoor game, played in bars, pubs and homes across the world. After all, nothing beats a fun bar game!
However, for some, pool is a professional and competitive sport to which the best players devote their lives and build successful careers.
Their names may not be on billboards in Times Square and they may not be the face of brand commercials, but they are great titans of their field.
But, who are the greatest pool players of all-time, you may wonder?
In this article, let’s dive a little deeper into the world of pool billiards and discover some of the best pool players of all-time.
Make sure you’re on their team at your next party!
1. Efren Reyes
Career Highlight Stats
Started playing pool as a child
Winner of the World Pool Championship in 1999
Winner of the World Cup of Pool in 2006
Efren Reyes got the nickname “Bata”, which means “kid” in Filipino, from his close friends to distinguish him from an older Efren who also played billiards - and he is considered the best pool player ever.
Reyes grew up in a poor family in the Philippines and started playing pool to earn money.
He would often play against older, more experienced players and he quickly developed his skills on the table.
Realising that he had an eye for the game, he began competing in local pool tournaments and gained a reputation as a talented, formidable player.
His ability to adapt to different playing conditions and table setups was the first thing that made him stand out as a player.
Later, he became known for his ability to adjust his game to suit the table and his opponents' playing styles, allowing him to win even in the most challenging situations.
Reyes’ remarkable shot-making ability and his ability to pull off seemingly impossible shots cemented his spot at the top.
His game is often described as heavily strategic and tactical; he is able to think several shots ahead of his opponents, which has helped him create a lasting legacy and become a legend of pool.
Throughout his career, Reyes has won over 70 major pool tournaments, including multiple world championships.
Some of his most notable wins include the World Pool Championship in 1999, the World Cup of Pool in 2006 and the Derby City Classic Master of the Table in 2004.
Throughout the years, he inspired many young players to take a chance and join the pool world.
Interestingly enough, even though he’s in his late 60s, Reyes still participates in tournaments and exhibitions - and he continues to inspire and entertain fans around the world.
2. Willie Mosconi
Career Highlight Stats
Won 15 world championships
14-time winner of the World Straight Pool Championship
He was an ambassador for pool even after his retirement
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, Willie Mosconi is another name with a huge pool legacy.
As a matter of fact, his contributions to the sport go beyond being a champion in the game. Mosconi was a pioneer of the game and helped to popularise pool as a legitimate sport.
He was also instrumental in the development of new cue and ball technologies that improved the game and made it more accessible to players of all skill levels.
But nothing less is expected from someone as talented as Willie Mosconi.
He was born in Philadelphia and his father actually owned a pool hall, which is where Mosconi first learned to play pool. This developed his love, respect and admiration for the sport.
His talent was clear from the very start.
He was incredibly dominant during his career, winning 15 world championships and setting numerous records along the way.
Some of his most notable wins include the World Straight Pool Championship (which he won 14 times), the U.S. Open Straight Pool Championship and the World 14.1 Continuous Championship.
What made him stand out from other players was his incredible consistency and focus. He was known for his ability to perform under pressure, and he rarely made mistakes on the table.
His control, his precision and his ability to run long racks of balls without missing became the things that helped him win championships.
Even though Mosconi eventually retired from competitive play in the 1950s, he continued to be involved in the pool world as an ambassador for the game until he passed away in 1993, at the age of 80.
Nonetheless, Mosconi's legacy continues to inspire and influence players around the world.
3. Earl Strickland
Career Highlight Stats
Winner of the World 9-Ball Championship in 1990, 1991 and 2002
Winner of the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship in 1984 and 1987
Winner of the World 8-Ball Championship in 1996
Earl Strickland is another player that has dominated the world of pool in America.
Much like his fellow countryman, Mosconi, Strickland has also created waves in the pool world, building a huge legacy that has inspired many aspiring pool players around the world.
Actually, it is quite remarkable how similar his life was to Mosconi’s, considering he was almost 50 years younger.
His father also owned a pool hall, but in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Strickland started playing there as a child before starting to participate in tournaments.
