Mike Dechaine playing in W9B

[Keith Jawahir]

Nope not what I am saying at all. Just that it needs to be either ranked by how you finish in the events you play in not in how many events you play or that it needs to be a true world tour. If you play in 4 events and finish 1,1, 3, 5 you should be ranked as high or higher than someone that played in 8 events but finished in worse positions and just got points due to quantity.

If that happens I would bet that the US would have players ranked a lot higher and a lot more of them.

Just going by the WPA ratings to figure out who is better than who or who should be qualified to play where, without noting that fact that there is no pro tour for pool so some players just can't afford to play in events is a disservice to not just the players, but it's misleading the fans.

well... this is my heavily skewed opinion... but in Europa and Asia they sponsor their players and treat them like athletes. In good ol' Murca, We have stakehorses and saved up vacation days. Go look over in that "where do pool players go" thread. There's a comment in there about unemployment lines, homeless shelters, and rehab clinics. The culture here is different, and it shows. Plus, just based on observation, people (especially Americans) tend to live in a bubble. Maybe Mike is tired of being a regional champion and wants to step out and really get his d*ck wet.

WPA rankings do go by performance in events played, so I'm not sure what you're trying to say. I feel like you're whining because American players not name Shane don't put themselves out there and play in WPA fields and it's somehow the WPA's fault, like we somehow deserve double points for participation.

 

[hang-the-9]

well... this is my heavily skewed opinion... but in Europa and Asia they sponsor their players and treat them like athletes. In good ol' Murca, We have stakehorses and saved up vacation days. Go look over in that "where do pool players go" thread. There's a comment in there about unemployment lines, homeless shelters, and rehab clinics. The culture here is different, and it shows. Plus, just based on observation, people (especially Americans) tend to live in a bubble. Maybe Mike is tired of being a regional champion and wants to step out and really get his d*ck wet.

WPA rankings do go by performance in events played, so I'm not sure what you're trying to say. I feel like you're whining because American players not name Shane don't put themselves out there and play in WPA fields and it's somehow the WPA's fault, like we somehow deserve double points for participation.

They go by total points in all the ranking events, not just points in the events you played in. Which ends up being skewed towards those that can play in more overseas events. You can finish worse in more events than someone that finished high in just a few but did not play in others. Shows how strong Shane is to be ranked that high after playing in only 4 of those events.

 

[Keith Jawahir]

They go by total points in all the ranking events, not just points in the events you played in. Which ends up being skewed towards those that can play in more overseas events. You can finish worse in more events than someone that finished high in just a few but did not play in others. Shows how strong Shane is to be ranked that high after playing in only 4 of those events.

Agreed. But, I still disagree and would have to say that the system is set up fairly. Taking everything into consideration, players from each country/region would have to travel about equally to play in more events.

 

[BRussell]

Those WPA rankings are horrible for anyone outside of Europe and Asian areas, only 3 of the 14 events are in the US. They need to have way more events to have a World ranking or have an organization and tour that will send the pro players to as many events as they want to play in, instead of what they can afford for travel.

I think you've switched the chicken and the egg.

 

[spartan]

Nope not what I am saying at all. Just that it needs to be either ranked by how you finish in the events you play in not in how many events you play or that it needs to be a true world tour. If you play in 4 events and finish 1,1, 3, 5 you should be ranked as high or higher than someone that played in 8 events but finished in worse positions and just got points due to quantity. I was ranked very high in MVP points in my league for several seasons and was top in at least one season, but because they rank not just how good you play (win/loss %) but also how MUCH you play, I got ranked higher than some people that had more wins or more racks won vs lost than me. Not fair to those guys, I just happened to play in more sets.

If that happens I would bet that the US would have players ranked a lot higher and a lot more of them.

Just going by the WPA ratings to figure out who is better than who or who should be qualified to play where, without noting that fact that there is no pro tour for pool so some players just can't afford to play in events is a disservice to not just the players, but it's misleading the fans.

Hello?
Most rankings in other sports since time immemorial are that way. Points ranking are that way. Prizemoney rankings are that way. You play 1000 events and earn $100 per event you earn $100K so you rank higher than the guy who plays 1 event and wins $50K
Rankings are not perfect. Too bad you didnt rank well in your league. Doesnt mean you should whine
Something is very sour here . Muahahaha

 

[arps]

Those WPA rankings are horrible for anyone outside of Europe and Asian areas, only 3 of the 14 events are in the US. They need to have way more events to have a World ranking or have an organization and tour that will send the pro players to as many events as they want to play in, instead of what they can afford for travel.

I'm sure if they have 14 events, where all pro players can play in at will, the rankings will be different.

Shane is the only US player listed till Mike D is at 60, and Shane only has 4 events in the ranking.

It's like having a ranking of snow man makers and having all the events held in Alaska and Siberia. Not a lot of people from Maine would be ranked there either.

since 2011, there were no WPA events held in the Philippines up until Pacquiao sponsored the recent world 10-ball. yet the Filipinos have maintained at least 4 in the top 20 ranking consistently. they have always represented in china open, all-japan open, w9b and even the US Open. a lot have even spent money for visa applications and processing in US or UK only to be denied after the visa interview. Jeff De Luna got denied of a US visa last year and wasnt able to play in the US Open. Johann Chua, same thing, so he missed the world pool masters this month. not to mention the value and purchasing power of Philippine peso compared to dollars or pounds. it's really tough, but pool is what they do so they must travel.
like you said, it would be good to have an organization that would help top players participate in WPA tournaments - financially most likely.

 

[AtLarge]

... a lot have even spent money for visa applications and processing in US or UK only to be denied after the visa interview. Jeff De Luna got denied of a US visa last year and wasnt able to play in the US Open. Johann Chua, same thing, so he missed the world pool masters this month. ...

arps -- Do you know anything about the reasons some are approved for a visa and some are denied, to do essentially the same thing(s)? I'm ignorant about that stuff.

 

[hang-the-9]

Hello?
Most rankings in other sports since time immemorial are that way. Points ranking are that way. Prizemoney rankings are that way. You play 1000 events and earn $100 per event you earn $100K so you rank higher than the guy who plays 1 event and wins $50K
Rankings are not perfect. Too bad you didnt rank well in your league. Doesnt mean you should whine
Something is very sour here . Muahahaha

I don't think you read my posts about the reasoning. I DID rank very high in the league, every time I played, I just did not feel like I deserved it. Nothing to do with the WPA rankings though I was just using it as an example where more does not equal better.

I actually found the old rankings, session in 2014, I was #1 my son was # 2

1 Gurevich,Lazar Veteran 71 3558 10 1298 17 1 8 1
2 Gurevich,Alex Veteran 55 3454 11 851 17

Another one, son is #2 I'm 5th

2 Gurevich,Alex Veteran 55 2398 8 723 14 0 2 0
5 Gurevich,Lazar Veteran 74 2162 6

This one was neat, my team placed 1,2 and 4 in the standings for top shooter.

1 Buffone,David Rookie 104 2117 7 675 7 0 12 1
2 Gurevich,Lazar Veteran 82 1961 5 643 9 1 4 2
4 Gurevich,Alex Veteran

So I have no worries about rank.

 

[arps]

arps -- Do you know anything about the reasons some are approved for a visa and some are denied, to do essentially the same thing(s)? I'm ignorant about that stuff.

not sure about the policy in the UK (i'll ask johann chua), but in the US approval/denial will depend on the type of visa you're applying for. it could wither be B1-B2 or P1 (for athletes). But generally, an applicant would have to prove that he is not a potential illegal immigrant when he steps on US soil. He would have to prove his "ties" with his country.