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

[dr_dave]

The best I could do on Exam II this week was 86, my previous best. I think I will try again Monday and Tuesday. If I play well and get a little lucky, I think I should be able to get into the 90s. I just need 87 to reach the Doctorate with Honors level so I can get one of those free diplomas.

I finally beat my previous best Exam II score of 86 with an 88 (after about 5 days of real hard work). Here's the video:

NOTE - The date on the video title screen is wrong. I did this run on March 16, 2021.

At times, the "process" wasn't very pleasant, and Dr. Dave's potty mouth was really out in force (luckily not in the video), but I sure got in lots of great practice. I feel like I improved my game quite a bit this past week, especially with focus and mental stamina.

PS: Yay! Now I get one of those free “Doctorate with Honors” diplomas!

 

[dr_dave]

Here's the latest:

AZB Users Who Have Taken the BU Playing-Ability Exams (with top scores to date):

BU Score (Exam I + Exam II), Exam III, Exam IV - User - Table Size, corner pocket mouth, throat, shelf - Video Links:

183 (91 + D:92) - Side Pocket - 10', 4 7/8", 3 7/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
181 (93 + D:88), 52, 93 - dr_dave - 9', 5", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II, Exam III, Exam IV
178 (91 + D:87) - Ken Cileli - 9', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
170 (83 + D:87) - Marc Vidal Claramunt - 9', 4 1/8", 3 5/16", 1" - Exam I, Exam II
168 (80 + D:88) - Gerry Williams - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
165 (76 + D:89) - Kanzzo - 9', 4 1/4", 3 5/8'', 1'' - Exam I, Exam II
164 (84 + D:80) - theUBC - 9', 4 1/2", 4 1/8", 1 3/4" - Exam I, Exam II
164 (79 + D:85) - Mark Gray (1st attempt) - 9', 4 1/2", 4 1/2", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
161 (84 + D:77) - Shane Van Boening (1st attempt) - 9', 5", 3 7/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I, Exam II
161* (88 + M:73) - dr_dave - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I, Exam II
160 (79 + D:81) - scottjen26 - 9', 4 1/2", 3 7/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
157* (88 + M:69) - Neil - 7', 4 1/8", 2 7/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2)
153 (82 + D:71), 45 - peppersauce - 9', 4 1/4", 3 7/8", 1 1/4" - Exam I, Exam II, Exam III
148 (75 + D:73) - JeremiahGage - 9', 5", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
146 (74 + D:72), 49, 89 - td873 - 9', 4.5", 3.75", 1.625" - Exam I, Exam II, Exam III, Exam IV
141 (70 + D:71) - 12squared - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2"
136 (73 + D:63) - bowiebill - 9', 4 3/4", 4", 1 1/4"
135* (71 + M:64) - Mooneye - 7', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 5/8" - Exam I, Exam II
132* (76 + M:56) - BRussell - 8', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
130 (64 + M:66) - sjharr - 9'
130 (63 + M:67) - StraightPoolIU - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8, 1 1/4"
129 (69 + M:60) - Spimp13
128 (64 + M:64) - PocketPooler - 9', 4 3/8", 3 5/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4)
127 (67 + M:60) - Okie - 9', 4 3/4", 4", 1 1/2"
124 (71 + M:53) - StraightPoolIU - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8, 1 1/4"
124 (64 + M:60) - JC - 9', 4 7/16", 3 7/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I, Exam II
121* (63 + M:58) - TheOneGnat - 8', 4 1/2", 4", 1 5/8"
117 (53 + M:58) - RobMan - 9', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/5"
114 (55 + M:59) - cleary - 9', 4 1/2", 3 7/8", 2" - Exam I, Exam II
113 (? + M:?) - Eagleshot - 9', 4 1/2, 4", 1 1/4" - PM
112* (61 + M:51) - gregcantrall - 8', 4 3/8", 4 1/8", 1"
111 (63 + M:48) - denwhit - 9', 4 5/8", 4 3/8", 1 1/4" - PM
110* (62 + M:48) - caff3in3 - 8'
108 (59 + M:49) - row21097 - 9', 4 1/2”, 4”, 1 1/2” - Exam I (part 1, part 2, part 3), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
108* (61 + M:47) - JFire - 7', 5", 4 1/8", 1 5/8"
106 (53 + M:53) - StraightPoolIU - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8, 1 1/4"
101* (59 + M:42) - 67tbird - 8', 4 1/4", 4", 1 1/2"
98* (58 + M:40) - kling&allen - 7', 5", 4 1/2", 1 5/8" - Exam 1, Exam 2
94 (57 + M:37) - BeiberLvr
92* (59 + M:33) - JFire - 7', 5", 4 1/8", 1 5/8"
91* (62 + M:29) - SeanChamp - 8', 4 1/2", 1 1/2"
90 (? + M:?) - EagleEye - 9', 5", 3 7/8", 1 3/8"
89 (56 + M:33) - mamics - 9', 4 5/8", 3 13/16", 1 1/4"
88 (? + B:?) - DrGonzo - 9', 4.5", 4", 1.5"
87 (49 + B:38), 30 - iusedtoberich - 9', 5 1/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II, Exam III
82 (57 + B:25) - krupa - 9', 4 3/4", 3 5/8", 1 1/4"
68 (35 + B:33) - icucybe - 9', 4 1/2", 3 /1/2", 1 3/4"
68 (44 + B:24) - pleforowicz - 9', 11.7cm, 9.2cm, 3.8cm
63 (41 + B:22) - SamLambert - 9' - Exams I and II

