Billiard University (BU) playing-ability-exam scores and ratings

[dr_dave]

Dr. Dave:

I noticed your BU score has you rated at semi-pro. Would you be willing to record some uneditted 14.1 run attempts or a 9b ghost race? It'd be interesting to see how accurate your rating system is.

As I mentioned at the beginning on this BU thing, people become proficient at the TEST, not playing ability.

Spidey,

You must not have seen the statement I included with the post of my latest videos and scores. I think it explains things fairly well. Here it is again:

I can hear the detractors already. ... They will say: "There is no way you are a A++/AAA player (based on the BU rating) or an A+ player (based on the 10-ball ghost drill)." Concerning the BU rating, they would be right. I definitely don't play like a AAA player. However, remember that these are the best runs at the exams I have been able to accomplish over a many-month period. Also, I'm playing on an 8' table with fairly generous pockets. Now, if a person were to get a score of 160 on a 9' table with tight pockets on a regular basis (which I for one can't do), then the A++/AAA/semi-pro rating would probably be appropriate.

I would be happy to post 10-ball ghost drill runs on video. I have posted my 10-ball ghost scores with my BU scores, but I have not posted any video for these. If it will make you feel better, I would be happy to post some 10-ball ghost video. FYI, my best 10-racks-of-10-ball-ghost score to date is a 62 (A+), but I'm sure I can do better with more practice.

I also hope you will try the BU Exams and post some scores and videos. If you are as good as you claim, and if it is as as you claim to score really high by "practicing" the drills, you should easily be able to post perfect scores on both Exam I and the Doctorate version of Exam II. I look forward to seeing your results.

I think the most accurate player rating will occur after minimal "practice" with the Exams. And I agree with you that after "practice," a person should be able to increase their scores, especially with some of the drills (e.g., the kick shot and bank shot drills). However, if a person does not have good run-out skills and does not have good skill-shot technique (e.g., with the jump and break shot), they will not improve their Exam II scores very much unless they practice enough to actually develop and improve their skills. Actually, that's the main purpose for the BU Exams: to provide a useful and thorough pool workout that will motivate you to practice by having a goal to work toward.

I look forward to seeing your scores and videos, both after an initial attempt (in which case I suspect the rating will be fairly accurate) and after lots of "practice" with the exams, in which case the rating will be more as I described in the quote above from a previous post.

I hope you are the first to post a perfect score in either Exam. I certainly plan to some day a video of a perfect score on the Masters-level Exam II on my "8' table with generous pockets." Will that mean I am a perfect player? Absolutely not!!!

Good luck on the exams,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

... Would you be willing to record some uneditted 14.1 run attempts or a 9b ghost race? It'd be interesting to see how accurate your rating system is.

Dave, if you really want to see how accurate it is, why don't you try it yourself? And, yes, we do become more proficient at the test. But, if you think that doesn't translate to becoming more proficient at playing the game, you would be very wrong. By the way, the test also includes playing the 10 ball ghost in it.

I hope Spidey and other top AZB players decide to try both the BU playing-ability Exams and the 10-ball-ghost rating drill. It will be interesting to see how high they can score on both. It will also be interesting to see how high they can raise the bar on the top BU scores. With enough "practice," I'm sure the bar can be raised much higher.

Here's the latest:

AZB'ers who have taken the BU playing-ability exams:

BU score - User - BU Rating, 10-ball ghost rating - table size, corner pocket mouth, throat, shelf - Video/post links:

