[...]
Very interested in seeing how the Fargo Rate thing goes. [...]
Lyn
just an update --
From our point of view, things are going very well.
As of a week ago, entries are up 15% overall this year compared to the same time last year. We are excited about that because it is one sign of the degree to which people are embracing Fargo Ratings.
Entries started out slower and then now have picked up. I think people are realizing that whether they and players in their area are established or not, they benefit from the knowledge we have about OTHER established players. Also I think people like being associated with something big, with pro players playing right there in front of you, riding the elevator with you, and sitting next to you at the bar. If pool is in your blood, there is no better place to be than the BCAPL national championships at the Rio in July...
One thing that is gratifying about what we do is that unlike most endeavors--where you can better or worse with time--we can only get better. More data makes us better, always.
In the northeast, where as you know we have been thinner with tournament data, we have recently worked with Mike Z to get in the last few Joss events, and Mike is excited at how well the established players are ranked. And we are working now on matches scores from the big SBE amateur event that Allen H. sent us. For you we recently got in an event from last December at Diamond Billiards (Greece NY).
Anybody who comes out and plays in July--singles, team, minis-- will get better rated and will contribute to getting their local area better rated.