Efren Reyes's skill at the game of billiards is unmatched! These are some of the reasons why Efren Reyes is considered the greatest player of all time – The Shocking Truth Revealed!
Efren Reyes’s Skill at the Game of Billiards is Unmatched!
When people talk about legends in the world of sports, names like Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, and Tiger Woods often come up. But in the game of billiards, one name towers above the rest:
Born in Pampanga, Philippines in 1954, Efren Reyes did not come from privilege. He started as a poor boy who worked in a billiards hall, cleaning tables and watching older players. With no formal coaching, he learned by observation. By the time he was a teenager, he was already beating older, more experienced players who underestimated him. This humble beginning became the foundation for what would later shock the entire billiards world.
Many legends in sports come from hard work and natural talent, but what separates Reyes is his unique ability to combine creativity, mathematics, psychology, and instinct in a way no one else could. While others see only angles and balls, Reyes sees possibilities that appear invisible to ordinary eyes.
The nickname “The Magician” is not an exaggeration—it’s the only word that truly captures Reyes’s incredible style. Throughout his career, he has executed shots that left even his opponents clapping in disbelief.
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One of the most shocking truths about Reyes is his ability to turn hopeless positions into winning ones. Where most players would concede defeat, Reyes finds hidden angles, delicate caroms, and breathtaking safeties that completely change the outcome of a rack. His creativity is so unique that even professional commentators often confess:
“I don’t even know how he saw that shot.”
In a famous match against Earl Strickland in 1996 during the Color of Money Challenge, Reyes pulled off shots that were so extraordinary, they entered billiard folklore. Strickland, himself a world champion and known for his fiery personality, admitted with frustration:
“You can’t beat luck, and Efren has all the luck in the world.”
But was it really luck? Or was it simply Reyes’s genius disguised as chance?
Another shocking truth lies in Reyes’s versatility. Most great players specialize in one format—whether it’s 8-ball, 9-ball, or rotation. Reyes, however, has mastered
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In 8-ball, he has dominated international tournaments, including his unforgettable win at the IPT World Open in 2006, where he pocketed $500,000—the largest prize in billiards history at the time.
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In 9-ball, Reyes’s calmness under pressure and pinpoint precision made him a feared opponent, earning him the World Pool Championship in 1999.
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In rotation, a game popular in the Philippines and considered extremely difficult, Reyes is widely considered untouchable.
His ability to excel across different disciplines is further proof that his skill transcends ordinary specialization—he is the complete package, a universal master.
Efren Reyes is not just a shot-maker; he is a
The shocking truth is that Reyes wins not only with his cue but also with his mind. He has a unique ability to predict several shots ahead, planning patterns like a grandmaster plans a checkmate. This mental mastery is why opponents often walk away saying,
Reyes’s reputation goes far beyond the Philippines. In the United States, Europe, and Asia, he is revered as the face of billiards. Fans chant his name wherever he goes, and even his rivals bow their heads in respect.
In 2003, he became the first player inducted into the Billiard Congress of America’s Hall of Fame while still actively competing—a rare honor that shows just how respected he is worldwide. ESPN once named him the
Here is another shocking truth: even as he grew older, Efren Reyes never truly lost his magic. Long after most professionals retired or faded into obscurity, Reyes continued to stun audiences with his creativity. Exhibition matches in the United States, Japan, and Europe saw him dismantle younger champions, proving that his mind remained as sharp as ever.
At age 64, when many doubted his ability, Reyes was still pulling off shots that left crowds gasping in Oklahoma City. Joey Gray, a sharpshooter champion from Oklahoma, admitted he was shocked by Reyes’s endurance and brilliance, confessing that the Filipino legend’s skills had not faded at all. This resilience is yet another reason why Reyes’s legacy is untouchable.
So why exactly is Reyes hailed as the GOAT of billiards? The shocking truth can be broken down into five undeniable reasons:
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Unmatched Creativity – He invents shots no one else dares to try.
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Master of All Games – From 8-ball to rotation, Reyes has conquered them all.
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Mental Genius – His strategies and foresight outclass even the smartest opponents.
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Global Dominance – His victories are spread across continents and decades.
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Longevity – Even at an age when most players retire, Reyes continues to inspire and amaze.
Together, these qualities form a résumé that no other player in history can match.
Perhaps the most shocking truth of all is that Reyes’s greatness goes beyond trophies and titles. For millions of fans, he represents something bigger: hope, inspiration, and the idea that magic is real. He proved that a poor boy from the Philippines could rise to global stardom through sheer talent and passion.
Even when he eventually hangs up his cue, his legend will live on in every young player who dares to dream of becoming the next “Magician.” Billiards will see champions come and go, but there will never be another Efren Reyes.
Efren “Bata” Reyes is not just a pool player; he is a phenomenon, an artist, and a legend whose skill at the game of billiards is unmatched. The shocking truth is that his dominance was never about luck—it was about genius. From impossible shots to mental brilliance, from humble beginnings to global fame, Reyes has done it all.
And so, when history writes the story of billiards, only one name will stand as the greatest of all time: Efren ‘The Magician’ Reyes.
JAPAN'S NO.1 TOP PLAYER THOUGHT EFREN BATA "GOT OLD!"! ALMOST CRYING AT THE MATCH RESULT!