168 - Gerry Williams - semi pro (A++/AAA), 73 (Pro) - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Table, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
164 - theUBC - semi pro (A++/AAA), ??? - 9', 4 1/2", 4 1/8", 1 3/4" - Exam I, Exam II
161 - Gerry Williams - semi pro (A++/AAA), 73 (Pro) - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Table, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
160 - dr_dave - semi pro (A++/AAA), 62 (A+) - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
160 - scottjen26 - semi pro (A++/AAA), 64 (A+) - 9', 4 1/2", 3 7/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
159 - Gerry Williams - adv-3 (A+/A), 73 (Pro) - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Table, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
157 - dr_dave - adv-3 (A+/A), 62 (A+) - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
157 - scottjen26 - adv-3 (A+/A), 64 (A+) - 9', 4 1/2", 3 7/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (AZB post)
156 - dr_dave - adv-3 (A+/A), 62 (A+) - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
156 - Gerry Williams - adv-3 (A+/A), 73 (Pro) - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Table, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II
152 - Neil - adv-3 (A+/A); 60 (A) - 7', 4 1/8", 2 7/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2)
149 - scottjen26 - adv-3 (A+/A), 64 (A+) - 9', 4 1/2", 3 7/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II
148 - Neil - adv-3 (A+/A); 60 (A) - 7', 4 1/8", 2 7/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2)
146 - dr_dave - adv-3 (A+/A), 58 (A) - 7', 4 1/2", 4 1/2", 3/4" - AZB post
142 - dr_dave - adv-3 (A+/A), 58 (A) - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I, Exam II
141 - 12squared - adv-3 (A+/A); 78 (Pro) - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - AZB post
141 - Neil - adv-3 (A+/A); 60 (A) - 7', 4 1/8", 3 1/2", 1 3/8" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
135 - Mooneye - adv-2 (A-/B+), 49 (B) - 7', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 5/8" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
135 - dr_dave - adv-2 (A-/B+), 54 (B+) - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I, Exam II
133 - Mooneye - adv-2 (A-/B+), 49 (B) - 7', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 5/8" - Exam I, Exam II
132 - Gerry Williams - adv-2 (A-/B+), 73 (Pro) - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Table, Exam I, Exam II (part 1, part 2)
132 - BRussell - adv-2 (A-/B+), 51 (B+) - 8', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
129 - Spimp13 - adv-2 (A-/B+), ??? - ??? - AZB post
127 - Okie - adv-2 (A-/B+), 61 (A+) - 9', 4 3/4", 4", 1 1/2" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
127 - Mooneye - adv-2 (A-/B+), 49 (B) - 7', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 5/8" - Exam I, AZB post
124 - StraightPoolIU - adv-1 (B/B-), 50 (B) - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8, 1 1/4" - AZB post
124 - JC - adv-1 (B/B-), 57 (A) - 9', 4 7/16", 3 7/8", 1 3/8" - Table, Exam 1, Exam 2
121 - TheOneGnat - adv-1 (B/B-), 51 (B+) - 8', 4 1/2", 4", 1 5/8" - AZB post and update
119 - Mooneye - adv-1 (B/B-), 49 (B) - 7', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 5/8" - Exam I, Exam II
117 - RobMan - adv-1 (B/B-), 46 (B) - 9', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/5" - AZB post
113 - Eagleshot - adv-1 (B/B-), 48 (B) - 9', 4 1/2, 4", 1 1/4" - PM
112 - gregcantrall adv-1 (B/B-), ??? - 8', 4 3/8", 4 1/8", 1" - AZB post
112 - Okie - adv-1 (B/B-), 61 (A+) - 9', 4 3/4", 4", 1 1/2" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
112 - RobMan - adv-1 (B/B-), 46 (B) - 9', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/5" - AZB post
108 - row21097 - int-3 (B-/C+), 57 (A) - 9', 4 1/2”, 4”, 1 1/2” - Table, Exam I (part 1, part 2, part 3), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
106 - StraightPoolIU - int-3 (B-/C+), 50 (B) - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8, 1 1/4" - AZB post
102 - Okie - int-3 (B-/C+), 52 (B+) - 9', 4 3/4", 4", 1 1/2" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
101 - 67tbird - int-3 (B-/C+), 46 (B) - 8', 4 1/4", 4", 1 1/2" - AZB post
98 - Eagleshot - int-3 (B-/C+), 48 (B) - 9', 4 1/2, 4", 1 1/4" - PM
92 - 67tbird - int-2 (C+/C), 34 (D+) - 8', 4 1/4", 4", 1 1/2" - AZB post
90 - EagleEye - int-2 (C+/C), ??? - 9', 5", 3 7/8", 1 3/8" - 2013 BU Summer School Boot Camp
89 - mamics - int-2 (C+/C), 31 (D+) - 9', 4 5/8", 3 13/16", 1 1/4" - AZB post
88 - DrGonzo - int-2 (C+/C), 47 (B) - 9', 4.5", 4", 1.5" - AZB post
87 - iusedtoberich - int-2 (C+/C), 38 (C) - 9', 5 1/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
78 - iusedtoberich - int-2 (C+/C), 38 (C) - 9', 5 1/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
77 - mamics - int-2 (C+/C), 31 (D+) - 9', 4 5/8", 3 13/16", 1 1/4" - AZB post
77 - SeanChamp - int-2 (C+/C), 29 (D) - 8', 4 1/2", ???, 1" - AZB post
72 - justadub - int-2 (C+/C), ??? - 9', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/4" - AZB post
68 - krupa - int-1 (C), ??? - 9', 4 3/4", 3 5/8", 1 1/4" - AZB post
68 - pleforowicz - int-1 (C), 24 (D) - 9', 11.7cm, 9.2cm, 3.8cm - AZB Post
62 - mamics - int-1 (C), 20 (D) - 9', 4 5/8", 3 13/16", 1 1/4" - AZB post
55 - mamics - int-1 (C), 20 (D) - 9', 4 5/8", 3 13/16", 1 1/4" - AZB post

