Who would win between Monsconi & Reyes (8-ball, straight pool and 9-ball)?

Question

It would be a real tournament - first to 5 games in a set and 2 out of 3 sets for the match and this would be in all three venues.

I have heard Allen Hopkins say that Reyes was the greatest ever. I love Reyes but Mosconi was the best ever.

The Magician vs The Machine

Answer 1

Reyes all the way. He's fought better competition than Mosconi. He's also the greatest ever.

Answer 2

These guys back then have nothing on today's players......they were great but today's game is "greater" then anything or anyone back then.........Reyes all the way

Answer 3

am a pool shooter here for 30 yrs..gotta tell ya..grew up lovin mosconi...but reyes is just that..a magician..in my opinion..i know hoppy said he was the best..and i gotta agree..but there are others out there that are just as good.....

Answer 4

Interesting question.  Straight pool is a better test of all-around pocket billiards skill.  It's a real thinking man's game.  To be able to plan out up to 15 shots in advance, especially when the numbers on the balls won't guide you to the next shot, is a true test of a player's mental ability.  I'd love to see today's 9-ball announcers try to call a game of straight pool.  Without a doubt, Mosconi would triumph in straight pool.

9-ball would go to Efren Reyes.  He is much more accustomed to executing a powerful opening break shot which isn't found in straight pool.  9-ball is also a game which requires very difficult shotmaking and frequently moving the cue ball great distances for position and I would have to give a slight edge to Reyes in that department.  That is not to say that playing short position is that much easier.

Now, the real tricky one.  8-ball is similar to 9-ball in that the games both begin with a powerful opening break shot.  Nothing needs to be specifically called for the breaker to continue shooting.  Just pocket a ball.  Under IPT rules, an 8-ball on the break is a win, so having the break is a big advantage, similar to 9-ball and unlike straight pool.  However, the break aside, 8-ball is in more ways similar to straight pool.  The players often have multiple balls to shoot at within their group and that's when the stronger mental players will pull ahead.  8-ball is not paint-by-numbers pool, as in rotation games.  So my answer is: If Reyes is breaking, I give him the advantage.  If Mosconi is at the table, I believe that he would win.  M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

Answer 5

Straight pool would belong to Willie all the way. I would have to give a slight edge to Efrem in 9 ball, after all that's his bread and butter. I once watched Reyes take on all comers at Romines in Milwaukee for 100 bucks a rack in 9 ball , you should of seen all the fools line up to give away their money. Most of them never got to shoot and if they did they were snookered. I think that was back in 1999 , camel tour , when Strickland walked out during the finals against Corey Duell because he didn't like the racks he was getting. Besides all that Willie never cared much for nineball. Danny D' Liberto told me that most of the old timers didn't care much for nineball because there is too much luck involved in the game. Thats not necessarily my opinion but a lot of the older players think that way. So when nineball became "THE" game a lot of them just quit playing in tournaments. As far as 8 ball goes thats a tough one. A lot more strategy than 9 ball , but not nearly as tough as straight pool. I'd have to call it a draw. What if you had to choose between Willie and Efrem as your partner in a game of pool ? Saying they were both in their prime , I'd take Willie. How about you?

Answer 6

8 Ball: Reyes, The Magician has so many tricks in the Bag, combined with Lucky Shots. at 52 he is playing like he is still in his prime and still too much for his Contemporary Counterpart.

Straight Pool: Mosconi, he is tried and tested in This Game,while Reyes best Finish in this game was a silver Medal and that is in an ASIAN level.

9 Ball:  Reyes, Need I say more!