Billiard University (BU) playing-ability-exam scores and ratings

[dr_dave]

Regarding the glasses, you are definitely better off than most people that wear "normal" glasses, I believe due to your head position in your stance. The tell tale signs of an issue:

1. adjusting your frame before shots
2. flexing your face muscles/nose/eyebrows/forehead while down on the shot in order to move the glasses higher subconsciously while shooting.

You do #1 on several shots, and your forehead muscles look a bit tight on some, but not all shots. Definitely not as severe as most people with glasses, but noticeable if you know what to look for.

I know this cause I had 4 pairs of glasses made just for pool, and see others with glasses having the exact same issues. I'm too scared for contacts or lasik messing up my eyes, so I wear pool glasses. They really improved what I can see while down on the shot. And before I got them, I didn't think I had any issue whatsoever. But as soon as I got them, everything looked different, and it even afforded me more flexibility with my stance.

Anyway, obviously you can do whatever you like with regard to glasses, just sharing some info

Thank you for the observations and advice. I think you convinced me to get larger/taller glasses to play pool. I've tried my contacts, but I don't like them playing pool ... I can't focus as well with the contacts both near and far compared to my glasses. Like you, I still haven't convinced myself I should get Lasik, despite how many positive testimonials we've heard on the forum over the years.

Thanks again,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Since you asked pretty please with a cherry on top, I'm looking forward to doing the tests. I plan on doing a video, with no practice on the drills. See what I score. Then practice them a bit and try it again later. I put myself at a high C player, that when I'm at my best, I get into the B range. I base this on 15 years of gambling with all level players in the Philladelphia region, which has players that range from D to Corey.

I'll try to get the test done sooner rather than later. I'm eager to try it

I look forward to seeing you score and videos. I also look forward to hearing how well you think the BU Rating system works for you personally, even though such "data" is very qualitative and subjective.

Catch you later,
Dave

 

[iusedtoberich]

I just finished the Fundamentals test. I didn't try any of the drills beforehand, just went into it cold. I did warm up for half an hour before starting though. Attached are my scores. I got a 49. I know from the Tucker drills that that piece of paper is elusive I will do the Skills after lunch, I'm starving

I'm planning on repeating the test in the future, but wanted to get a baseline cold rating without having practiced any of the shots beforehand.

Videos to upload later.

 

[iusedtoberich]

Can you ask PJ or maybe you know, I don't know how to "copy over" the cells to make them non-formula values. I'm not super strong in Excel... Thanks

 

[iusedtoberich]

Also there seems to be a small bug thus far in the spreadsheet. The name does not auto populate. I think its pointing to the wrong cell from sheet 1, but I havent' had succcess correcting it.

 

[dr_dave]

FYI to those using the BU Exams, we just posted a spreadsheet on the BU website to automate exam scoring and player rating. It also helps keep historical records to track your improvement over time. If you are interested, here's the direct link.

It's also now available along with all of the other documents on the BU Exam Resources page.

Enjoy,
Dave

PS: The original version of this spreadsheet was created by Patrick Johnson, a BU Instructor. For those who don't know, PJ is currently banned from AZB (for a really long time) because he wasn't a good boy (apparently). Regardless, I appreciate his spreadsheet skills and willingness to share with others.

He really went off on 'tilt' apparently, and committed forum suicide. I know this because some of the forum's uber right wing freedom lovers have said so.

I think this forum is a lesser place without PJ. I know he didn't always exhibit the best "table-side manners" when relating to other people online, but he always contributed valuable info and shared insightful perspectives. In fact, he has probably contributed more useful info and insight over the years than any other AZB poster ... he's certainly in the top 5 of all time in this category, IMO. I am glad he is a BU instructor ... he certainly deserves this honor.

I hope he will be granted a pardon to return soon.

I, for one, vote to free PJ ... again!

Regards,
Dave

 

[Cory in DC]

Can you ask PJ or maybe you know, I don't know how to "copy over" the cells to make them non-formula values. I'm not super strong in Excel... Thanks

View attachment 278932

1. Select the cells in question.
2. Hit CTRL-C (for "copy")
3. Right-click and select "paste special". This brings up a bunch of pasting options.
4. Select "Values" and hit "enter" or click on "OK".

 

[dr_dave]

Dr Dave,

I wanted to thank you for all the hard work you have done towards billiards community. You are awesome. We are lucky to have you, really.

Billiard University is simply awesome.

Thank you so much for the positive feedback and support. It feels good to know that all of the hard work is appreciated by you and many others.

First of all, I did the Exam I.
I did it on a 8 foot table at my work. I had been working for 10 hours, had a suite and a tie, and a house cue. I only scored 43.
The next day, I went to our regular pool hall with a friend, played with my own cue and on a 9 foot table. I scored 57, which was very surprising. My friend, who is atleast 2 levels better player than me(on a scale of 1-10), scored actually lower than me. I believe that this shows how much it matters when you have taken the exam before.
For the record, my honest opinion is that playing against ghost, 9 ball, 9 foot table, I can probably win a maximum of ~20 games out of 100 games.

