Step into the realm of cue sports, where finesse meets strategy, and the greatest pool players have etched their names in history. From dazzling trick shots to strategic brilliance, these players have defined the game, leaving an indelible mark on the sport’s legacy.
Introducing to you the ten greatest pool players who have ever existed. It’s time to acknowledge all of the honors they have received. Be motivated.
Let’s first clear up the fact that the WPA currently ranks Ko, Ping Chung, Filler, Joshua, Van Boening, Shane, Gorst, Fedor, and Chang, Jung Lin as amazing pool players. These present-day pool players, however, have nothing to do with this listing. The ten greatest pool players in history will be listed in this amazing ten ranking. Most of the players on this list did not have access to our high-tech improved pool cues and shafts.
Table of Contents
10 Greatest Pool Players Ever: All-Time Favourites In The World
10. Buddy Hall
- Date Of Birth May 29, 1945
- Nickname: The Rifleman
- Titled as a living pool legend
- Professional pool player for three decades
- American
Buddy Hall is the guy with the hat on, this professional pool player has been playing pool from an age of 14 years old, he started playing out in a soda shop in his hometown. The reason he had to spend so much time in the soda shop was that the local pool rooms would not let him enter because he was too young at that time and too much of an amateur at the same time.
For the hall to get into the pool room he had to use subterfuge to get some new birth papers stating that he was older so that he could be invited into the pool rooms. It didn’t take him long after to start dominating the locals that were in playing on a regular.
He started to stand out in no time winning his first pro event at the age of 17 in a competitive match of straight pool. His journey was quite a success making a name for himself as the living legend of the pool.
9. Johnny Archer
- Date Of Birth November 12, 1968
- Titled the scorpion
- American pool player
- World Champion: 9-Ball (1992, 1997)
- Best Rankings by the World Pool Association #1
Johnny Archer earned his spot in making it among the legends of the pool by winning most of his major tournament events. He is said to also be one the most successful 9-ball pool player over the period of 20 years, that’s a wow in my book to start off with.
Archer won the WPA nine-ball world championship titles in 1992 and 1997, some following years after in the year 2003 he won the sudden death 7-ball and the first world summit of the pool. His pool career was just getting more Successful as the years go by.
In the year 2006, he had then won prize money of $50000 winner take an international challenge by 2009 he was then placed in the billiard congress of America hall of fame.
8. Allison Fisher
- Date Of Birth February 24, 1968
- Titled The Duchess of Doom
- Ranking 191 in the year 1995-1996
- British
- Movies 9 Ball Pool
It’s debated that pool is a men’s sport however things and times will change and we are now seeing more women in the sports that are dominating it as well. Allison Fisher has earned her spot among the greatest pool players ever, she won her first world championship pool event at the age of 17 years of age.
This female pool player has won over 50 titles just to show you how good a player she is I personally think she plays really well you can check out some of her games on youtube and you will see what I am talking about. In 2007 she earned the title of greatest female pool player of the year.
7. Mike Sigel
- Date Of Birth July 11, 1952
- Titled Captain Hook
- American
- Has won 108 Professional Pool Tournaments
Famously known as caption hook in his games due to how he has the ability to hook the opposing player with lots of safe shots hiding the ball. Mike Sigel has smoothly earned his spot among the greatest pool players of all time, this professional player has won over 108 professional pool tournaments.
Mike Sigel played in the Nine-ball Championship three times and won them alongside the world pocket billiard championship five times. With so many victories he was then the player of the year for more than one year at different year spans.
By the time Mike Sigel had reached the age of 35 he was granted with a spot in the congress of America hall of fame and had made a new record of being the youngest to have earned that title. He was even ranked fifth among the greatest players of all time by the Billiards Digest.
6. Jeanette Lee
- Date Of Birth July 9, 1971
- Titled Black Widow
- American
- Books: 1
This female pro-pool player popularly known as the black widow is a very feared pool player among most. It is even been said that she eats people alive meaning you will be lucky if she misses and provided you with a play in her game especially when she has on her game face.
Jeanette Lee has gained over 27 national and world titles showing that she is not to be taken lightly, Jeanette Lee other known as the black widow has definitely earned her spot amongst the greatest pool players ever. Black widow is also the most popular female professional pool player of all time and most favorite, sho now spends her time being a pool ambassador.
5. Ralph Greenleaf
- Date Of Birth November 3, 1899
- American
- Died: March 15, 1950
- Won 20 World Pocket Billiards Champions
Ralph Greenleaf was a champion in the time when there were no new-tech pool cue sticks, no LD shafts or ferrules players had to win my raw talent. Ralph Greenleaf did not just resign as a pool player, he was also a carom billiards player as well.
In Greenleaf’s day, he was considered and titled the most dominant pool player of all time, and still, he is among the greatest pool player of all time. D then passed away in 1950 however he’s pool name shall forever live on.
