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

[kanzzo]

I guess your point is: Target Drill performance is a predictor of total BU Exam score.

Even the Target Pool drill can become a pure test of execution ability. For example, I have figured out my optimal stroke length and tip position to use for every target. So for me, the drill is more a measure of stroke consistency than CB control knowledge and ability. But I still enjoy the challenge and the practice it gives me.

how often do you score 19 or 20 out of 20?

Yes, my theory is it correlates best with total BU Exam score. Like there are people who constantly perform horribly at balls 6-9 in wheel drill or banks or shooting elevated. And some drills are easier to get perfect score every time. But this one seem to correlate so good, if you need a good estimation of Player Ability in less time (15 min instead of 2 hours) you get almost exactly as close in 15 min.

 

[dr_dave]

hope you reconsider this or just do it as a side challenge
13 boring racks and then it all comes down to the spread at level 16 with your chances to run out 15 balls in rotation. This is something a pro player can accomplish with perfect score in one weekend (not something he can do this fast in Exam I+II)

so it would be much more boring to practice

Everybody who can achieve the perfect RDS 100 score of 100 would share the top prize, with a bonus going to the first person to do it. I agree that any pro should be able to reach 100 within a fairly small number of attempts; but, as with past Challenges, I don't suspect many pros would enter.

Regardless, we haven't decided what to do for the next Challenge yet. I was just throwing out an idea. Maybe we'll do a "Race to 100" for all four BU Exams, offering big prizes for perfect scores and backup prizes for the best scores. I also plan to do Lottery Divisions in any future Challenges so players at all ability levels will have an incentive to participate.

 

[dr_dave]

Even the Target Pool drill can become a pure test of execution ability. For example, I have figured out my optimal stroke length and tip position to use for every target. So for me, the drill is more a measure of stroke consistency than CB control knowledge and ability. But I still enjoy the challenge and the practice it gives me.

how often do you score 19 or 20 out of 20?

I have scored 19 on both the Wagon Wheel Drill (F7) and the Target Pool Drill (F8) during actually Exam runs, but this is very difficult for me to do. I haven't kept stats, but I would guess my chances for getting 19 or 20 are 1 in 25 for F7 and 1 in 10 for F8. One day, I attempted to get a perfect 20 on F7 with dedicated practice on that drill, but I couldn't do it; although, I think could if I kept trying. I would think my chances for a 20 on F7 is probably 1 in 100 or worse. I don't think anybody has ever gotten a perfect 20 on F7 yet during an actual Exam run. A 20 in F8 is much more doable for me. I would guess my odds to do that would be about 1 in 15 or so.

 

[kanzzo]

would also welcome the race to 100 challenge this year

A 20 in F8 is much more doable for me. I would guess my odds to do that would be about 1 in 15 or so.

just for my theory of F8 being best overall predictor. 1 in 15 seems like a 18.1 average and this is a good estimation of your overall possible best performance

F7 would't be a good predictor since everybody has difficulties here and the test is about performing great in other parts of the test.

But thanks for sharing your stats. Can't wait to continue practice. Aiming for s.th. like 88+ in Exam II and will then put my concentration on reaching the other points needed to get my free diploma in Exam I

 

[kanzzo]

in Exam III in my opinion it's next to impossible to get a perfect 100 except if it would be allowed to change the sequence of the shots.

So if your goal would be to get a perfect 100 on video, perhaps you might consider changing the rules for this one

or if you want everybody competing having same sequence - changing the sequence so it starts with the low percentage trick shots.

this would be my sequence of choice if I would try to go for a perfect 100:
A18-25
A5
A12-14
A9
the rest

 

[dr_dave]

in Exam III in my opinion it's next to impossible to get a perfect 100 except if it would be allowed to change the sequence of the shots.

So if your goal would be to get a perfect 100 on video, perhaps you might consider changing the rules for this one

or if you want everybody competing having same sequence - changing the sequence so it starts with the low percentage trick shots.

this would be my sequence of choice if I would try to go for a perfect 100:
A18-25
A5
A12-14
A9
the rest

I agree with your points, but I don't think 100 needs to be possible. Also, I don't like changing stuff after the Exams have already been out for a while.

 

[kanzzo]

Can't wait to continue practice. Aiming for s.th. like 88+ in Exam II and will then put my concentration on reaching the other points needed to get my free diploma in Exam I

ran 81 and 84 in exam II today

84 could have been easily an 88 or 90 (forgot 2 safes and scratched on a kick)
(84) S1-10, S2-15, S3-14, S4-14, S5-9, S6-6, S7-3, S8-6, S9-5, S10-2

 

[dr_dave]

ran 81 and 84 in exam II today

84 could have been easily an 88 or 90 (forgot 2 safes and scratched on a kick)
(84) S1-10, S2-15, S3-14, S4-14, S5-9, S6-6, S7-3, S8-6, S9-5, S10-2

That's awesome. Maybe the Doctorate with Honors diploma is in your future after all.