His strategic game was remarkable, and it was only outmatched by his intensity and passion for the game.
Strickland also contributed to the development of pool: he worked with manufacturers to develop new cue tips, shafts and cue balls that offer greater consistency and control for players.
He also shared his expertise with other players through coaching and instruction.
Famously, he has written instructional books and produced videos to help players improve their technique and strategy.
Strickland has won over 100 major pool tournaments, including numerous world championships.
Some of his most notable wins include the World 9-Ball Championship in 1990, 1991 and 2002, the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship in 1984 and 1987, and the World 8-Ball Championship in 1996.
He used his fame to raise funds and support various charitable causes throughout the years.
Even though he has not officially retired and still participates in tournaments here and there, he hasn’t played as many competitive games in the past few years.
4. Ralph Greenleaf
Career Highlight Stats
Known as “The Bank Shot Wizard”, he is one of the greatest pool players of the 20th century
Winner of the National Billiard Championship
Winner of the World's 18.2 Balkline Championship
Ralph Greenleaf’s interest in pool was also sparked by his father, who owned a pool hall in Monmouth. This seems to be a common theme among pool titans!
Greenleaf learned how to play the game from a young age, at the beginning of the 20th century.
This helped him not only learn about the game but also to brush up on his skills. Greenleaf went on to become the best pool player of the first half of the 20th century.
Known as "The Bank Shot Wizard" for his ability to make seemingly impossible shots, Greenleaf became famous for his banking shots.
Additionally, he was also known for his incredible longevity as a player. He was dominant in the 1920s and 1930s but continued to compete at a high level well into the 1950s.
Throughout his career, Greenleaf won 20 world championships, including 14 straight titles from 1927 to 1940.
Some of his other notable victories include the National Billiard Championship, the World's 18.2 Balkline Championship and the World's Three-Cushion Billiards Championship.
As the original GOAT, his gentlemanly demeanour and his sportsmanship helped to elevate the profile of the sport.
The public liked him, and as a result, they were interested in trying out the game he so passionately promoted.
Unfortunately, he passed away in 1950, when he was only 50 years old.
Yet, his contributions to the sport continue to be celebrated to this day, and he remains one of the most legendary and influential players of all time.
5. Shane Van Boeing
Career Highlight Stats
Winner of five U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships
Winner of three World Pool Masters titles
Winner of four Derby City Classic Master of the Table crowns
From the 20th to the 21st century, Shane Van Boeing is a present-day titan of the sport.
He started playing pool at a young age and inherited his love for the pool game from his grandfather, who taught him the basics of the game.
Since he quickly showed a natural talent for the game, he caught the attention of top players and was soon invited to compete at the professional level.
Yet, it wasn’t until 2006 that he finally turned professional. Since then, he has gone on to become one of the most dominant players in the world of pool.
Van Boeing’s secret weapon for his success lies in his versatility as a player. He is equally adept at eight-ball, nine-ball and ten-ball, and is known for his precision and accuracy on the table.
His calm demeanour and incredible focus also contribute to his performance and help elevate it to a new level.
Luckily for all, his legacy is still unfolding as he is currently active as a player and he still dominates the pool stage.
He competes and wins against some of the top players from across the world.
So far, Van Boening has won numerous championships over the course of his career, including five U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships, three World Pool Masters titles and four Derby City Classic Master of the Table crowns.
He has also represented the US in the Mosconi Cup, an annual team competition between Europe and the US.
This further contributed to the popularisation of the sport in the US.
We’re eager to see what else he has in store for us!
Who are the Greatest Pool Players of All-Time?
The world of pool has seen many great players over the years, each with their own unique style and approach to the game.
Some, like Efren Reyes and Willie Mosconi, are known for their incredible skill and dominance, while others, like Earl Strickland and Shane Van Boening, are respected for their versatility and consistency.
While there is much debate over who should be considered the greatest of all-time, one thing is certain: the players who have achieved the most success in the sport have done so through years of hard work, dedication and a deep love for the game.
Who is your favourite pool player of all-time? Let us know in the comments!