 

[SpiderWebComm]

Spidey,

You must not have seen the statement I included with the post of my latest videos and scores. I think it explains things fairly well. Here it is again:

I can hear the detractors already. ... They will say: "There is no way you are a A++/AAA player (based on the BU rating) or an A+ player (based on the 10-ball ghost drill)." Concerning the BU rating, they would be right. I definitely don't play like a AAA player. However, remember that these are the best runs at the exams I have been able to accomplish over a many-month period. Also, I'm playing on an 8' table with fairly generous pockets. Now, if a person were to get a score of 160 on a 9' table with tight pockets on a regular basis (which I for one can't do), then the A++/AAA/semi-pro rating would probably be appropriate.

I would be happy to post 10-ball ghost drill runs on video. I have posted my 10-ball ghost scores with my BU scores, but I have not posted any video for these. If it will make you feel better, I would be happy to post some 10-ball ghost video. FYI, my best 10-racks-of-10-ball-ghost score to date is a 62 (A+), but I'm sure I can do better with more practice.

I also hope you will try the BU Exams and post some scores and videos. If you are as good as you claim, and if it is as as you claim to score really high by "practicing" the drills, you should easily be able to post perfect scores on both Exam I and the Doctorate version of Exam II. I look forward to seeing your results.

I think the most accurate player rating will occur after minimal "practice" with the Exams. And I agree with you that after "practice," a person should be able to increase their scores, especially with some of the drills (e.g., the kick shot and bank shot drills). However, if a person does not have good run-out skills and does not have good skill-shot technique (e.g., with the jump and break shot), they will not improve their Exam II scores very much unless they practice enough to actually develop and improve their skills. Actually, that's the main purpose for the BU Exams: to provide a useful and thorough pool workout that will motivate you to practice by having a goal to work toward.

I look forward to seeing your scores and videos, both after an initial attempt (in which case I suspect the rating will be fairly accurate) and after lots of "practice" with the exams, in which case the rating will be more as I described in the quote above from a previous post.

I hope you are the first to post a perfect score in either Exam. I certainly plan to some day a video of a perfect score on the Masters-level Exam II on my "8' table with generous pockets." Will that mean I am a perfect player? Absolutely not!!!

Good luck on the exams,
Dave

I definitely don't claim to be good and I KNOW for a fact I'm not a semi-pro player.

I also know for a fact you're not a semi-pro player, so what good are those ratings?

 

[dr_dave]

Spidey,

You must not have seen the statement I included with the post of my latest videos and scores. I think it explains things fairly well. Here it is again:

I can hear the detractors already. ... They will say: "There is no way you are a A++/AAA player (based on the BU rating) or an A+ player (based on the 10-ball ghost drill)." Concerning the BU rating, they would be right. I definitely don't play like a AAA player. However, remember that these are the best runs at the exams I have been able to accomplish over a many-month period. Also, I'm playing on an 8' table with fairly generous pockets. Now, if a person were to get a score of 160 on a 9' table with tight pockets on a regular basis (which I for one can't do), then the A++/AAA/semi-pro rating would probably be appropriate.

