How do you assess someones speed???

B

bbb

AzB Gold Member
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im not talking about bangers
but if short stop is 90 and efren/shane/scott frost depending on game is 100
and a large number of guys that are 80
these are all guys that can run racks
and arent likely to do something stupid
so for the upper level guys
how you decide what kind of spot you can give someone
what clues help to distinguish the levels on the upper end??
for those who dont want to say in public
you can pm me:)
 
bbb said:
im not talking about bangers
but if short stop is 90 and efren/shane/scott frost depending on game is 100
and a large number of guys that are 80
these are all guys that can run racks
and arent likely to do something stupid
so for the upper level guys
how you decide what kind of spot you can give someone
what clues help to distinguish the levels on the upper end??
for those who dont want to say in public
you can pm me:)
Click to expand...

Quite simple really. Ask for a spot take what they offer and play. Adjust after you loose 3 sets.

You could just play them heads up and start from there.

You may never know someone's true speed until you beat them consistently for the cash. Then you probably have a good idea of where they play.

Of course speed is relative. If you leave with the money you may have not seen their true speed. If they leave with your money you can almost be certain that you haven't seen their top speed.

When you leave with a lot of their money consistently and they refuse to play you with any spot you are willing to offer you have a pretty good read on how they play.

I hope this is helpful though it seems a lot like common sense to me. :)

(Please note there is some humor in my reply)
 
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i can try to help, i hope i understand what u mean... as far as the high level players playin each other im sure they would be playing even...there are systems like the a-d that could give u a general idea of what u can spot some1.....or do u mean top pro vs middle or low pro and what game? i would need more details........
 
Uski said:
i can try to help, i hope i understand what u mean... as far as the high level players playin each other im sure they would be playing even...there are systems like the a-d that could give u a general idea of what u can spot some1.....or do u mean top pro vs middle or low pro and what game? i would need more details........
Click to expand...

ok here is some more details
someone comes into your pool room you have never seen before
there is no inside info on who he played how he played them and who won
you watch him play one of your better players

how do you decide is he a medium short stop??
almost pro tournament level player
good but not great player??
is he stalling??
 
I'm just a banger, so take the following with a grain of salt... When comparing high level players, I look at their facial expressions. A player who is in command of the game will be almost expressionless the entire time they play. He's seen it all, nothing surprises him, and he's there to do a job.

YMMV
 
in the pool world if u are a really strong player its very hard for them not to be known....its kinda a small community.. if some1 walks into your room lookin for action that u have never seen and their isnt any info on him i think it would be very rare but i would jus play him even cheap sets .... $5 to $20 ... and whatever u agree on make sure u tell him that your not raising the bet so he may play with u if he likes....if u see that hes doing things that u cant do and he is out playing u after a couple sets then u can ask for a spot and see how that works out and keep adjusting to u feel it is fair....... as far as his level its hard to say i dont know how u play or how your better players play... do u know the A-D handicap system?
 
if my opponent ran 9 racks of 10 ball on me,i would be thinking...
"Hmmm...he kinda sucks, he got outta line twice. Offer him the 6?"
 
For the most part, you just need to step up and play them some.

I have walked away from a few top level hustlers when they don't know me from Adam and say they will play me from whatever I want, no spot!!!
 
bbb said:
im not talking about bangers
but if short stop is 90 and efren/shane/scott frost depending on game is 100
and a large number of guys that are 80
these are all guys that can run racks
and arent likely to do something stupid
so for the upper level guys
how you decide what kind of spot you can give someone
what clues help to distinguish the levels on the upper end??
for those who dont want to say in public
you can pm me:)
Click to expand...

When I play the upper level guys they can ususally figure the spot easily as I generally donate a couple hundred playing even first.
 
dr9ball said:
Quite simple really. Ask for a spot take what they offer and play. Adjust after you loose 3 sets.

You could just play them heads up and start from there.

You may never know someone's true speed until you beat them consistently for the cash. Then you probably have a good idea of where they play.

Of course speed is relative. If you leave with the money you may have not seen their true speed. If they leave with your money you can almost be certain that you haven't seen their top speed.

When you leave with a lot of their money consistently and they refuse to play you with any spot you are willing to offer you have a pretty good read on how they play.

I hope this is helpful though it seems a lot like common sense to me. :)

(Please note there is some humor in my reply)
Click to expand...

