Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Earl Strickland | 1996 Mosconi Cup

[@jamsams]

Earl is the most American looking man on the planet. He also looks like a Simpsons character.

[@DashDrones]

Yeah he has a Michael Scott look about him too.

[@new2POOL208]

Omg yes

[@hanshart1472]

Ned Flanders

[@everfresh29]

😂😂😂

[@evilotis01]

loooooooool very very true

[@gustavopp83]

I've seen this match countless times. How much I enjoy watching Ronnie play the sport I love. Such a talent and character, what's not to love here?

[@Crusader1815]

Snooker commentators and atmosphere: PGA Pool commentators and atmosphere: WWE

[@matimus100]

Pools not a sport cross

[@Dickinabox]

Now I want JR doing commentary lol, or Joey styles

[@jamminman9585]

@@matimus100pool is a sport buffoon

[@JackRabbit617]

Yet we live in a world where Golf is in the Olympics, 🤷‍♂️

[@misternewman1576]

Crazy how Ronnie is still #1 snooker player in the world 27 years later.

[@oldmanfromnorthland7391]

That's because he's a genius of snooker.

[@oldmanfromnorthland7391]

@Artie_Fufkin_ u just name someone who's won more titles than Ronny u hater) Or it's probably armchair critics like u who are genius)) It's a pity noone has ever heard of that bunch of losers) Happy new year.

[@ludmilavelychenko2218]

Уникальный игрок

[@RalphJrTrozzo]

Youngest and now oldest masters winner. Ronnie is alone in his class. What a masters championship yesterday.

[@jacquelinebishop8465]

Well that was incorrect what youve said . Also if he'd have been stuck at number 1 for his 30 years as a professional then yes is would be . However that's not been the case . Please keep up to date if you're going to follow snooker.. please get your facts in order sir 🎉 Good day to you

[@cjwiley1541]

I remember this match, Ronnie played well under the pressure. Earl and I played the final match against Ronnie and Steve Davis for the win.....what a rush, winning the Mosconi Cup against two of the greatest with Earl as my partner! It's the most pressure I've ever felt on one match in London England!

[@peyvandvala8645]

Wow what a legend!

[@rolaraus]

Ronnie played well?! He was clanging balls around like he had a bucket on his head- half a dozen mistakes easy. The format tempered their impact, IMHO.

[@dnmoscato92]

When you coming back to omaha. I'd like a session with you

[@roimar2983]

Congratz man

[@the_alchemy_method]

They should run an event for snooker vs the pool players.

[@justaturtlepassingthrough3972]

the way ronnie just drains ball after ball... i see pool professionals struggle with balls that the rocket just makes with no hesitation. truly the greatest

[@Scorch428]

oh, is he gay?

[@TanWam]

@@Scorch428 gotta step up your comedy

[@abdelkoudouselhorri9119]

@@TanWam na for real dude ain’t struggling with them balls tho

[@williamsheppard8738]

​@@TanWamhe could have easily made the transition from a snooker player to a professional pool player and absolutely dominated I know for a fact that no pool player has ever did that the other way around however snooker players have did exactly that transition to professional pool players and absolutely dominated 🤷 so you might need to step up your comedy 😜

[@Comedyandcontroversy87]

That's the difference between snooker players and pool players pal

[@davidhunternyc1]

Wow! I had never seen this before. Reminds me of the World Nine Ball match between Reyes and Davis. With Ronnie's most recent World Snooker Championship win, to me, it proves that Ronnie O'Sullivan is the greatest cueist who ever lived. It also cements, for me, that snooker is the greatest of all cue sports.

[@jrw0707]

Not gonna get a argument from me… I’m disappointed in how Trump played in the US open awhile back. I wasn’t expecting him to win but I thought he would have played better. But Ronnie, Efren are tops for me

[@gokusgames]

I mean snooker table are much bigger and smaller balls and pockets.. ronnie has too much advantage

[@RichardsWorld]

@@gokusgames Snooker players don't put much spin on the ball, Ronnie being able to use it on a pool table is a new skill to learn. Pocketting the balls is easy for snooker players though. I always wondered what would have happened if Ronnie stopped playing snooker and played pool for awhile.

[@user-zu6qn9ux9n]

@@RichardsWorld not much spin 😂😂😂. Guess you’ve not watched much snooker.

[@MatthiasKnapen]

@blueboy189 less mass actually means easier to put spin on it.

[@luciferm9647]

1996 Ronny was just 21 and already a force in Snooker, and apparently also in Pool. Such an amazing player.

[@godjhaka7376]

Earl was a force since the 60s, 70s. Way before Ronnie time

[@luciferm9647]

@@godjhaka7376 Earl is much older than Ronnie so of course he was successful earlier than Ronnie (although not until the late Seventies). Earl is a worldclass Player, no argument there. But at that Point he was 9-Ball World Champion, Ronnie had never played 9 Ball before, so him beating Earl is really impressive and shows his class.

[@psijicassassin7166]

For a snooker man, Ronnie missed that pot on the one. And to think snooker players say pool is an easier game because of its larger pockets.

[@wd-rb2lf]

@@godjhaka7376 Earl was born in 1961, so how the heck could he be a force in the 60s unless he's played since he was born

[@marksturgill3382]

​@@luciferm9647Y'all are about ignorant too think Ronnie had never played 9 ball before! Lol maybe not at this level but trust me He's played plenty of 9 ball I'm sure! Probably 8 ball one pocket straight pool you name it hes played it

[@Montana45313]

I'd like to see American pool players play snooker

[@jesusislord7526]

agreed. Snooker is a more difficult game. They are different animals.

