David Alcaide Vs. Darren Appleton, who is best?

When two titans are placed face-to-face, it becomes a very complicated task to choose which one of them is best. Each player has his technique, character, presence, strengths and weaknesses. This whole set is what defines a good pool player. Today we are going to analyze two great pool players: David Alcaide and Darren Appleton ...

David Alcaide:

Up to this day, Spain's best pool player and, undoubtedly, he is among the top players in the world.

"Malagueño" by birth, started playing pool when he was  5 years old and has, since, emerged as a great promise in this sport. At the early age of 9, he was proclaimed winner of the "Malaga Provincial Championship" in absolute category, achieving the first victory in his career.

At the age of 12, he came up second place in the first championship organized by the Spanish Billiards Federation. Two years later, he obtained his first title as Spain's champion of 8 ball, of which has been several times. Since he was a kid, it was clear that he would become a great player.

This genius has also left billiard lovers outside our country fascinated, becoming one of the only Spanish who has managed to be part of the European team in the Mosconi Cup.

Within its great victories we can highlight:

- Champion Grand Master 8 Ball in England

- 3 times Champion Grand Master Las Vegas

- 4 times World Champion VNEA (Las Vegas)

- Word Pool Master 2007 subcapper

- IPT card, 2007 WEER champion

- Several times champion of Spain of Ball 8

- Several times champion of Spain of Ball 9

- Champion of Spain 14.1

- 3rd in the World in Ball 10

- European Champion 14.1 in Croatia

- 3rd in Europe in Ball 8 in Croatia

- 5º US Open Ball-9

- 2nd US Open Ball-10

- European Champion of Teams

- 3rd in the World in Ball-8

- Predator Circuit Champion

- European Champion Ball-8

- Champion of the World Pool Masters 2017

As expected, David Alcaide is sponsored by a big brand in the billiard world as Longoni. He uses the Minerva Cue model together with an American S2 shaft and Kamui Original M tips, a perfect combination that allows you to develop with precision your unique playing style.

In the following video we can revive the final of the World Pool Masters 2017 in which he was proclaimed champion. Wait for the euphoric celebration of David, an explosion after the tension of the last balls.

Darren Appleton:

Born on February 8, 1976 in West Yorkshire, England, Darren "Dynamite" Appleton started in the world of billiards at the age of 12 and already outshined other kids of his age.

Appleton has been runner-up twice in the eight-ball WEPF Pool World Championship twice. In 2006, he joined the eight-ball International Pool Tour competition. That year, he also won the Straight Pool Challenge at the Derby City Classic.

On October 5, 2008, Appleton claimed an unexpected victory in the inaugural WPA World Ten-ball championship against Wu Jia-qing, (13-11), winning the top prize of $ 100,000. After the victory Appleton said: "I have waited 16 years for this and I have to enjoy the victory. I had mixed feelings and I was focusing on my disappointments in the past. I was ranked first (at the beginning of the decade) in the world , but I've never won a world championship ... This is a dream come true for me and I'm happy to win the title here in the Philippines. "

In May 2009, Appleton challenged Dennis Hatch of the United States in a three-day game challenge 100 ball games ten. Hatch, however, came out as the winner with a score of 100-83. In the same year, he won the World Pool Masters tournament by defeating Nick Van den Berg.

Appleton was a member of the victorious European team in the 2010 Mosconi Cup. He was named MVP with a 5-1 win against the loss ratio.

In 2013, he won the nine-ball tournament at the 2013 World Games, beating Chang Jung-Lin 11-10 in the final.

In 2013, he struck a 200-point record at the World Straight Pool Championship against Francisco Bustamante, winning 200-1.

This broke the following records:

- The world record for the World Straight Pool Championship of 73 events with 175 balls previously owned by Thorsten Hohmann.

- The all-time record at any major event of 183 that was established at the US Open 14.1 by Joe Procita.

- First time in a major tournament, to complete the 200 balls and finish the game without losing a shot.

On February 2, 2015, Darren Appleton won the 2015 Pool World Championship, beating Mark Selby 21-19 at the final.

You might also like: Pool players and their nicknames

Darren Appleton is sponsored by Predator Cues and his game set is the best that can be found currently on the market. He plays with an Ikon3-4 with Revo shaft and uses a BK3 as a break cue.

Below, you can enjoy a game between both players, with no doubt, this match is amazing to watch.

So, after analyzing this two pool masters, which one is your favorite? At Poolmania, we have our favorite, but we won't let you know yet :)

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