I would be happy to post 10-ball ghost drill runs on video. I have posted my 10-ball ghost scores with my BU scores, but I have not posted any video for these. If it will make you feel better, I would be happy to post some 10-ball ghost video. FYI, my best 10-racks-of-10-ball-ghost score to date is a 62 (A+), but I'm sure I can do better with more practice.

I also hope you will try the BU Exams and post some scores and videos. If you are as good as you claim, and if it is as as you claim to score really high by "practicing" the drills, you should easily be able to post perfect scores on both Exam I and the Doctorate version of Exam II. I look forward to seeing your results.

I think the most accurate player rating will occur after minimal "practice" with the Exams. And I agree with you that after "practice," a person should be able to increase their scores, especially with some of the drills (e.g., the kick shot and bank shot drills). However, if a person does not have good run-out skills and does not have good skill-shot technique (e.g., with the jump and break shot), they will not improve their Exam II scores very much unless they practice enough to actually develop and improve their skills. Actually, that's the main purpose for the BU Exams: to provide a useful and thorough pool workout that will motivate you to practice by having a goal to work toward.

I look forward to seeing your scores and videos, both after an initial attempt (in which case I suspect the rating will be fairly accurate) and after lots of "practice" with the exams, in which case the rating will be more as I described in the quote above from a previous post.

I hope you are the first to post a perfect score in either Exam. I certainly plan to some day a video of a perfect score on the Masters-level Exam II on my "8' table with generous pockets." Will that mean I am a perfect player? Absolutely not!!!

Good luck on the exams,
Dave

I definitely don't claim to be good and I KNOW for a fact I'm not a semi-pro player.

Have you tried the BU Exams yet? I would be curious to see how you could do on both the BU playing-ability Exams and the 10-ball-ghost rating drill. It would also be interesting to see how you do both on an initial "unpracticed" attempt and on a well-"practiced" attempt in the future.

I also know for a fact you're not a semi-pro player

I also know that for a fact.

Again, the "best ever" videos and scores I have posted after lots of "practice," and on an 8' table with generous pockets, do not provide an accurate rating for overall level of play on a tough table.

That's why we ask people to post an early score (before lots of practice) and another score after lots of practice. And we also ask for table information, because that info also provides important perspective.

IMO, here's what the "semi-pro" rating attached to my best posted scores to date mean: If a person could consistently score this high on a 9' table with typical conditions, then that person would probably be close to "semi-pro" caliber. I certainly can't achieve those scores consistently (remember, the videos I have posted represent my best attempts ever). I also couldn't achieve such high scores on a 9' table with tight pockets.

I hope that makes sense.

Please try the exams when you get a chance and post scores and videos.

Good luck,
Dave

 

[JB Cases]

Dave,

I told you I would do it but I am going to hold off. I don't want to know how bad I am right now. I have a big match with my dad coming up and even though I already beat him in Chris' basement I am not confident I can do it again.

I just got my new Allison Fisher Cuetec R 360 so I should be very accurate but I am still very nervous. My dad is always telling me I was just lucky to beat him once and I can't do it again.

I promise to try the exam after my big match.

Your friend,

Travis Trotter

 

[SpiderWebComm]

Have you tried the BU Exams yet? I would be curious to see how you could do on both the BU playing-ability Exams and the 10-ball-ghost rating drill. It would also be interesting to see how you do both on an initial "unpracticed" attempt and on a well-"practiced" attempt in the future.

I also know that for a fact.

Again, the "best ever" videos and scores I have posted after lots of "practice," and on an 8' table with generous pockets, do not provide an accurate rating for overall level of play on a tough table.

That's why we ask people to post an early score (before lots of practice) and another score after lots of practice. And we also ask for table information, because that info also provides important perspective.

