$10,000 BU Playing-Ability-Exam Challenge

dr_dave said:
A player from Portugal just posted a 92 on Exam I. See the entries section for this and other videos submitted to date.

I think there is a chance for a perfect score of 100, but it will take a top player willing to put in a fair amount of dedicated practice.
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We also just got our first Exam III junior-division entry! I hope to see a lot more of these.

Please keep spreading the word so we can get more competition for all of this free money.

Thanks,
Dave
 
We now have entries for both Exams in all divisions except for the 96-100 Exam I division, where most of the money is available. Who will be the first to break the 95 barrier? Nobody has scored above 95 in any of the previous challenges.

If anybody knows Thorsten Hohman, Darren Appleton, or Niels Feijen personally, please encourage them to participate. My money would be on them as having a good chance to take the top prize.

What other pros do you think have a good chance to get the 100 and the $5,000? It doesn't just require skill. It requires commitment and intense, focused, and dedicated practice.

Good luck,
Dave

PS: I'm off to work on Exam III some more. Yesterday's effort did not go well. I started great, but couldn't make hardly any of the 2nd-half shots (the exact opposite of my previous attempt).

dr_dave said:
The Billiard University (BU) just announced a new challenge open through the end of August, 2020. You have a chance to win lots of money in this "virtual" video-based tournament, where there are no travel costs or entry fees ... only prize money! The BU is offering $10,000 total with a possible top prize of $5000. There is an open division for top players and a junior division for younger players. There is also a lottery division, where anybody can win money, regardless of their playing performance. The BU wants everybody to participate and benefit from this challenge, so please help spread the word. Have fun, and good luck winning some cash!

Here's the challenge website:
And here's a video introduction.

I look forward to seeing lots of AZB user participation. I plan to start practicing and posting soon myself.

Good luck,
Dave
Click to expand...
 
dr_dave said:
We now have entries for both Exams in all divisions except for the 96-100 Exam I division, where most of the money is available. Who will be the first to break the 95 barrier? Nobody has scored above 95 in any of the previous challenges.

If anybody knows Thorsten Hohman, Darren Appleton, or Niels Feijen personally, please encourage them to participate. My money would be on them as having a good chance to take the top prize.

What other pros do you think have a good chance to get the 100 and the $5,000? It doesn't just require skill. It requires commitment and intense, focused, and dedicated practice.

Good luck,
Dave

PS: I'm off to work on Exam III some more. Yesterday's effort did not go well. I started great, but couldn't make hardly any of the 2nd-half shots (the exact opposite of my previous attempt).
Click to expand...

I passed your promo to Roys Basement and Josh Filler on FB messenger. I also sent it to Mike Davis and a few other players. Very surprised the Pinoy players do not participate yet. Some of those players could score perfectly on the test. Prize money goes much further there.
 
Welder84 said:
I passed your promo to Roys Basement and Josh Filler on FB messenger. I also sent it to Mike Davis and a few other players. Very surprised the Pinoy players do not participate yet. Some of those players could score perfectly on the test. Prize money goes much further there.
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Thanks. I also hope we get some Pinoy entries. The Challenge is open to all, and we're offering big money ($10,000).

Thanks again,
Dave
 
I finally improved my Exam III score after a little practice each of the last three days. The current best score is now 52. Here's the video:

Dr. Dave - BU Exam III - 52 - 4/25/2020

I think I could approach 70 if I really worked at it, but it wouldn't be easy. I would be in total awe if anybody comes close to a perfect score of 100.

Good luck,
Dave


dr_dave said:
The Billiard University (BU) just announced a new challenge open through the end of August, 2020. You have a chance to win lots of money in this "virtual" video-based tournament, where there are no travel costs or entry fees ... only prize money! The BU is offering $10,000 total with a possible top prize of $5000. There is an open division for top players and a junior division for younger players. There is also a lottery division, where anybody can win money, regardless of their playing performance. The BU wants everybody to participate and benefit from this challenge, so please help spread the word. Have fun, and good luck winning some cash!

Here's the challenge website:
And here's a video introduction.

I look forward to seeing lots of AZB user participation. I plan to start practicing and posting soon myself.

Good luck,
Dave
Click to expand...
 
A junior (18 and under) just posted a 56 on Exam III, the best known score to date from anyone! The video for this and all other entries can be found on the BU Exam Challenge entry page.