Oh, and to add, I have always played on a 9 foot table. Comfy dress code, my own cue, and rested+familiar table probably resulted in a better score.

The table was a Brunswick Metro with what you would call bucket pockets, but the shelf is pretty deep and some have said the pockets are cut "funny", which makes it spit out balls hit from rail in a higher speed much more frequently than I have experienced on any other table.

Sorry that I don't have more input at the moment, but I really do intent to do the full exam on a 9 foot table and record it, as soon as I get a small break from work.

Thank you for participating and sharing your score. What rating do you think is appropriate for you on the BU Rating Comparison Chart, based on your actual level of play, as you perceive it?

I am a lower level player who has been playing for about 3 years, not so much during the last year, tho. And because you wanted some input from lower level players, here is my contribution. Only a simple version of what I have done so far, but I intend to videotape myself soon, and maybe a good friend of mine who is a higher level player compared to me.

I look forward to seeing your videos and improved score after you've had more time to practice.

FYI, I've added your 57 to the first-post list. I'll replace it with any newer score after you post videos. Thank you again for posting your score. Maybe it will help encourage others to post. I am still hoping for additional input and feedback over the entire BU Rating scale.

Thanks again,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Thank you, Dr. Dave, for all the hard work and effort. It's a student's delight to see all the fine instructors who are now the esteemed and tenured faculty at BU. I'm also pleased that position skills are the emphasis above shot making on exams, as that is what is needed to take most students to the next level. Soon BU will help all those PSOL (Pool for Speakers of Other Language) students out there...

Thanks Matt. I'm glad you're part of the BU faculty.

I've already had students ask me about taking exams and about the DVDs for training.

That's good to hear. Thanks for the report.

I'm available in Florida/Georgia and also to travel further afield to proctor exams for a diploma/video students/assist you in choices to score as high as possible on examinations.

I hope other instructors out there decide to join so they can offer similar services.

Suggestions for a BU mascot, fight song and colors? So far, the colors look to be blue and orange, which I'm comfortable with from my alma mater, UF.

The "orange" is actually "gold." The BU "colors" are blue and gold. I would love to hear suggestions for possible mascots.

Catch you later,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Dave, as evidenced by the previous post (# 217) I think it would be good to include previous pool playing experience in you demographic data collection.

1. How long have you been playing pool for more then a two hours a week?
2. In the last six months, how may hours do you usually play in a week?
3. How many hours have you spent with Exam X before submitting your score?

I think these will be significant variables in any analysis you conduct. I am sure that you realize that partial data sets could be used to determine the relationships of these types of variables to the examination process.

I would expect that prior experience and length of time training to take the exam are related to exam score. You could derive a table for players recommending the optimal amount of time a player should spend with the exam before submitting a score. Heterogeneity in scores is good for validity but reliability should rule the day for a commercially acceptable product.

Joe,

Thanks again for your excellent suggestions and valuable insight. I appreciate it. FYI, I've added the following to the BU diploma application form (see the last page):
- total # of years you have played pool
- average # of hours per week you have played pool in the last year
- total # of hours you dedicated to practicing the BU Exams before applying for this diploma

Best regards, and thanks again,
Dave (one of those OCD "engineers" ... in my "non-summer day job")

PS: How's your BU Exam practice going so far?

 

[dr_dave]

Well, Dave, I will say this... it does look like you've improved a decent amount since a few years ago

Thanks.

I feel that a score of 135 shouldn't equate to an "A" level player. If you scored 135, but were weak in your safety play and you were very weak in banking...that is not an A player. An "A" player can execute fairly well, at all aspects of the game. an A player lacks the level of consistency of better players, though.

I was certainly disappointed by those banks and safety shots. I will definitely be working on these and do better next time.

To give some constructive feedback, i feel that your exams, while good and comprehensive, need one more thing; the "put-it-all-together" test. You should add in the Joe Tucker 10 ball ghost rating test as your "final exam". Why? Well, drills are good for demonstrating ability and building skill thru repetition, BUT... doing the same exact set-up drills over and over only shows that you've mastered that particular set up shot. After shooting that set up shot a few dozen times, you should have it down pretty good. Thing is, how many times will you get that exact shot in a match? More likely, it will be a slight variation of it. That's why the Joe Tucker 10 ball drill adds in some "real life" situations due to the open break and randomness of ball layouts. It forces the student to adjust their play a bit, when they don't get the exact layout of the old, familiar drill shots.

Long story, longer...I like the program that your group put together. I feel that the ratings are a lil high i.e. an "A" should be more like a "B", but i know this is subjective. Again, if you added the Joe Tucker 10 Ball Ghost rating drill as your final exam, i think it would be a more thorough test. Perhaps, you can find a way to incorporate the JT 10 Ball scores into your final tallies.