*: not on a 9' or larger table

NOTE - Other scores and videos can be found on the BU Alumni page (official BU graduates) and the BU Exam Challenge pages.

 

[kanzzo]

I need to get "lucky" on the banks drill ... I can never seem to master that one.

With banks everything plays a role (we heard it before but it needs a drill like this S7 to really get it).

Speed, grip, amount of english and humidity will all change the way the target ball reacts after contact with the cushion. So my approach is to not just trying to pocket the ball (which will make making the bank just random, if you not account for the above factors. And this can make you a little crazy, since you start to doubt your stroke or your aiming point) but to play also identical CB position (target pool) every time and use same firm stroke (speed 3) on all the banks.

Still yesterday I made a run of Exam II and missed first 6 banks, all the same about an inch short. Until I realized, the humidity in my room changed from the last time I played the drill from 26% to 38%.

So you even need a hygrometer for banks…

And then for the drill using the donuts I know, I have same position of the balls every time and memorize, how full I have to hit the ball (with what english) from each position. (51%, 100%, 55% etc…).

This worked for me, hope it helps

 

[kanzzo]

PS: Yay! Now I get one of those free “Doctorate with Honors” diplomas!

Congratulations. Great shooting. Thought I could beat you to the first free Honors diploma

Miraculous, how you can score 5 out of 5 at the break (S10). This one is the biggest mistery for me. (And this drill is same difficulty in all Exam levels: Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate. )

 

[kanzzo]

Nice job, especially on those banks!

You misplayed position on the banks. You played ball 6 from position 5 (and no ball from position 7). Looked like you had the CB positions closer together. I'm going to give you the benefit of doubt on this one. Although, in an official BU Challenge with money prizes, this would probably not be allowed.

Great shooting,
Kanzzo

 

[dr_dave]

With banks everything plays a role (we heard it before but it needs a drill like this S7 to really get it).

Speed, grip, amount of english and humidity will all change the way the target ball reacts after contact with the cushion. So my approach is to not just trying to pocket the ball (which will make making the bank just random, if you not account for the above factors. And this can make you a little crazy, since you start to doubt your stroke or your aiming point) but to play also identical CB position (target pool) every time and use same firm stroke (speed 3) on all the banks.

Still yesterday I made a run of Exam II and missed first 6 banks, all the same about an inch short. Until I realized, the humidity in my room changed from the last time I played the drill from 26% to 38%.

So you even need a hygrometer for banks…

And then for the drill using the donuts I know, I have same position of the balls every time and memorize, how full I have to hit the ball (with what english) from each position. (51%, 100%, 55% etc…).

This worked for me, hope it helps

It certainly helps to memorize the aim required for each position. I've also noticed changes with conditions (only because I've done the first sentence).

 

[dr_dave]

Congratulations. Great shooting.

Thanks! It is funny how this is my best score ever, but I'm still disappointed for giving away so many "free" points.

Thought I could beat you to the first free Honors diploma

I still haven't beat your Exam II score (89) yet. I'm coming for you, though.

