Player speed rating
- Thread starter stevekur1
- Start date
Hey Stevie... good to see you in this forum. Hope 14.1 is alive and well on Long Island.
Handicapping straight pool is very difficult. It is easier at the beginner through intermediate levels, because the "outlier" runs won't usually decide a game. If two beginners (though not exactly equal in speed) play a race to 100, someone might run 16 - but not 60. Therefore, a small handicap between them might work very well.
Once you get to the higher levels, where the outlier runs might be, say, runs of 100 or more, handicapping becomes very difficult. They might work over the long run, but in any given game they can simply appear silly. The lower-ranked player might have a huge run and win the game by a tremendously lopsided score.
Of course, it is the uniqueness of 14.1 that causes this - the ability to hold the table for long periods of time without letting your opponent get a chance. This is much more rare in rotation games, because the higher-skilled player will get more chances at the table to outplay the opponent.
I know your question was more specifically about rating a player, and not handicapping him, but eventually one usually leads to the other.
I think Bob Jewett has a system out in San Francisco for rating 14.1, he might be a good help in this thread.
- Steve
Handicapping straight pool is very difficult. It is easier at the beginner through intermediate levels, because the "outlier" runs won't usually decide a game. If two beginners (though not exactly equal in speed) play a race to 100, someone might run 16 - but not 60. Therefore, a small handicap between them might work very well.
Once you get to the higher levels, where the outlier runs might be, say, runs of 100 or more, handicapping becomes very difficult. They might work over the long run, but in any given game they can simply appear silly. The lower-ranked player might have a huge run and win the game by a tremendously lopsided score.
Of course, it is the uniqueness of 14.1 that causes this - the ability to hold the table for long periods of time without letting your opponent get a chance. This is much more rare in rotation games, because the higher-skilled player will get more chances at the table to outplay the opponent.
I know your question was more specifically about rating a player, and not handicapping him, but eventually one usually leads to the other.
I think Bob Jewett has a system out in San Francisco for rating 14.1, he might be a good help in this thread.
- Steve
Stevie Stevie!
Are you playing in any of the qualifiers for the 14.1 tournament?
i debated going to it to watch, but they are asking a rediculous price just to watch.
I have been playing real good straight pool lately! how about you?
it is funny how much more focussed i am playing straight over playing any other game...
Are you playing in any of the qualifiers for the 14.1 tournament?
i debated going to it to watch, but they are asking a rediculous price just to watch.
I have been playing real good straight pool lately! how about you?
it is funny how much more focussed i am playing straight over playing any other game...
