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

Are you guys subtracting 2 points per scratch on break and spotting all balls pocketed on the break that scratched per the corrected JT 10 ball rules?
 
Dave - it was also pointed out to me that I scored the doctorate exam incorrectly - should have been 76. I didn't hit the 3rd rail on the last rack of the 9 ball drill. I still ran it out and thought it was ok.

Total score is 156 as a result.

I will improve on this today :)
 
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iusedtoberich said:
Are you guys subtracting 2 points per scratch on break and spotting all balls pocketed on the break that scratched per the corrected JT 10 ball rules?
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Yes, or at least that is what I am asking for. I would like everybody to play according to the rules on the 10-ball "playing the ghost" rating page.

Thank you for clarifying this.

We are still missing 10-ball ghost scores from:
scottjen26, 12squared, TheOneGnat, row21097, you (iusedtoberich), and SeanChamp

Please post those when you get a chance.

Thanks,
Dave
 
Gerry Williams said:
Dave - it was also pointed out to me that I scored the doctorate exam incorrectly - should have been 76. I didn't hit the 3rd rail on the last rack of the 9 ball drill. I still ran it out and thought it was ok.

Total score is 156 as a result.
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Thank you for pointing this out. I've adjusted the score on the lists. FYI, this demotes you from the "semi pro / A++ (AAA)" BU designation to "adv-3 / A+ (AA)." Do you think this is appropriate based on your level of play? Your 10-ball ghost score designates you as "Pro." Do you think that is more or less appropriate?

FYI, I just watched your Exam I videos all of the way through and noticed another error (not in score, but in procedure). In the stun shot drill (F5), you have the orientation of the target wrong (in a tougher orientation) for all of the target positions except position 4. Please look at the exam document to see what I mean. I didn't pay attention to see if this might have affected your score or not, but it certainly could ... the drill is a little easier with the target oriented correctly.

Thanks again for participating and for setting the bar so high for others.

Catch you later,
Dave
 
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Gerry Williams said:
Ok - improved on it but barely.

Uploading a 79 in exam 2 for a total of 159…
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Nice!

Although, I think your should try to improve on both exams again, if you think it is possible. ;)

The 159 is only 1 point from the 160 cut-off for the "semi pro / A++ (AAA)" BU designation." Currently nobody has reached this level yet (after your demotion). :(

Gerry Williams said:
Aside from missing a 9 ball rack and getting 13 on rail drill I was pleased.
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You sure like getting close to that center-table ball on the rail cut shot drill (S2). :wink:

I think you could get a better score on Exam I, especially on the wagon wheel drill (F7) and maybe on the stun shot drill (F5), now that you know how to do it correctly.:grin:

Gerry Williams said:
I would love to see CJ or other post videos…good prep for Tunica :)
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I agree 100%. That would be fun to see.

Gerry Williams said:
Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GgU1F0v4Ik&feature=youtu.be
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UKJLtB56y8&feature=youtu.be
Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqKU0PvdpBE&feature=youtu.be
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The videos are now live and linked.

Here's what we have so far:

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

BU score -- Username -- BU Rating, 10-ball ghost rating -- table: size, corner pocket mouth, throat, shelf -- Video links (if available):