Miraculous, how you can score 5 out of 5 at the break (S10). This one is the biggest mistery for me. (And this drill is same difficulty in all Exam levels: Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate. )

For me, it is all about careful aim, being still, and not trying to over-power it. A tight rack (with a trained table or racking template) is also very helpful. so the wing ball is guaranteed to go.

 

[dr_dave]

Nice job, especially on those banks!

Thanks. A little practice with memorized aims does wonders, but it still isn't easy to execute every time.

You misplayed position on the banks. You played ball 6 from position 5 (and no ball from position 7). Looked like you had the CB positions closer together. I'm going to give you the benefit of doubt on this one. Although, in an official BU Challenge with money prizes, this would probably not be allowed.

Oops. Thank you for pointing this out. That's embarrassing. Now I have a reason to keep trying. I was going to quit with the 88, but I can't accept having an "asterisk" (for "cheating") on my official score. I also had the wrong date on my video title screen. I also placed the 1 ball wrong on the kicking drill and had to redo it. I also misspelled "wrong" in text on the screen pointing out the initial placement error. Even more reasons to do everything right (and score higher) to set a good example.

Great shooting

Thanks again. I hope your Exam I work goes well, and I look forward to seeing how high you can score.

Catch you later,
Dave

 

[kanzzo]

I hope your Exam I work goes well, and I look forward to seeing how high you can score.

managed first complete run of Exam I since the challenge from August and it feels like I am months away from being able to score 90+ (finished with something like 75-77, too bad to count )

huge difficulties on almost every drill. Started with 58 out of first 70. Should be at least 68 out of first 70 to have a realistic goal for reaching 90+. So will work exclusively on the drills 2,4,5 for the next sessions, until I can constantly score the 68 point out of 70 needed. Could take some time

 

[dr_dave]

managed first complete run of Exam I since the challenge from August and it feels like I am months away from being able to score 90+ (finished with something like 75-77, too bad to count )

huge difficulties on almost every drill. Started with 58 out of first 70. Should be at least 68 out of first 70 to have a realistic goal for reaching 90+. So will work exclusively on the drills 2,4,5 for the next sessions, until I can constantly score the 68 point out of 70 needed. Could take some time

I know the feeling. I tried Exam II all day today. It wasn't pretty.

And I remember my elbow hurting from the Exam I draw drill any time I worked hard on getting a high score.

Good luck, and hand in there.

 

[kling&allen]

Thank you for participating, and good luck with your quest for 110 by the end of the year. Based on your videos and scores, I am sure you can do it. FYI, I've added your info to the list. Thank you for formatting it for me!

It thankfully didn't take all year, just one more recorded attempt. Here's an updated score with videos:

111* (63+ M:48) - kling&allen - 7', 5", 4 1/2", 1 5/8" - Exam 1, Exam 2

I think I could eke out another 10 points with a little effort and consistency, but my new goal for the rest of the year is to beat the 9-ball ghost. Thanks for maintaining this challenge Dr. Dave.

 

[dr_dave]

It thankfully didn't take all year, just one more recorded attempt. Here's an updated score with videos:

111* (63+ M:48) - kling&allen - 7', 5", 4 1/2", 1 5/8" - Exam 1, Exam 2

I think I could eke out another 10 points with a little effort and consistency, but my new goal for the rest of the year is to beat the 9-ball ghost. Thanks for maintaining this challenge Dr. Dave.

Congrats on reaching you goal so quickly. You need more-challenging goals.

Good luck with the ghost.

FYI, I've updated your listing. Thanks again for formatting it for me. I think you are the first to ever do this.

Catch you later,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Here's the latest:

AZB Users Who Have Taken the BU Playing-Ability Exams (with top scores to date):

BU Score (Exam I + Exam II), Exam III, Exam IV - User - Table Size, corner pocket mouth, throat, shelf - Video Links:

