My buddy clocked 28 mph at SBE a few years back, I'll bet SVB's break is faster than his......my best was a paltry 13mph, I'm using a heavier break cue now and it seems to be helping, I would like to test my break speed now.
Any videos of Dr Dave in an actual match?
- Thread starter L.S. Dennis
- Start date
Friend of ours, just stopped over now to shoot some pool. Said she was at a group thing in Illinois with you and others. I think Bob Jewett was there also.
Yep. That was the annual International Certified Instructors (ICI) Summit in Quincy. Bob and I go every year. It is held along with the BEF Junior Nationals and the American National Championship (started this year).
You need someone who can teach and play. Not one or ther other. Thats why Anthony Beeler and Joe Tucker have my vote as the best instructors in the US right now. Quite literally, I've been to about everyone. I know Beeler has worked with Sam Henderson, Ricky Evans and Cal Boll. Look at what they have done. Tucker is amazing with spin systems and innovating new products. These two are far above the rest. Not even close imho!
Tap tap tap.
Just my $.02 and it’s worth exactly that, but I think some comments are out of line when talking about Dave. Asking if he has any matches recorded of him playing is a great question. Cool question. I can dig it.
Speculating on how competitive he does or does not play is a cheap shot (bad pun) on one of the very few posters this board has left who actually spawns interesting topics. It’s uncouth. The guy spends hours creating content that overly analytical nerds like me can geek out on. To say or infer that he’s just another banger is out of bounds and not really relevant. Not germane. Got dang Germans got nuthin to do with it.
I’m with you here Mark V. I haven’t read through every post on this thread but I sort of thought the same thing when I read the title of it. And I concur what Johnson not always agreeing with Dr Dave and I’ve debated him. That being said I respect the amount of work that he obviously puts in. On top of that he loves the game I love! And he does more than almost everyone to promote the game. What can’t you love about that! If there’s something that you don’t agree with spit that out and I’m bet he’s up for a debate…
Last edited:
Excuse me while I put MY shirt on.
I just downloaded all players who two years ago had at least 400 games in the system and were within 20 points of 400 at the time. That's 3140 players. I suggest getting a pencil out and taking a stab at answering the following questions before reading the followup post. The courageous amongst you will post your answers after seeing the results. And trust me it will take courage.
The average 2023 rating was 401.8
2745 of the 3140 played at least some games in the last two years
1939 logged at least 200 new games
1171 logged at least 400 new games
420 logged at least 800 new games
83 logged at least 1600 new games
The average 2023 rating was 401.8.
(1) What is the average rating of this group now?
(note, any increase could come from some combination of rating inflation, if there is any, and improvement)
(2) How many of the 3140 are at least 550 now?
(3) How many of the 3140 are at least 500 now?
(4) How many of the 3140 are at least 450 now?
(5) Of the 240 players who started with fewer than 600 games (average 495) two years ago AND logged at least 500 new ones (average 875 new games), what is the average rating now?
408.6
0
7. (501, 502, 503, 503, 504, 513, 527)
87
So, about one player in 400 has made a big step up in two years. It would be interesting to know whether those seven were doing focused practice with some kind of coach, or if they were just showing up on league night and playing a match or two, or something in between.
Was most of the improvement in this group of 240 from a small fraction of players?
This shows the average improvement for fairly active players towards the start/middle of their careers. About 10 FR points per year.
Was most of this data from 8-ball leagues?
Last edited:
An interesting perspective on coaching. Stephen Hendry playing with Mark Williams and Lee Walker (Williams' coach).
As Lee describes working with Ronnie O'Sullivan or Mark Williams, or Mark Allen. "They think they're doing something, and they're not doing it"
Very entertaining! Turn on the subtitles.
As Lee describes working with Ronnie O'Sullivan or Mark Williams, or Mark Allen. "They think they're doing something, and they're not doing it"
Very entertaining! Turn on the subtitles.
I'll take a look when I get a chance. But I was imagining maybe some had their Bar Mitzvah or made the Little League team ;-)
I did some searching on the first 4 of the super improvers (400 to 500+ in two years).
E is from Netherlands and plays in a lot of tournaments at several different rooms/clubs, including regional ranking events. He started playing (getting games into FargoRate) summer 2022--a year before the 400 rating and has played a lot since
J1 is from Edmonton Alberta CA and plays in League and lots of handicapped tournaments --medium and hot handicaps. I saw a congratulatory post after a tournament that referred to "Young J1," like "Way to GO! Young J1"
J2 is from Florida and plays multiple nights of USAPL league and frequent tournaments (525 & U, 550 & U, etc). I saw a congratulatory post from his League Operator, saying "Welcome to the 500 Club J2! This player has improved SO much over just a few short years..."
Y is from Texas and plays multiple nights of Dallas USAPL league. Tournaments are mostly CSI events --Louisiana and Texas. I saw a congratulatory post from his league operator for qualifying for the regional event
Motivation + Opportunity + Supportive Community might just be a winning combination...
I suspect most of these players are playing league (sometimes multiple nights) and tournaments as well. I checked four players who had arounf the average (875) number of games played, and all four had both leagues and tournaments
The guys were good players to begin with.
And in my experience, what good players do is listen to the instructor and throw out a lot of it and just keep the few things they feel are valid or apply directly to them. Unless an instructor hand-raised them from pups I'm don't think your point is valid. I've taken lessons from world champions and they do not get credit for my current level of play. What I got from those guys were interesting experiences, a few tidbits I still use to this day, and a couple of "a ha" moments that validate what they told me.
It's on the player: their base talents, work ethic, and how self aware and insightful they are of their own game.
Lou Figueroa
In another post I predicted a right skewed bell curve, which is exactly what that is.
I've had lessons in a couple disciplines and 'good player'/discipline notwithstanding, I picked up what I needed to know and went on.