Pocket billiards is played on a pool table where precise cue control, positioning of the ball, and shot selection determine success at the highest level. Commonly known as pool, the sport has produced legendary figures whose skill, dominance, and influence shaped the sport across generations.
From straight pool and snooker pioneers to modern eight-ball and nine-ball champions, these greatest pool players represent the very best the pool world has ever seen.
The Best Billiards Players
Many of the players featured below were officially recognized by the Billiard Congress of America, whose Hall of Fame honors the most influential figures in professional pool history. From the United States and Asia to Europe—including England—elite billiards talent has shaped modern pool.
Efren Reyes – The Greatest Pool Player of All Time
Efren Reyes, widely known as “The Magician,” is considered by many professionals and fans to be the greatest pool player in history. Hailing from the Philippines, Reyes built his reputation through unmatched creativity, precision, and shot-making ability that often defied logic. Reyes was famous for his ability to control the cue ball in impossible situations, turning defensive positions into winning opportunities.
Reyes made global headlines when he won his first world championship, marking the moment he transitioned from elite competitor to true legend. He became the first player to win world championships in two different disciplines and won over 70 international titles during his career.
Although Reyes, like all elite competitors, lost many matches over decades of professional play, his consistency, adaptability across different game formats, and longevity at the highest level firmly place him at the top of billiards history. His induction into the BCA Hall of Fame cemented his legendary status as the greatest pool player in the world.
Throughout his career, Reyes proved himself a consistent winner at the highest levels of professional pool, earning respect across the global billiards community.
Willie Mosconi – Straight Pool Icon
Willie Mosconi is a world champion whose name is synonymous with pool excellence and remains one of the most dominant forces the sport has ever seen. Competing primarily in the mid-20th century, Mosconi won the World Straight Pool Championship an unprecedented 15 times. This famous pool player also holds the world record for the highest straight pool run, sinking 526 consecutive balls without missing.
Willie Mosconi’s disciplined style, precision, and player professionalism helped legitimize pocket billiards as a serious competitive sport and earned him a permanent place in the America Hall of Fame and recognition from the Billiard Congress of America. His achievements were frequently highlighted by Billiards Digest, which regarded Willie Mosconi as one of the top male players in pool history.
Shane Van Boening – Modern-Day Dominant Force
Born and raised near Rapid City, South Dakota, Shane Van Boening developed his disciplined style at a young age before rising to world champion status. Known as the “South Dakota Kid,” Shane Van Boening is one of the most successful and consistent professional pool players of the modern era. Despite living with a hearing impairment, Van Boening’s hard work helped him rise to the top through relentless practice, mental toughness, and technical mastery.
His notable achievements include winning a number of championships, dominating the Mosconi Cup, and spending long stretches ranked number one in the world. His success across nine-ball, ten-ball, and other formats makes him one of the highest-paid and most respected billiards players in professional pool today. There’s no doubt that his consistency and discipline have made him a frequent tournament winner in major international events.
Earl Strickland – Fierce Competitor and Champion
Earl Strickland, famously nicknamed “The Pearl,” is one of the most intense and formidable competitors in billiards history. Known for his emotional playing style and outspoken personality, Strickland backed up his confidence with results.
He won multiple WPA World Nine-Ball Championships, five U.S. Open Nine-Ball titles, and numerous international tournaments. While controversial at times, his raw talent as a pool player, shot-making ability, and competitive fire earned him a place in the Hall of Fame and solidified his reputation as one of the best billiards players ever.
Ralph Greenleaf – Early Pool Superstar
Ralph Greenleaf was the dominant figure of professional pool during the early 20th century and is often regarded as the first true superstar. He won 20 World Championships and was renowned for his extraordinary straight pool runs and cue ball control.
Ralph Greenleaf’s charisma and ability to perform under pressure helped elevate pocket billiards to a wider audience. His influence on the game was so significant that he became one of the first inductees into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame. He later won a place in the ranks among the greatest players of the century by Billiards Digest, further cementing the rest of his legacy in professional pool.
Minnesota Fats – Pool’s Most Famous Personality
Rudolph “Minnesota Fats” Wanderone may not have been the most decorated world champion, but he remains the most recognizable figure in billiards history. Known for his storytelling, showmanship, and larger-than-life personality, Minnesota Fats played a crucial role in popularizing pool through television appearances, exhibitions, and media exposure.
His skill and impact on the culture of the game earned him a place in the Hall of Fame, where he is remembered as the best pool player who shaped public perception of billiards rather than competitive dominance.
Jeanette Lee – The Black Widow
Jeanette Lee, famously known as “The Black Widow,” is one of the most influential female pool players of all time. Her aggressive playing style, mental strength, and commanding presence at the pool table helped bring women’s professional pool into the global spotlight.
Lee won numerous national and international titles, received the WPBA Sportsperson award, and was inducted into both the WPBA and BCA Hall of Fame. Beyond the trophies that she won, her legacy as a pool player lies in inspiring a new generation of female billiards players and expanding the audience.
Mike Sigel – Tactical Master of Professional Pool
Mike Sigel is a champion who dominated professional pool during the 1980s and 1990s with a highly disciplined and strategic approach to the game. Known for his precise safety play and tactical decision-making, Sigel won a number of world championships and major titles.
His tactical discipline and structured safety play reflected influences commonly seen in cue sports traditions from England, where precision and control are heavily emphasized. He reflected techniques often seen in snooker, particularly in cue ball control and safety. His consistent success and methodical style influenced how modern pool players approach match play. Sigel’s contributions were recognized with his induction into the BCA Hall of Fame.
Ko Pin Yi – World Champion of the New Generation
Ko Pin Yi from Taiwan represents the new era of the global professional pool. Calm, composed, and technically brilliant, he captured a number of WPA World Championships and regularly defeats top-ranked players on the international stage.
His success highlights the globalization of billiards, where elite pool players now emerge from across Asia, Europe, and beyond. He is widely regarded as one of the best billiards players competing in tournaments today.
Joshua Filler – Germany’s Rising Star
Joshua Filler is one of the most exciting young champions in the modern pool world. Known for his aggressive shot-making, confidence, and consistency under pressure, Filler has already secured a WPA World Championship and delivered standout performances in the Mosconi Cup.
He has quickly established himself among the top pool players globally and is frequently ranked near the top of the world standings. His breakthrough performances at the WPA World championships confirmed his place among the elite players of his generation.
Steve Mizerak – Nine-Ball Legend
Steve Mizerak, widely known as “The Miz,” was one of the most recognizable and accomplished professional pool players of the 1970s and early 1980s. A top player in nine-ball, Mizerak won multiple championships and was especially respected for his smooth stroke, precise cue ball control, and calm presence at the table.
He became a household name after appearing in the film The Color of Money, which helped introduce professional billiards skills to a broader audience and elevated the sport’s mainstream appeal.
Beyond his tournament success, Mizerak was admired for his professionalism and consistency during an era when pool was transitioning into a more structured competitive sport. His achievements earned him induction into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy among the greatest players in billiards history.
To this day, Steve Mizerak is a winner remembered not only for his titles but for helping bridge the gap between classic pool excellence and modern professional pool tournaments.
Final Thoughts on the Best Pool Players
From historic legends like Mosconi and Greenleaf to modern champions such as Van Boening, Ko Pin Yi, and Joshua Filler, the top pool players in the world share exceptional skill, discipline, and an enduring impact on the sport.
Whether competing in nine-ball, snooker, or another format entirely, these pool players define excellence at the table and continue to inspire the next generation of professional pool competitors.