IMO, here's what the "semi-pro" rating attached to my best posted scores to date mean: If a person could consistently score this high on a 9' table with typical conditions, then that person would probably be close to "semi-pro" caliber. I certainly can't achieve those scores consistently (remember, the videos I have posted represent my best attempts ever). I also couldn't achieve such high scores on a 9' table with tight pockets.

I hope that makes sense.

Please try the exams when you get a chance and post scores and videos.

Good luck,
Dave

Didn't you have some kind of table difficulty calculation / equation figured out? If so, apply that factor to your scores and adjust your semi-pro rating to a C+ or B-, where it belongs. If your scores meant anything and were accurate (they're clearly not), I'd prob invest my time into doing them.

To Neil:

I'm not saying they're worthless -- I'm sure they're great drills and help people get better. I'm saying the ratings don't mean anything and don't convey an accurate level of play. Drills can't do that... only actual play can.

Back to Dr.:
14.1 runs from a break shot, ghost sets, or Hopkins Q Skill can determine ratings....with the caveat that the test be taken live in front of someone or on a live stream (not pre-recorded). Otherwise, people like yourself only record and upload the VERY VERY VERY best of your attempts and not all, which skews the results.

So, setup a 9' table at the BCA Expo or Super Billiard Expo and allow people to get rated. Let's see how you do at one of the above.

If I still had a 9' GC4 with 4.5 pockets, I might consider recording a session that would result in a monster score --- but what good is that if it took me 100 tries to do it?

Dr. Dave -- you should do the following if you really believe this test is better than the ones mentioned above:

1) Erase all scores posted by all players. Start from zero and baseline everyone.

2) Build a simple webcam app into your website that records the attempts straight from the website. That way, if someone wants to be rated, they must record with you and you have the ability to track all attempts, completed attempts and cancelled attempts (mid-way). Only then can you get an accurate rating. Right now, people only post cherry-picked attempts and it's stupid.

3) Begin collecting data on-going with you controlling the input of the data / attempts.

Anything short of that (or in-person) is like me picking out the very best drumsticks out of our bucket of wings and leaving the left-over fatty wing pieces for someone else to eat and then telling everyone how great the wings are.

THESE ARE SOME SEMI-PRO WINGS BABY! SH1T, THESE TASTE LIKE EAGLE WINGS - THESE AIN'T EVEN CHICKEN! (imagine that)

 

[dr_dave]

Dave,

I told you I would do it but I am going to hold off. I don't want to know how bad I am right now. I have a big match with my dad coming up and even though I already beat him in Chris' basement I am not confident I can do it again.

I just got my new Allison Fisher Cuetec R 360 so I should be very accurate but I am still very nervous. My dad is always telling me I was just lucky to beat him once and I can't do it again.

I promise to try the exam after my big match.

I look forward to seeing scores (and videos if available) for all of the people who said they would post (you and many others).

Thanks.

Your friend,

Travis Trotter

John,

Sorry, but I don't know this reference. It is somebody famous for making lots of excuses?

Regards,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Didn't you have some kind of table difficulty calculation / equation figured out? If so, apply that factor to your scores

The Table Difficulty Factor (TDF) was developed for this purpose, and we do provide info related to this on the BU Rating System page. However, until we get a lot more data for BU scores, 10-ball ghost scores, and equipment measurements for different people on different equipment, it is tough to correlate how the TDF should be applied to the BU scores in a meaningful and useful way. That's why we decided to just list the equipment info with the scores for now. That allows people to put the scores into perspective for themselves. Obviously, a really high score on a really tough table will be much more impressive than a similar score on an easy table.

BTW, for people interested in the TDF stuff, here's the link to the Table Difficulty Factor AZB thread. Enjoy.

Regards,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

14.1 runs from a break shot, ghost sets, or Hopkins Q Skill can determine ratings....with the caveat that the test be taken live in front of someone or on a live stream (not pre-recorded). Otherwise, people like yourself only record and upload the VERY VERY VERY best of your attempts and not all, which skews the results.