183 (91 + D:92) - Side Pocket - 10', 4 7/8", 3 7/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
181 (93 + D:88), 52, 93 - dr_dave - 9', 5", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II, Exam III, Exam IV
178 (91 + D:87) - Ken Cileli - 9', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
170 (83 + D:87) - Marc Vidal Claramunt - 9', 4 1/8", 3 5/16", 1" - Exam I, Exam II
168 (80 + D:88) - Gerry Williams - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
165 (76 + D:89) - Kanzzo - 9', 4 1/4", 3 5/8'', 1'' - Exam I, Exam II
164 (84 + D:80) - theUBC - 9', 4 1/2", 4 1/8", 1 3/4" - Exam I, Exam II
164 (79 + D:85) - Mark Gray (1st attempt) - 9', 4 1/2", 4 1/2", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
161 (84 + D:77) - Shane Van Boening (1st attempt) - 9', 5", 3 7/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I, Exam II
161* (88 + M:73) - dr_dave - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I, Exam II
160 (79 + D:81) - scottjen26 - 9', 4 1/2", 3 7/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
157* (88 + M:69) - Neil - 7', 4 1/8", 2 7/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2)
153 (82 + D:71), 45 - peppersauce - 9', 4 1/4", 3 7/8", 1 1/4" - Exam I, Exam II, Exam III
148 (75 + D:73) - JeremiahGage - 9', 5", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
146 (74 + D:72), 49, 89 - td873 - 9', 4.5", 3.75", 1.625" - Exam I, Exam II, Exam III, Exam IV
141 (70 + D:71) - 12squared - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2"
136 (73 + D:63) - bowiebill - 9', 4 3/4", 4", 1 1/4"
135* (71 + M:64) - Mooneye - 7', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 5/8" - Exam I, Exam II
132* (76 + M:56) - BRussell - 8', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
130 (64 + M:66) - sjharr - 9'
130 (63 + M:67) - StraightPoolIU - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8, 1 1/4"
129 (69 + M:60) - Spimp13
128 (64 + M:64) - PocketPooler - 9', 4 3/8", 3 5/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4)
127 (67 + M:60) - Okie - 9', 4 3/4", 4", 1 1/2"
124 (71 + M:53) - StraightPoolIU - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8, 1 1/4"
124 (64 + M:60) - JC - 9', 4 7/16", 3 7/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I, Exam II
121* (63 + M:58) - TheOneGnat - 8', 4 1/2", 4", 1 5/8"
117 (53 + M:58) - RobMan - 9', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/5"
114 (55 + M:59) - cleary - 9', 4 1/2", 3 7/8", 2" - Exam I, Exam II
113 (? + M:?) - Eagleshot - 9', 4 1/2, 4", 1 1/4" - PM
112* (61 + M:51) - gregcantrall - 8', 4 3/8", 4 1/8", 1"
111 (63 + M:48) - denwhit - 9', 4 5/8", 4 3/8", 1 1/4" - PM
111* (63+ M:48) - kling&allen - 7', 5", 4 1/2", 1 5/8" - Exam 1, Exam 2
110* (62 + M:48) - caff3in3 - 8'
108 (59 + M:49) - row21097 - 9', 4 1/2”, 4”, 1 1/2” - Exam I (part 1, part 2, part 3), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
108* (61 + M:47) - JFire - 7', 5", 4 1/8", 1 5/8"
106 (53 + M:53) - StraightPoolIU - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8, 1 1/4"
101* (59 + M:42) - 67tbird - 8', 4 1/4", 4", 1 1/2"
94 (57 + M:37) - BeiberLvr
92* (59 + M:33) - JFire - 7', 5", 4 1/8", 1 5/8"
91* (62 + M:29) - SeanChamp - 8', 4 1/2", 1 1/2"
90 (? + M:?) - EagleEye - 9', 5", 3 7/8", 1 3/8"
89 (56 + M:33) - mamics - 9', 4 5/8", 3 13/16", 1 1/4"
88 (? + B:?) - DrGonzo - 9', 4.5", 4", 1.5"
87 (49 + B:38), 30 - iusedtoberich - 9', 5 1/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II, Exam III
82 (57 + B:25) - krupa - 9', 4 3/4", 3 5/8", 1 1/4"
68 (35 + B:33) - icucybe - 9', 4 1/2", 3 /1/2", 1 3/4"
68 (44 + B:24) - pleforowicz - 9', 11.7cm, 9.2cm, 3.8cm
63 (41 + B:22) - SamLambert - 9' - Exams I and II

*: not on a 9' or larger table

NOTE - Other scores and videos can be found on the BU Alumni page (official BU graduates) and the BU Exam Challenge pages.

 

[kanzzo]

since I find it helpful to watch other good players to perform the drills...

