You almost had me... right up to the "W" word. :grin:
pj
chgo
P.S. I do work (*Maynard G. Krebs: "Work!"*) on those things, just not with drills.
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$10,000 BU Playing-Ability-Exam Challenge
- Thread starter dr_dave
- Start date
pj
chgo
P.S. I do work (*Maynard G. Krebs: "Work!"*) on those things, just not with drills.
That's funny. FYI, I just edited my post (see below). Do I have you now? :grin-square:
Regards,
Dave
I've practiced many of these shots simply because they've come up in actual games here and there. I wasn't even aware they were part of the BU exam III testing! Lol.
But there are two I've never practiced: A9 (banana shot) and A18 (hop on cushion nose). They seem more like trick shots, something that even professional trick shot artists would have a low percentage chance of making at least 1 out of 3 times. Well, A18 especially. A9 could be easy enough with practice. But for A18, hoping perfectly on to that cushion nose is quite a challenge. A lot of time could be spent practicing that shot, and in the end it's still goung to be a very low percentage shot to attempt in any game situation. Just for the fun of it though, trying it a few times would be interesting. I just wouldn't waste a lot of time on it.
I have a friend that can routinely make a few "fancy" trick shots, and though he's a decent player, he's not a real good player. I often wonder how good he could be if he devoted as much time to regular shooting skills as he does to trick shots. All I'm getting at is this.....for the fun of trying the exams, practicing a few of these shots a few times before recording would be time well spent. But spending too much time practicing super tough, rare, low percentage shots is time that could be spent practicing something more useful that would actually improve your overall skill level.
In other words, by practice the shots you see 99% of the time, you'll find yourself playing well 99% of the time. So you could come out of this quarantine period as a stronger player, or you could come out as a player that's learned how to sometimes make a really cool shot every once in a while. Both would be nice, of course, if you have the time.:wink:
But there are two I've never practiced: A9 (banana shot) and A18 (hop on cushion nose). They seem more like trick shots, something that even professional trick shot artists would have a low percentage chance of making at least 1 out of 3 times. Well, A18 especially. A9 could be easy enough with practice. But for A18, hoping perfectly on to that cushion nose is quite a challenge. A lot of time could be spent practicing that shot, and in the end it's still goung to be a very low percentage shot to attempt in any game situation. Just for the fun of it though, trying it a few times would be interesting. I just wouldn't waste a lot of time on it.
I have a friend that can routinely make a few "fancy" trick shots, and though he's a decent player, he's not a real good player. I often wonder how good he could be if he devoted as much time to regular shooting skills as he does to trick shots. All I'm getting at is this.....for the fun of trying the exams, practicing a few of these shots a few times before recording would be time well spent. But spending too much time practicing super tough, rare, low percentage shots is time that could be spent practicing something more useful that would actually improve your overall skill level.
In other words, by practice the shots you see 99% of the time, you'll find yourself playing well 99% of the time. So you could come out of this quarantine period as a stronger player, or you could come out as a player that's learned how to sometimes make a really cool shot every once in a while. Both would be nice, of course, if you have the time.:wink:
Very well stated Brian. I agree with everything, especially the comments about shot A18 (hop on cushion nose). That shot took me about 25 tries to get it to work when I filmed the Exam III demo video with Samm. I think the bonus money we are offering for a perfect score (100) on Exam III is safe, mostly due to this shot. All the others can be mastered with a little practice. The Exam I perfect score (100), on the other hand, is achievable by top players. But I would be happy to pay out the $1500 bonus (as part of the possible $5,000 top prize) if a top player is willing to put in the work required to achieve perfection.
I also agree that most practice time should be spent on important fundamentals (like those required in Exam I), but even top players spend a little time practicing advanced shots like the ones in Exam III; otherwise, they would not be able to execute them when they need them like with the examples here:
Examples of Pros Using BU Exam III Shots in Real Game Situations
Should I expect to see some Exam I and Exam III Challenge entries from you soon?
Catch you later,
Dave
Have you ever tried BU Exam II? If so, please post your score (even if you don't have a video) so I can add all your scores and videos to the AZB BU Exam thread.