[@blurbadam5500]

The American commentary makes this almost unbearable: To be a sports commentator in America you apparently don’t need to know the game, or how to speak. “What he is going to do here, oops no he did something else” “the Americans don’t expect these snooker players to have any cue ball control”

[@allaboutthemusico]

That Green @ 11:20 !! was a mile off the pocket and It still went in makes you laugh 😂

[@alexpaic2984]

It will never happen. They can’t! They can only pot balls on little kids tables. Put them on a snooker table twice as big with smaller pockets, from professional pool players they become amateurs. I can probably play Strickland and give him a hell of a run at snooker. Imagine Strickland taking on O’Sullivan at snooker. It would be so embarrassing. I can see Ronnie playing left hand the entire match and still whitewash the shit out of Strickland and we all know I’m not exaggerating when I say this. I would love to see it though.

[@dpz7184]

Sorry, our rich kids play other sports...

[@snoopsnet8150]

Am I the only one seeing an INSANE amount of table roll for a professional match?! Seriously, the shoot off for the beginning of the second match rolled nearly a full diamond on Ronnie!

[@the_last_god_2321]

Thought I was tripping but yea most definitely

[@pete-dog]

Yep...cue ball came off the rail moving slightly right but ended up going way left on the other side.

[@tomahawkANDscopZ]

I noticed that too, seems to be rolling left which is insane. How does noone notice this in a professional tournament?

[@Abnsdllnnlosnfd]

17:05 Ronnie noticed it though

[@RossTheNinja]

It's on the piss

[@sshakababy]

Commentator: who would've thought Ronnie O Sullivan would displace a 5 time world champion. Mick Price: 🙋‍♂️

[@l.e.alvord6171]

I did

[@formerlybernard6460]

Me too. With ease. Imagine if he was playing seriously for serious money,

[@rogerharris231]

@@basvankaam2894 Perhaps, but only if the snooker player took the time and effort to retrain his muscle memory for the larger, heavier balls and different cloth, and to learn the many shots that a 9-ball player must know that simply aren't used in snooker. I have to wonder how much you know about the games.

[@basvankaam2894]

@@rogerharris231 Maybe magic is a bit too much, you are right. But without any practice a solid snooker player will do quite well, almost instantly. A pool player on a snooker table is a different story. And trust me, I have been around for a while.

[@avsroy]

@@basvankaam2894 you are absolutely right mate. I was born and raised in communist Czechoslovakia and these "western games" only came along in early 90's. I started to learn american pool on 6 feet table in 1993, later moved onto 9 feet table (that's the one Ronnie vs Earl played on) and I was runner up in 9 ball national championship in 1996. Then I moved to England in 2004 and came across snooker table. As soon as I tried it I went like "ohh shit this is a very different ball game, literally"... Smaller, lighter balls, different cue, different angles on a table just a bit smaller than football pitch lol And the pockets are not forgiving at all. You either hit it dead straight in or you are screwed. Nothing like as on pool table. And we could all easily see how Ronnie had his cue ball control in his pocket. Well deserved win!! Happy New Year ;)

[@HK-bq2ej]

Ronnie: This game is a joke Earl: Devotes his life to the game Also Earl: Still loses to Ronnie

[@seabulls69]

That one announcer certainly seems to worship Strickland, doesn't he?

[@HK-bq2ej]

@@seabulls69 He does yes, and talks down about Ronnie's ability. Probably never even seen a snooker table before.

[@raymondphillips7107]

It was a race to 9. I bet you if they played a longer race, Earl would win 95:present of the time.

[@HK-bq2ej]

@@raymondphillips7107 If Ronnie and Earl played snooker race to 9, Earl would loose every single time, every single frame... thats the type of game snooker is. Anyone who has played snooker would understand :D

[@raymondphillips7107]

@@HK-bq2ej all you hear is how snooker is so superior and the table is so small, and the pockets are so big. I guarantee Ronnie couldn’t beat Earl, Shane, Dennis in a long set of any pool game.

[@plannine6542]

What an absolute gem of a match! Earl relatively quiet and playing without any oddball accessories. Ronnie a bit sheepish about not quite understanding the rules. This match had character.

[@pberPSR]

no accessories

[@StephenLMW]

Ronnie o Sullivan is hands down the greatest player ever to have held a cue he's so naturally talented and plays like Steve Davis and Jimmy white combined together

[@BakerNo.9]

Now I’m a Ronnie fan but that’s a stretch. Snooker and Pool are two different games and Ronnie is excellent at one of them.

[@Deadeye1967]

@@BakerNo.9 Where did he mention pool? He is now widely acknowledged as the greatest snooker player ever. There are highly skilled pool players but they'd be useless on the pro snooker tour, whereas Ronnie and othe top snooker player could play any pro pool tour and do well. Selby was the 2006 World Eight-ball Pool Federation champion.

[@BakerNo.9]

@@Deadeye1967 seeing how that both pool, snooker and billiards are all played with a “cue” then pool would be included in that statement. I do agree Ronnie is a better pool player than an American would be at playing Snooker. I don’t have to win this debate, I just don’t think the statement is accurate, that’s all.

[@Deadeye1967]

@@BakerNo.9 it is his opinion and mine too.

[@BakerNo.9]

@Mateusz Kornaś yes I did sir. I’ve been around the diamonds myself and Ronnie is the best in the world at Snooker, not the best in other cue sports. He’s a helluva straight shooter and a clutch player but he would have to give up snooker to be the best in the world on a regular ole pool match. My friends, they are just 2 different games. Both played with a cue stick.

