Ratin yourself by a letter designation is too subjective

What skill level are you honestly


  • Total voters
    78
I refuse to show my true speed so you can rank me between a beginner and a master player. It depends on the event type (gambling, playing for fun, tournament etc), my drive that day...as in how bad do I want to win vs not caring, and alcohol level.
 
I'm sure I could do the drill every time... even on a Diamond Pro-cut..
(I would wager on it if that's your next question) :)

With the exception of breaking and getting kissed in the side or something, I don't see how an average good player could not score 12-14 every rack. Maybe I think some people play better than they do.. I may ask a couple guys tonight if they want to give it a go and see how they do in a couple racks.

All I'm saying is I think the ranking for the drill is off..
I think the test should be done shooting all the balls in order.. Then that would give a pretty good ranking when done over a period of time.
I know you're a very good player and your score would reflect that. Coming into the "correct" last 5 that maximizes your out is where the separation occurs.

Trust me, an average player is not averaging 14pts/rack...many will miss within the first 10 before making it to the rotation phase, where they get 2 pts/ball (20pts possible, total).

I know you play at a good clip, but don't assume everyone runs out like God from everywhere on a 9' Diamond Pro Cut table. Take a handful of APA 7s and put them on that 9' Diamond for 10 frames and score it accurately and fairly. There will be a big spread of scores.
 
I'm sure I could do the drill every time... even on a Diamond Pro-cut..
(I would wager on it if that's your next question) :)

With the exception of breaking and getting kissed in the side or something, I don't see how an average good player could not score 12-14 every rack. Maybe I think some people play better than they do.. I may ask a couple guys tonight if they want to give it a go and see how they do in a couple racks.

All I'm saying is I think the ranking for the drill is off..
I think the test should be done shooting all the balls in order.. Then that would give a pretty good ranking when done over a period of time.

An average pool player, meaning a C or a C+? They will not run a rack of 15 even in any order most of the time. I played straight pool with quite a few C and even B players and a run or 5-6-7 was about average. A full rack run was pretty much a 0 occurrence for a C player.
 
Trust me, an average player is not averaging 14pts/rack...many will miss within the first 10 before making it to the rotation phase, where they get 2 pts/ball (20pts possible, total).

I know you play at a good clip, but don't assume everyone runs out like God from everywhere on a 9' Diamond Pro Cut table. Take a handful of APA 7s and put them on that 9' Diamond for 10 frames and score it accurately and fairly. There will be a big spread of scores.

I'm not trying to make light of the "test", but I just think of an average good player as one who can run out frequently in 9 ball, etc...

I think running any ball in any order is super easy, but I see where someone who doesn't plan well could end up getting turned around when it comes down to the last 5 in order.. I played a ton of straight pool growing up and so did everyone around me... I am using a different frame of reference perhaps.

I am going to try this tonight for real and have some decent players do it.. I'll let you know what the results are.
 
I'm not trying to make light of the "test", but I just think of an average good player as one who can run out frequently in 9 ball, etc...

I think running any ball in any order is super easy, but I see where someone who doesn't plan well could end up getting turned around when it comes down to the last 5 in order.. I played a ton of straight pool growing up and so did everyone around me... I am using a different frame of reference perhaps.

I am going to try this tonight for real and have some decent players do it.. I'll let you know what the results are.
According to your logic, Adam, an average 9ball player should never miss in 14.1 where most cant get through the first rack. Your average 9ball player also can't negotiate clusters well.
 
I'm not trying to make light of the "test", but I just think of an average good player as one who can run out frequently in 9 ball, etc...

I think running any ball in any order is super easy, but I see where someone who doesn't plan well could end up getting turned around when it comes down to the last 5 in order.. I played a ton of straight pool growing up and so did everyone around me... I am using a different frame of reference perhaps.

I am going to try this tonight for real and have some decent players do it.. I'll let you know what the results are.

Average "good" player and "average" player are very different. An "average" player on the pro circuit can certainly run out that test pretty easily. A really average player is one that does not play a ton but also plays at least once a week.