159 -- Gerry Williams -- adv-3 (A+/AA), 73 (Pro) -- table: 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" -- Table Setup, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
156 -- Gerry Williams -- adv-3 (A+/AA), 73 (Pro) -- table: 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" -- Table Setup, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II
149 -- scottjen26 -- adv-3 (A+/AA), no 10-ball ghost score yet -- table 9', 4 1/2", no throat yet, 1 1/2" -- no videos (see AZB post)
141 -- 12squared (Dave Gross) -- adv-3 (A+/AA); no 10-ball ghost score yet -- table: 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" -- no videos (see AZB post)
141 -- Neil -- adv-3 (A+/AA); 60 (A) -- table: 7', 4 1/8", 3 1/2", 1 3/8" -- Exam (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
135 -- dr_dave -- adv-2 (A/A-), 54 (B+) -- table: 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/4", 1 1/4" -- Exam I, Exam II
132 -- Gerry Williams -- adv-2 (A/A-), 73 (Pro) -- table: 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" -- Table Setup, Exam I, Exam II (part 1, part 2)
132 -- BRussell -- adv-2 (A/A-), 51 (B+) -- table: 8', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/2" -- Exam I, Exam II
125 -- TheOneGnat -- adv-2 (A/A-), no 10-ball ghost score yet -- table: 8', 4 1/2 in, 4 in, 1 5/8 in -- no videos (see AZB post)
124 -- JC -- adv-1 (B+/B), 42 (C+) -- table: 9', 4 7/16", no throat yet, 1 3/8" -- Table Specs, Exam 1, Exam 2
117 -- RobMan -- adv-1 (B+/B), 46 (B) -- table: 9', 5", no throat yet, 1" -- no videos (see AZB post)
112 -- RobMan -- adv-1 (B+/B), 46 (B) -- table: 9', 5", no throat yet, 1" -- no videos (see AZB post)
108 -- row21097 -- int-3 (B-/C+), no 10-ball ghost score yet -- table: 9', 4 1/2”, 4”, 1 1/2” -- Table Setup, Exam I (part 1, part 2, part 3), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
87 -- iusedtoberich -- int-2 (C+), 38 (C) -- table: 9', 5 1/8", not throat yet, 1 1/2" -- Table Specs, Exam I, Exam II
78 -- iusedtoberich -- int-2 (C+), 38 (C) -- table: 9', 5 1/8", not throat yet, 1 1/2" -- Table Specs, Exam I, Exam II
77 -- SeanChamp -- int-2 (C+), no 10-ball ghost score yet -- table: 8, 4 1/2", no throat yet, 1" -- no videos (see AZB post)

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

Thanks again to everybody for participating,
Dave
 
FYI, I just tweaked the A-D ratings in the BU rating comparison chart again to better correlate the BU ratings with the 10-ball "playing the ghost" ratings. I think everything is pretty well correlated now. I look forward to seeing how other people fit into the rating scheme, especially at the high end (pro and semi pro levels) and the lower end (C and D players). Please consider posting your scores, especially if you might be in the upper or lower ends, where we don't have enough data yet.

Here's what we have so far:

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

BU score -- Username -- BU Rating, 10-ball ghost rating -- table: size, corner pocket mouth, throat, shelf -- Video links (if available):

159 -- Gerry Williams -- adv-3 (A+/A), 73 (Pro) -- table: 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" -- Table Setup, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
156 -- Gerry Williams -- adv-3 (A+/A), 73 (Pro) -- table: 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" -- Table Setup, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II
149 -- scottjen26 -- adv-3 (A+/A), no 10-ball ghost score yet -- table 9', 4 1/2", no throat yet, 1 1/2" -- no videos (see AZB post)
141 -- 12squared (Dave Gross) -- adv-3 (A+/A); no 10-ball ghost score yet -- table: 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" -- no videos (see AZB post)
141 -- Neil -- adv-3 (A+/A); 60 (A) -- table: 7', 4 1/8", 3 1/2", 1 3/8" -- Exam (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
135 -- dr_dave -- adv-2 (A-/B+), 54 (B+) -- table: 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/4", 1 1/4" -- Exam I, Exam II
132 -- Gerry Williams -- adv-2 (A-/B+), 73 (Pro) -- table: 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" -- Table Setup, Exam I, Exam II (part 1, part 2)
132 -- BRussell -- adv-2 (A-/B+), 51 (B+) -- table: 8', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/2" -- Exam I, Exam II
125 -- TheOneGnat -- adv-2 (A-/B+), no 10-ball ghost score yet -- table: 8', 4 1/2 in, 4 in, 1 5/8 in -- no videos (see AZB post)
124 -- JC -- adv-1 (B/B-), 42 (C+) -- table: 9', 4 7/16", no throat yet, 1 3/8" -- Table Specs, Exam 1, Exam 2
117 -- RobMan -- adv-1 (B/B-), 46 (B) -- table: 9', 5", no throat yet, 1" -- no videos (see AZB post)
112 -- RobMan -- adv-1 (B/B-), 46 (B) -- table: 9', 5", no throat yet, 1" -- no videos (see AZB post)
108 -- row21097 -- int-3 (B-/C+), no 10-ball ghost score yet -- table: 9', 4 1/2”, 4”, 1 1/2” -- Table Setup, Exam I (part 1, part 2, part 3), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
87 -- iusedtoberich -- int-2 (C+/C), 38 (C) -- table: 9', 5 1/8", not throat yet, 1 1/2" -- Table Specs, Exam I, Exam II
78 -- iusedtoberich -- int-2 (C+/C), 38 (C) -- table: 9', 5 1/8", not throat yet, 1 1/2" -- Table Specs, Exam I, Exam II
77 -- SeanChamp -- int-2 (C+/C), no 10-ball ghost score yet -- table: 8, 4 1/2", no throat yet, 1" -- no videos (see AZB post)

