Pool, also known as pocket billiards in North America or pool billiards in Australia and Europe, is one of the world's most stylish and sophisticated indoor games. It belongs to the family of cue sports, and some of the best pool players earn fame and a huge chunk of money.
This article is about people who are considered the best pool players ever because of their skill set. Most of them have won numerous international titles. Some have never won a tournament but are considered the best because of their popularity.
Who is the best pool player ever?
Pool game involves a table with six pockets or receptacles along the rails. There are many variations, including eight-ball, nine-ball, six-ball, and other hybrid variations of pool and carrom billiards. Here is a list of the top ten Here is a list of the top ten best pool players this article is all about:
Ranking | Pool player |
1. | Efren Reyes |
2. | Ralph Greenleaf |
3. | Willie Mosconi |
4. | Rudolf Wanderone |
5. | Luther Lassiter |
6. | Earl Strickland |
7. | Michael Sigel |
8. | Allison Fisher |
9. | Johnny Archer |
10. | Kelly Fisher |
11. | Shane Van Boening |
12. | Joshua Filler |
This article does not list the world's best pool players in any particular order. Some legendary billiard players mentioned here are dead, but their legacies live on. Other are new players building their portfolios in the sport. The rest have maintained their exemplary performances for decades.
12. Joshua Filler
- Full name: Joshua Filler
- Career: German professional pool player
- Born: 2 October 1997
- Age: 26 years (as of April 2024)
- Birthplace: Bönen, Germany
In 2017, Joshua Filler was the youngest player to win the China Open. He also won the 10-ball European Pool Championships and the WPA World Nine-ball Championship in 2018. Filler also emerged victorious in the 2023 Qatar Open 9-Ball championship and secured the coveted $50,000 first prize!
11. Shane Van Boening
- Full name: Shane Van Boening
- Career: American professional pool player
- Born: 14 July 1983
- Age: 40 years (as of April 2024)
- Birthplace: Rapid City, South Dakota, United States
Shane Van Boening is one of the best players of all time. He has won the WPA World 8-ball Championship and the US Open 9-ball Championship on five occasions, along with over 100 other professional titles. Van Boening was almost deaf from birth. He was given hearing aids at the age of 18 months but could not hear a thing.
10. Kelly Fisher
- Full name: Kelly Teresa Fisher MBE
- Career: English professional pool, snooker, and billiards player
- Born: 25 August 1978
- Age: 45 years (as of April 2024)
- Birthplace: South Elmsall, United Kingdom
Kelly Fisher is among the top 10 greatest billiard players of all time. She started as a snooker player, winning three Ladies World Snooker Championships between 1998 and 2000. Then, the Englishwoman moved to the United States to pursue a career in billiards, joining the Women's Professional Billard Association. In 2008, Kelly Fisher became the world's #1 female player and one of the best on the planet.
9. Johnny Archer
- Full name: Johnny Archer
- Career: American professional pool player
- Born: 12 November 1968
- Age: 55 years (as of April 2024)
- Birthplace: Waycross, Georgia, United States
Johnny is nicknamed "the Scorpion" because one of his sponsors is Scorpion Cues and his zodiac sign, Scorpio. Having achieved titles such as the WPA World Nine-ball Championship and Sudden Death Seven-ball and more than 60 professional tournament victories, Johnny Archer joined the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame on 8 June 2009.
8. Allison Fisher
- Full name: Allison Fisher MBE
- Career: English professional pool and former professional snooker player
- Born: 24 February 1968
- Age: 56 years (as of April 2024)
- Birthplace: Cheshunt, United Kingdom
- Nationality: British, English
Allison is known as the “duch*ess of Doom” for her deadly, consistent shot-making and no-nonsense style of play. The English champion has recently dominated the British and international nine-ball and snooker scene. Allison Fisher was inducted into the BCA in June 2009 and taught billiards at the Allison World Champion Academy in Charlotte, NC.
7. Mike Sigel
- Full name: Michael Sigel
- Career: American professional pool player
- Born: 1 July 1952
- Age: 71 years (as of April 2024)
- Birthplace: Rochester, New York, United States
The American shooter has won over 102 major tournaments in his active career. The New Yorker dominated the sport in the 70s and 80s and earned the nickname "Captain Hook" for his ambidextrous ability to use safety plays to hook opponents. Michael Sigel became the youngest player to earn his place in the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame at age 35 in 1989.
6. Earl Strickland
- Full name: Earl Strickland
- Career: American professional pool player
- Born: 8 June 1961
- Age: 62 years (as of April 2024)
- Birthplace: Roseboro, North Carolina, United States
Nicknamed "The Pearl," the American from North Carolina is considered one of the best nine-ball players. He became famous among the most controversial sportsmen for his outspoken views and volatile behavior. Nevertheless, Earl Strickland earned his place in the BCA in 2006.
5. Luther Lassiter
- Full name: Luther Clement Lassiter Jr.
