Tim Scruggs Sneaky

Jimmy_Betmore said:
Since it's a slow morning at work and some people respond better to data with graphs, I decided to do an experiment in my head. I took 100 each of D players, C players, B players, A players, and Pros. I let them use their cue of choice to play the ghost in a race to 10 to establish a baseline represented as "0" on the Y axis in the graph below. I then had them pick a number: 1 or 2. If they chose 1, they had to play the same race again with a $20k custom. Then they played yet another race with a broom handle (Model H-6424-HNDL, 60" Tapered Replacement Handle. $8.00 from Uline.) The picking a number part was to ensure that playing with one or the other in the first race didn't effect how they played in the second race as, statistically, half would play with the custom first and the other half would play with the broom handle first. The results are below.

View attachment 788613

Please don't ask about how I calculated the performance increase/decrease percentage. The math is way too complicated and completely made up. But, as we can see, the graph shows some undeniable truths.
  1. D Players don't care at all. They play perfectly with both instruments.
  2. C Players show a marked increase in performance with the custom cue and decrease with the broom handle. This has been attributed to the fact that C Players have gotten at least a little used to using a somewhat decent cue.
  3. B Players showed a minimal bump in performance with the custom but a notable decrease in performance with the broom handle. This is due to what's known as the "Bumpy Shaft Effect." B Players have gotten even more used to a decent cue and, in many times, a very nice custom with an exceptionally smooth shaft that the broom handle just doesn't provide.
  4. A Players showed no improvement with the custom but a notable decrease in performance with the broom handle. It is believed this is due to their ability to overcome the "Bumpy Shaft Effect" and to a slight degree, superior pattern play versus B Players.
  5. Once again, Pros showed no increase in performance with the custom and a minimal decrease with the broom handle. This is clearly a result of the "They're Just That Good" phenomenon.

If you've read this far, thanks for playing along. While this is exaggerated, it's really not too far from the way I see it in my head. Hopefully you at least got a chuckle out of it.

EDIT: I'm thinking about doing the experiment again, but this time having Tony from Black Boar sign the broom handle. I'll post the results if/when that happens.
Click to expand...
Interesting to note that as time,(practice/skill) moves on,(increases), there is reversion back to the mean of the data.
This always happens, so inna way you can "guesstimate" one's skill level by their opinion. Statistically of course!
 
Last edited:
Dunnn51 said:
Interesting to note that as time,(practice/skill) moves on,(increases), there is reversion back to the mean of the data.
This always happens, so inna way you can "guesstimate" one's skill level by their opinion. Statistically of course!
Click to expand...
Wha??? 🤣🤣
 
Mensabum said:
Wha??? 🤣🤣
Click to expand...
it is really quite simple. It is called the law of large numbers. As samples,(numbers) grow in a group their results revert back to the original mean. Think ratio of men/women,.....in the billions and the ratio is 1:1 50% to 50% . the recent election total tally. Verrrry rare it is more than 3-5pts. Do a 1000 coin flips and it's very likely to have close to a 50/50 outcome of heads to tails.
Notice Jimmy_Betmore's experiment: The "D" player can't tell the difference. He hardly ever plays pool. The PRO plays everyday and practices yet more. He notices nothing different between the broomstick and the Custom cue. He doesn't care; he just pots balls.
Reversion to the mean.
Law of large numbers
 
Mensabum said:
Wha??? 🤣🤣
Click to expand...
Dunnn51 said:
it is really quite simple. It is called the law of large numbers. As samples,(numbers) grow in a group their results revert back to the original mean. Think ratio of men/women,.....in the billions and the ratio is 1:1 50% to 50% . the recent election total tally. Verrrry rare it is more than 3-5pts. Do a 1000 coin flips and it's very likely to have close to a 50/50 outcome of heads to tails.
Notice Jimmy_Betmore's experiment: The "D" player can't tell the difference. He hardly ever plays pool. The PRO plays everyday and practices yet more. He notices nothing different between the broomstick and the Custom cue. He doesn't care; he just pots balls.
Reversion to the mean.
Law of large numbers
Click to expand...
I tried to convey that I had no opinion therefore no game with my "Wha??" Comment. Lol. Perhaps 'Duh' would have sufficed. Got a kick out of your explanations however, so that was worth the price of admission, I guess. 😉
 
I have a few and have sold a few, and didn't find the Scruggs better than other customs. I bought an older Tony Sauer because the ferrules, joint, and butt cap are all ivory, and I don't see how that could be done today at the price of a sneaky. I'd look for an Al Romero over a Scruggs.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top