I think most people would say that the average guy you see in a pall hall would be a C or a C+. You may be thinking, I know players that are between B+ and A++ so an average player is an A or an A+. That's not really the case though. You take say the APA membership, and average their ratings, that would be the average pool player. I'm guessing it would be around a 4.5 or so.
 
I can now prove I'm a beginner and need big time weight from everybody.

They couldn't put it on azbilliards if it wasn't true.
 
Spiderweb Dave...For you and Eric to post yourselves as novice players is pretty funny. I've played with both of you, and you both are solid players. I'm guessing it was tongue in cheek! :grin: Btw, I totally agree with your assessment of Hopkin's Q Skill test. Adam has a skewed view, as he runs in a different circle of players.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
 
learn the Accu-Stats TPA system and score yourself.... It's been around for over 30 years and is proven.... If you shoot 700 750 800 850 or 900 you go from regional cashing to being able to win on the big stage... Under 700 keep working and play local but even locally shooting 650 will beat the tar out of a bunch of players....
 
I'm sure I could do the drill every time... even on a Diamond Pro-cut..
(I would wager on it if that's your next question) :)

With the exception of breaking and getting kissed in the side or something, I don't see how an average good player could not score 12-14 every rack. Maybe I think some people play better than they do.. I may ask a couple guys tonight if they want to give it a go and see how they do in a couple racks.

All I'm saying is I think the ranking for the drill is off..
I think the test should be done shooting all the balls in order.. Then that would give a pretty good ranking when done over a period of time.

sadly I tend to agree.. and I suck atm... Will try and video something Friday night but I am betting I can average at least 12 and I am nowhere near being in playing shape....
 
An average pool player, meaning a C or a C+? They will not run a rack of 15 even in any order most of the time. I played straight pool with quite a few C and even B players and a run or 5-6-7 was about average. A full rack run was pretty much a 0 occurrence for a C player.

You are so right. I think most players are better in their own mind than they are on the table. I would think if we were HONEST with ourselves the intermediate player total should be closer to 75%. In my view an intermediate player will run a rack of 9 ball one out of ten times. Same with 8 ball. In other words an intermediate player has the ability to run out at any given time so their opponent must keep this in mind when playing. An advanced player will run a two pack at any given time in 9 ball.
 
It wasn't that long ago when everyone down played their level of play to try and get more action. Now everyone thinks they are better than they are. I think this may be a by product of the leagues.
 
I voted myself as intermediate. I think I play a fairly good game of pool, but I think I need to start breaking and running more often to move up into the next tier. If I had to compare it to golf I'd say I'm similar to a high single digit handicap player. Good enough to beat most players, way better than casual players, but still clearly behind really good players (scratch) and well behind the shortstop level and above.
 
I wanted to test the feasibility of this drill as a ranking method so I tried it last night, on a 9ft. Diamond ProAm with pro-cut pockets..

First rack, I broke and ran out to the 11th ball and realized I miscounted the last 5 so I just shot them in.

Second rack I broke and ran out - 20 pts.
Third rack I broke and got kicked in the top corner, ran the rest - 19 pts.
Fourth rack I broke and ran out - 20 pts.
Fifth rack I broke and ran out - 20 pts.
Sixth rack I broke and ran out - 20 pts.

I see a pattern here..This is not the right skill positioning test for me so I asked some other people to try it.. I only had two people do it so I don't have a large sample yet.

First guy - I spot him last 4/5
Tried 3 times and got to 9 balls, 7 balls and 9 balls.

Second guy - I spot him the last 3/4
Tried 3 times and got to 10 balls, ran out and got to 7 balls.

I can see both of these players doing much better and I think that concentration is perhaps the biggest detriment to completing this test to their full potential.

Going to try it again tonight.. I think I'll do 10 racks and see if my concentration holds up.. :)

Plus, two other solid players will be joining me tonight so I will have them try it..
 
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Stick

YOU LEFT OUT [HASBENNS] HA HA IM 76YR AND STILL LOVE IT!!!!:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
This is why I like the Bonde system that Wisconsin has. I'm rated as mid to high B across over 200 games of 9-ball. The first 100 games are preliminary and at about 120 games your rating is established fairly accurately.

