Earl Strickland’s “I’ll K*ll Myself!” Outburst Becomes Mosconi Cup Folklore
Few players in pool history embody drama and passion quite like Earl Strickland. Known as “The Pearl,” the American legend is a five-time U.S. Open champion and a multiple Mosconi Cup winner. But he’s also famous for his fiery temperament—and one moment at the Mosconi Cup has gone down as one of the most unforgettable, and unintentionally hilarious, in the event’s history.
The Shot That Sparked It
During a high-pressure Mosconi Cup match, Strickland found himself on the brink of winning a crucial rack. The 9-ball lay near the pocket—a shot most players would consider routine. But under the bright lights and intense crowd atmosphere, Strickland
missed the 9-ball.
The Shocking Outburst
Frustrated beyond belief, Strickland threw his head back and shouted loudly, “I’ll kill myself!” right on live television. The outburst stunned commentators and sent the audience into gasps and then laughter. It was pure, unscripted drama—classic Earl.
A “Legendary” Moment
Though clearly an expression of frustration rather than a real threat, the moment became one of the Mosconi Cup’s most replayed clips. Fans still share it as a symbol of Strickland’s combustible mix of genius and volatility.
Over the years, Earl has embraced the notoriety, acknowledging that his emotional style—while sometimes controversial—also brought theatre and entertainment to the sport.
The Passion Behind the Player
Earl Strickland’s reaction may have been extreme, but it also underscored what makes him unique: a burning desire to win, a refusal to accept mistakes, and a personality larger than the game itself.
Even today, the “I’ll kill myself!” clip circulates on social media as both a cautionary tale and a beloved piece of pool folklore—a reminder that in the Mosconi Cup, anything can happen when Earl is at the table.
The Shot That Broke the Internet: Inside Efren “The Magician” Reyes’ Most Impossible Shot
Scroll down for the full video. You’re about to witness a legend in the making, analyzed frame by frame. This isn’t just a pool shot. It’s a statement. A declaration that in the world of billiards, Efren Reyes doesn’t just play by the rules—he writes them.
The Context
This was a critical moment in Efren Reyes’ career. His opponent, a Korean player, had just executed what seemed like a flawless safety shot. He buried the cue ball deep behind the 9-ball, leaving Efren with virtually no direct path to the target 1-ball. In any normal match, a professional player would concede the foul or attempt a gentle escape. But this wasn’t a normal match, and the player was none other than Efren Reyes.
The Problem
The position of the cue ball and the 1-ball made any straight shot impossible. The only option was a bank shot off the rail. Normally, this requires high precision but is still feasible. However, Efren’s cue ball was so close to the rail and the 9-ball that he was forced to execute a shot with an incredibly complex trajectory to get the cue ball to curve around the 9-ball, then hit the 1-ball at a perfect angle to sink it. It was a geometric puzzle that most pros would give up on.
The Technical Analysis
Efren Reyes did the unthinkable. He executed a spin-induced bank shot, causing the cue ball to arc around the 9-ball and then strike the 1-ball at the precise moment it straightened out. This shot required complex calculations of force, angle, and spin to not only hit the target ball accurately but also to ensure the 1-ball fell into the pocket and the cue ball landed in a favorable position for the next shot. This shot defied all conventional pool rules, but for “The Magician,” those rules simply don’t apply.
The Reaction & Psychological Impact
When the 1-ball dropped, the crowd erupted. But the opponent’s reaction was what’s truly worth seeing. He was completely stunned, his face a mixture of admiration and confusion. The shot not only gave Efren an advantage in the game but also delivered a powerful psychological blow, leaving his opponent demoralized. This single shot cemented Efren Reyes’ legacy as one of the greatest players of all time, a “magician” who could turn the impossible into reality.
FULL VIDEO