Post videos and scores as you improve so we can follow your journey (and so I can update the list).

 

[kanzzo]

couldn't sleep - finished the day with a nice 89 (if not miscalculated).

will check video and upload on youtube tomorrow

 

[dr_dave]

couldn't sleep - finished the day with a nice 89 (if not miscalculated).

will check video and upload on youtube tomorrow

Awesome! You should be able to join the 90s club very soon.

 

[kanzzo]

Exam II (89) on 9', 4 1/4", 3 5/8'', 1''
(please change table specifications in this thread also)

S1-10, S2-15, S3-14, S4-14, S5-12, S6-4, S7-6, S8-5, S9-6, S10-3

there is a sloppiness foul at 14:24 (touching the CB before a start of a drill). Please judge, if run still counts O___O

 

[dr_dave]

Exam II (89) on 9', 4 1/4", 3 5/8'', 1''
(please change table specifications in this thread also)

S1-10, S2-15, S3-14, S4-14, S5-12, S6-4, S7-6, S8-5, S9-6, S10-3

Nice job, especially on those banks!

FYI, I updated your info in the list.

The Doctorate with Honors should be a piece of cake now. You've inspired me to work some more on BU Exam II so I can join you among the honored ranks. I'll try to dedicate some time this coming week.

there is a sloppiness foul at 14:24 (touching the CB before a start of a drill). Please judge, if run still counts O___O

Obviously, it would be better if you don't do such things, because it could be judged as a CB foul since the touch occurred during what could be considered a "forward stroking motion" (see WPA Rule 1.5); but I'm going to give you the benefit of doubt on this one. Although, in an official BU Challenge with money prizes, this would probably not be allowed.

Great shooting,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Here's the latest:

AZB Users Who Have Taken the BU Playing-Ability Exams (with top scores to date):

BU Score (Exam I + Exam II), Exam III, Exam IV - User - Table Size, corner pocket mouth, throat, shelf - Video Links:

183 (91 + D:92) - Side Pocket - 10', 4 7/8", 3 7/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
179 (93 + D:86), 52, 93 - dr_dave - 9', 5", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II, Exam III, Exam IV
178 (91 + D:87) - Ken Cileli - 9', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
170 (83 + D:87) - Marc Vidal Claramunt - 9', 4 1/8", 3 5/16", 1" - Exam I, Exam II
168 (80 + D:88) - Gerry Williams - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
165 (76 + D:89) - Kanzzo - 9', 4 1/4", 3 5/8'', 1'' - Exam I, Exam II
164 (84 + D:80) - theUBC - 9', 4 1/2", 4 1/8", 1 3/4" - Exam I, Exam II
164 (79 + D:85) - Mark Gray (1st attempt) - 9', 4 1/2", 4 1/2", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
161 (84 + D:77) - Shane Van Boening (1st attempt) - 9', 5", 3 7/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I, Exam II
161* (88 + M:73) - dr_dave - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I, Exam II
160 (79 + D:81) - scottjen26 - 9', 4 1/2", 3 7/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
157* (88 + M:69) - Neil - 7', 4 1/8", 2 7/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2)
153 (82 + D:71), 45 - peppersauce - 9', 4 1/4", 3 7/8", 1 1/4" - Exam I, Exam II, Exam III
148 (75 + D:73) - JeremiahGage - 9', 5", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
146 (74 + D:72), 49, 89 - td873 - 9', 4.5", 3.75", 1.625" - Exam I, Exam II, Exam III, Exam IV
141 (70 + D:71) - 12squared - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2"
136 (73 + D:63) - bowiebill - 9', 4 3/4", 4", 1 1/4"
135* (71 + M:64) - Mooneye - 7', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 5/8" - Exam I, Exam II
132* (76 + M:56) - BRussell - 8', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
130 (64 + M:66) - sjharr - 9'
130 (63 + M:67) - StraightPoolIU - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8, 1 1/4"
129 (69 + M:60) - Spimp13
128 (64 + M:64) - PocketPooler - 9', 4 3/8", 3 5/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4)
127 (67 + M:60) - Okie - 9', 4 3/4", 4", 1 1/2"
124 (71 + M:53) - StraightPoolIU - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8, 1 1/4"
124 (64 + M:60) - JC - 9', 4 7/16", 3 7/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I, Exam II
121* (63 + M:58) - TheOneGnat - 8', 4 1/2", 4", 1 5/8"
117 (53 + M:58) - RobMan - 9', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/5"
114 (55 + M:59) - cleary - 9', 4 1/2", 3 7/8", 2" - Exam I, Exam II
113 (? + M:?) - Eagleshot - 9', 4 1/2, 4", 1 1/4" - PM
112* (61 + M:51) - gregcantrall - 8', 4 3/8", 4 1/8", 1"
111 (63 + M:48) - denwhit - 9', 4 5/8", 4 3/8", 1 1/4" - PM
110* (62 + M:48) - caff3in3 - 8'
108 (59 + M:49) - row21097 - 9', 4 1/2”, 4”, 1 1/2” - Exam I (part 1, part 2, part 3), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
108* (61 + M:47) - JFire - 7', 5", 4 1/8", 1 5/8"
106 (53 + M:53) - StraightPoolIU - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8, 1 1/4"
101* (59 + M:42) - 67tbird - 8', 4 1/4", 4", 1 1/2"
98* (58 + M:40) - kling&allen - 7', 5", 4 1/2", 1 5/8" - Exam 1, Exam 2
94 (57 + M:37) - BeiberLvr
92* (59 + M:33) - JFire - 7', 5", 4 1/8", 1 5/8"
91* (62 + M:29) - SeanChamp - 8', 4 1/2", 1 1/2"
90 (? + M:?) - EagleEye - 9', 5", 3 7/8", 1 3/8"
89 (56 + M:33) - mamics - 9', 4 5/8", 3 13/16", 1 1/4"
88 (? + B:?) - DrGonzo - 9', 4.5", 4", 1.5"
87 (49 + B:38), 30 - iusedtoberich - 9', 5 1/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II, Exam III
82 (57 + B:25) - krupa - 9', 4 3/4", 3 5/8", 1 1/4"
68 (35 + B:33) - icucybe - 9', 4 1/2", 3 /1/2", 1 3/4"
68 (44 + B:24) - pleforowicz - 9', 11.7cm, 9.2cm, 3.8cm
63 (41 + B:22) - SamLambert - 9' - Exams I and II

