There are times in sports when an athlete not only surpasses his opponent, but also surpasses the limits of the sport itself. In the world of billiards, the name Efren “Bata” Reyes is living proof of that. He is not only a talented player, but also an artist with the cue in his hand, turning the ball into a living art. But among all his genius qualities, there is one that the whole billiards world takes its hat off to – his ability to control the cue ball to perfection.
For professional billiards players, the ability to control the cue ball is a vital factor. It not only determines the next move but also affects the entire strategy of each shot. But what sets Reyes apart is that he does not just control the cue ball in a calculated way, but he seems to feel the ball, read the table, and know exactly to the millimeter where to put the cue ball. His shots were more than just technique – they were music.
In a famous international match, when his opponent thought Reyes was stuck with the cue ball stuck in the corner of the table – he gently used a light touch with backspin, sent the cue ball through a small gap between the two opponent balls, bounced the cushion and returned to the right position to clear the table. The audience stood up and applauded, while his opponent could only laugh and shake his head, admitting that he had just witnessed an “unbelievable” move. Pool experts later had to watch this shot many times, analyzing every angle, but still could not understand the subtlety of the cue ball’s trajectory.
Reyes’s magical cue ball control appeared in countless matches throughout his career. Many of the world’s top players have admitted: “Sometimes I feel like he is playing a completely different game from the rest.” They practice thousands of hours to achieve precision, while Reyes seems to only need feel – as if the cue is an extension of his own soul.
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Besides technique, what makes Reyes admirable is his calmness and humility. He does not boast, does not show off, even when he makes historic shots. When asked about the secret to his cue ball control, he just smiles and says: “I play a lot, so I feel the table.” It is this simplicity that makes him even greater in the eyes of his fans.
The modern world of billiards has seen many young talents emerge, with technology and techniques increasingly standardized. But when it comes to “cue ball control”, the name Efren Reyes is still the gold standard. In billiards academies in the US, Europe or Japan, videos of Reyes are included in the curriculum to teach the next generation. They not only learn his techniques, but also learn how he uses psychology, feeling and composure to master the table.
A top Japanese billiards coach once said: “I can teach my students how to hit accurately, how to read the ball. But I cannot teach them how to control the cue ball like Reyes. That is a natural talent. It is the fusion of the person and the billiard table.” A simple but powerful comment – because Reyes not only plays the ball, he inspires.
There are videos recording Reyes' amazing shots that have reached millions of views. Even people who do not know how to play billiards are fascinated by the way he makes the ball “dance” – gently, smoothly, enchantingly. It feels like watching a magician control a small universe within the rectangular table frame.
At the age of over 60, Efren Reyes no longer plays at the top level regularly, but every time he appears in a tournament or a friendly match, the audience still flocks to him. They don't just come to see who wins and who loses - they come to witness a living legend, a man who can make the cue ball obey better than anyone in history.
Perhaps, what makes the world respect Efren Reyes the most is not only his extraordinary ability to control the cue ball, but his humble personality and never-ending passion for this game. When a person is an artist, a warrior, and a symbol of simplicity - that's when they become a legend.
And with Efren Reyes, every time he puts the cue down on the table, the billiards world watches in silence, waiting for a miracle from the "Cue Wizard" - the man who the whole world says in unison: "Unbelievable!"