[@mikethebeginner]

Announcer: "Who would have thought that he could displace a five-time world 9-ball champion." Crowd: All of us

[@ryanrobinson8682]

I thought exactly the same when he said it, I thought.. He probably doesnt actually know that much about Ronnie if he makes a comment like that..

[@edwells4769]

Ronnie hadn't won a world championship at this time and didn't have the pedigree he does now. Its easy to look back and say "well of course"

[@billdevitt4324]

Anyone who has played snooker! ☺

[@edwells4769]

@@ft3989 Hindsight is 20/20. He had won 2 ranking tournaments at this time and Hendry, Davis, etc were still the big names. You probably had no idea who he was in 96, let alone know he would be the greatest snooker player we had ever seen.

[@kenshields7922]

@@ryanrobinson8682 in other words hes usa we are the masters well ronnie showed the usa how to play

[@seancyco9446]

YES!!! Absolutely Brilliant, couldn't take my eyes off the match for a second. Ronnie comes in as an underdog & beats Strickland at his own game.

[@useranother667]

It's just Mosconi lol

[@Abc86aik]

@@useranother667 it was america vs europe and no american in the world would think "its just mosconi lol" when playing for their country...

[@useranother667]

didnt know europe was a country. nor america tbh

[@frankberryfilms]

To call Strickland's cue action enviable, when O'Sullivan is in the building, definitely made me smile... And I don't think I can/will ever get used to how much you can get away with on those tables, as far as bouncing off a cushion half way along, drifting away, but still dropping in... It's a different world to snooker - great to watch, but definitely a culture shock

[@johnlewis9158]

snooker is chess while pool in comparison is draughts

[@danm5602]

@@johnlewis9158 A better comparison would be classic vs bullet, considering the great wealth of positional play that also exists in pool; but somehow I think you just wanted to get one up on the yanks.

[@oldbloke135]

@@johnlewis9158 Rubbish. At the level most mortals play, pool is a lot more tactical than snooker. Ronnie makes it look incredibly easy because he has the best cue ball control of any cueist in history.

[@johnlewis9158]

@@oldbloke135No pool player could win a single frame against any snooker player worth their salt. Indeed those top pool players who have tried their hand at snooker were very soon put in their place by club players lol

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

@@johnlewis9158 Cliff Thorburn? I seem to remember was an excellent snooker player who was already known as a top pool player .

[@MezcalRainDance]

Almost 90% of the matches Earl plays are against himself.

[@MarshTheDarsh]

Searing hot take right here

[@chabilihicham7136]

Same can be said on Ronnie

[@TAROTAI]

Earl the squirrel

[@chakko007]

@@chabilihicham7136 Yep, valid for both players. For Earl, a bit more though.

[@divinechirwa1718]

Efren was a trouble to him

[@renias8965]

“Who could’ve thought that Ronnie would beat the 5-time world champion” Ronnie is a pure,immaculate genius!

[@johnsheridan8281]

He could of beat him left handed thats why he is the best, I completely agree with you Genius on a pool or snooker table

[@alexpaic2984]

Snooker players dismissed top pool players so many times over the years. Snooker players do not play pool enough but they can easily excel at it with little effort if they want. Another example of a good game I remember Steve Davis beat Efren Reyes a while back but there are many good snooker players wiped the floor with so many pool players. I’ve seen Alex Higgins Jimmy white mark Williams even mark selby ive seen play good pool players and win games. Never seen it the other way around though. 😂

[@raydology]

@@alexpaic2984 kind of obvious! But the weirdest thing is how long it is taking to develop an American (this was played in 1996) maybe Alison Fisher has bred a child by now.

[@LJ2K2025]

@@alexpaic2984 Pool is an easy game you miss 1 shot its over

[@diogomota1400]

@@alexpaic2984 Efren Heys wasn't in his prime when he faced Steve Davis. It's not good to isolate a game and say that player X is superior, Efren Heys was also a champion playing pool.

[@nzdefrag]

This is awesome. I have been a snooker fan since 1985 and got to these videos from watching Ronnie etc in snooker games. Now I am also a 9 ball fan. I thought I knew about it but had no idea.. the sink the 9 early if you can is the boss rule. Awesome to have another sport to watch now, just 35 years too late. 🙂

[@Astro-X-Ent]

The match you never knew you needed to see of the 🚀 Ronnie O'Sullivan ✅✅✅

[@avsroy]

Strickland could say to himself "Well, I played this kiddo some 25yrs ago who turned out to be the greatest player ever. What an honour for me to give him a few frames"...

[@chakko007]

He probably really said to himself "Well... kid just got lucky."

[@RagedContinuum]

they played 8 ball later in american pool hustle and earl won

[@toziassmitt]

@@RagedContinuum when Earl was old and using loads of equipment just to keep still, in a pool hall whilst Ronnie filmed a documentary. If you think Ronnie was playing 100% there you’re off your rocker lol. Mosconi cup vs a game in a pool hall for a documentary

[@bertjetolberg103]

Earl would say the same as always ”Yeah but he got all the easy balls”😂

[@jamesthenabignumber]

I love the sportsmanship here. Strickland and O'Sullivan show such respect for each other, and it's great to see the two top players acknowledging each other's abilities.

[@godjhaka7376]

Most every match of professional pool is this way. Is this the first match you've ever watched James ?