I'm not yet rated in 8-ball or 10-ball but I'd guess and say that in 10-ball I'm a high B or low A, and in 8-ball probably a mid B.
 
I wanted to test the feasibility of this drill as a ranking method so I tried it last night, on a 9ft. Diamond ProAm with pro-cut pockets..

First rack, I broke and ran out to the 11th ball and realized I miscounted the last 5 so I just shot them in.

Second rack I broke and ran out - 20 pts.
Third rack I broke and got kicked in the top corner, ran the rest - 19 pts.
Fourth rack I broke and ran out - 20 pts.
Fifth rack I broke and ran out - 20 pts.
Sixth rack I broke and ran out - 20 pts.

I see a pattern here..This is not the right skill positioning test for me so I asked some other people to try it.. I only had two people do it so I don't have a large sample yet.

First guy - I spot him last 4/5
Tried 3 times and got to 9 balls, 7 balls and 9 balls.

Second guy - I spot him the last 3/4
Tried 3 times and got to 10 balls, ran out and got to 7 balls.

I can see both of these players doing much better and I think that concentration is perhaps the biggest detriment to completing this test to their full potential.

Going to try it again tonight.. I think I'll do 10 racks and see if my concentration holds up.. :)

Plus, two other solid players will be joining me tonight so I will have them try it..
What's your high run in 14.1?
 
Sure thing boss. Honestly, I'm a C player at best. I don't know what that translates to, in your designations. Honestly, I don't think it matters, because most people don't understand what a C player is. Honestly, I don't think they know what any letter grade player is, unless you reference something they DO understand.

If I had to guess, this is the way I would break it down:
Beginner = D player = APA SL3 or lower
Novice = C player = APA SL4/5
Intermediate = B player = APA SL6/7
Advanced = A player = APA SL8/9
Master = Pro = APA... oh wait

So, even if I tried to break it down, I still don't agree with it. I'm an APA SL6, but what is an APA SL6? I've beaten SL8's. So does that make me an A player or an Advanced player? Is it getting confusing yet? :boring2:
You only beat an 8 because he had an off game and you were on. You don't need to make near as many balls as he does. I'm an 8 and I've beaten all number ranges, including a 9. I've also lost to an 8 that went to a 7 that very game. I played terrible. I can't tell you how many times I scratched. If I am on and catch a gear, a lesser player will lose. Isn't that how it always works?
Not hard to understand.

Regardless, I don't consider myself good. I always say the same thing when people ask me how I play. I tell them I am ok. If and when the day comes I shoot professional speed, then I'll say I'm pretty solid.
 
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You only beat an 8 because he had an off game and you were on. You don't need to make near as many balls as he does. I'm an 8 and I've beaten all number ranges, including a 9. I've also lost to an 8 that went to a 7 that very game. I played terrible. I can't tell you how many times I scratched. If I am on and catch a gear, a lesser player will lose. Isn't that how it always works?
Not hard to understand.

Regardless, I don't consider myself good. I always say the same thing when people ask me how I play. I tell them I am ok. If and when the day comes I shoot professional speed, then I'll say I'm pretty solid.

You missed the point I was making.

Regardless, I played a SL7 on Wednesday night and won 18-2. (46-11) I had the opportunity to win 20-0, but dogged the nine on the second to last rack. I was up 36-0, before he got a shot, and that was him kicking out of a safety. More than likely, I will be a SL7 next week. I haven't gotten many matches in, so my handicap has stayed relatively low. So, to add to the point that I was making, do handicaps show true ability? NO...

I beat the SL8's, because at the time, I played better than they did. I don't see why so many of you, in the critic crew, have to put down on people when you weren't even there to watch my play. APA, BCA, NAPL, TAP, and even Dr. Dave's rankings are/can be flawed. I'm still a SL5 in APA 8-ball, but I haven't played in two sessions. Wanna spot me some games on the wire?
 
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