When the name Efren “Bata” Reyes is spoken in the world of billiards, it carries weight far beyond just the Philippines. For decades, Reyes has been regarded as the “Magician,” a player whose vision of the table and ability to execute impossible shots has baffled opponents and inspired generations. But in one unforgettable Quarter Final match, a young Japanese champion—Japan’s No.1 ranked player—learned a harsh yet valuable lesson: never underestimate the magic.
Before the match, the Japanese star was overflowing with confidence. Ranked as the best in his country, a player with sharp shooting skills and a reputation for discipline, he had stormed his way through the earlier rounds. Many fans believed that this would be the moment the rising Japanese talent would take down the legendary Reyes, who was already in his sixties and, according to critics, “too old to keep up with the new generation.”
The Japanese champion himself admitted in a pre-match interview:
“I respect Efren Reyes a lot, but times have changed. This is my era. I don’t think he can still match the speed and sharpness of our modern game.”
Little did he know, such words would soon turn against him.
The arena in Tokyo was packed with fans eager to see the showdown between youth and experience. On one side, the Japanese champion entered with confidence, bowing to the crowd and smiling with determination. On the other side, Efren Reyes strolled casually, wearing his usual gentle smile, holding his cue as if it were a magic wand.
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From the break, the Japanese player demonstrated his strength. His shots were precise, his break powerful, and he quickly secured the first rack. The crowd cheered loudly, thinking perhaps the legend was finally showing signs of slowing down.
But Reyes remained calm, his expression unchanged, patiently watching every move.
By the third rack, the Japanese champion made a slight mistake—an overcut on the 5-ball. It wasn’t an obvious miss, but against Efren Reyes, one mistake is all it takes.
Reyes walked to the table, studied the layout, and in typical magician fashion, turned what looked like a defensive situation into an attacking masterpiece. With a delicate masse shot, he curved the cue ball around an obstacle, sinking the 5-ball and leaving perfect position for the next shot. The crowd gasped.
The Japanese player froze. His confident expression faded into disbelief. How could Reyes pull off such a difficult shot so effortlessly?
From that point on, the match became a display of Efren’s wizardry.
Reyes began stringing racks together with the ease of a man who had spent his life defying the laws of physics. Each shot seemed impossible: bank shots that found their way into pockets, safety plays that trapped the Japanese star behind walls of balls, and positional plays so precise they looked pre-planned by an artist.
At one moment, Reyes executed a kick shot that ricocheted off three rails before pocketing the 9-ball. The audience erupted, some even standing on their feet in sheer amazement.
Meanwhile, the Japanese player’s frustration grew. He wiped sweat from his face, shook his head repeatedly, and muttered under his breath. Every time he thought he might get a chance, Reyes would either finish the rack outright or leave him snookered with no escape.
As the scoreboard tilted heavily in Reyes’ favor, the Japanese champion’s confidence completely crumbled. His eyes widened with disbelief after every magical shot. He looked at his cue stick as if questioning whether the problem was his equipment or his skills.
At one point, when he missed a relatively simple 7-ball, he placed his hand on his forehead, clearly shaken. Some fans noticed his eyes looked watery—he was on the verge of tears, unable to comprehend how he had been dismantled so thoroughly.
Commentators captured the moment perfectly:
“This is the Efren effect. He doesn’t just beat you with points—he breaks your spirit with shots that no one else in the world can make.”
The Japanese fans, while initially rooting for their homegrown champion, couldn’t help but cheer for Reyes. His genius on the table transcended nationality. Every time he made an unbelievable shot, the crowd roared in admiration.
One Japanese fan told reporters:
“I came to see our champion win, but now I feel honored just to witness Reyes’ magic. This is history in the making.”
Even Joey Gray, the American champion who had once faced Reyes in Oklahoma, tweeted during the match:
“Age? Forget it. Efren Reyes is timeless. He just made Japan’s No.1 look like a beginner. Unreal.”
With match point on the line, Reyes faced a seemingly impossible table: the cue ball was stuck near the rail, the object ball hidden behind a cluster. Any other player might have opted for a defensive play. But Reyes, ever the magician, lined up his cue, delivered a smooth stroke, and sent the ball spinning through a narrow gap, sinking the 9-ball cleanly into the corner pocket.
The arena erupted. Some fans screamed, others clapped uncontrollably, while the Japanese champion slumped into his chair, covering his face with his hand. The match was over, and Reyes had claimed victory in dramatic fashion.
Reporters swarmed the players afterward. The Japanese star, visibly emotional, admitted:
“I thought age would slow him down. I thought I had the advantage. But playing against Efren Reyes is like facing an entirely different game. He is still the Magician, and I couldn’t believe what I just experienced.”
Reyes, ever humble, simply smiled and said:
“He’s a very good player. Maybe today, luck was on my side.”
But everyone knew it wasn’t luck—it was skill, honed over decades, that allowed Reyes to dismantle yet another top player.
At 64 years old, Efren Reyes continues to defy expectations. Matches like this prove that his skills, creativity, and mental toughness remain unmatched. Younger champions may bring speed and power, but Reyes brings artistry, experience, and a deep understanding of the game that makes him truly unique.
This quarter-final wasn’t just a victory—it was a reminder to the billiards world: Never underestimate Efren “Bata” Reyes.
The Japanese No.1 player entered the quarter-final confident, perhaps too confident. He left humbled, almost in tears, having been schooled by the greatest billiards magician of all time. For fans who witnessed the match, it was more than just a game—it was a lesson in respect, artistry, and the timelessness of true skill.
And for Efren Reyes, it was simply another day of proving that magic never fades.
