10 historical Pool games

Agonizing finals, impossible shots and egregious anger. It is difficult to summarize the entire history of pool in a few videos, but these 10 games will always have a place in the historical memory of American pool. You will not be a total billiard fan until you have watched once and again these 10 mythical moments.

1- Steve Davis vs Strickland (Mosconi Cup 2002)

11-9 for Europe overall and 4-4 in the match of Steve Davis against Earl Strickland. The last game can mean the final victory for the Europeans or the Americans comeback to be closer to their seventh consecutive title. Strickland has everything in his favor but he fails ball 6 after a fatal placement. Davis simply has to push 3 easy balls. Does he get it?

2- Philippines vs Germany (World Cup of Pool Final 2009)

Three and a half hours of game and in a not so good video quality. But still, you have to see this game. Philippines plays at home the final of the World Cup of Pool 2009 against to German rocks, Thorsten Homman and Ralf Souquet. Will Reyes and Bustamante celebrate the title in front of their audience?

3-Reyes vs Strickland (Sands Regency 9 ball Open Final 1995)

A very young Efren Reyes faces Earl Strickland in the final of Sands Regency 9 Ball Open 1995, 20 years ago. The Philippine shots a complicated defense with the Ball 5 with such bad luck to pocket the ball and be capped. What follows is pure magic with two cushions.

4- Souquet vs Strickland (Mosconi Cup 2007)

The American Earl Strickland is probably the best pool player in the world in the art of not knowing how to lose. It gets demonstrated for the umpteenth time in this clash in the Mosconi Club 2007 against Souquet. Strickland gets his wires crossed a little after seeing the German pocketing Ball 9, giving Europe a 9-6 lead.

5- Reyes vs Bustamante (WPA World Pool Championship Semi-final 1999)

A classic between two of the best Philippine players in history. Watch a Reyes-Bustamante is always a safe bet. In this semifinal of the World Pool Championship in 1999, ‘Bata’ passes over his friend ‘Django’ to walk to his first world title.

6- Reyes vs Chang (WPA World Pool Championship Final 1999)

After the previous semifinal, here you have the last balls of the final of the same World championship in 1999, between Reyes and Chang. The Philippine triumphs again in this game with 17 won. ‘Bata’ Reyes still rules the world Pool.

7- Van Boening vs Alcano (US Open 9 ball Championship Final 2007)

A young (24 years) Shane Van Boening has in his hands his first US Open 9 Ball Championship in 2007. He plays at home and he doesn’t fail against the Philippine Alcano. This was his second big win on the professional circuit after winning the Reno Open the same year.

8- Jayson Shaw vs Mika Immonen (Turning Stone Semi-final 2015)

The last three videos of this compilation of hits from Pool are reserved for more recent battles. The first of them took place this year at the American Turning Stone. Shawn wins 9-1 to Immonen in 22 minutes in the semifinals of the tournament. The British rocks while the Finnish despairs.

9- Immonen vs Strickland (Mosconi Cup 2008)

The Finnish Immonen also know how to beat up. He proved it in the Mosconi Cup 2008 against tough cookie Strickland. 5-0, a tasty donut in 20 minutes. Immonen celebrates the victory without holding back so the heater of the rabid American is inevitable. 

10- Feijen/Van den Berg vs Hatch/Stuff (Mosconi Cup 2013)

Another big hit of the always exciting and controversial Mosconi Cup. This time the battle by pairs is between Feijen/Hatch vs Van den Berg/Stuff. The dutch Feijen pockets ball 4 but gets hidden for the ball five. His compatriot Van den Berg makes magic with the extension and the jump cue leaving only three seconds to shoot. It is probably one of the best shots of the tournament’s history.

What do you think about this 10 historical battles? Would you add any more? Add it in the comments section.

This article is part of a series that collects the historical billiard games. We will publish the top 10 of Snooker and the top 10 of Carom soon.