[@vource2670]

@@godjhaka7376 think he’s just use to Strickland launching his cues at children

[@matimus100]

Pools not a sport right

[@johncgw4011]

I'd love to see Strickland acknowledge O'Sullivan's abilities by playing him a few sets at snooker lol.

[@dazzosheps]

Just realised the ref is Alan Chamberlain, who sadly passed away a few days ago. A top ref in snooker and was much respected.

[@simonal1989]

Alan openly admitted on TV that he liked to wear women's underwear.

[@QXZ9027MKII]

God bless his Soul.

[@ChrisHopkinsBass]

@@simonal1989I think that was Tony Knowles

[@bossahmed4085]

This is exactly what Ronnie lives for! killing giants at their own game! wow! immaculate performance by Ronnie. Earl got unlucky and not taking anything away from his incredible career!

[@b4ssfunk3d]

Earl had some bad rolls, but Ronnie capitalized later on with every opportunity. He only struggled at the beginning.

[@RonaldVCg]

I just love how Ronnie carelessly breaks off with his snooker que..

[@GrrMeister]

Cue ! 🤣

[@matimus100]

Easy lover

[@sonic_sabbath]

I used to do the same. I played semi-pro 8-ball and used a snooker cue. Also used it to break.

[@overnightdelivery]

17:15 Announcer thinks Ronnie is shaking his head because he hit a bad shot. No... he can't believe how bad the table is. Table is clearly slanted to one side.

[@bigsassyster]

All pool tables are

[@ryangorman3404]

Is that intentional?

[@bigsassyster]

@@ryangorman3404 yes

[@zhenshuang]

@@bigsassyster Is it because of low quality of manufacture?

[@ryangorman3404]

I’m guessing there’s a more practical reason like

[@stebrown7939]

They dont expect snooker players to have cue ball control, thats funny

[@cosmiccasserole6217]

I believe that comment was made because of the difference in the size, mass, and weight of the balls. From what I understand snooker balls are much easier to manipulate, especially in the spin department. So I doubt the commentator meant to denounce his skill. If he did though, that'd been a riot.

[@iweoldtimer]

@@cosmiccasserole6217 are u kidding me? The smaller ball size the greater precision needed. It's Physique.

[@stebrown7939]

@@cosmiccasserole6217 thought that myself at the time but it's still funny, specially knowing how good Ronnie became! I have played pool and snooker myself for about 18 years (and still bad) but I do find it easier to control the pool cue ball just because I'm more precise on a smaller table, I fuck the long shotsup on snooker all the time

[@cosmiccasserole6217]

@@iweoldtimer In terms of angled shots, very true, but we're talking about inertia here. Unless the player needs to swerve a ball around another thats in the way, having "cue ball control" is more related to the positional part of the shot. Without being able to get a Pool ball to spin fast enough, it can only go whatever direction the (hopefully) potted ball sends it. This is why you see backspin and all sorts of wizardry more often in Snooker

[@cosmiccasserole6217]

@@stebrown7939 Wow, that's awesome. I've only been watching Snooker and casually playing pool for the past two years, I'd love to get into it more. Cheers mate!

[@RollieWilliams]

There may have been more billiards talent at this table than any in history.

[@ElBarcoGaming]

Excluding yourself of course #greatestplayerinhistoryinthemaking

[@ElBarcoGaming]

also #holdmybeer kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZW9oqStl9WBr9U

[@brianbell3028]

Wait a second...Hunter and Rollie aren't on this table...

[@poolplayerfl]

Always nice to see a cocky sore loser get what he deserves.

[@peyvandvala8645]

Exactly

[@DoniwiN]

This is one of the best uploads ever. Thank you so much!

[@mack_mcmillan]

ROS is damn near the best cue artist I've ever seen. Our pool gods can't play HIS game, but he can most definitely play theirs. Poor Ronnie hadn't figured out a snooker cue isn't your friend on a pool table at this point, either, and still got the job done. As a fan of an ash shaft, the deflection lacks, to put it lightly.

[@theshapeexists]

Ronnie is the best snooker player of all time. Efren Reyes is the best pool player of all time

[@mack_mcmillan]

@@theshapeexists I'll give you that, but Ronnie wouldn't get skunked on a pool table as much as Efren would on a snooker table. Apples to oranges in how the table layout (pocket size and shape, extra size), but I see your point! Bata is the MAN!

[@toziassmitt]

@@theshapeexists Efren Reyes couldn’t hold a candle to Ronnie. If Ronnie played Efren in pool, Efren would likely win, but it would be close. If Efren played Ronnie in snooker, it would be a one sided beat down. Says it all

[@colincolenso]

The shaft materials, be it ash, maple or carbon fiber play almost zero role in CB deflection as they are similar densities. Tip End Mass is the key variable and is mostly determined by ferule properties and cue tip diameter. From memory, Ronnie plays with a 9.4mm tip diameter with a thinner than standard brass ferule. His cue would have thrown / defelected a little less than a Z shaft.

[@mack_mcmillan]

@@colincolenso None of which says ROS wouldn't be better on a pool table with a standard pool cue than he did with a snooker cue. Thanks for the dissertation to tell me what I said, though. Hehe

[@SundownCity]

While, of course, they are both exceptionally talented players I was amazed how many fairly easy shots that both of them missed.

[@masterdurick5667]

Is this table uneven or something?

[@anti-Russia-sigma]

Wow!My favourite 9 ball pool player & my favourite snooker player.So.Thanks for the show.

[@petermernagh9991]

The fact that a snooker player can just rock up and beat full time pool professionals just shows how easy pool is in comparison to snooker

[@paleshelter4002]

lol

[@AngrierGorilla]

this was another era of pool, nowadays with different tables and very hard break rules it would be a completely different story. The game has changed dramatically, pool players are way more professional now. Almost robotic...

