I just posted an 84 on the Follow Matrix Drill. I think I can do much better, but it will take some work.


The current standings are on the Challenge page.

Lot of good advice here. I agree with a cardboard tube inside a FedEx or USPS triangle, both of which they'll give you for free. FedEx and UPS both sell the tubes for like 3 bucks a pop. The best and sturdiest triangles I've come across were the UPS ones, but they don't sell them at any of the UPS stores near me and they cost actual money, which the FedEx and USPS ones don't. I pack bubble wrap into the top and bottom of the tube, and then stuff newspaper into the sides of the triangle so there's no side to side wiggle for the tube. It's true the absolute sturdiest would be to go get some PVC cut, but that is certainly more work.

I use Pirate Ship, UPS only. I'll never use USPS again, and FedEx is much more expensive.

And I'll echo the above - if anything seems off, just walk. It's not worth the sale and someone else will buy your cue.

You can use the Salotto app to build Fargo when playing other folks: https://salotto.app/

bump

Oikawa said:

The TDs determine the handicaps. We typically play races to 5, anyone who is half decent and can occasionally run out (500ish or more Fargo) will play with the lowest handicap (0), then around 400-500 get a handicap of 1 and sub 400s get 2. So a 700 vs 300 fargo would start at 0-2. Since we don't use Fargo, the figures are just estimates here, and are loosely judged relative to other players speed.

I personally really enjoy this system of 500+ all having no handicaps, lets the improving 500-700s play semipros and pros with no handicap for good practice.

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I am considering playing in local / semi-local tournaments and I know some will take your non fargo rating and try to match it up to Fargo, and others will start you with a high Fargo and adjust in future tournaments as they learn your skill level. I may also play in some non-fargo events that have really good players (includes pros sometimes) just for the experience of playing top players, but knowing it will likely be 2 matches of play one on the winners side and likely one on the lossers side. I'm in my mid-60's and just want to do it for fun and the experience.

14oneman said:

Interesting...I have often thought about this fairly new (in my 63 years of playing) phenomenon...I've been a 14.1 player all my life, and I used to play in tournaments back in the 70's and early 80's, before 14.1 became virtually obsolete...of course in those days there was no such thing as "Fargo", so therefor I don't have a Fargo rating...if I ever decide to play in an open 9 ball tournament (like at SBE) does having a Fargo rating even matter?...is it a requirement?

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For SBE, I believe the answer is no, but for events that are BCA-sanctioned YES you need a Fargo rating. The BCA would not let me play in tournaments except for mini tournaments and even there, they were going to give me a very high Fargo rating (this is per staff at the Fargo booth). So I didn't play :-/

Frank McGowan always told me when I'd ask him questions about a shotgun pool , a steady / firm base is first and foremost to make any shot all the way down to your bridge hand .

So yes that makes,perfect sense to me .

"8 ply laminated pig skin" That's all it says on their page, so not a name brand. Pretty common to keep costs down..

Magictrat007 said:

I wonder if that will void the warranty though ?? I bought it legit so I’m wondering if I should send it back

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You won't even be able to see that work has been done. Don't sweat it. Try with wax first and if that fails take it to your local cuemaker.