Have you looked at the 10-ball-ghost drill scores people have posted with their BU scores and ratings (see the 1st post on the 1st page, where I continue to update the list)? The scores and ratings seem to agree fairly well. There are a few BU Exam drills that can be "cheated" in a way with "practice," but you still need to be able to execute. Also, there are quite a few drills in the BU Exams (especially in Exam II) that require good and consistent run-out skills. These drills can't be "cheated;" although, one can certainly improve their run-out skills with dedicated practice. I have certainly improved my game quite a bit since I started practicing the BU Exams.

So, setup a 9' table at the BCA Expo or Super Billiard Expo and allow people to get rated.

That's a good idea. We do hope to do things like this in the future. We also rate people live when they attend our BU Summer School Boot Camp. Also, a player can visit any BU instructor to be rated in person. Hopefully, we will get much more activity on these fronts in the future. For now, the prerecorded (and unedited) video submittal is an easy and comfortable approach for most people. It also encourages and motivates people to continue to practice until they can get a complete recorded run that improves a previously-posted best.

Regards,
Dave

 

[JB Cases]

I look forward to seeing scores (and videos if available) for all of the people who said they would post (you and many others).

Thanks.

John,

Sorry, but I don't know this reference. It is somebody famous for making lots of excuses?

Regards,
Dave

You don't know Travis Trotter? Give up your AZB badge immediately. You are demoted to junior poster.

 

[dr_dave]

If I still had a 9' GC4 with 4.5 pockets, I might consider recording a session that would result in a monster score

I hope you will record and post sessions on whatever equipment you might have access to, whether the scores are "monster" or not.

but what good is that if it took me 100 tries to do it?

If you try both BU Exams 100 times, that would be awesome because all of that dedicated and focused practice would definitely refine and improve all of your pool skills a significant amount. That's the whole point ... the BU Exams can help motivate people to practice all of the important skills required to be a good pool player.

Catch you later,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Here's the latest (see below). If you haven't taken the BU Exams yet, please consider doing so. Also post 10-ball-ghost scores so we can see how the ratings correlate.

And you have already posted results, please try to beat your previous best scores to show us how much you can improve your scores with dedicated practice.

Good luck on the exams,
Dave

AZB'ers who have taken the BU playing-ability exams:

BU score - User - BU Rating, 10-ball ghost rating - table size, corner pocket mouth, throat, shelf - Video/post links:

