Efren Reyes requires no introduction to any fan of the game today. The winner of more major events than can possibly be named here, a member of the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame and known as possibly the greatest 9-ball player alive today.

With the assistance of the good folks at Shooters Sports Bar & Grill in Riverside California, we were very honored to conduct the following interview with a living legend in the game of 9-ball; 'The Magician' Efren Reyes.

AZB: First off, congratulations for your recent induction into the BCA Hall Of Fame. Can you tell us your thoughts about being inducted and the other players that are in the Hall of Fame?

Efren: My being inducted to the BCA hall of Fame came as a surprise. I thought the Hall of Fame was only meant for Americans. I was very honored because it gives recognition to my country (Philippines) which I represent in international pool events.

AZB: Can you tell us what got you started in billiards to begin with?

Efren: My uncle operates a poolhall in a commercial district in Manila, the Lucky 13 Billiards club. I started playing pool there at the age of 8. I had this strong will and determination to learn and play the game well. I liked watching the games of good players; imitating their shots, improvising them and coming up with some originality of my own. I started playing for money at the age of 9. From then on, my game rose up to greater levels year after year after year. By the time I reached 20 years old, I had become one of the top 2 players in the country, along with Jose "Amang" Parica.

AZB: What does your nickname "Bata" mean and how did you get that nickname?

Efren: During my teens, there was another guy by the name of Efren who shot good as well. To distinguish myself from the other Efren, my friends came up with an alias of Efren "Bata" Reyes. The literal translation of "Bata" is "The Kid".

AZB: You came over to the states and took the pro 9-ball scene by storm in the mid-80's. Did you think that you would have that much success in your first trip to the states?

Efren: First time I came over to the states, I used an alias of Cesar Morales. Pool players in the US already knew Efren Reyes as a great shooter from the Philippines but they haven't seen him yet in person. I joined the Red Houston Texas Open in 1985 and won that tournament. There I got to play the top Texas players like Buddy Hall and CJ Wiley. That's how I started to be known in the US.

AZB: What was the largest amount of money you won in a pool match?

Efren: The Tokyo Open International IBC tournament in 2001 is the biggest prize money I have ever won in a pool tournament. The most memorable however is the World Championship in Cardiff, Wales in 1999 when I played against Fong Pang Chao in the finals. It was most memorable because it was a lot tougher with many good players plus the fact that it was held in Europe where I don't visit too often.

AZB: What exactly is it that you do so much better than all the other players out there?

Efren: Most great players develop their expertise and exceptional play in one particular pool game be it pocket billiards, snooker or billiards. It is extremely hard to specialize in 2 of those 3 categories. I am an all around player. I play very well in all 3 categories.

AZB: You have won a world championship, a US Open championship and the largest payday in professional pool. What continues to drive you to play the game?

Efren: Just like any other person, one has to work to earn a living to support himself and his family. Playing pool is my primary source of living. I have a family back there in the Philippines and 3 children that provide me with the inspiration and moral backing.

AZB: Do you have goals that you have not yet achieved?

Efren: Setting pool aside, one of my primary goals in life is for all of my children to attain college degrees.

AZB: How much longer do you see yourself competing at the top level?

Efren: If the Lord will allow, I still see myself competing against other top players for at least another 10 years

AZB: You have won tournaments in just about every game that involves balls and a cue. What is your favorite game and why?

Efren: Since I started playing pool at the age of 8, rotation has been the most popular game until the early 90's when 9 ball started to become popular. Rotation is one of my two favorite games. To win, one has to score 61 points. The lowest ball on the table is the object ball and the ball is worth its points. My other favorite game is 18-1 balkline which is billiards. In this game, the playing surface is subdivided into grids. There is one big center grid and those side grids. All 3 carom balls can only be inside a side grid one time. However, the 3 balls can still be inside the same grid but one of the balls must exit the grid before regrouping inside the same grid. There isn't much money to make in carom billiards though and that is why I tried to learn other games like 9 ball and one pocket. My weakest game is 9 ball because you need a lot of weight to be able to break good which obviously I don't have.

AZB: Pool, chess, cards. Which is the most challenging? Which do you enjoy the most?

Efren: There is no substitute for pool. But when I am not playing pool, I likes playing cards and chess. I enjoy these as pastimes.

AZB: Many of the top 9-ball players in the world feel that you are the best 9-ball player of all time. Which players do you feel are the biggest challenge to play?

Efren: There are so many good pool players here in the US. The Americans are good in breaking which is already a clear advantage in 9 ball. Anyone can win in 9 ball especially when you get hot on the breaks; A 100th ranked player can beat a top 10 player. In the US, Strickland is tough to contend with. In the Philippines, Bustamante is a strong 9 ball player. But in one pocket, the skill advantage can be capitalized; most of the time the better player wins in one pocket. Cliff Joyner is a tough one pocket player.

AZB: There are so many good players coming over to the states from the Phillippines. Who do you think is the next big star coming from there?

Efren: There are many young promising players in the Philippines like Lee Van Corteza, Dennis Orcullo and Warren Kiamco but of all the players, I think Ronnie Alcano is the one who has more or less adopted my style of play.

AZB: Why do so many top players come from the Phillippines?

Efren: Many top players come from the Philippines simply because the game is very popular all over the country. There are many sponsors that back up the sport. The game is so popular that in fact it is even shown live on prime time television.

AZB: What do you do when you are away from the table and not playing pool? What do you do to relax?

Efren: Again, my favorite pastimes are playing cards and chess, for money of course because that brings the excitement. I also like watching movies on the big screen.

AZB: What advice would you have for a young player making his way up the ranks and wanting to become a professional pool player?

Efren: My advice to young players is to prioritize their education first before pool. Stay away from bad vices like drugs.

Photos courtesy of Mark Whiteside and Matchroom Sport