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

Thanks again to everybody who has and will participate.

Best regards,
Dave
 
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Just looked - the targets were only positioned wrong on the last 2 shots and made no difference…scored 4 which was bad…maybe I will try again tonight :)
 
dr_dave said:
Please consider posting your scores, especially if you might be in the upper or lower ends, where we don't have enough data yet.
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I am very keen to do the exams & I will no doubt add to ur 'lower end' data set. ;-P
(I score around 35 - 40 playing the 9-ball ghost (10 racks) - 9 foot table - so yeah - very D grade :-> )
 
Gerry Williams said:
Just looked - the targets were only positioned wrong on the last 2 shots and made no difference…scored 4 which was bad…maybe I will try again tonight :)
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I hope you do.

With your scores being so high, I'm sure many people will view your videos, so I hope your they demonstrate the proper way to do the exams, so I'm glad you know about the stun-drill target orientation. BTW, please also include the rectangle target around the obstacle balls in the safety drill so it will be clear if a bump is legal or not. Please also consider placing more donuts on the table per the Table Setup Instructions.

I look forward to seeing videos for the first "semi pro" BU participant.

Good luck,
Dave
 
mamics said:
I am very keen to do the exams & I will no doubt add to ur 'lower end' data set. ;-P
(I score around 35 - 40 playing the 9-ball ghost (10 racks) - 9 foot table - so yeah - very D grade :-> )
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Thank you! Some people are probably shy or embarrassed to post scores at the lower end. I'm glad you are not. Maybe your post will help encourage others to post too.

Catch you later,
Dave
 
dr_dave said:
mamics said:
I am very keen to do the exams & I will no doubt add to ur 'lower end' data set. ;-P
(I score around 35 - 40 playing the 9-ball ghost (10 racks) - 9 foot table - so yeah - very D grade :-> )
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Thank you! Some people are probably shy or embarrassed to post scores at the lower end. I'm glad you are not. Maybe your post will help encourage others to post too.
Click to expand...

If you haven't tried the BU exams yet, please consider doing so and posting your score, even if it will be low (or at the bottom) of the list. It would be helpful to see a bigger range.

Here's what we have so far:

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

BU score -- Username -- BU Rating, 10-ball ghost rating -- table: size, corner pocket mouth, throat, shelf -- Video links (if available):