[@AngrierGorilla]

@varun prasad ok "fairly well" but nowhere near the "dominance" that many people believe would be. However the point is that a snooker player to be really competitive in pool should focus 100% on that discipline, and as you said it's not worth it. My only observation was that in 1996 a snooker player could compete in Mosconi Cup without previous practice, now it would be impossible, the game is much harder. Another thing to notice is that Mosconi Cup is not a great way to confront players, matches are way too short.

[@paleshelter4002]

Maybe chinese 8 ball table..bit of an equalizer with its snooker cut pockets

[@equilibriumgaming9727]

I enjoy playing both but snooker players have to have much more talent and dedication.

[@teamsilva7563]

I think if you have ever watched an O’Sullivan snooker match it’s clear that he could have been the greatest 9 ball, 8 ball, 10 ball, fill in the blank pool table game ever.

[@magiller2010]

I struggle to put in a break of 25 in snooker but I can break and clear in pool. I played 9 ball in America for the summer and beag over 95% of the people I played. Point is snooker is many times harder than any pool

[@fabienbedot9645]

Interresting to see how the game changed in 25 years : break efficiency, player’s attitude, game strategy, etc.

[@AngrierGorilla]

another game.

[@dr.j.417]

I miss how you used to be able to smoke inside.

[@AeRoSiKTh]

"They expect them to be able to pot, but they dont expect them to have any cueball control" What am I listening to lmfao

[@nikkip3385]

Yeah I laughed a bit at that too. They've obviously never seen Ronnie clipping reds out the pack one at a time! 😂

[@MrFlippin24]

Watched recent games and it was much slower . This was a machine gunning from both, not taking even 5 seconds to think in very difficult situations lol.

[@hamzajameel6199]

Commentator: You can't expect the snooker players to control the cue ball. Ronnie: Hold my cue😏

[@Warkive]

American here. I enjoyed seeing Strickland get shown the door.

[@krusher74]

he looks like the kinda guy you would get into a fight with at wallmart.

[@viperstrike2010]

He’s always seemed like someone that believes his own hype.

[@nickyfagan6506]

Strickland was ....WAS once an awesome talent ..but ronnie o'sullivan is out of this world

[@kenoneill8783]

@@krusher74 Brilliant! 😂🤣😂

[@kenoneill8783]

In fairness I thought he was quite humble throughout the match considering his reputation, why do you say that?

[@azapro911]

Love how Ronnie spends the first set working out the game he's playing, then cruises from there.

[@matimus100]

Strange comment slightly homosexual feelings for him is ok tho 👍

[@MegaGreenie1]

@@matimus100 You're a right onion.

[@danadams8649]

@@matimus100 you're the homosexual vikings died years ago mate why is your dick so hard for them.

[@pberPSR]

@@MegaGreenie1 this is the most english thread ever

[@J1283-s1k]

@@pberPSR No question in it, the man had to set an absolute berk straight.

[@Phobia115]

Hate on Earl all you want but 44:20 is why he’s my Favorite of all time shots like that he can make.

[@jefflindeman]

Sure, and Ronnie makes shots just like that on a TWELVE FOOT TABLE!

[@jefflindeman]

@@brettharrison837 ~You obviously haven’t watched Ronnie play snooker - just watch a few highlight reels.

[@3srskids]

No one can beat Ronnie OSullivan on a snooker table. Simply the best

[@TheMan-WithNoName]

He's been beat on a snooker table, what you on about?

[@clintonehrhardtsr122]

thanks for all the wonderful matches

[@KvnDWr]

5:47 is an INCREDIBLE two-way shot... WOW

[@usernamerequired8430]

I remember watching this live. Get in there ronnie

[@worldz_gone_crazy4398]

The must be one of the most impressive achievements in the history of sport. Earl is arguably the 2nd best pool player of all time behind Effren Reyes and Ronnie came into the Mosconi Cup team as a last minute replacement, to play a game that he's never really played before, and beats him (with a snooker cue for that matter and no break cue). That is crazy!!

[@utvpoop]

The true jewel of commentary, Crafty Geordie! From the world of darts. Still deeply missed overseas.

[@TheMan-WithNoName]

I'm thinking is that the bold Sid waddell? Indeed it is. Yes mate your right he is missed. What a legend Sid was.

[@martybeazley3306]

Compared to snooker, this is like throwing a hotdog down a hallway.

[@ROBERTSMITH-io7tb]

🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@mukor100k]

@Guru Amirite true enough on amateur level, but surely enough the pool pros know every trick for their hallways and are very very good players in their game. but it's true that going to snooker's direction is what restricts from strategies and comfort zone of pool, not the other way round. i'm not good at pool nor am i good at snooker. but like you said. after a day of snooker when i go to local pub all of sudden it's easy to feel not being so bad at playing pool :) while after a week of pool, when i hit the snooker table, nothing seems to go in.

[@raycroal]

hotdog down a foyer surely?

