There are at least 2 different pool skill ratings I've run across. ABCD ratings i've seen on the east coast and numeric (4-13) ratings i've seen in the midwest. So how to these ratings equate to each other? What would an A level player on the east coast equate to a midwestern numeric value and vice versa?
Pool ratings...
- Thread starter sjensen1207
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This is a tough questions, and probably doesn't have an exact answer. In Minnesota there are B,A,AA, and Master divisions at the state tournaments. There is one rather large 'B-C' tournament. I think most players who hang at pool rooms know kind of what a 'B-C' player is. The problem is that someone who is primarly plays leagues, and plays in 'A' in state might think they can't play in this tournament, because they are an 'A' player. Completely different ratings being talked about. There is a local handicapped tourney with 12 different rating I believe. The lowest level is B or B-. A player with an 'A' rating in this tournament really is not a very good player. It would be funny if they traveled to another state and told people he was an 'A' player, and he can't run 5 balls.
This doesn't answer your question, but I think it goes to show that rating vary within the state also. We do not use the 4-13 rating system in MN, so I cannot really help you out there.
This doesn't answer your question, but I think it goes to show that rating vary within the state also. We do not use the 4-13 rating system in MN, so I cannot really help you out there.
I used to Travel on business and I can say it's different block to block forget state/province or region.
In LA is was a 14
In Chicago I was a AA
In New York somebody called me a shortstop
Dallas somebody said I was a P R I C K (ok different problem)
Here in Vancouver the whole thing is broken. Everyone is pushed up to the top. 15 years ago you had to be able to run 75% of all racks with ball in hand (9-ball) to be a B+. Now I see guys who have not strung two racks together this year walking around as A+'s.
Nick
In LA is was a 14
In Chicago I was a AA
In New York somebody called me a shortstop
Dallas somebody said I was a P R I C K (ok different problem)
Here in Vancouver the whole thing is broken. Everyone is pushed up to the top. 15 years ago you had to be able to run 75% of all racks with ball in hand (9-ball) to be a B+. Now I see guys who have not strung two racks together this year walking around as A+'s.
Nick
It all really depends on the scale being used.
If the scale is ABCD, where A is defined as professional, then the B players are going to be fairly strong. If you add pro as a seperate rating, then the B players become A players.
In my area, the ratings are Pro, Semi pro, AAA, AA, A, B, C, D. If people are going to discuss handicaps they have to be clear regarding what scale they are referring to. I've seen absurd discussions where two people were arguing what an a B player is capable of but both of them refused to recognized that they had different definitions.
If the scale is ABCD, where A is defined as professional, then the B players are going to be fairly strong. If you add pro as a seperate rating, then the B players become A players.
In my area, the ratings are Pro, Semi pro, AAA, AA, A, B, C, D. If people are going to discuss handicaps they have to be clear regarding what scale they are referring to. I've seen absurd discussions where two people were arguing what an a B player is capable of but both of them refused to recognized that they had different definitions.
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I've always gone by the World Pro-Pro-Shortstop-A-B-C-D-Z system.
World Pro: Near Ralf
Pro: Near Jasmin
Shortstop: Can run a handful of racks of 9-ball regularly and handles pressure well. Will place in regional tournaments regularly.
A: Plays at Shortstop level on a good day/B or C on a bad day, takes local tournaments regularly. Will run a few racks over a few hours.
B: Plays at A level on a good day/C or D on a bad day, places in the money at local tournaments now and then. Will run a rack once or twice a night.
C: Plays at B level on a good day, D on a bad day. A break and run is something to celebrate and get excited about for this player. Will run 4 or 5 balls if well laid out.
D: Will not run a rack. Has moments of genius but otherwise will run a few balls at a time, if not 1 or 2.
Z: APA 3's, drunks, bangers, etc...
World Pro: Near Ralf
Pro: Near Jasmin
Shortstop: Can run a handful of racks of 9-ball regularly and handles pressure well. Will place in regional tournaments regularly.
A: Plays at Shortstop level on a good day/B or C on a bad day, takes local tournaments regularly. Will run a few racks over a few hours.
B: Plays at A level on a good day/C or D on a bad day, places in the money at local tournaments now and then. Will run a rack once or twice a night.
C: Plays at B level on a good day, D on a bad day. A break and run is something to celebrate and get excited about for this player. Will run 4 or 5 balls if well laid out.
D: Will not run a rack. Has moments of genius but otherwise will run a few balls at a time, if not 1 or 2.
Z: APA 3's, drunks, bangers, etc...
Ohh, I am a C for sure, banging on the door of B. Very cool for somebody to break that down. Your scale might not be perfect, but that is me. I still get excited when I break and run, I am about a 5 or 6 and done type player, but I am definitely working on it.
I personally think there are many way to cheat any handicapping system, it has been done before, and will continue, sandbagger can beat the system, and will.
Arizona has it own handicapping system that is like this:
I will refer to it as the ARS, (Arizona Rating System)
To let people understand how it was before last summer, if you held a Rating Card, or were in the ARS Book you had a Rating Number that went from 4-10 MINUS 2.
