5 historical rivalries of professional billiards

Off the table they may be colleagues, but when the balls start rolling there are no friends worth. As in all sports, in the history of professional billiards there have always been great rivalries that have added more excitement to the tournaments. In today's post let's take a look at those epic duels among pool legends.

1- Willie Mosconi vs. Minnesota Fats

 In the 1950s, the American pool had two proper names, Willie Mosconi and Minnesota Fats. Curiously, they were born the same year, in 1913, but their characters were antagonistic: one stood out as a billiard player, the other only interested in gambling; One sought the dignity of billiards, the other entertaining the masses. The rivalry was very strong but suited both of them. At that time their televised duels were at the height of competitions of basketball or other major sports. There is a good book that explains their rivalry, The Hustler and The Champ.

2- Steve Mizerak vs. Mike Sigel

The great rivalry between Mizerak and Sigel was especially in the years of the boom of the straight pool: between 1979 and 1985.

In 14.1 dominated Mizerak, but also they had many duels in Ball 9, and in that modality the victories fell of the side of Sigel. Both had a prodigious lefty that gave them many triumphs.

3- Earl Strickland vs. Efren Reyes

Earl Strickland has always had a hard time assimilating that his rival is better, but I dare say that with Efren Reyes he was more respectful than ever. The duels of the 80's and 90's between the pearl and the magician were very competitive, but also quite sporty. I remember especially the final of the Sands Regency Classic of 1995. In the definitive game Reyes put the mythical ball in zig zag and in the end Strickland surrendered to his feet.

4- Shane Van Boening vs. Dennis Orcollo

This is a more recent rivalry, and also more spicy. A few years ago sparks were sparking each time they faced Shane Van Boening and Dennis Orcollo. I do not know when that war started but it sure has to do with some Money Game. In the quarterfinals of the World Cup 9 of 2015 (the day that the American endorsed an 11-1) had a good encounter, but the last spark jumped this year, when they announced that they were going to play a match to 140 won For $ 100,000. In the end it was canceled, but the war is still open.

5- Europe vs USA

And to finish the rankings of rivalries, we could not miss the biggest of all: Europe vs United States. Every year they put it into practice when the Mosconi Cup arrives. It is the fight between the disciplined billiards understood as sport (more typical of European countries) and the show of betting and showtime (more typical of USA). There are two completely different game styles and two ways of understanding billiards. If you add that to the political factor, it is normal for sparks to emerge. We will see if Europe maintains its dominion for the next years.

And you, what rivalry do you like most? Do you know another historical duel in the professional pool?