In the world of billiards, there are moments that are more than just shots—they are magic. And once again, “The Magician” Efren Bata Reyes delivered one. The legendary match between Efren Reyes and Jimmy White took place in front of thousands of fans at a special exhibition tournament, where two of the world’s greatest billiards icons reunited not just to compete, but to demonstrate the respect, sportsmanship, and artistry of the game.
From the very first minute, the atmosphere in the room was electric. Both Jimmy White and Efren Reyes are living legends, each with a massive legacy and a loyal fan base around the world. Jimmy White, "The Whirlwind" - who once stormed the world snooker scene throughout the 80s and 90s, faced Efren "The Magician" Reyes - an immortal icon of 9-ball pool and a master of tactics, cunning and incredible precision.
The match took place in a friendly yet competitive atmosphere. Both played with top-notch technique, launching shots that showed both virtuosity and sophistication, leaving the audience unable to take their eyes off. During the nearly hour-long match, each time Reyes or White stepped up to the table was a performance of art. Reyes, as usual, controlled the cue with a lightness that seemed like a dance, his spins and perfect runs of the ball left both his opponent and the audience in awe. Jimmy White, with the spirit of a former champion, was not far behind, responding with precise and surprisingly fast shots.
But the legendary moment came in the final game – a moment when it seemed as if both sides had run out of ideas. Reyes had only one 9 ball left to finish the match, but the ball was at an extremely difficult angle: close to the edge of the table, blocked by two other balls, making it almost impossible to reach.
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The audience held their breath, the camera zoomed in on Jimmy White – who was standing behind Reyes with a look of both seriousness and anticipation for the impossible.
Efren Reyes watched the table for a few seconds – and then it was as if time stood still. He bent down, adjusted his stance, tapped the cue, and took the shot. The 9 ball followed a magical arc, skimmed through the impossibly narrow slot, bounced off the bench, and landed precisely in the middle corner of the net – a shot so perfect that the crowd erupted in cheers. But the most remarkable thing was Jimmy White’s reaction. He stood there, stunned for a few seconds, then burst out laughing – a smile full of admiration and affection. He approached Reyes, shook his hand and whispered something that made Reyes laugh too.
That moment went viral on social media, not only because of the magic of the shot, but because of the beautiful image between the two monuments. It was proof that billiards is not just a battle of scores, but also a place where art, friendship and mutual respect converge. Jimmy White – once known as one of the most talented players in England – smiled not because he lost, but because he knew he had just witnessed a miracle – something that could only happen when Efren Reyes was holding the cue.
In a post-match interview, Jimmy White joked to reporters: “I’ve seen a thousand crazy shots in my life, but that one from Reyes… I don’t know! There’s no logic to that shot. I don’t know how many more miracles Reyes has left in his body, but I’m sure that every time he steps up to the table, the whole world should be watching.”
As for Reyes, he just smiled modestly and said: “I just hit it by feel. I thought the ball could go that way, so I tried it. And when I saw it go in the pocket, I breathed a sigh of relief. I know Jimmy is a formidable player, and it was a great honor to play against him today.”
Experts say that Reyes’ final shot not only demonstrated skill, but also the pinnacle of intelligence and character. It was not luck – but the result of decades of practice, competition and experience. What made fans love Reyes was not only his superb ball-playing ability, but also his humility, sportsmanship and true love for the sport.
The world billiards community later called that moment the “Immortal Shot”. Forums from Asia to Europe and the US shared the video of that moment with thousands of compliments. Comments such as “The living god of cues”, “Only Reyes can do that”, “Jimmy’s smile makes the whole world happy” flooded social networking sites.
And indeed, the moment Reyes made the divine shot, and Jimmy White smiled, will live forever in the hearts of fans. It was not only a beautiful ending to a legendary match, but also a symbol of the spirit of billiards – where talent, creativity and friendship shine together.
Efren Reyes, with that shot, once again affirmed: the magic of billiards still exists – as long as "The Magician" holds the cue. And Jimmy White, with his gentle smile, proved that – the real glory lies not in winning, but in witnessing something extraordinary.