Enjoy,
Dave

dr_dave said:
The Billiard University (BU) just announced a new challenge open through the end of August, 2020. You have a chance to win lots of money in this "virtual" video-based tournament, where there are no travel costs or entry fees ... only prize money! The BU is offering $10,000 total with a possible top prize of $5000. There is an open division for top players and a junior division for younger players. There is also a lottery division, where anybody can win money, regardless of their playing performance. The BU wants everybody to participate and benefit from this challenge, so please help spread the word. Have fun, and good luck winning some cash!

Here's the challenge website:
And here's a video introduction.

I look forward to seeing lots of AZB user participation. I plan to start practicing and posting soon myself.

Good luck,
Dave
Click to expand...
 
We still have only a single junior entry for Exam III so far.

If you know any junior players (18 or under) with tables at home, please encourage them to participate.

Non-junior entries for both Exam I and Exam III have been coming in steadily. Scores and videos can be found here.

Regards,
Dave

dr_dave said:
The Billiard University (BU) just announced a new challenge open through the end of August, 2020. You have a chance to win lots of money in this "virtual" video-based tournament, where there are no travel costs or entry fees ... only prize money! The BU is offering $10,000 total with a possible top prize of $5000. There is an open division for top players and a junior division for younger players. There is also a lottery division, where anybody can win money, regardless of their playing performance. The BU wants everybody to participate and benefit from this challenge, so please help spread the word. Have fun, and good luck winning some cash!

Here's the challenge website:
And here's a video introduction.

I look forward to seeing lots of AZB user participation. I plan to start practicing and posting soon myself.

Good luck,
Dave
Click to expand...
 
FYI, somebody just posted a 58 on Exam III. That's the highest score to date. I guess I need to get back to work on that one. :sorry:

Enjoy,
Dave

dr_dave said:
The Billiard University (BU) just announced a new challenge open through the end of August, 2020. You have a chance to win lots of money in this "virtual" video-based tournament, where there are no travel costs or entry fees ... only prize money! The BU is offering $10,000 total with a possible top prize of $5000. There is an open division for top players and a junior division for younger players. There is also a lottery division, where anybody can win money, regardless of their playing performance. The BU wants everybody to participate and benefit from this challenge, so please help spread the word. Have fun, and good luck winning some cash!

Here's the challenge website:
And here's a video introduction.

I look forward to seeing lots of AZB user participation. I plan to start practicing and posting soon myself.

Good luck,
Dave
Click to expand...
 
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Hi Dave,

I think you’ve mentioned before that you do not use a tripod for your videos. Would you mind talking a little bit about your recording setup and what you use in lieu of a tripod? Trying to decide now if I need to invest in a tripod for my phone or if there’s another solution that would get me off the ground immediately. Unfortunately my makeshift tripod failed me today.

Thanks!
 
buttnkdwonder said:
I think you’ve mentioned before that you do not use a tripod for your videos.
Click to expand...
I most definitely use a tripod with my camcorder, but I don't with my iPhone (e.g., when using it to get a different view or film with slo-mo video).

buttnkdwonder said:
Would you mind talking a little bit about your recording setup and what you use in lieu of a tripod?
Click to expand...
I just prop the phone up on a shelf or ladder using a heavy paper weight and books.

buttnkdwonder said:
Trying to decide now if I need to invest in a tripod for my phone or if there’s another solution that would get me off the ground immediately. Unfortunately my makeshift tripod failed me today.
Click to expand...
You can get a tripod suitable for a smartphone for pretty cheap. Just search online for "smartphone tripod."

So should we expect to see some Exam I and Exam III scores and videos from you for the BU Exam Challenge?

If so, good luck,
Dave
 
What do you guys predict for the highest scores we will see for both Exam I and Exam III by the end of August? And how high do you think you could score with lots of dedicated practice?

I look forward to seeing what is possible,
Dave


dr_dave said:
The Billiard University (BU) just announced a new challenge open through the end of August, 2020. You have a chance to win lots of money in this "virtual" video-based tournament, where there are no travel costs or entry fees ... only prize money! The BU is offering $10,000 total with a possible top prize of $5000. There is an open division for top players and a junior division for younger players. There is also a lottery division, where anybody can win money, regardless of their playing performance. The BU wants everybody to participate and benefit from this challenge, so please help spread the word. Have fun, and good luck winning some cash!

