Are you only as good as your average? (long)

Get_A_Grip

Get_A_Grip

Truth Will Set You Free
Silver Member
My thought has always been that near the end of the league, your average really does reflect how good you are and really is one of the most objective measures of your skill level.

For reference, I play in an 8-ball league with BCA scoring where you get 2 points for making the 8-ball, plus 1 point for each ball that your opponent has left on the table. When playing with these scoring rules for a couple years, my average seems to be fairly consistent. Therefore, it appears to me that although my average may fluctuate a bit, overall if say that I am an 11 average player, I can expect to end-up with an average somewhere around 10-12 using these rules (with virtually no chance of ending up with a 6 average or something like that).

So is your average a true measure of your skill level?
 
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Obviously your skill should be based on your average game instead of your best.

I don't have any good advice, but if the captain doesn't plan on playing him, I wouldn't want to be on the team either.
 
Losing a good friend isn't worth a trip to vegas or a division championship. I wouldn't ever put any of my personal relationships ahead of pool(argue with my girl over pool all the time but its different because she plays too). I would most likely go to the other team with your buddy and make that team a contender too. Whatever decision you do decide to make, own it and move forward.

As far as a league average goes I think it does show what type of play you indeed are capable of playing in those conditions. I also know quite a few guys who play really strong on bar tables and cant hit a lick on a big table so don't hold that 24-4 thrashing against him especially if he never practices on that type of table.
 
mikeyfrost said:
Losing a good friend isn't worth a trip to vegas or a division championship. I wouldn't ever put any of my personal relationships ahead of pool(argue with my girl over pool all the time but its different because she plays too). I would most likely go to the other team with your buddy and make that team a contender too. Whatever decision you do decide to make, own it and move forward.

As far as a league average goes I think it does show what type of play you indeed are capable of playing in those conditions. I also know quite a few guys who play really strong on bar tables and cant hit a lick on a big table so don't hold that 24-4 thrashing against him especially if he never practices on that type of table.
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Your post got me thinking, as far as friendship goes. Right now our common bond is that we both love playing pool, but I'm trying to be honest and think...if it wasn't our being teammates on a pool league...would we really be friends at all.

I guess that brings up a whole new question...do most pool players have friends that you are only friends with because you play pool together? I'll have to think about that one some more.
 
Assuming you get enough games in, I would say in general yes, your league average with BCA or other point systems should be a good indicator of your play unless you are constantly improving or sandbagging. My average was very consistent when I played BCA-style leagues, most of the time playing on a 2-man team using that point system. My league partner and I both as individuals and as a team were very close from year to year, with only minor normal variations and slight variations depending on how tough the competition was.

Scott
 
I think people over-estimating their playing ability is a common thing with pool players....but some cases are more extreme than others. Think about the stories you hear of people losing big money gambling thinking they have the best of it (nose open).
Since the guy says he can beat the team captain you should push him to challenge the captain to a match of some kind. Who knows maybe he'll get a reality check, or he'll step it up and prove what he's saying.
 
Get_A_Grip said:
Your post got me thinking, as far as friendship goes. Right now our common bond is that we both love playing pool, but I'm trying to be honest and think...if it wasn't our being teammates on a pool league...would we really be friends at all.

I guess that brings up a whole new question...do most pool players have friends that you are only friends with because you play pool together? I'll have to think about that one some more.
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You've hit on the key question, imo.

What is more important to you... playing on a team with your friend?... or playing on a good team in spite of your friendship?

Which is more important? There's no wrong answer imo.
 
Sounds a lot like a guy I know that I'll call Shel.

I wouldn't leave the team next year. I would just simply say as nicely as possible that he isn't that good. This will be touchy, but honesty is the right policy.
 
Well, averages don't tell the whole story.....recent averages, or even better yet, trending gives you a better feel.....if his recent results are consistently better than most of the year, then he very well maybe underrated....

Granted, if he just happens to bust out a good game every now and then, but plays consistently poor, then he needs to face the facts....ultimately, if he is unable to accept reality regarding his ability, then is that someone you want to be around????

Personally, I don't mind if someone sucks at pool, I always value a good friendship, but I prefer people who are honest with themselves and others....I don't want the handicap of trying to inflate their ego......if he's basing the friendship on whether or not you play league with him, that would be a concern of mine as well....
 
Who counts their high game as "their game"? Geez.

If he plays 9/10 ball, I found Joe Tucker's 10 ball rating scale to be pretty accurate. It goes like this:

10 ghost, each ball is worth a point.

Break, then take ball in hand. Try to run out and stop after you miss. count up the balls. After 10 racks, you will have a score:

Pro: 70+
AAA: 65-70
AA: 60-65
A: 55-60
Bb: 50-55
B: 45-50
CC: 40-45
C: 35-40
DD: 30-35
Anything less than 30: you should switch to bowling.

Have your buddy do this over 10 sessions to get a good average, it'll be an eye opener, I'm sure.


Eric >or, just agree with him
 
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