In the rich history of cue sports, few names resonate as powerfully as Efren “Bata” Reyes. Nicknamed “The Magician”, Reyes has captured the hearts of fans and the respect of fellow professionals worldwide with his unbelievable shot-making, mind-blowing cue ball control, and seemingly supernatural ability to read the table. Watching Efren Reyes play is like watching a grandmaster at chess—except the pieces are moving in curves, cushions, and miraculous spins.
Over the years, Reyes has delivered countless jaw-dropping shots, but here we count down 10 of the most amazing, unforgettable, and downright unbelievable moves that have left the world speechless.
🎯 1. The Z-Shot Escape (The "Impossible Safety")
In a high-stakes 9-ball match, Efren was completely snookered. Most players would have given up the rack, but not Reyes. With calm precision, he struck the cue ball with left English, sending it on a zigzag “Z” pattern across three rails and tapping the target ball perfectly—not just making contact, but sending it to safety. The crowd gasped. The commentator screamed, “That’s not even real!”
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🎱 2. The “Kick and Stick” Combo
Facing a two-way combo shot with no clean angle, Reyes didn’t just attempt to pot the ball—he made a three-rail kick combo and left the cue ball frozen behind another ball, snookering his opponent. This wasn’t just a shot; it was a masterclass in strategy, offense, and defense, all in one move.
🌪️ 3. The 90-Degree Masse Curve Shot
Perhaps one of his most viral moments, Reyes faced a cue ball cornered with no visible path to the object ball. With a masterful masse stroke, he curved the cue ball around two balls at nearly a 90-degree angle and pocketed the target ball cleanly. Even seasoned pros watching in the audience stood up in disbelief.
🔥 4. The "No-Look" Carom Genius
In a friendly match (that quickly became legendary), Reyes calmly leaned over and, without even properly aiming, pulled off a no-look carom shot that made the ball travel off two rails and strike the target for a perfect point. The crowd thought it was a joke—until it worked. Pure magic.
🌀 5. The Reverse 4-Rail Safety
On a table loaded with obstacles, Reyes found a way to kick the cue ball around four rails in reverse—ending in a safety so perfect that even his opponent clapped. It was defensive play at an offensive level, showing how Reyes sees the game from angles most can’t imagine.
đź‘‘Â 6. The Signature 3-Cushion Billiard Shot
Before he was the king of 9-ball, Reyes dominated 3-cushion billiards. One of his most admired shots came in a tight 3-cushion match, where he manipulated the cue ball to travel around the table with six-point precision, barely clipping each ball for the point. The control was surgical—fans still watch that clip today in awe.
🎩 7. The “Magic Jump Bank” Shot
With balls cluttered and the object ball nearly unreachable, Reyes opted for a jump-bank combo. He lifted the cue ball just enough to bounce over a blocker, strike the object ball, bank it off the rail, and sink it in the side pocket. The crowd didn’t even cheer at first—they were too stunned to react.
🔮 8. The Frozen Combo Redemption
In a championship round, Reyes faced a combo where the object ball was frozen to the rail. Instead of playing it safe, he hit it with a soft, spinning touch that nudged the cue ball off the object just right—pocketing the second ball and leaving perfect position for the next. It was part geometry, part witchcraft.
🧠 9. The Mental Trap Shot
Not every shot Reyes pulls off is flashy—some are just smart beyond belief. In one match, he played a deceptive shot that baited his opponent into thinking there was an open opportunity—only for them to fall right into a trap Reyes had set two moves in advance. It wasn’t just cueing skills; it was chess-level psychology.
đź’ĄÂ 10. The World Shocker: The Two-in-One Final Shot
In the finals of a major tournament, Reyes closed out a rack by sinking two balls in one miraculous shot—a long bank that ricocheted into a side pocket and a carom that dropped a second ball. The shot clinched the game. The crowd exploded. Reyes just smiled. Business as usual for the Magician.
🎤 Why These Shots Matter
Each of these moments isn't just a highlight—they're testaments to the way Efren Reyes changed the game forever. While many pros focus on power or precision, Reyes brings something different to the table: imagination. He sees shots before they happen. He feels angles most players never consider. And at every point in his career—from his early dominance to his masterful displays in his 60s—Reyes has shown that greatness isn’t just about winning. It’s about creating moments.
Fans, young players, and even seasoned champions continue to study Reyes’ moves not just to admire them, but to learn from them. His creativity has redefined what’s possible in pool, and his humility makes him beloved by everyone who’s ever picked up a cue.
🌟 A Living Legend
At 68 years old, many players would be long retired, but Efren Reyes continues to mesmerize fans. Every time he picks up a cue, there’s the chance you’ll witness something magical. Something you won't believe with your eyes.
These 10 shots? They’re just the beginning. Because when you're watching Efren Reyes, you're not just watching pool—you’re watching art in motion.