159 -- Gerry Williams -- adv-3 (A+/A), 73 (Pro) -- table: 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" -- Table Setup, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
156 -- Gerry Williams -- adv-3 (A+/A), 73 (Pro) -- table: 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" -- Table Setup, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II
149 -- scottjen26 -- adv-3 (A+/A), no 10-ball ghost score yet -- table 9', 4 1/2", no throat yet, 1 1/2" -- no videos (see AZB post)
141 -- 12squared (Dave Gross) -- adv-3 (A+/A); no 10-ball ghost score yet -- table: 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" -- no videos (see AZB post)
141 -- Neil -- adv-3 (A+/A); 60 (A) -- table: 7', 4 1/8", 3 1/2", 1 3/8" -- Exam (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
135 -- dr_dave -- adv-2 (A-/B+), 54 (B+) -- table: 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" -- Exam I, Exam II
132 -- Gerry Williams -- adv-2 (A-/B+), 73 (Pro) -- table: 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" -- Table Setup, Exam I, Exam II (part 1, part 2)
132 -- BRussell -- adv-2 (A-/B+), 51 (B+) -- table: 8', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/2" -- Exam I, Exam II
125 -- TheOneGnat -- adv-2 (A-/B+), no 10-ball ghost score yet -- table: 8', 4 1/2 in, 4 in, 1 5/8 in -- no videos (see AZB post)
124 -- JC -- adv-1 (B/B-), 42 (C+) -- table: 9', 4 7/16", 3 7/8", 1 3/8" -- Table Specs, Exam 1, Exam 2
117 -- RobMan -- adv-1 (B/B-), 46 (B) -- table: 9', 5", no throat yet, 1" -- no videos (see AZB post)
112 -- RobMan -- adv-1 (B/B-), 46 (B) -- table: 9', 5", no throat yet, 1" -- no videos (see AZB post)
108 -- row21097 -- int-3 (B-/C+), no 10-ball ghost score yet -- table: 9', 4 1/2”, 4”, 1 1/2” -- Table Setup, Exam I (part 1, part 2, part 3), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
87 -- iusedtoberich -- int-2 (C+/C), 38 (C) -- table: 9', 5 1/8", not throat yet, 1 1/2" -- Table Specs, Exam I, Exam II
78 -- iusedtoberich -- int-2 (C+/C), 38 (C) -- table: 9', 5 1/8", not throat yet, 1 1/2" -- Table Specs, Exam I, Exam II
77 -- SeanChamp -- int-2 (C+/C), no 10-ball ghost score yet -- table: 8, 4 1/2", no throat yet, 1" -- no videos (see AZB post)

Here are the details and scores for all official BU graduates.
 
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Sorry guys, I'm blocked from youtube at work and keep meaning to upload my vids and post them.

Apparently I did a crappy job of filming - glare on the camera, bad orientation, etc. But hopefully you can still see everything. I plan on trying to improve so hopefully I can improve on the video quality as well, although the files were over 3GB each not even on the highest setting...

Here are the links for the exams:
BU 1, part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eikXiTiX0_o

BU 1, part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB319lUMcW0

BU 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg9PmBhh0M4


When I go back to the place later in the week I'll measure the throat and probably retry at least one of the exams to try and improve, definitely left some points on the table - literally. Also did 1 round of 10-ball so far (scored 64 I think, have to look at my sheet), will plan on doing 2 more rounds tonight on the Diamonds at the place I'm going and will submit the scores as well.

Scott
 
scottjen26 said:
Sorry guys, I'm blocked from youtube at work and keep meaning to upload my vids and post them.

Apparently I did a crappy job of filming - glare on the camera, bad orientation, etc. But hopefully you can still see everything. I plan on trying to improve so hopefully I can improve on the video quality as well, although the files were over 3GB each not even on the highest setting...

Here are the links for the exams:
BU 1, part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eikXiTiX0_o

BU 1, part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB319lUMcW0

BU 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg9PmBhh0M4


When I go back to the place later in the week I'll measure the throat and probably retry at least one of the exams to try and improve, definitely left some points on the table - literally. Also did 1 round of 10-ball so far (scored 64 I think, have to look at my sheet), will plan on doing 2 more rounds tonight on the Diamonds at the place I'm going and will submit the scores as well.
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Scott,

Please post your BU score for these attempts so I can add it to the list along with your links.

Also confirm the 10-ball ghost score and post the pocket throat measurement when you get a chance.

Thanks,
Dave
 
These were the supporting videos for the 149 I posted - 76 on the first exam and 73 on the second.

Also did 3 rounds of 10-ball yesterday, 1 at lunch on the same 9' GC V and 2 on 9' Brunswick Metros with 4 3/8" pockets (tight tables that came from a pro tourney years ago). Scored 64, 64, and 67, so median score 64. Didn't play quite as well as I wanted to, but overall was probably a decent score, would expect to be between 60 - 70 on most attempts, typically running out 4 or 5 racks per 10. With a bit of focus and concentration should be able to get one more to where I'm beating the 10 ball ghost, honestly not quite there yet consistently.