[@jerryjungle5717]

Strange that's what a "girlfriend" said to me after sex 😉

[@lo0ksik]

i like the random position every game, not all balls in the same place all the time in the middle of the table for easy position

[@H3Cult]

28:18 - “The American players expect these players from the snooker world to be able to pot, no surprises there. What they don’t expect is any sort of cue ball control!” LOL

[@capnoddy1905]

30:00 Ronnie: There is no orange ball in snooker, so I missed it😂

[@frankroquemore4946]

22:25 "O'sullibum" lmao

[@ayandamthimkhulu1264]

😂😂

[@MidNightSnowFawl]

Lmaooo

[@vdefine_salvaay2113]

@@ayandamthimkhulu1264 😂😂😂😂

[@TheJohnCooperShow]

genius spot Frank

[@lucysmart1476]

This was not even close to the best I’ve seen either of these men play so careless

[@Elizareads]

Yeah lots of surprising poor shots

[@marlokeet6370]

Ronni amazing Ronnie. You the best buddy. From Marlo South Africa 🇿🇦

[@matimus100]

Lower your ego flag will you for children's sake

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

Funny thing is Ronnie is still, arguably, the best snooker player in the world. A world championship in 2020 and almost this year. 5 finals in the first half of 2021.poor earl can't even break the top 20 in pool. Edit: Ronnie is current world champion and Earl is down to 174. So sad for maybe the greatest 9 ball player in history.

[@basvankaam2894]

I'd take away the "arguably", nobody is as gifted naturally.

[@jamessmyth7672]

To be fair there are a lot more pool players in the US at an extremely high level. Compared to snooker the field is enormous. I am a snooker guy myself just can’t argue with the numbers.

[@OshawaStateOfMind]

Earl is old now what kind of comparison is that

[@keinKlarname]

O'Sullivan almost world Champ in 2021?

[@thomasforde3900]

Earl Strickland still playing professional pool at the age of 60 is equally as impressive as Ronnie’s longevity, just a testament to his greatness

[@phils6733]

What a vest 😂 ...this introduction reminds me of Apollo vs Evan Draga in rocky 4

[@Bobba8590]

Evan Draga lol

[@Roman.Rêbwar]

The man the myth the legend plays my favorite game of billiards.👑

[@Occupuyourspine]

The best pool player and best snooker player pleased to watch this

[@SMacCuUladh]

reyes might have something to say about that

[@Occupuyourspine]

@@SMacCuUladh yes reyes is the best in the east and the pearl the west

[@N17-o2r]

Ronnie wasn’t playing Efren Reyes ? 🤔

[@pedroakjr2371]

13:57 this dude just casually smoking some pot. Good vibes

[@bradpogue3685]

I was a 9 ball player and when I hear a 9 ball player say that a snooker champion cant play position, well that's about as stupid as it gets. Strickland was 2nd best in that match on that day.

[@alwaysradical1613]

Uhh did that person know snooker rules? It's all about position! 🤣🤣

[@Dave101.]

Yeah I couldn't believe my bloody ears either,commentators a joke

[@bertjetolberg103]

One time i was second best in a match too Since then i quit boxing

[@jasonhuhare]

I think that snooker is more difficult than 9-ball.

[@joejitsu034]

@@jasonhuhare because it obviously is. I fluked clearing a pool table dozens of times but I can’t even get a double figure break in Snooker 👍

[@klaasvanstrien989]

Love this kind of content :)

[@matimus100]

Easy lover

[@N17-o2r]

@@matimus100stop posting about your mother

[@RangaPirate]

Is this table borrowed from the local pub? The way the cue ball rolled onto the cushion @ 10:20..... pretty sad really for such a high level game.

[@magiller2010]

The praise he gives Ronnie there and to think what he accomplished since

[@paulwisdom5383]

14:00 Was my man blazing at Mosconi Cup 🤣

[@newzonerz]

Imagine 😂😂 there's nothing better than playing pool while blazed

[@vdefine_salvaay2113]

It’s tobacco bro😂

[@fatalmystic]

And the commentators also refering to it? :D

[@barry6996]

That feeling when you've been beaten by a complete noob to the sport who doesn't even know all the rules.... Priceless.

[@barry6996]

@Charlie B The noise is as distracting for both opponents although they were obviously partisan. Anyway, to say they "cheated" only makes you sound like a poor loser. The point of my original posting is that many top snooker can immediately turn to pool and can give the best pool players a run for their money or even win. That doesn't mean they're better players though. There are so many skills in pool which still need to be learn, although potting unhindered balls in pool is child's play for snooker players. Incidentally, the Mosconi cup only accepts seasoned pool players now rather than snooker playing rookies... That's why Europe has been trouncing America in recent years.

[@barry6996]

@Charlie B No yelling, screaming or overt distractions while the Americans are taking their shots. The referees are professional enough to stop that if it is happening. I go back to my original comment... poor loser.

[@Scorch428]

@@barry6996 yeah but I bet this Ronnie guy will go on to win nothing else. He seems like a one shot guy. Pure luck.

[@paulgreen758]

@@Scorch428 lol the Americans wouldn't understand the sarcasm in that statement mate, we have a similar sense of humour

[@faisalkhan786fk]

@@Scorch428 god forbid he went onto become a world champion. Impossible

[@Stabby_Dave]

Love the comment at the start - The pool players don't think the snooker players have cue ball control.

[@hallucinogen4903]

Yeah man when I heard that from the commentator, I was like what !!! have they not seen any professional Snooker Game.