His strongest game of pool was the straight pool, it still amazes me to watch him play on some youtube videos he was well-structured. In the year 1966, he was a member of the first three inaugural inductees of the billiard congress of America’s hall of fame.
4. Earl Strickland
- Date Of Birth June 8, 1961
- Titled the Pearl
- Best Ranking by the WPA #1
- World Champion of the 9-Ball tournament event(1990, 1991, 2002)
- American
With a fitting number, of four spots on our listing the great pro-player Earl Strickland is ranked as one the greatest nine ballplayers of all time. Earl Strickland is an exceptionally skilled pool player in the sport, he dominates most of his games, and his spot on the listing is well secured.
Earl Strickland had won numerous amount of titles, he won the WPA world nine-ball championship twice and won the U.S opening nine-ball championship 5 times. The pro player won his last title in 2013, the Stone XXI 9-Ball Championship, in the year 2006 he was ranked 6th out of the top 20 fans’ favorite pool players of all time.
Be sure to go check out some of his games on youtube, we all can and will learn from his gameplays as well. He too was titled a spot in the BCA hall of fame in 2006.
3. Rudolf Wanderone
- Date Of Birth January 19, 1913
- Died: January 15, 1996,
- Titled Minnesota Fats
- American
Rudolf Wanderone otherwise known as Minnesota Fats in those times was the most recognized pool player and was famously known across the globe. Not only was he a professional pool player but he was an entertainer as well so I would guess that would bump his status for being so famously known.
Although the professional pool player haven won any major league tournaments as ‘Fats’ he was still the major public figure for most players, especially the new ones he was well known in his days.
The professional pool player served as a serviceman in Norfolk during World war II and became a folk superstar in the year as well. I know for a fact that some of you will question why is he on the listing when he has no major titles to his name but this is to show you how big he was in those times, he didn’t have to win any major tournament to be highlighted.
All that aside he was a great pool player and the people loved him, he was known and had been featured filmed in Hustles as well, the film that imitated his role and his lifestyle.
2. Willie Mosconi
- Date Of Birth June 27, 1913
- Died: September 17, 1993
- American
- Had won the World Straight Pool Championships
Joseph Mosconi had created some historical plays in his days, he once won the world straight pool championship pool event fifteen times this was around the years 1941 and 1957, and was unmatched. This alone would give him a page in the world’s greatest pool players of all time.
Mosconi was then given the opportunity to be the technical advisor of Paul Newman, paul was the director of a film called hustlers.
Joseph Mosconi’s name is one of the biggest names you would hear in regards to a professional pool player, especially in North America, he was also nicknamed ‘ Mr. Pocket Billiards’. he was a true champion and his name will forever be in history books as one of the greatest pool players ever of all time.
The pro player had obtained numerous amount of trick shots, it’s even said up to this day most professional pool players cannon execute them.
1. Efren Reyes – The Greatest Pool Player Of All Time
- Date Of Birth August 26, 1954
- Titles as the Magician and Bata
- A winner of over 80 international titles
- He was the first player to win world championships in two different disciplines
- Nationality: Philippine
- Greatest pool player in the world
It is very safe to say that Efren Manalang Reyes is the greatest pool player in the world no matter which era we are in. The professional pool player has won over 80 international titles now that’s something you will not see or hear on a daily bases.
Efren Reyes had won the Derby City Classic championship 14 times Efren was just born talented in this area he also won the World Pool League championship twice.
The professional pool player moved to America for the hustle and won $80,000 in a week. The popular pool player then made it in the billiards magazine as the number second most favorite pool player selected by fans.
Efren was the first Asian inductee to have made it into the BCA hall of fame in the year 2003, he was just dominating his era and still is up to this day.
The video above will show you how well-talented he is, he didn’t get the name magician for nothing am sure once you start watching his videos you will search the entire youtube for all his videos especially if you are a huge fan of the sports pool like me.
Legacy Beyond the Table: Greatest Pool Players Enduring Impact
Beyond the green felt and racked balls, the legacy of the greatest pool players transcends the game itself. Their skill, innovation, and dedication continue to inspire generations, ensuring their status as icons in the world of cue sports remains unchallenged.
Thank you for reading as well as teaching the conclusion of the greatest pool players ever who made a name for themselves in the game of pool. As indicated at the start of the listing before we began the list, this specific ranking will be based on a variety of factors; the list will not be only dependent on professional championships earned.
Thank you for reading, and please be sure to check out a number of our other relevant articles, as well as our wonderful pool cue sticks, which we have on here, along with some other related pool goods you will like.
You can also check:
- Pool Cues Under 500
- Amazing Pool Cues For Professional Players
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- Checkout more related gifts related to pool cues on goodgifts.com