The game of pool, known as Pool Billiards in Australia and Pocket Billiards in North America is one of the most sophisticated and stylish games in the world.
Pool is considered a cue game and, to some, a sport. Some of the best pool players are not only earning fame but also chunks of money. Played on a pool table with pockets along the sides the game has different versions like the eight-ball and nine-balls.
So let’s take a look at some of the top pool players of all time and their achievements.
The Pearl
Earl Strickland, an American professional pool player who was nicknamed ‘The Pearl’ and is considered one of the best pool players of all time.
Apart from the numerous championship titles, Strickland has become famous as one of the most controversial players for his volatile behaviour and outspoken views.
Earl came in winning the US open nine-ball championship five times and happens to be the only player to win the WPA nine-ball championship twice consecutively. He won the Turning stone XXL championship in the year 2013. He earned his place in the congress of billiards in America’s hall of fame in 2006.
William Joseph Mosconi
A professional pool and billiards player William Mosconi who won the straight pool championship and happened to be unmatched fifteen times between the year 1941 and 1957. William has earned a nickname ‘Mr pocket billiards’ right after he pioneered and gained numerous trick shots.
His name was almost synonymous with the North American pool. He made contributions to help popularise pool as a national activity of recreation. Mosconi holds the highest world record of consecutive balls scored at 526.
In 1966, He was one of the first three inducted into the Billiard Congress of America’s Hall of Fame. Mosconi also worked on a 1961 film “The Hustler” with Paul Newman as the technical advisor. That film played a leading role in creating the boom in the popularity of pool.
Ralph Greenleaf
An American pool and Carom Billiards player Greenleaf earnt many praises as a dominant pool player in his days. Greenleaf’s fame came from his ability and charisma. Greenleaf is the winner of the world pocket billiards championship a whopping twenty times.
He contested in the game of regular pool which varied in the formats from competition to competition. He was also one of the first three inductees in the congress American Hall Of Fame for billiards in 1966. The Billiards Digest Magazine has placed Greenleaf right in third place on their list of the 50 greatest players of the century.
To get your name on the list, you need to have dedication and motivation to become one of the best players. There are plenty of pro tips out there to help with your game of pool.
If you are starting to ensure you know everything there is to know about what pool equipment is best for beginners from cues and table to the balls and the chalk. Once you have a grasp on the basics, you can start working up the ladder until you reach championship material. It won’t take long if you are persistent and stay true to the game.