*: not on a 9' or larger table

NOTE - Other scores and videos can be found on the BU Alumni page (official BU graduates) and the BU Exam Challenge pages.

 

[kanzzo]

You've inspired me to work some more on BU Exam II so I can join you among the honored ranks. I'll try to dedicate some time this coming week.

Glad to hear that I am able to inspire others to put in some training

 

[kanzzo]

Here's the latest:

164 (76 + D:89) - Kanzzo - 9', 4 1/4", 3 5/8'', 1'' - Exam I, Exam II

76+89 would be 165

 

[dr_dave]

76+89 would be 165

Oops! Sorry about that. FYI, I've fixed it above and in the first post of the thread.

 

[kanzzo]

For S8 this is my inspiration for the proper technique for elevated shots...

 

[dr_dave]

I'll try to dedicate some time this coming week.

The best I could do on Exam II this week was 86, my previous best. I think I will try again Monday and Tuesday. If I play well and get a little lucky, I think I should be able to get into the 90s. I just need 87 to reach the Doctorate with Honors level so I can get one of those free diplomas.

Exam II (89) on 9', 4 1/4", 3 5/8'', 1''
(please change table specifications in this thread also)

Have you been working on Exam I? If so, how is it going?

Catch you later,
Dave

 

[kanzzo]

...so I can get one of those free diplomas.

^____^

had to work away from home quite a lot, so didn't have access to my pool table. Will post updates and my progress (back home tonight).

I did work on Exam I and had most difficulties on the draw shots drill. Just the last one, from position 7, to be exact. Being elevated from the rail makes it very tough for me to hit the target ball, where I want it. (Only need 3 out of 5 to get 10 points in this drill, so probably will get there in a not to far future

As always - tougher than one might think before trying

Probably can get into mid 80s on Exam I and will need a few more days of training to improve to 180+ (91 needed in Exam I). Probably same difficulties as everybody else. Stopshot, draw and stunshot drills are quite tough (to reach constantly 10 out of 10). Practiced more the last two drills of Exam I over the last months so if I am able to get 69-70 out of the first 70 points, something like 95 should be no problem.

The best I could do on Exam II this week was 86, my previous best. I think I will try again Monday and Tuesday. If I play well and get a little lucky, I think I should be able to get into the 90s. I just need 87 to reach the Doctorate with Honors level so I can get one of those free diplomas.

happy to check out your new 86 on video. In which drills do you need to get a little lucky?

 

[dr_dave]

I did work on Exam I and had most difficulties on the draw shots drill. Just the last one, from position 7, to be exact. Being elevated from the rail makes it very tough for me to hit the target ball, where I want it. (Only need 3 out of 5 to get 10 points in this drill, so probably will get there in a not to far future

As always - tougher than one might think before trying

Probably can get into mid 80s on Exam I and will need a few more days of training to improve to 180+ (91 needed in Exam I). Probably same difficulties as everybody else. Stopshot, draw and stunshot drills are quite tough (to reach constantly 10 out of 10). Practiced more the last two drills of Exam I over the last months so if I am able to get 69-70 out of the first 70 points, something like 95 should be no problem.

I look forward to seeing how high you can push your Exam I score. Good luck!

happy to check out your new 86 on video. In which drills do you need to get a little lucky?

I already deleted the video since I didn't beat my previous best.

I need to get "lucky" on the banks drill ... I can never seem to master that one. I also need to get "lucky" on the elevated-shots drill. Sometimes, I do well on that one; but other times I crash and burn.