AI Augmented list of records in each region.
For the pool players, the most reliable statistics for comparison are U.S. Open titles, World Championships (though the sanctioning bodies changed over time), and Hall of Fame status.
Here is a breakdown of the comparative statistics for each player:
Quick Comparison Table
| Player | Primary Era | Discipline Focus | Major World Titles | U.S. Open 9-Ball Titles* | Notable Stat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willie Hoppe | 1906–1952 | 3-Cushion / Balkline | 51 (Carom) | N/A | Held world titles for 46 years |
| Irving Crane | 1940s–70s | Straight Pool (14.1) | 6 (Straight Pool) | N/A | 6x World Straight Pool Champ |
| Mike Sigel | 1970s–80s | All-Around | 10 (Pocket Billiards) | 3 | Won 100+ pro tournaments |
| Jim Rempe | 1970s–90s | All-Around | 11 (Various) | 0 | Won 100+ major championships |
| Nick Varner | 1980s–90s | All-Around / 9-Ball | 8 (Various) | 2 | Only player to win world titles in 5 disciplines |
| Buddy Hall | 1970s–90s | 9-Ball | See stats below | 2 | Known as the “Rifleman” for accuracy |
| Earl Strickland | 1980s–00s | 9-Ball | 3 (WPA World 9-Ball) | 5 | Tied record for most U.S. Open 9-Ball wins |
| Shane Van Boening | 2000s–Present | 9-Ball / 10-Ball | 1 (WPA World 9-Ball) | 5 | Tied with Strickland for US Open record |
*Note: The “U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship” is widely considered the toughest annual tournament in professional pool history. Older players like Crane and Hoppe competed before this specific 9-ball event existed or was the primary standard.
Detailed Player Stats & Achievements
The Carom Billiards Legend
Willie Hoppe (“The King”) Discipline: Carom Billiards (played on tables without pockets). Key Stat: Won 51 World Titles between 1906 and 1952. Legacy: He is often cited as the greatest billiard player of all time, but his stats cannot be directly compared to pool players because the games are fundamentally different (3-Cushion vs. 9-Ball/Straight Pool).
The Straight Pool Specialist
Irving Crane (“The Deacon”) Discipline: Straight Pool (14.1 Continuous). Key Stat: Won the World Straight Pool Championship 6 times (1942, 1946, 1955, 1968, 1970, 1972). Comparison: Unlike the modern players who focus on 9-Ball, Crane’s era was defined by high runs in Straight Pool.
The All-Around Era (1970s–1990s)
Mike Sigel (“Captain Hook”) Titles: Over 108 professional titles total. Key Stat: Won 10 World Championships (including Straight Pool and 9-Ball) and 3 U.S. Open 9-Ball titles. Comparison: Often debated as the greatest “money player” and tournament winner of the 80s.
Jim Rempe (“King James”) Titles: Over 100 major championships. Key Stat: 11 World Titles across different games (Straight Pool, 9-Ball, One-Pocket). Comparison: Like Sigel, he was a dominant all-arounder who won heavily before the WPA (World Pool-Billiard Association) unified the modern tour.
Nick Varner (“The Kentucky Colonel”) Titles: Over 80 professional championships. Key Stat: 8 World Titles and 2 U.S. Open 9-Ball titles. Comparison: He is uniquely versatile, holding world titles in 9-Ball, 8-Ball, 14.1, One-Pocket, and Bank Pool.
Buddy Hall (“The Rifleman”) Titles: Over 100 professional tournament wins. Key Stat: 2-time U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion (1991, 1998). Comparison: While he has fewer “World” titles on paper than Varner or Sigel, he is revered for his cue ball control and is widely considered one of the greatest 9-ball players ever.
The Modern 9-Ball Giants
Earl Strickland (“The Pearl”) Key Stat: 5-time U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion. World Titles: Won the WPA World 9-Ball Championship 3 times (1990, 1991, 2002). Comparison: Defined the aggressive, power-break style of modern 9-ball.
Shane Van Boening (“The South Dakota Kid”) Key Stat: 5-time U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion (Tied record with Strickland). World Titles: Won the WPA World 9-Ball Championship in 2022. Comparison: He is the current standard-bearer for American pool, dominating the modern era in the same way Sigel dominated the 80s.
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