- Career: American pool player
- Born: 5 November 1918
- Birthplace: Elizabeth City, North Carolina, United States
- Died: 25 October 1988
- Age: 69 years (at time of death)
Luther "Wimpy" Lassiter was known to his mates for drawing billiards from a young age. He left school when he was 16 to pursue a professional pool career. He was inaugurated into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 1983. Luther Lassiter was found dead by his nephew next to his pool table in 1988.
4. Rudolf Wanderone
- Full name: Rudolf Walter Wanderone
- Career: American professional pool player
- Born: 19 January 1913
- Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
- Died: 15 January 1996
- Age: 82 years (at the time of death)
Famously known as "Minnesota Fats" from a character in the 1961 film The Hustler, Rudolf Wanderone garnered fame for hustling servicemen in Norfolk during World War II. He earned his place in the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 1984 for promoting the sport and not necessarily winning any championships.
3. Willie Mosconi
- Full name: William Joseph Mosconi
- Career: American professional pool player
- Born: 27 June 1913
- Birthplace: United States
- Died: 17 September 1993
- Age: 80 years (at the time of death)
He earned his nickname "Mr Pocket Billiards" for coming up with numerous trick shots. Like Wanderone, Willie Mosconi was born in 1913 and was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America in 1968 when he was 55. Mosconi further popularized the sport by assisting in making the 1961 film, The Hustler. The Philadelphian died on 6 September 1993 in Haddon Heights, New Jersey.
2. Ralph Greenleaf
- Full name: Ralph Greenleaf
- Career: American professional pool and carom billiards player
- Born: 3 November 1899
- Birthplace: Monmouth, Illinois, United States
- Died: 15 March 1950
- Age: 50 years (at the time of death)
The charismatic American billiard shooter was considered one of the most prolific players of his active time between 1919 and 1937. He won the World Pocket Billiards Championship twenty times. Ralph Greenleaf was one of the first three inaugural inductees into the BCA Hall of Fame in 1966.
1. Efren Reyes
- Full name: Efren Manalang Reyes OLD PLH
- Career: Filipino professional pool player
- Born: 26 August 1954
- Age: 69 years (as of April 2024)
- Birthplace: Angeles, Philippines
Efren Manalang Reyes, aka Bata, is considered the greatest pool player of all time by fans and mates. In 2003, he became the first Asian to join the BCA Hall of Fame and the record holder of the first World Championship winner in two different disciplines. His prowess in several disciplines, including Straight pool, Nine-ball, Three-cushion billiards, and One-cushion billiards, have earned Efren Reyes the nickname "The Magician."
Who is the greatest billiard player in the world?
Efren Manalang Reyes is considered the greatest billiard player in the world, having won over 100 professional tournaments. He is often called "Bata," which means "kid" in Filipino. His friend gave him the nickname to help fans differentiate him from an older billiards player named Efren.
Who is the billiard GOAT?
Efren “Bata” Reyes is famous worldwide for being the best in billiards. When he moved to the US, he hustled games under the name Cesar Morales without being recognized.
Is Willie Mosconi the best pool player ever?
Willie Mosconi is considered the best 8-ball pool player ever and the legend of pocket billiards. He holds the record for potting 526 balls without missing a single pocket. Throughout his career, he has also bagged 15 World Straight Pool championships.
Who is the greatest pool player of all time?
Efren Manalang Reyes is the best-known and top-ranked player by pundits and fans. He is also considered the best player globally, with over 100 professional tournaments and over 80 international titles.
Who was the best pool hustler of all time?
Vernon "Burnie" Elliot was arguably the greatest hustler ever. He was also called the best "undercover" shark of all time, even though he never played in tournaments.
Who is the No 1. pool player worldwide?
Joshua Filler is number one on the 2023 WPBA pool player rankings, with 35727 total points.
Who is the No. 1 player in the 8-ball pool?
Joshua Filler is the number one player in the WPA (World Pool-Billiard Association) 8-Ball Pool player rankings. The rankings are based on performance factors and points accumulated in different championships and events.
What is the prize money for the World 8-ball pool championship?
The total prize fund is $400,000, including the largest prize for the champions. The men's champion is awarded $75,000 from a field of 96, while the women's champion receives $50,000 from a field of 48.
Who is the richest pool player?
Efren Manalang Reyes is the world's richest pool player, with an estimated net worth of around $2 million. Billiard started as a recreational sport before becoming a professional sport where players earn a decent sum.
Who were the most famous pool players in the 1970s?
These pool players were inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in the 1970s:
- Harold Worst (1970)
- John Hyatt (1971)
- Johnny Layton (1974)
- Frank Taberski (1975)
- Jimmy Caras (1977)
- Irving Crane (1978)
What country has the best pool players?
The Philippines is known for producing some of the strongest billiards players in the world, including the global pool game icon Efren Manalang Reyes.
Billiards is a game of skill, precision, patience, and focus, and the best pool player ever has perfected these qualities. Since the sport keeps changing and growing, upcoming stars have a chance to make it to the top leagues.
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