lol.
. Man so harsh. I’m listed as an APA 7/8 so at least a B/B+ player according to them. This is a “dreamer” thread. But we all are entitled to our opinions.
Seriously though SEB. Unlike a lot of players in this new pool culture that are 3’s and 4’s thinking they are “great” I don’t have delusions. So maybe I don’t fit well. I guess if I make it to the Open we will see how accurate your assessment is.
Sorry to bring up the zombie thread, but I got hooked on your posts due to the somewhat amusing level of self confidence... That you've haven't really earned with your results.
Let me break it down for you, man... I am currently a 548 Fargorate, due to a couple of bad tournaments here in Germany (I am American), but I have never gotten higher than about 590 Fargorate... (on paper..)
I've run a 5 pack on a 9 footer a couple of times. First time was when I was about 21...
I got a video of me beating the regular (not pro) 9 Ball ghost 7-3 on a 9 foot Diamond Pro/Am, 4 3/8" pockets. I broke like dogs**t. Didn't play "particularly well" by my standards.
I played in regional championships (barbox 8 ball) in Colorado/Wyoming, when I had multiple matches (alternate break) where BOTH my opponent and I broke and ran the 1rst 4 racks. First one to blink lost. Any number of matches, I broke and ran at least 3 out of 5.
I put a 4 pack on Joey Gray at the Derby City Classic when it was still a race to 7. Still lost.
Led Scott Frost back to back games in the One pocket division, 6-0, 5-0. Still lost.
I lost 9-5 against Tony Chohan in the 9 Ball event at DCC about 2 years ago. He's about a 777 Fargorate. Those were 4 1/18" inch pockets.
I have beaten multiple 700+ Fargorate players in weekly events, in their home pool halls.
All that being said.. I have presented videos of me playing to the forum, and they put me right at about anywhere from a B+ player, to a midrange A. And I am gonna tell you straight up... You are a B- player. At best. (I wouldn't go so far as to say C player... But an argument can be made....)
Here's the thing.. I came up playing against some of the very best barbox players in the Pacific Northwest. One of the WA state champions had LEGIT won a Johnson City 9 ball title when he was young.. (Dan Louie) And the one thing I learned is... Lots of players have a phenomenal shotmaking ability.. But if they don't have the rest of the package.. They can be absolutely dead money to a player with not nearly the amount of firepower.. Who has all the other tools.
I can't tell you the amount of times some player got me down 4-0, 5-0, or EVEN 6-0 in a race to 7.. And I beat them. Why? Because getting lucky and running a few racks means absolutely nothing if you are playing someone who can make a ball on the break, and control the match with accurate safety/strategic play. If the person who ran the first few games just shoots at everything, with no concern for what their opponent can do if given a chance.
550+ Fargorate players can HURT you, if given the chance. And having watched your play in the video you posted, it is clear that you are just winging... Pretty much every thing. It is extremely obvious you either haven't watched a ton of pro matches.. Or haven't learned much if you did...
Now.. I admittedly... Might range a bit above 600 on my good days... But even right now, with me not really being in stroke.. And watching your "4 pack".. I would have absolutely no fear in playing you.. Any game, on any table.
I don't say that to insult you at all.. I just think it is REALLY important to know exactly where you stand in the pecking order. You definitely have some raw talent... But you very clearly are a fellow that likes to shoot.. And will make some very poor decisions in order to do so. In the middle of that 4 pack.. You cut a 2 ball into the corner and ran into the 3 ball hard, and ended up driving it around the table 4 rails and ended up getting a shot, even though you let the CB get stuck on the end rail. If you tell me you "planned" it that way, I would be frankly amazed.
I have played a ton of bar table players with MUCH better shotmaking than me.. Who didn't stand an overall chance, because their position and safety skills were subpar.
Pool really is a "total package" deal. SVB is where he is, specifically because his break alone is THAT much better than most of the other top 100 players in the world.
All of this being said... I am very aware of where I stand in the pecking order, just like many of the other players in this forum who have had some success at the game, without reaching higher levels. And we get pretty good at evaluating other players, and seeing the leaks in their game. In your particular case.. I am guessing you rely on overpowering your opponents with flashy runouts. Sorry to tell you.. But against someone who knows what they are doing.. That won't work. They are gonna lock you up tight every chance they get when they end up with a 50% or less make shot, which means every time you come up to the table, you are gonna be hooked, or facing a long tough shot, with no chance at position. That stuff wears on you after a while and your arm doesn't feel so loose any more... I only say that to make it clear.. A smart B player... Is gonna murder you, until you fix those leaks...
As an example of this being true... There was a player I beat for a AA/AAA regional event in Wyoming... Dude shot WAY straighter than me... And I double dipped him for the finals. That dude is 729 Fargorate right now. At the time.. He was likely in the 630-650 range... But he had the kind of lack of attention to detail and position I see in your game currently. Shooting straighter than your opponent doesn't count for a lot, if you consistently give them chances.
top notch post.