168 - Gerry Williams - semi pro (A++/AAA), 73 (Pro) - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Table, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
164 - theUBC - semi pro (A++/AAA), ??? - 9', 4 1/2", 4 1/8", 1 3/4" - Exam I, Exam II
161 - Gerry Williams - semi pro (A++/AAA), 73 (Pro) - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Table, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
160 - dr_dave - semi pro (A++/AAA), 62 (A+) - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
160 - scottjen26 - semi pro (A++/AAA), 64 (A+) - 9', 4 1/2", 3 7/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
159 - Gerry Williams - adv-3 (A+/A), 73 (Pro) - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Table, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
157 - dr_dave - adv-3 (A+/A), 62 (A+) - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
157 - scottjen26 - adv-3 (A+/A), 64 (A+) - 9', 4 1/2", 3 7/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (AZB post)
156 - dr_dave - adv-3 (A+/A), 62 (A+) - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
156 - Gerry Williams - adv-3 (A+/A), 73 (Pro) - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Table, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II
152 - Neil - adv-3 (A+/A); 60 (A) - 7', 4 1/8", 2 7/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2)
149 - scottjen26 - adv-3 (A+/A), 64 (A+) - 9', 4 1/2", 3 7/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II
148 - Neil - adv-3 (A+/A); 60 (A) - 7', 4 1/8", 2 7/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2)
146 - dr_dave - adv-3 (A+/A), 58 (A) - 7', 4 1/2", 4 1/2", 3/4" - AZB post
142 - dr_dave - adv-3 (A+/A), 58 (A) - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I, Exam II
141 - 12squared - adv-3 (A+/A); 78 (Pro) - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - AZB post
141 - Neil - adv-3 (A+/A); 60 (A) - 7', 4 1/8", 3 1/2", 1 3/8" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
135 - Mooneye - adv-2 (A-/B+), 49 (B) - 7', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 5/8" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
135 - dr_dave - adv-2 (A-/B+), 54 (B+) - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I, Exam II
133 - Mooneye - adv-2 (A-/B+), 49 (B) - 7', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 5/8" - Exam I, Exam II
132 - Gerry Williams - adv-2 (A-/B+), 73 (Pro) - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Table, Exam I, Exam II (part 1, part 2)
132 - BRussell - adv-2 (A-/B+), 51 (B+) - 8', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
129 - Spimp13 - adv-2 (A-/B+), ??? - ??? - AZB post
127 - Okie - adv-2 (A-/B+), 61 (A+) - 9', 4 3/4", 4", 1 1/2" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
127 - Mooneye - adv-2 (A-/B+), 49 (B) - 7', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 5/8" - Exam I, AZB post
124 - StraightPoolIU - adv-1 (B/B-), 50 (B) - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8, 1 1/4" - AZB post
124 - JC - adv-1 (B/B-), 57 (A) - 9', 4 7/16", 3 7/8", 1 3/8" - Table, Exam 1, Exam 2
121 - TheOneGnat - adv-1 (B/B-), 51 (B+) - 8', 4 1/2", 4", 1 5/8" - AZB post and update
119 - Mooneye - adv-1 (B/B-), 49 (B) - 7', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 5/8" - Exam I, Exam II
117 - RobMan - adv-1 (B/B-), 46 (B) - 9', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/5" - AZB post
113 - Eagleshot - adv-1 (B/B-), 48 (B) - 9', 4 1/2, 4", 1 1/4" - PM
112 - gregcantrall adv-1 (B/B-), ??? - 8', 4 3/8", 4 1/8", 1" - AZB post
112 - Okie - adv-1 (B/B-), 61 (A+) - 9', 4 3/4", 4", 1 1/2" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
112 - RobMan - adv-1 (B/B-), 46 (B) - 9', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/5" - AZB post
108 - row21097 - int-3 (B-/C+), 57 (A) - 9', 4 1/2”, 4”, 1 1/2” - Table, Exam I (part 1, part 2, part 3), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
106 - StraightPoolIU - int-3 (B-/C+), 50 (B) - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8, 1 1/4" - AZB post
102 - Okie - int-3 (B-/C+), 52 (B+) - 9', 4 3/4", 4", 1 1/2" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
101 - 67tbird - int-3 (B-/C+), 46 (B) - 8', 4 1/4", 4", 1 1/2" - AZB post
98 - Eagleshot - int-3 (B-/C+), 48 (B) - 9', 4 1/2, 4", 1 1/4" - PM
92 - 67tbird - int-2 (C+/C), 34 (D+) - 8', 4 1/4", 4", 1 1/2" - AZB post
90 - EagleEye - int-2 (C+/C), ??? - 9', 5", 3 7/8", 1 3/8" - 2013 BU Summer School Boot Camp
89 - mamics - int-2 (C+/C), 31 (D+) - 9', 4 5/8", 3 13/16", 1 1/4" - AZB post
88 - DrGonzo - int-2 (C+/C), 47 (B) - 9', 4.5", 4", 1.5" - AZB post
87 - iusedtoberich - int-2 (C+/C), 38 (C) - 9', 5 1/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
78 - iusedtoberich - int-2 (C+/C), 38 (C) - 9', 5 1/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
77 - mamics - int-2 (C+/C), 31 (D+) - 9', 4 5/8", 3 13/16", 1 1/4" - AZB post
77 - SeanChamp - int-2 (C+/C), 29 (D) - 8', 4 1/2", ???, 1" - AZB post
72 - justadub - int-2 (C+/C), ??? - 9', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/4" - AZB post
68 - krupa - int-1 (C), ??? - 9', 4 3/4", 3 5/8", 1 1/4" - AZB post
68 - pleforowicz - int-1 (C), 24 (D) - 9', 11.7cm, 9.2cm, 3.8cm - AZB Post
62 - mamics - int-1 (C), 20 (D) - 9', 4 5/8", 3 13/16", 1 1/4" - AZB post
55 - mamics - int-1 (C), 20 (D) - 9', 4 5/8", 3 13/16", 1 1/4" - AZB post

 

[SpiderWebComm]

I hope you will record and post sessions on whatever equipment you might have access to, whether the scores are "monster" or not.

