The Magician and Earl The Pearl had some memorable battles.
There is no denying that Efren “Bata” Reyes and Earl Strickland are two of the finest pool players ever—and that they were arguably the top players for most of the 1990s up until the early 2000s.
They also had a fascinating and competitive rivalry of sorts, with each winning his fair share of big matches. Despite their many duels, the two have always been cordial—even complimentary—to each other through the years.
And, on Saturday, the now 62-year-old American again spoke highly of his Filipino rival in a video posted on the official Earl Strickland Facebook page.
“He was a really smart player, and he handled pressure really well,” said Strickland of the man known in pool circles as The Magician. The Pearl then went on to explain precisely what made the Filipino a legend in pool.
“He’s got very good kicks. I still think I was the better shooter in a lot of ways. I could make some tougher shots,” Strickland noted. “But his ability to think was what made him so great—seeing how to kick a shot, or play position, or play a safety. He was an excellent safety player. I don’t think anybody plays safety better than him, and he was really hard to beat.
With numerous titles under his belt, Reyes was, indeed, hard to beat in his prime—a stretch that included beating Strickland in the now infamous race-to-120 challenge match fittingly dubbed The Color of Money.
Strickland, though, won his fair share against Reyes, and he revealed his secret was going on the offensive whenever he faced the king of the safety.
“If you didn’t hit him [Reyes] with a lot of offense, you’re really not gonna beat him when he was at his prime,” Strickland pointed out.
It was a glorious prime, if anything, and Strickland certainly proved to be quite the formidable foil for Reyes.
FAQs
“But his ability to think was what made him so great—seeing how to kick a shot, or play position, or play a safety. He was an excellent safety player. I don't think anybody plays safety better than him, and he was really hard to beat.
What does Earl Strickland say about Efren Reyes? ›
🙏 👉Earl Strickland has repeatedly said that he has always respected Efren Reyes and has learned a lot from him. Earl is often dismissed as a crude but deep down Earl is a genuine guy who always gives credit to people he's learned from and respects.
Is Efren Reyes the greatest of all time? ›
Accolades. Numerous fellow professional players have credited Reyes with being the greatest living player in the world.
Did Efren Reyes ever lose? ›
Billiards icon Efren “Bata” Reyes missed out on a medal in the Southeast Asian Games for the first time in six years as he crashed out of the men's three- cushion carom singles. Cambodia's NATURALIZED player Woo Dong Hoon defeated Efren Reyes in the men's 3-cushion carom single event with a score of 40-15.
What are some fun facts about Efren Bata Reyes? ›
Reyes is a four-time World Eight-ball Champion, the nine-ball world champion in 1999, a two-time World Cup champion, a three-time US Open winner, a two-time World Pool League winner and a 13-time Derby City Classic winner – including an unprecedented five Master of the Table crowns.
Was Earl Strickland better than Efren Reyes? ›
Strickland, though, won his fair share against Reyes, and he revealed his secret was going on the offensive whenever he faced the king of the safety. “If you didn't hit him [Reyes] with a lot of offense, you're really not gonna beat him when he was at his prime,” Strickland pointed out.
Who is the best pool shooter ever? ›
Over the years, Efren “Bata” Reyes has earned the title “the greatest pool player of all time” and has become an inspiration to numerous players.
Who is the goat of pool billiards? ›
MANILA, Philippines – The greatest billiards player of all time is a Filipino. His name is Efren “Bata” Reyes. “The Magician” for most. Or nicknamed Legend.
Who is the best pool player in the world 2024? ›
Fedor Gorst was crowned the 2024 World Pool Champion after defeating Eklent Kaçi at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal City Sports Hall in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, oin partnership with the Saudi Arabian Billiard & Snooker Federation (SABSF) and the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Sport.
Who is the greatest of all time in pool? ›
Who are the greatest pool players of all time?
- Efren Reyes – 252.
- Earl Strickland – 126.
- Shane Van Boening – 119.
- Alex Pagulayan – 118.
- Nick Varner – 104.
- Mike Sigel – 103.
- Buddy Hall – 56.
- Francisco Bustamante – 53.
What is Efren Reyes' Net Worth? Efren Reyes is a Filipino professional pool player who has a net worth of $2 million. Born in Pampanga, Central Luzon, Philippines, in 1954, Efren Reyes worked at his uncle's billiards hall in Manila and started picking up the game even though he was too short to reach the table.
Is Efren Reyes the best pool player in the world? ›
But in billiards, no argument. Everyone knows it's Efren Reyes. many sports have debates on who is the goat. In pool,there is no question.
How tall is Efren Reyes? ›
Efren Montes Reyes Jr.
| Efren Reyes Jr. |
|---|
| Years active | 1967–present |
| Height | 176 cm (5 ft 9 in) |
| Parent(s) | Efren Reyes Sr. (father) Virginia Montes (mother) |
| Family | Cristina Reyes (sister) |
3 more rowsAs part of the Pro Series collection, the cue was made in collaboration with the "Magician" Efren Reyes following his playing style requirements.
Why did Efren Reyes change his name? ›
Efren “Bata” Reyes is a legend.
He came to the USA from the Philippines in the 1980s, to teach the local pros a lesson. Players had already heard his name, but nobody knew his face. So he called himself “Caesar Morales”. And he beat all the big names, as a complete nobody.
At what age did Efren Reyes start playing pool? ›
Efren achieved stardom when he won the US Open Nine-Ball Championship in 1994. He defeated Nick Varner in the final to become the first non-American to win the event. "I started playing pool when I was eight. I was staying with an uncle who owned a centre – Lucky 13.