[@physicsguybrian]

Ronnie was a last minute replacement for Jimmy White....coming in as cold as it gets as a 9 ball player. Beats one of the world's greatest 9 ball players. What does that tell you? In this short race format...not everything since "luck of the rolls" can have a huge impact on short race sets BUT that said...Ronnie's cue ball control (even with a 6 oz cue ball vs ~5 oz snooker cue ball that he is accustomed to), potting accuracy, and pattern play (literally the work of pure genius) are what won the match! Ronnie O'sullivan for the win!!! That was in 1996. He is still playing top snooker and winning, holding all the snooker title records except one - Hendry's World Snooker Championship (WSC) 7 titles is the only record Ronnie has not YET broken but at 6 WSC of his own and with ample capacity to win it again even in the tough snooker climate there is today with so many excellent players. Come on Ronnie....#7 then #8!!! Earl is still playing excellent 9 ball as well. Sad that he had to withdraw from the 2021 Mosconi Cup though Jeremy Jones played very well as a fill in at the last minute.

[@daggyag9613]

Oh what a gem to watch! Champion of snooker vs champion of pool, wow, thanks for sharing this with us 🙏🥰

[@matimus100]

Superstitious graffiti nonsense right here children 👆 look very common aggression

[@grahambrown1925]

2 legends of cue sports undeniably but one of the worst matches ever on a table that drifts 6" (Ronnie's lag 17:19 ) Todays 9 ball players would destroy anyone making this many errors imo.

[@ericstone8570]

Oh dear get yourself to a snooker hall and then get back to us.

[@grahambrown1925]

@@ericstone8570 trying to make sense of that comment with no luck

[@ju.snooker]

28:18 they don’t expect snooker players to have cue ball control Lol

[@Seako7]

dumb commentators

[@formerlybernard6460]

Exactly. Incredible. Only need to watch a club game to understand the control abilities of snooker players.

[@nicholashadi5566]

Never thought gonna see Mr Rocket played 9 ball.. even more with The Pearl 🔥🔥

[@andrewralphs6961]

Look up Ronnie's American Hustle on KZbin

[@LucaBrasi0]

Does anyone know where I can find Ronnies pool statistics? Wins, tournaments, etc.

[@AngrierGorilla]

He played a couple of Mosconi Cup, here's the stats: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_Mosconi_Cup en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_Mosconi_Cup Then he played a couple World pool Masters (here he was beatn by Wu Chia Ching) with no great results: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWO8lmlnjM5_g80 He also played in the super rich IPT tournament, because money involved was similar to snooker, but he made absolutely nothing. Here's a match with Archer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmeof6F6lpd2fdk Problem is: Mosconi Cup is not a real tournament, matches are too short. In a real tournament is a different story.

[@LucaBrasi0]

@@AngrierGorilla Thank you very much! That was really helpful.

[@MikeSmith-pe4sl]

Sometimes I love Earl. Other times I hate his behaviour. He was such a treat to watch when he was on form though. Such a natural player and great shotmaking. Totally fearless at his best. His career would have been even more stellar if he didn’t get in his own way so often. I always want Europe to win the Mosconi cup, but back then it was Earl that brought the drama and tension.

[@GunDogSlim]

Excellent! Would love to see more Ronnie v Strickalnd

[@roimar2983]

you can, ans this is about the only time you will see mr bean win lol

[@toziassmitt]

@@roimar2983 salty american detected 😂 must be depressing to see the #2 pool guy get ran over by a 21 year old Ronnie… using a snooker cue no less. Sad times for you

[@alvarsdzenis4739]

both players were playing sub-par imo. But it's soooooo satisfying seeing Earl lose. Almost as enjoyable as watching Phil Hellmuth lose, lol.

[@paulsmith1707]

Ronnie didn't know what order too pot the balls and still beat the 5 times world champion. Snooker is for adults.

[@henryj8363]

Lol this sais it all.

[@ksportz66]

Billiards ?

[@Jokester1338]

No, it's not. I personally believe Snooker is more difficult but the level of pool players these days blow players like Strickland out of the water. I don't see Ronnie in his prime beating any of the players in the top 5 as he did here.

[@syedwaqaralizaidi7359]

Pool is bulshit game. Real game is snooker.. Becsue in snooker you have to be very perfect for pot but in pool pockets are too much big and easy to pot..

[@AngrierGorilla]

on a race to 5 it's not real pool and also this was prehistoric pool... Nowadays totally different story.

[@barrymaxwell7103]

I've been looking for "pool players playing snooker" but can't find any...can someone point me in the direction of some good ones?

[@777Juventus]

Common Ronnieeeeee, i love this shout from the croud, O'ssulivan is a legend

[@phils6733]

I think a snooker player can adjust a lot easier than a 9 ball player...huge pockets small table bigger balls...snooker is so much more difficult

[@fwoof8480]

Depends on the player. Both similarly games.

[@RagnarZizou]

@@fwoof8480 Not even close dear! Snooker needs a proper cue action... whereas pool.players dont have one they just have to cue in/out! Snooker players work so many years on masterimg a cue action to give them precision and consistency on a snooker table which pool.players would lack!

[@fwoof8480]

@@RagnarZizou snookers for dweebs

[@RagnarZizou]

@@fwoof8480 Haha Ok 🤣

[@fwoof8480]

I bet you suck at snooker too

[@vochtigverleden3974]

I'm suprised with the consistency of Srickland considering his wonky cue action. I almost lost it at 44:34, "brilliant cueing".

[@mehdiaitoussi6338]

hit the cushion 1st 🙂

[@morganfreemanwannabe]

Lol, thank you. Before I even saw this comment, I'd actually paused and rewatched this exact moment several times myself, like, "wtf?" lol

[@donsquirreleone]

Exactly. You would think pool players could learn something from watching the cue action and stance of snooker players. Probably why most pool players struggle badly on a snooker table.

[@poolmagic2023]

@Matchroom Pool 50k+ views in just week? WOOOW!!!! That is a reason why you should post all matches from start Mosconi cup 1994 for sure!!!