Hello Lock Doctor,
Good Morning to you.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
 
bbb said:
Lock N LOAD
you are an experienced player
do you not have any comments except to say hello to your buddies??
your opinion would be welcome
Click to expand...

Hello BBB,
The reason I did not comment is because I never get any weight from anyone it is always what are you giving up! I never ask for weight from anyone either.
Now about your questions, I think if you really wish to know a person's speed in playing pool, that you need to watch to see who they play or how they try to match up. If they have no fear in trying to match up they are a good player. Plus now a days it is so easy to check a player out, on the cell phone, Internet, friends, and the list of ways go on and on. Without you having to play the person to find out their speed in playing pool.
If I am going to play someone I do not worry about how they play. I just play and by me having several different levels of playing pool I make an adjustment in my game to match their level of playing pool. This comes with experience over several years of playing pool and practice over a long period of time. Let me know if this helps with your questions? Thanks for asking for my input.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
 
bbb said:
Lock N LOAD
you are an experienced player
do you not have any comments except to say hello to your buddies??
your opinion would be welcome
Click to expand...

Hello BBB,
The reason I did not comment is because I never get any weight from anyone it is always what are you giving up! I never ask for weight from anyone either.
Now about your questions, I think if you really wish to know a person's speed in playing pool, that you need to watch to see who they play or how they try to match up. If they have no fear in trying to match up they are a good player. Plus now a days it is so easy to check a player out, on the cell phone, Internet, friends, and the list of ways go on and on. Without you having to play the person to find out their speed in playing pool.
If I am going to play someone I do not worry about how they play. I just play and by me having several different levels of playing pool I make an adjustment in my game to match their level of playing pool. This comes with experience over several years of playing pool and practice over a long period of time. Let me know if this helps with your questions? Thanks for asking for my input.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
 
Mechanics never lie

Watch their mechanics, then watch their eyes as they play. Even the greatest players have a stroke that does not lie. Then you need to watch their overall way around the table, I do not mean the way the balls lie, but how they address their environment. A true hustler will put you at ease and make themselves out to be harmless until they have you locked up.
 
Lock N Load said:
Hello BBB,
The reason I did not comment is because I never get any weight from anyone it is always what are you giving up! I never ask for weight from anyone either.
Now about your questions, I think if you really wish to know a person's speed in playing pool, that you need to watch to see who they play or how they try to match up. If they have no fear in trying to match up they are a good player. Plus now a days it is so easy to check a player out, on the cell phone, Internet, friends, and the list of ways go on and on. Without you having to play the person to find out their speed in playing pool.
If I am going to play someone I do not worry about how they play. I just play and by me having several different levels of playing pool I make an adjustment in my game to match their level of playing pool. This comes with experience over several years of playing pool and practice over a long period of time. Let me know if this helps with your questions? Thanks for asking for my input.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
Click to expand...

thanks for your reply and also thanks to all who have and will reply
 
Personally, i think that to be able to pick out high level players, you have to have played at a high level yourself, or you have to have a tremendous amount of experience in the pool world, where you witnessed high level competition of various games.

That's way, it's easier to distinguish between what are relatively easy shots, vs much more difficult shot, as well as easy vs difficult position shots.

I see this happen in the pool room ALL the time.
Plenty of banger and novice player, think they know what everyone's speed is or can tell, when in reality, they haven't a clue. (but try telling them that)

They really have a difficult time grasping exactly how hard something might be. But if you were to ask them, they firmly believe that they are the greatest handicappers/assessors of speed that exist in the universe, where i like to leave those things to people with more experience/ability.

Do we want to distinguish between games and pressures?

You have some 9ball champs, that blow at 1pocket.
Some one pocket champs that blow at 14.1.
And some 14.1 players, that blow at both 9ball, and 1pocket.

And how do we know that this guy running out from everywhere, is going to run out from everywhere when gambling for $2, or in tournament play?

Determining someone's speed is a very intricate process.

And i don't believe that everyone possesses the qualifications/background to do that accurately.
 
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mattb said:
Watch their mechanics, then watch their eyes as they play. Even the greatest players have a stroke that does not lie. Then you need to watch their overall way around the table, I do not mean the way the balls lie, but how they address their environment. A true hustler will put you at ease and make themselves out to be harmless until they have you locked up.
Click to expand...

I too scrutinize this area and the 'simplicity' of shot selection choices have important influences on my future decisions from ''all'' perspectives. They know your watching, and even their ball bangin choices 'tells' something. Comparing this too your ''metal'' should be fun.
 
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