Thank you for the input and suggestions. A "playing the ghost" drill, like the JT 10-ball version, does provide a decent measure of offensive skills, assuming you do enough racks to average out all of the variability from rack to rack. I also like the idea of a "Final Exam;" although that's how I see BU Exam II. The first exam is a fundamentals assessment and placement exam, and the second exam assesses important applied pool skills, including run-out skills (see drills S1, S2, S3, and S4 in Exam II). Unlike the playing the ghost drills, Exam II also tests safety, kick, bank, jacked up, and jump skills, which are also important. Maybe the JT ghost drill can count toward "Continuing Education Credits." :grin-square:

Thanks again for your input,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

I just finished the Fundamentals test. I didn't try any of the drills beforehand, just went into it cold. I did warm up for half an hour before starting though. Attached are my scores. I got a 49. I know from the Tucker drills that that piece of paper is elusive I will do the Skills after lunch, I'm starving

I look forward to seeing your total score and videos. I'll also be curious to hear how well you think the BU rating matches your perceived level of play, in relation to the BU Rating Comparison Chart.

BTW, maybe you should redo Exam I since you were so close to qualifying for the Masters version of Exam II.

Catch you later,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Can you ask PJ or maybe you know, I don't know how to "copy over" the cells to make them non-formula values. I'm not super strong in Excel... Thanks

View attachment 278932

Highlight the row, select "Copy" with the right mouse button, and then select "Paste" with the "Values Only" option.

I hope that helps. Let me know if it doesn't.

Good luck,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Also there seems to be a small bug thus far in the spreadsheet. The name does not auto populate. I think its pointing to the wrong cell from sheet 1, but I havent' had succcess correcting it.

View attachment 278933

Thank you for pointing this out.

FYI, I've fixed it if you want to download the new file. Here's the link for convenience:
Excel spreadsheet file for automatic scoring and record keeping

Regards,
Dave

 

[JC]

I don't like the 7-8 positioning in the third 9 ball rack of the master's exam. They should be offset so you have to break them out. Sitting frozen together on the rail like that the 8 ball is wired for the corner on any decent table and the seven can be dismissed into the opposite corner with a good hit on the 8 by the five. For an obstacle, it's just too easy.

JC

 

[dr_dave]

I don't like the 7-8 positioning in the third 9 ball rack of the master's exam. They should be offset so you have to break them out. Sitting frozen together on the rail like that the 8 ball is wired for the corner on any decent table and the seven can be dismissed into the opposite corner with a good hit on the 8 by the five. For an obstacle, it's just too easy.

Thanks for your input. That's a good suggestion. I'll add it to the list for possible future revisions.

Regards,
Dave

 

[iusedtoberich]

Well I finished the Bachelors Skill level. Got a 29 on it for a total of 78. I'll try again in the near future after practicing the individual shots. (these trials were cold). I think I'm bringing up the rear now lol.

Table Specs: 9' GC4, 5 1/8" pockets, 1 1/2" shelf depth, 860 Simonis 6 months old just stopped sliding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gEdrVSAFok

Fundamentals Exam:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2A3PBxUMNQ

Bachelors Exam: [Won't be ready for several more hours]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al6KjwgRk8M

 

[iusedtoberich]

Highlight the row, select "Copy" with the right mouse button, and then select "Paste" with the "Values Only" option.

I hope that helps. Let me know if it doesn't.

Good luck,
Dave

I had to do Paste Special as per Cory's post above. That worked.

 

[dr_dave]

Well I finished the Bachelors Skill level. Got a 29 on it for a total of 78. I'll try again in the near future after practicing the individual shots. (these trials were cold). I think I'm bringing up the rear now lol.

Thanks for posting that. Here's the current list of posted scores:

List of AZB'ers who have taken the BU playing-ability exams so far (in ranked order):

BU score, Username, BU Rating, Video links (if available):

160, Gerry Williams, semi-pro (A++/AAA), Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II
141, Neil, adv-3 (A+/AA), Exam (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
135, dr_dave, adv-2 (A), Exam I, Exam II
132, Gerry Williams, adv-2 (A), Table Setup, Exam I, Exam II (part 1, part 2)
132, BRussell, adv-2 (A), Exam I, Exam II
124, JC, adv-1 (A-), no videos (see AZB post)
82, SeanChamp, int-2 (B), no videos (see AZB post)
78, iusedtoberich, int-2 (B), no videos (see AZB post)
57, Atuist, int-1 (B-/C+), no videos (see AZB post)

Here are the details and scores for all official BU graduates.

After you practice and take the exams again, please post your new results (with videos if possible), and let us know how well you think the BU Rating System matches your "realistically-perceived" level of play, based on the BU Rating Comparison Chart. That way, we will have more "data."

Thanks again,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

I had to do Paste Special as per Cory's post above. That worked.

You're getting good with that computer thingy, aren't you? :grin-square:

Catch you later,
Dave