Here's the challenge website:
And here's a video introduction.

I look forward to seeing lots of AZB user participation. I plan to start practicing and posting soon myself.

Good luck,
Dave
Click to expand...
 
dr_dave said:
I most definitely use a tripod with my camcorder, but I don't with my iPhone (e.g., when using it to get a different view or film with slo-mo video).

I just prop the phone up on a shelf or ladder using a heavy paper weight and books.

You can get a tripod suitable for a smartphone for pretty cheap. Just search online for "smartphone tripod."

So should we expect to see some Exam I and Exam III scores and videos from you for the BU Exam Challenge?

If so, good luck,
Dave
Click to expand...

Thank you sir! Appreciate your response greatly—how cool to be able to talk to you directly on these forums. As a person who just started taking the game seriously a few years ago, you have probably made more of an impression on my game as anyone through your videos. Can’t wait to be able to start working on this challenge in earnest. Tripod will arrive tomorrow and just had my table tuned up this morning. You can absolutely expect some submissions from me soon!
 
buttnkdwonder said:
Thank you sir! Appreciate your response greatly—how cool to be able to talk to you directly on these forums. As a person who just started taking the game seriously a few years ago, you have probably made more of an impression on my game as anyone through your videos. Can’t wait to be able to start working on this challenge in earnest. Tripod will arrive tomorrow and just had my table tuned up this morning. You can absolutely expect some submissions from me soon!
Click to expand...
I'm glad to hear it, and I look forward to seeing your video submissions.

Good luck,
Dave
 
I now had 1st chance to shoot exam 3. I just tried all shots briefly. Maybe soon i will try run whole test 1st time :)

Btw. Could we enter competition with my student if we do all shots alternative? Like 2 in 1 exam? Then we could compete vs other too and speed up setting shots. :)

Great practice. Been bacically 4 moths off from game so maybe these exams get me back on shape fast!
 
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Poolmanis said:
I now had 1st chance to shoot exam 3. I just tried all shots briefly. Maybe soon i will try run whole test 1st time :)
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Awesome. I look forward to seeing your scores and videos.

Poolmanis said:
Btw. Could we enter competition with my student if we do all shots alternative? Like 2 in 1 exam? Then we could compete vs other too and speed up setting shots. :)
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That sounds fine to me. Just send me all of the required info for each person (name, score, division) when you submit the video link.

Poolmanis said:
Great practice. Been basically 4 moths off from game so maybe these exams get me back on shape fast!
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Exam I is definitely helpful to sharpen your game. I think Exam III is more about fun, but it also helps you brush up on some advanced skills.

Enjoy,
Dave
 
I took Exam 3 just for starting level check :rolleyes:.
I think i did shot 51 points or 49. Not sure yet. I have to look from video. I did get 0 points couple times even I know those shots really good but now somehow totally butchered them..
Should be easy to get 10-20 points more. Need just practice masse and jump shots :mad:.

I upload my test maybe tomorrow and link it here. I probably put it hidden mode.
 
Poolmanis said:
I took Exam 3 just for starting level check :rolleyes:.
I think i did shot 51 points or 49. Not sure yet. I have to look from video. I did get 0 points couple times even I know those shots really good but now somehow totally butchered them..
Should be easy to get 10-20 points more. Need just practice masse and jump shots :mad:.

I upload my test maybe tomorrow and link it here. I probably put it hidden mode.
Click to expand...
I look forward to seeing your video. I also look forward to seeing how high you can push your score in future attempts. I hope to also do some work on Exam III this week. I also feel like I can boost my score quite a bit, but I don't really know how realistic those feeling are. :o

Catch you later, and good luck,
Dave
 
Poolmanis said:
I took Exam 3 just for starting level check :rolleyes:.
I think i did shot 51 points or 49. Not sure yet. I have to look from video. I did get 0 points couple times even I know those shots really good but now somehow totally butchered them..
Should be easy to get 10-20 points more. Need just practice masse and jump shots :mad:.

I upload my test maybe tomorrow and link it here. I probably put it hidden mode.
Click to expand...
Do you still plan to post your video? Feel free to enter as many scores and videos as you want. It can be interesting to see how and where people improve over time.

Catch you later,
Dave
 
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