Regards,
Dave
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Unfortunately, I haven't done E2 yet. Maybe this round. Despite having unlimited quarantine time at home, with 6 kids [and working from home as well] I don't have unlimited free/pool time! doh!
-td
I may do exam III when I can. I no longer have a 9ft table, so exam 1 is out. I now have a 4x8 diamond table. I love it, but miss my old 9ft Brunswick.
Exam II is not part of this Challenge, but it would be nice to have your Exam II score to get you on the AZB BU Exam thread.
6 kids!!! Now I feel bad about "encouraging" you.
Have you tried Nyquill for the kids during the day?
... just kidding ... 
Catch you later,
Dave
Sounds good. Exam III can be fun, especially when you make some of the shots.
You can still enter the "lottery division" of Exam I and have a free chance at $500. Try to do it when you can find some time. Your score doesn't need to be awesome ... just decent.
I look forward to seeing your videos,
Dave
FYI, I just posted the first Exam I entry. I got an 80, which qualifies me only for the "lottery" division. I hope to break 90 before the challenge is done. I think I can do it, but it will take some work. Here's my video:
Dr. Dave BU Exam I - 80 - 4/13/2020
Let's start seeing entries from other people. You can post improved scores and videos as many times as you would like.
Good luck,
Dave
Dr. Dave BU Exam I - 80 - 4/13/2020
Let's start seeing entries from other people. You can post improved scores and videos as many times as you would like.
Good luck,
Dave
Put the little kids to bed and stole some time today to do Exam 1. [had to put another one to bed in the middle of it, ha!]Exam II is not part of this Challenge, but it would be nice to have your Exam II score to get you on the AZB BU Exam thread.
6 kids!!! Now I feel bad about "encouraging" you.
Have you tried Nyquill for the kids during the day?
Catch you later,
Dave
Shot a 74. Definitely need to practice the drills. First time to hit these in a couple years. I totally messed up draw and stun. And the wagon wheel ate my lunch. With more time/practice on these, I feel like I could break 90. But for now, lottery @74! woohoo!!
Video [done processing]: https://youtu.be/d7J3fvPb828
-td
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After I did the Exam 1, I re-did Exam 3. Somehow I only caught a portion of the video. My score was 52, but I'm not going to (attempt) to submit something that isn't verifiable. But, I know 50+ is definitely doable.
-td
Good job. I agree that you could definitely break 90. It will take some work, but this work will be helpful to your game.
I've added your entry to the Challenge page.
Catch you later,
Dave
Bummer. I look forward to you posting an official higher score. That will give me motivation to try again.
Thank you for participating,
Dave
Do you have access to a table during these times? I know you were somehow involved with Surge Billiards in Chicago. Are you a part owner? Are you able to use the tables there while they are shut down? How are they doing financially? Will they survive the COVID-19 "challenge?"
I hope you are doing well,
Dave
Thanks, Dave.
Yes, I have access to the Surge owner's other pool hall, Pressure Billiards, so I'm able to get my daily practice in - and it's so quiet I may even get around to your Exam... one of these days.
We've managed to secure some Paycheck Protection Program funding, so we expect both places to survive, although not without some pain.
Hope you guys are doing well too,
pj
chgo
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I hope you do, especially since you have access to a pool table in a quiet environment. Not many people have that luxury nowadays, especially parents with a table and (and kids) at home.
If you get tired of the quiet, just load up the jukebox with some satanic metal and gangsta hip-hop.
I'm glad to hear it, except for the unavoidable "pain" part.
Not much has changed for me except for my wife working full-time at home now. Luckily, our house is big enough to give us "space" when we need it. I'm still working on my pool videos and business as usual (without the private lessons), and I'm still getting out to mountain bike often.
I hope to see some scores and videos from you,
Dave
It's funny hearing you guys talking about things being too quiet. Many people consider quietness a luxury, and some people often complain about all of the noise and distractions usually unavoidable in a pool hall.
Do you plan to enter the Challenge?
Regards,
Dave
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Don't have any of that, but I have ice picks I could stick in both ears...If you get tired of the quiet, just load up the jukebox with some satanic metal and gangsta hip-hop.
pj <- pretty much the same effect
chgo