Will measure the throat of the GC when I get a chance, and plan on redoing the exams as well in order to improve my score.
Scott
 
scottjen26 said:
These were the supporting videos for the 149 I posted - 76 on the first exam and 73 on the second.
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Got it.

scottjen26 said:
Also did 3 rounds of 10-ball yesterday, 1 at lunch on the same 9' GC V and 2 on 9' Brunswick Metros with 4 3/8" pockets (tight tables that came from a pro tourney years ago). Scored 64, 64, and 67, so median score 64. Didn't play quite as well as I wanted to, but overall was probably a decent score, would expect to be between 60 - 70 on most attempts, typically running out 4 or 5 racks per 10. With a bit of focus and concentration should be able to get one more to where I'm beating the 10 ball ghost, honestly not quite there yet consistently.
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Thanks for doing this.

scottjen26 said:
Will measure the throat of the GC when I get a chance
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Sounds good.

scottjen26 said:
and plan on redoing the exams as well in order to improve my score.
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I look forward to seeing how much you can improve. Do you think you can Give Gerry a "run for his money?"

Here's what we have so far, with your video links and 10-ball ghost score/rating added:


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

BU score -- Username -- BU Rating, 10-ball ghost rating -- table: size, corner pocket mouth, throat, shelf -- Video links (if available):
159 -- Gerry Williams -- adv-3 (A+/A), 73 (Pro) -- table: 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" -- Table Setup, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
156 -- Gerry Williams -- adv-3 (A+/A), 73 (Pro) -- table: 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" -- Table Setup, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II
149 -- scottjen26 -- adv-3 (A+/A), 64 (A+) -- table 9', 4 1/2", no throat yet, 1 1/2" -- Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II
141 -- 12squared (Dave Gross) -- adv-3 (A+/A); no 10-ball ghost score yet -- table: 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" -- no videos (see AZB post)
141 -- Neil -- adv-3 (A+/A); 60 (A) -- table: 7', 4 1/8", 3 1/2", 1 3/8" -- Exam (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
135 -- dr_dave -- adv-2 (A-/B+), 54 (B+) -- table: 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" -- Exam I, Exam II
132 -- Gerry Williams -- adv-2 (A-/B+), 73 (Pro) -- table: 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" -- Table Setup, Exam I, Exam II (part 1, part 2)
132 -- BRussell -- adv-2 (A-/B+), 51 (B+) -- table: 8', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/2" -- Exam I, Exam II
125 -- TheOneGnat -- adv-2 (A-/B+), no 10-ball ghost score yet -- table: 8', 4 1/2 in, 4 in, 1 5/8 in -- no videos (see AZB post)
124 -- JC -- adv-1 (B/B-), 42 (C+) -- table: 9', 4 7/16", 3 7/8", 1 3/8" -- Table Specs, Exam 1, Exam 2
117 -- RobMan -- adv-1 (B/B-), 46 (B) -- table: 9', 5", no throat yet, 1" -- no videos (see AZB post)
112 -- RobMan -- adv-1 (B/B-), 46 (B) -- table: 9', 5", no throat yet, 1" -- no videos (see AZB post)
108 -- row21097 -- int-3 (B-/C+), no 10-ball ghost score yet -- table: 9', 4 1/2”, 4”, 1 1/2” -- Table Setup, Exam I (part 1, part 2, part 3), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
87 -- iusedtoberich -- int-2 (C+/C), 38 (C) -- table: 9', 5 1/8", not throat yet, 1 1/2" -- Table Specs, Exam I, Exam II
78 -- iusedtoberich -- int-2 (C+/C), 38 (C) -- table: 9', 5 1/8", not throat yet, 1 1/2" -- Table Specs, Exam I, Exam II
77 -- SeanChamp -- int-2 (C+/C), no 10-ball ghost score yet -- table: 8, 4 1/2", no throat yet, 1" -- no videos (see AZB post)

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