Bachelors Exam II with 48 out of 54 possible
S1:4, S2:7, S3:10, S4:10, S5:5, S6:3, S7:2, S8:2, S9:3, S10:2

 

[dr_dave]

since I find it helpful to watch other good players to perform the drills...

So you are just setting an example for the people who might be at the Bachelor's level? Or did you have another reason (other than just practice) to try the Bachelor version?

Masters Exam II with 48 out of 54 possible
S1:4, S2:7, S3:10, S4:10, S5:5, S6:3, S7:2, S8:2, S9:3, S10:2

Correction. This is the "Bachelor" version of Exam II. I hope your example helps people who might be considering attempting it.

Now get back to work on Exam I!

After a week of hard work trying to match or beat my previous 88 on Exam II, I finally gave up. I'll probably still keep trying periodically, but I need a break. Also, if we decide to feature Exam II in a future Prize Money Challenge, I'll try again full force again.

Catch you later,
Dave

 

[kanzzo]

Correction. This is the "Bachelor" version of Exam II. I hope your example helps people who might be considering attempting it.

Oops, corrected in the post above

 

[kanzzo]

So you are just setting an example for the people who might be at the Bachelor's level? Or did you have another reason (other than just practice) to try the Bachelor version?

thought it was kinda sad, that for years the available (highscore) video at Bachelors level was 38. Tried to get perfect score, but obviously it's a little harder than one might think

the runouts from Bachelors and Masters level are tougher, than Doctorate level. Wanted to test, if I am still able to score perfect score on these... (still trying for the Masters Level. Some M73 from dr_dave are out there to beat )

 

[dr_dave]

thought it was kinda sad, that for years the available (highscore) video at Bachelors level was 38. Tried to get perfect score, but obviously it's a little harder than one might think

the runouts from Bachelors and Masters level are tougher, than Doctorate level. Wanted to test, if I am still able to score perfect score on these... (still trying for the Masters Level. Some M73 from dr_dave are out there to beat )

I think it is good practice to work on the patterns from all three Exams, but the high score on the Bachelors Exam II is reserved for the people who qualify based on their Exam I score. Is your Exam I score really that bad now?

 

[kanzzo]

I think it is good practice to work on the patterns from all three Exams, but the high score on the Bachelors Exam II is reserved for the people who qualify based on their Exam I score.

no problem

161* (88 + M:73) - dr_dave - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I, Exam II

but perhaps you should remove this ^^ entry then from the first post. For someone with a Doctorate with Honors Diploma still holding the Masters Exam II Record in pink?

Your M:73 is very impressive and very hard to beat. And the video is definitely helpful for everybody, who might be considering attempting it. Same way I thought my video might be helpful. Or the video from Shane Van Boening attempting both exams. So I think, it would be helpful providing links with videos from good players playing the different exams (somewhere on your homepage, like "other scores and video can be found on...")

But in a same way high score on the Bachelors Exam II should be reserved for people qualifying for Bachelor based on their Exam I score, someone good enough for a doctorate diploma shouldn't hold a pink rekord for Masters high score

 

[dr_dave]

no problem

but perhaps you should remove this ^^ entry then from the first post. For someone with a Doctorate with Honors Diploma still holding the Masters Exam II Record in pink?

That Masters entry was from when I still had my 8' table, and I didn't qualify for the Doctorate, so it is legit.

Your M:73 is very impressive and very hard to beat.

I'm sure you can beat it if you tried. In fact, I think a perfect score of 77 on the Masters Exam II is a realistic goal for either of us, assuming you memorize or take notes for the required aims, tip position, and speed for each kick, bank, and safety. And, of course, practice all the shots individually.

And the video is definitely helpful for everybody, who might be considering attempting it.

I agree, especially with the run-out patterns.

Same way I thought my video might be helpful. Or the video from Shane Van Boening attempting both exams. So I think, it would be helpful providing links with videos from good players playing the different exams (somewhere on your homepage, like "other scores and video can be found on...")

But in a same way high score on the Bachelors Exam II should be reserved for people qualifying for Bachelor based on their Exam I score, someone good enough for a doctorate diploma shouldn't hold a pink rekord for Masters high score

If somebody is really serious about working on a pool diploma, they should purchase the BU Instructional Video series, where we show the best way to run everything and provide lots of technique advice and "Hot Tips" for scoring as high as possible on Exam I and all versions of Exam II. I don't want to give everything away for free.