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After the main 14.1 & 3c events - Efren Reyes challenges Torbjorn Blomdahl and Raymond Ceulemans!
by Ira Lee
The theme of the weeklong extravaganza of world-class pool and carom is the convergence of billiard disciplines. For whatever reason, the two billiard worlds have diverged over the years - and I think that a great way to bring the two spheres back together is to showcase the best players of both games simultaneously. Efren Reyes is known for his uncanny cue ball control, but few pool players trace this to his deep training in carom. Meanwhile, most carom players are totally unaware about Torbjorn Blomdahl's abilities in the pocket games. In actuality, there is a significant overlap between the disciplines, as evidenced by the skill sets at the very top. The complete player brings all billiard skills together whenever they step to the table. I hope that this summer's event at Carom Cafe will be a catalyst for cross-pollinating interest across all cue games.
Over the final weekend, Efren Reyes and Torbjorn Blomdahl will "lock horns" in a dual-discipline 9-ball/3-cushion challenge (Aug 4-5). Each player will attempt to secure an expected win in their respective specialty while upsetting the other in their own game.
The grand finale to conclude the week will be a rare balkline exhibition match between the two great pillars of the pool and carom worlds: Efren Reyes and Raymond Ceulemans. Sir Raymond Ceulemans is the greatest carom billiard player of all time. Numerous fellow professional players have credited Reyes with being the greatest living pool player in the world. Many pool players will be surprised to learn that one of the finest pool player's (Efren Reyes), favorite game is not 9-ball, 8-ball or even 1-pocket; but balkline.
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