Efren Reyes
Efren Reyes (born 1954), a Filipino, is widely considered one of the best players of all time the game of 9-ball, a variation on billiards. He is often called "The Magician" for having made some of the most spectacular shots even seen in tournament play. He has won most of the most prestigious nine ball tournaments including multiple wins atthe Sands Regency Open, the 1995 Pro Tour Championship, and the 2002 ESPN Challange of Champions. He also beat Earl Strickland, another of the best 9-ball players of all time in two multi-day winner take all events known as the Color of Money I, and the Color of Money II.Efren Reyes was born in Pampanga, in 1954, and moved to Manila when he was five. He worked there as a billiard attendant his uncle's pool hall, and there he started playing. He played for money even at a young age. By the time he was twenty, he claimed he was the best in the Philippines. That is very likely given his success in the US against some of the best 9-ball players in the world.
He also played carom games, such as three cushion billiards in the seventies, and he excelled at those as well.
He started playing in the United States in the eighties, mostly as a money player. By the nineties, he was winning major tournaments against the best players in the United States. In 1995 he won 6 major events, and at that time was considered the best 9-ball player in the US. He continued to win major events into the year 2000 and has proven himself to be one of the best players to ever pick up a cue, especially in the game of 9-ball.
Some career highlights
- 2002 Challenge of Champions
- 2002 World Pool League Champion
- 2001 World Pool League Champion
- 2001 Color of Money II (Reyes vs Earl Strickland)
- 2001 Supreme Masters of Billiards
- 2000 U.S. Open One-Pocket Championship
- 1999 ESPN Ultimate 9-Ball Challenge
- 1999 Victor Chandler World Pool Championship
- 1999 Derby City Classic - One Pocket Championship
- 1999 Sands Regency Open 29 9-Ball Championship
- 1998 World 8-Ball Championship
- 1996 Sands Regency Open 9-Ball Championship
- 1996 The Color of Money 9-Ball Champion (Reyes vs Earl Strickland)
- 1996 PBT World 8-Ball Championship
- 1996 Legends 9-Ball Championship
- 1995 Sands Regency Open 21 9-Ball Championship
- 1995 PBT World 8 Ball Championship
- 1995 Pro Tour Championship 9-Ball
- 1994 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship
- 1992 International 8-Ball Classic
- 1992 World 9-Ball Open (Tokyo)
- 1990 World Cup (Taipei)
- 1986 Sands Regency 9-Ball Championship
- 1985 Sands Regency 9-Ball Championship
