Player: Corey Deuel
Event: Arizona Open
Location: Yuma, Arizona
Date: August 13, 2026



As he emerged as one of the most promising American players on the professional circuit nearly 30 years ago, Corey Deuel immediately passed the eye test. He was obviously talented — the shot-making, the stroke, the fundamentals all explained why he was a fantastic player. But what really caught the attention of pool fans was his somewhat unorthodox approach to the game.

The so-called Prince of Pool sees opportunities that others missed, while also having the talent for highlight reel shots. Now, 30 years into a career that will see him inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame this month, Deuel is still wowing pool fans with his creativity and execution.

And what better way to celebrate Deuel than with an example of his greatness. At the Arizona Open Pool Championship in August, he matched up in the first round of the 128-player event with soon-to-be colleague in the BCA Hall of Fame, Carlo Biado.

Up 3-1 in the race-to-10, Deuel faced a tricky out with four balls left on the table. The cue ball was cozied up to the 9 ball near the headstring. The 4 ball, meanwhile, was just a few inches to the left of straight-in to the lower right corner pocket, while the 5 ball was all the way back uptable.

Sinking the 4 wasn't the primary issue. Getting — or, in this case creating — an angle for shape on the 5 was. Hitting high on the cue ball with plenty of power, Deuel “warped” the cue ball's path, as commentator Scott Frost said, around the 7. The cue ball bent downward to the footrail, going three rails for strong shape on the 5.

Deuel lost the match, 10-6, but make no mistake about this newly minted Hall of Famer's continued ability to dazzle.

(Check out Accu-Stats' full library of great shots and amazing matches at www.accu-stats.com)