The game of pool is one of the most widely enjoyed cue sports, often played recreationally. Nevertheless, some individuals have dedicated themselves to the sport, showcasing exceptional skill, expertise, and notable achievements. Consequently, who among them stands out as the greatest pool player of all time?
To compile a list of the greatest pool players in history, we considered several factors, including their records and accomplishments, technical abilities, and consistent performance levels. We also consulted data from the Blatt Billiards and Billiards Factory. Who is the greatest pool player of all time?
The greatest pool players of all time
| Player | International titles |
| Efren Manalang Reyes | 100 |
| Allison Fisher | 60 |
| William Hoppe | 51 |
| Jeanette Lee | 30 |
| Ralph Greenleaf | 20 |
| Willie Mosconi | 15 |
| Mike Sigel | 10 |
| Ronnie Allen | 4 |
| Earl Strickland | 3 |
| Rudolf Wanderome | 0 |
The most popular form of pool is pocket billiards, which includes 8-ball pool, 9-ball pool, 10-ball pool, one-pocket, bank pool, and straight pool. Other variations are carom, balkline, and straight rail. Pocket billiards is where the greatest players demonstrate their skills. So, who are the greatest pool players in history?
1. Efren Reyes
- Efren Manalang Reyes
- Bata, The Magician
- Filipino
- 26 August 1954
- Angeles, Pampanga, Philippines
Efren Reyes is widely regarded as the greatest pool player in history. The Filipino is highly respected for his exceptional skills in one-pocket pool. He has won six championships at the Derby City Classic, the most in the tournament's history, and holds the record with eight titles won in the competition.
To conclude his remarkable career, he was the first to win the WPA World Championships in two events. In 1999, he won the nine-ball tournament; in 2004, he won the eight-ball championship. In total, Reyes has earned more than 100 international titles.
2. Allison Fisher
- Allison Fisher
- Duchess of Doom
- English
- 24 February 1968
- Cheshunt, England
Allison Fisher is one of the world's most renowned pool players and is deemed the greatest female pool player. With 60 triumphs, she holds the record for securing the most World Professional Billiards Association (WPBA) championships.
In addition, the English player has won the National 9-ball championship eight times, a record for the most wins by any other player, and the world 9-ball championships four times. In recognition of her achievements, Fisher was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame.
3. William Hoppe
- Willie Hoppe
- Willie, Boy Wonder
- American
- 11 October 1887
- Cornwall-on-the-Hudson, New York
Hoppe won 51 world titles between 1906 and 1952. He specialized in balkline and won multiple championships. The player also set a record for scoring the most consecutive points after he made 622 points in a balkline exhibition. Furthermore, Hoppe won 12 annual world championship tournaments. With such a distinguished career, he retired in 1952.
4. Jeanette Lee
- Jeanette Lee
- The Black Widow
- American
- 9 July 1971
- Brooklyn, New York
Jeanette was nicknamed "The Black Widow" because she consistently wore black clothing while playing pool. In the 1990s, she held the number one spot among female pool players globally. She also achieved more than 30 championship titles throughout her career with the WPBA.
In the year 2001, a Korean-born American won a gold medal at the World Games in Akita, Japan, representing the United States. In recognition of her achievements, she was inducted into the Women's Professional Billiards Association (WPBA) Hall of Fame and the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 2013. Two years after that, she was selected for the Asian Hall of Fame.
5. Ralph Greenleaf
- Ralph Greenleaf
- Boy Wonder
- American
- 3 November 1899
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Ralph Greenleaf was a 20-time consecutive champion of the World Straight Pool Championships between 1919 and 1938. His influence extended far beyond the pool table. He is credited with creating a professional pool environment in the United States. Additionally, he was one of the first three pool players to be inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame.
6. Willie Mosconi
- William Joseph Mosconi
- Mr. Pocket Billiards
- American
- 27 June 1913
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
An American, known as Mr. Pocket Billiards, earned his nickname for his skill in inventing new tricks and popularizing the game. He won the Straight Pool World Championships 15 times and set a record by pocketing 526 consecutive balls without a single miss. The record was later surpassed in 2019 by John Schmidt, who achieved 626 balls in four hours.
In 1956, Mosconi experienced a severe brain stroke. His poor health restricted his time at the table, but he made a full recovery the following year. As a tribute to his remarkable achievements, Mosconi was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 1968.
7. Mike Sigel
- Michael Sigel
- Captain Hook
- American
- 11 July 1953
- Rochester, New York
Mike Sigel won 108 pool championships, including 3 U.S. Open Nine-Ball Championships and 10 World Pocket Billiards Championships. He excelled in Straight Pool, achieving a remarkable streak of 339 consecutive balls pocketed. Additionally, Sigel was notable for his proficiency in playing with both hands.
For his achievements, he was acknowledged as the Greatest Living Player of the Century and was the youngest member of the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame.
8. Ronnie Allen
- Ronnie Monroe Allen
- Fast Eddie
- American
- 12 July 1938
- Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Ronnie Allen was regarded as one of the best one-pocket pool players. He had a dominant presence in the game during the 1960s and 1970s, reportedly winning four World One-Pocket Championships and five U.S. Open One-Pocket Championships. Allen also secured the Stardust Open 9-Ball Championship and the International 9-Ball Tournament.
9. Earl Strickland
- Earl Strickland
- The Pearl
- American
- 8 June 1961
- Roseboro, North Carolina
The American is a nine-ball specialist and ranks among the best globally. He won 5 U.S. Open Nine-ball Championships and 6 WPA World Nine-ball Championships. Furthermore, Strickland participated in the Mosconi Cup between 1994 and 2015, winning nine titles. In total, he won more than 100 major pool tournaments.
10. Rudolf Wanderone
- Rudolf Walter Wanderome
- Minnesota Fats
- American
- 19 January 1913
- The City of New York, New York
Furthermore, Wanderone hosted the Celebrity Billiards show. His contributions to the sport were acknowledged when he was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 1984.
FAQs
- Efren Reyes is widely considered the greatest of all time (GOAT) in the sport of billiards.
- Who has the most pool wins? Efren Reyes has the most, with more than 100 professional victories and 80 international titles.
- Who invented the Z-shot in billiards? Efren Reyes is credited with inventing the Z-shot during a 1995 9-ball tournament.
- Who has the most 9-ball world championships? Earl Strickland has the record for winning the most WPA World Nine-ball Championships, with three titles.
- Who is the originator of billiards? The creator of billiards is unknown. Nevertheless, King Louis XI of France is credited with creating the first billiards table.
- What is the most challenging pool game? Three-cushion billiards and carom billiards are considered among the most difficult pool games.
- Who has the most billiards titles? Efren "Bata" Reyes has accumulated over 100 professional titles.
- The country where billiards originated is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in France or Northern Europe between the 14th and 15th centuries.
Final word
Efren Manalang Reyes is widely regarded as the greatest pool player in history. His impressive record of accomplishments is unmatched. His exceptional skill in various forms of pool sets him apart from other players. The other individuals listed also made a lasting impact on the game.
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