[@poolmagic2023]

After 3 days 90k+ :D

[@BertSmithLondon]

The greatest cueman on the planet, against a great pool player, I think everyone in the world knows that if they were to play the first to 11 at snooker, O'Sullivan would win by a mile.

[@mynechan]

Can someone explain what is that rolling of cue balls at the start?

[@Crusader1815]

The players are deciding who will break by trying to place the cue ball as close to the near cushion as possible.

[@KSechrist]

@13:58 is the guy in the background hitting a doobie?

[@djamo1969]

LOL, looks like it, but it was CJ Wiley having “a drag of a fag,” as Syd says, which is obviously slang for cigarette in England.

[@TheJohnCooperShow]

Back when mosconi Cup was just a piss up for Ronnie and jimmy

[@johncarrington3951]

Such a tiny table and huge pockets it must be hard to miss.

[@thisismyoutlet]

Not so hard to miss for ole ronnie 😆

[@bennylloyd-willner9667]

Great game, but best of all is to hear Sid Waddell! I can even stand Jim's platitudes when Sid is beside him 😁

[@spareumbrella8477]

I don't mean to insult Pool or anything, but I can't help but feel Snooker is substantially more difficult. That shot on 6:44, on a Snooker table, that's almost never going in the pocket.

[@sanjayhariparsad4083]

O Sullivan playing with a snooker cue not even understanding rules and tactics involved downed a pool legend at his own game. No one gave the rocket a chance lol

[@tonym2513]

I would argue that Earl, in fact, gave Ronnie many chances with the very easy shots he was missing.

[@PaulMarostica]

Over the years I've seen some top snooker players also trying to compete at pool. I think generally, the snooker players tend to be superior break builders and safety players, but initially tend to be a bit weak in pool strategy and in using the larger balls and pockets and the smaller table surface, compared to players who mostly play just pool. So it usually takes some years of practice for the top snooker players to compete at the level of the top pool players at pool. I think Ronnie, as skilled as he was, was lucky to win this match.

[@leebeardshall2888]

@@PaulMarostica bollocks.

[@TheReactor8]

@@PaulMarostica you are mistaken. You obviously do not know Ronnie.

[@Dailyfootballcatchup]

@@PaulMarostica if u wanna see ronnie roll watch tll end kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6SzaXVni8yGgLs

[@markt804]

Now let's see Stickland make a 147 in 5 minutes...Seriously, there is no comparison between these two.

[@andybrace4983]

Took him 5 minutes to screw his cue together at the start

[@ryanyusuf4500]

I really like to see that haha

[@toziassmitt]

Earl would be seriously embarrassed on a snooker table by even a mid level player lol

[@jaredjones2443]

Its cute how big the pockets are

[@EuphoricOdyssey4]

The balls are bigger too tho.

[@jimj585]

Imagine being stupid enough to think that 9ball’s about making pots.. it’s a competitive game if you can’t clear up consistently and break consistently 9ball’s not for you.. seems like you prefer a sport where you can get away with being bad cause 9ball’s about being perfect on every shot.

[@TheJohnCooperShow]

American pool is like go karting - will never be a distinguished cue sport like snooker but is still fun

[@jimj585]

@@TheJohnCooperShow you clearly haven't got a clue

[@dicknasty8494]

@@jimj585 He's right, though. Snooker is the pinnacle of cue sports. All of the 8/9/10ball variants are side-shows for the hacks.

[@pesounboxer1507]

My money was with O’Sullivan all the time, but, this was his worst performance ever... O’Sullivan had all the advantage here, I believe snooker is way harder to play than 9 ball. Snooker is a fine-tuned, high pressure game with a table capable of sitting the Downtown Abbey cast down for dinner. I was surprised by O’Sullivan’s weak breaks, maybe he wasn’t used to break the 9 ball formation? O’Sullivan didn’t disappoint anyone, he won! Interesting and exciting match. Thanks for sharing this video!

[@arloking]

Do you have to be completely snookered off the break to call a push out? Or only partly snookered?

[@khwesta4]

Never thought I'd see my favourite snooker player vs my favourite pool player. Found myself supporting Ronnie, I'd probably switch allegiances if they were playing snooker 😂

[@madkhaliqfarhan]

Thankfully, I'm not a fan of either Ronnie O'Sullivan or Earl Strickland 'coz I like Mark Selby instead!

[@niltomega2978]

At some point pool players get so good they can run rack after rack. This is when its time to move up to snooker.

[@TheJohnCooperShow]

even the best pool player could never compete with a top 100 snooker player

[@niltomega2978]

@@TheJohnCooperShow Totally agree. I was never really aware of snooker until a few years ago. It takes far more skill

[@crazylarryjr]

Allison Fisher was a many time World Snooker Champ, switched to 9 ball for a challenge and tore them up

[@niltomega2978]

@@crazylarryjr interesting.

[@Whocares66672]

@@niltomega2978 no it really doesnt

[@janegavin8715]

Strickland is easily one of the best pool players in history and to be honest the vext side of him is entertaining aswell

[@ursafan40]

One of, sure, but his temper and demeanor kept him from ever wearing that crown for long.

[@Brian67588]

This needs a commentary from Ronnie and Strickland.

[@edwinrivera797]

At any time in tournament pool play did Efren Reyes vs. Ronnie O" Sullivan play each other ? In the USA or abroad ?

[@aidrusmusa960]

Ask pool player to play snooker, will be hillarious that they easily destroyed by any snooker club players

[@fbi_saadi]

mark selby, laughing in the corner