If you try both BU Exams 100 times, that would be awesome because all of that dedicated and focused practice would definitely refine and improve all of your pool skills a significant amount. That's the whole point ... the BU Exams can help motivate people to practice all of the important skills required to be a good pool player.

Catch you later,
Dave

Not disagreeing -- just think your ratings are inaccurate. Might want to label them as "Above average, average, below average and remedial" instead of SEMI-PRO.

 

[dr_dave]

Not disagreeing -- just think your ratings are inaccurate.

... only if they are taken out of context, or with the wrong perspective (per the explanations in my previous posts).

Good luck on the exams. Let's see how high of a score you can post with full, prerecorded, and unedited video sessions. Then, at some point in the future, you can impress us with a live streamed version.

Catch you later,
Dave

 

[BeiberLvr]

I get Spider's concerns. I do think the ratings are very accurate in comparison to each other. Meaning if someone in the top 5 played someone in the bottom 5, the person with a top 5 score would probably win very easily if they played even.

 

[JB Cases]

Not disagreeing -- just think your ratings are inaccurate. Might want to label them as "Above average, average, below average and remedial" instead of SEMI-PRO.

Is there a sub-remedial? That's where I would be.

 

[justadub]

Is there a sub-remedial? That's where I would be.

There is. Look at 5 from the bottom.

 

[JB Cases]

I hope you will record and post sessions on whatever equipment you might have access to, whether the scores are "monster" or not.

If you try both BU Exams 100 times, that would be awesome because all of that dedicated and focused practice would definitely refine and improve all of your pool skills a significant amount. That's the whole point ... the BU Exams can help motivate people to practice all of the important skills required to be a good pool player.

Catch you later,
Dave

I have found that putting myself into a match for $10,000 and $4500 on the side is incredible motivation to deeply practice with dedication and focus.

Maybe if you tried monetary awards or prizes that would motivate more people to try them.

Being serious for a second I am not sure I want to be ranked. I kind of like it when people don't really know what my skill level is. From a pride standpoint I can see the merit in doing it to find out where I stand. But this could seriously impact my street cred if I can talk a big game but don't have the score to support it.

Then again.........a low score means I could point to that and ask for more weight.

Decisions decisions.

 

[Neil]

I have found that putting myself into a match for $10,000 and $4500 on the side is incredible motivation to deeply practice with dedication and focus.

Maybe if you tried monetary awards or prizes that would motivate more people to try them.

Being serious for a second I am not sure I want to be ranked. I kind of like it when people don't really know what my skill level is. From a pride standpoint I can see the merit in doing it to find out where I stand. But this could seriously impact my street cred if I can talk a big game but don't have the score to support it.

Then again.........a low score means I could point to that and ask for more weight.

Decisions decisions.

Then yet, the drills could really help your position play which is critical in one hole....but, it's your money.

 

[dr_dave]

I get Spider's concerns.

Me too.

However, I personally prefer seeing how somebody plays on their best day when playing well. That's why I prefer the prerecorded (and unedited) posted-video approach. I certainly wouldn't want to invest scheduled time watching a live stream of an average or below-average performance for somebody who can play better at other times.

Each exam is 40-60 minutes long, so one still needs to be consistent and focused (and have skills) to be able to post a good score.

Now, if somebody wants to get an accurate rating of their actual playing ability, they should look at their range of scores over both good and bad days and take the average (or median). They should also take the exams on a table with a Table Difficulty Factor (TDF) close to 1. A better player will tend to have less variability in their BU scores; but for lower ranked players, the spread between their best and worst scores could be significant.

I do think the ratings are very accurate in comparison to each other.

... assuming the two people being compared have put in similar efforts working on the exams. But I agree, the real value of rating systems is to rank people in a relative sense, and provide a means to track improvement over time (with the scores on each of the drills in each of the exams).

Meaning if someone in the top 5 played someone in the bottom 5, the person with a top 5 score would probably win very easily if they played even.

No question there.

Thank you for your input,
Dave