One Pocket - is Tony the GOAT?

BRLongArm

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All those highlights came in the first match against Dennis. Everything and I mean everything broke right for Tony and he won by two games. 2 years later, Tony can't beat Dennis and it isn't close. They just played a match for $5K in Houston and it was 7-2 Dennis.

The real issue isn't whether Tony is the GOAT. He is arguably the best American Player since Cliff Joyner or Scott Frost. I think most of us would say Efren was the greatest player in our lifetime. Now Alex is the king of one pocket. Conditions are different now. The tables are much tougher than they were in the past, and the depth of the playing field is much deeper now than in the past.

No doubt that Tony played inhuman one pocket at California Billiards. But he has a high variance in his game. Consistency wins one pocket, not circus shots.
 

Jeff sparks

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All those highlights came in the first match against Dennis. Everything and I mean everything broke right for Tony and he won by two games. 2 years later, Tony can't beat Dennis and it isn't close. They just played a match for $5K in Houston and it was 7-2 Dennis.

The real issue isn't whether Tony is the GOAT. He is arguably the best American Player since Cliff Joyner or Scott Frost. I think most of us would say Efren was the greatest player in our lifetime. Now Alex is the king of one pocket. Conditions are different now. The tables are much tougher than they were in the past, and the depth of the playing field is much deeper now than in the past.

No doubt that Tony played inhuman one pocket at California Billiards. But he has a high variance in his game. Consistency wins one pocket, not circus shots.

Very well said...
 

catkins

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I would say that tonly is the most fearless creative one pocket player I have seen . I don't think he is consistent enough to say he is the best ever. I personally don't think any one can say any one but efren deserves the greatest of all time because of his consistently and high level play every time he played.
 

sappo

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Tucson AZ
All those highlights came in the first match against Dennis. Everything and I mean everything broke right for Tony and he won by two games. 2 years later, Tony can't beat Dennis and it isn't close. They just played a match for $5K in Houston and it was 7-2 Dennis.

The real issue isn't whether Tony is the GOAT. He is arguably the best American Player since Cliff Joyner or Scott Frost. I think most of us would say Efren was the greatest player in our lifetime. Now Alex is the king of one pocket. Conditions are different now. The tables are much tougher than they were in the past, and the depth of the playing field is much deeper now than in the past.

No doubt that Tony played inhuman one pocket at California Billiards. But he has a high variance in his game. Consistency wins one pocket, not circus shots.

Tony is an amazing pool player. He has got to be the best player to watch however I can't put my money on him. He does not have the discipline or the patience to play the game that gives him the optimum chance to win.
Ive said it before and Im sure Ill say it again, his nickname shouldn't be T Rex it should be T Reckless......... Keith
 

Island Drive

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1968

1968

Nice piece thx....reminded me of when I first saw Ronnie Allen at Janscos Show Bar, and the shots he came up with. At the tender age of 19 and seeing, hearing, watching RA in his prime, do what he does best was like watching TC....with banter like no other, and RA could back it up!
 

Scrzbill

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Tony is an amazing pool player. He has got to be the best player to watch however I can't put my money on him. He does not have the discipline or the patience to play the game that gives him the optimum chance to win.
Ive said it before and Im sure Ill say it again, his nickname shouldn't be T Rex it should be T Reckless......... Keith

I just happen to be one of those people that put T-Rex in games. I put him in a game with a guy I beat and he promptly lost two sets fast. He shot at everything and he wanted to play a third set. I said no because he wasn’t playing any safes. He said he would play smarter. 0-3 when we left. Not Tony’s money, he doesn’t care. Tony is the most imaginative player. Players like Alex have the same knowledge but they want for THE shot. Tony pushes, then pushes some more. I do miss seeing him play. Big guy with such a nice stroke.
 

youngstown

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One Pocket - is Tony the GOAT?

I don’t remember ever seeing his picture hanging up at the Horseshoe Casino of Southern Indiana...
 

beatle

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he does seem to play way to recklessly. however that is his style, and he does beat almost everyone in the whole world at one pocket except for a small handful. so his style isnt far off. and that means for most players their conservative style is way to conservative when playing a good or better player.
 

gulfportdoc

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I gather from some of the posts that when Orcullo or Pagulayan win, it's because of their brilliant play. But when Chohan wins...... he got lucky...:D

~Doc
 

beatle

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thats probably true as both of them play a little better than tony. and his best chance of beating them is to play for shots and runouts rather than a slow moving game. as you draw out a game to make it longer the better player has a bigger edge.
 

BRLongArm

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thats probably true as both of them play a little better than tony. and his best chance of beating them is to play for shots and runouts rather than a slow moving game. as you draw out a game to make it longer the better player has a bigger edge.

When I shoot a flyer and it goes in, I look great. When I sell out, I am reckless. The problem is it is a flyer because it is low percentage. Better players don't bet the game on low percentage shots because they know they can win in other ways.

Tony's style is hyper-aggressive and it works against everyone but the top two or three in the world. Like Frost, or Smith, when Tony comes up against the elite, that style works against him more often than not. You blow the stack open, you better get out. Because Alex and Dennis are getting out when you open up the balls and leave them a shot.
 

baby huey

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I think we have to give Tony a pass on his picture not hanging in the rafters at DCC. He was away from the game for about eight years and just started back about two years ago. For those who think his game is not Par Exe-lance give it time. Clearly he does not strike the ball as well as Dennis and Alex but he's in the mix. His high light reel is pretty good stuff.
 

cincy_kid

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great production!!

I specifically like where you highlight the balls involved in the shot, that's pro stuff there, thank you!

IMO, for what it's worth I am with Joe on this one (well said by the way).

No denying he is one of the best but consistency is king in this game.
 
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