10-2 = A + Pro Level Player
10-1 = A Player
10 = A- Player
9 = B + Player
8 = B Player
7 = B - Player
6 = C + Player
5 = C Player
4 = C - Player Rank Beginner
Before last summer most of the Bars & Pool Rooms were on the same page, the majority of the tournaments were not OPEN, and geared toward the B Players, Rated 8, and UNDER, and those with a lessor skill level who I will call recreational players.
The reason was the majority of the tournaments were not OPEN was the Room, and Bar Owners knew from experience that when a player became a “9” Rated Player, and above their alcohol consumption dropped, (alcohol pays the bills in most places pool is played in his state) and those better players for the most part do not spend like the lessor players on alcohol.
My buddy had 2 Pool Rooms, & 2 Pool Bars in Arizona, and this is what he learn fast! He always said he was in the booze business, and pool table time & quarters in the bar boxes did keep the place open. He was also on the original Rating Committee.
The other handicap or draw back of this system is as you get better you get raised up to the point there are few tournament to play because of the reason stated.
Last summer some group of members of the Rating Committee decided by a vote, to drop every player down a notch to stimulate business, as they felt making 9’s, 8’s, etc. etc. think it would be good for business. The idea pass the vote.
But after the dust settled many owners went along with the new system per the Rating Committees Vote, others rebelled by making their Old 8’s and Under Tournaments, Now 7’s and Under Tournaments. The end result is I honestly do not see more people playing in Tournaments when I am out looking. Bottom line is the NEW DEAL is like Obama a failure IMHO for many lessor Rated Players.
Other things that has turned me SOUR on this Rating System, is some Bar Owners are letting friends come in and play as a lower rated player because of friendship. Not per their Rating in the Book.
Some Td’s to fill a tournament are allowing people who should not be allowed to play say because they are an “8” in a 7’s and Under because they need a few more bodies to buy booze all night.
There seem to be some inconsistency in from Room to Room, or Bar to Bar, and now where is the criterial post or public information as to what make a player a say “7” Rated Player.
Also the almighty Book with all the Player Name, and Rating is not available to see, and I ask a few time to look at the book, and been told it for the EYES of ARS Committee Members Only.
The people who make up the ARS are all volunteers, some are bar, or room owners, some are player representing a room, or bar, I think one is owner of a local pool newspaper, and there are a few just players on the ARS with no affiliation or loyalty to any one room or bar.
Some f the ARS members have a financial interest on how things are run as it effect their income. I honestly think the intention of the ARS was to make a fair handicapping system, but I also think personal interests, and money have got in the way of total fairness some of the time.
I am honestly think this Rating System need to be eliminated, or not controlled by those with money at stake on how the ARS rust (the bar & room owners) maybe Arizona should go back to open play, and forget all the B.S. & Games.
Many place seem to do quite will with ALL OPEN Play, and No Handicapping, just everyone who want to compete, compeating on an even playing field. JMHO.
Arizona has it own handicapping system that is like this:
I will refer to it as the ARS, (Arizona Rating System)
To let people understand how it was before last summer, if you held a Rating Card, or were in the ARS Book you had a Rating Number that went from 4-10 MINUS 2.
10-2 = A + Pro Level Player
10-1 = A Player
10 = A- Player
9 = B + Player
8 = B Player
7 = B - Player
6 = C + Player
5 = C Player
4 = C - Player Rank Beginner
Before last summer most of the Bars & Pool Rooms were on the same page, the majority of the tournaments were not OPEN, and geared toward the B Players, Rated 8, and UNDER, and those with a lessor skill level who I will call recreational players.
The reason was the majority of the tournaments were not OPEN was the Room, and Bar Owners knew from experience that when a player became a “9” Rated Player, and above their alcohol consumption dropped, (alcohol pays the bills in most places pool is played in his state) and those better players for the most part do not spend like the lessor players on alcohol.
My buddy had 2 Pool Rooms, & 2 Pool Bars in Arizona, and this is what he learn fast! He always said he was in the booze business, and pool table time & quarters in the bar boxes did keep the place open. He was also on the original Rating Committee.
The other handicap or draw back of this system is as you get better you get raised up to the point there are few tournament to play because of the reason stated.
Last summer some group of members of the Rating Committee decided by a vote, to drop every player down a notch to stimulate business, as they felt making 9’s, 8’s, etc. etc. think it would be good for business. The idea pass the vote.
But after the dust settled many owners went along with the new system per the Rating Committees Vote, others rebelled by making their Old 8’s and Under Tournaments, Now 7’s and Under Tournaments. The end result is I honestly do not see more people playing in Tournaments when I am out looking. Bottom line is the NEW DEAL is like Obama a failure IMHO for many lessor Rated Players.
Other things that has turned me SOUR on this Rating System, is some Bar Owners are letting friends come in and play as a lower rated player because of friendship. Not per their Rating in the Book.
Some Td’s to fill a tournament are allowing people who should not be allowed to play say because they are an “8” in a 7’s and Under because they need a few more bodies to buy booze all night.
There seem to be some inconsistency in from Room to Room, or Bar to Bar, and now where is the criterial post or public information as to what make a player a say “7” Rated Player.
Also the almighty Book with all the Player Name, and Rating is not available to see, and I ask a few time to look at the book, and been told it for the EYES of ARS Committee Members Only.
The people who make up the ARS are all volunteers, some are bar, or room owners, some are player representing a room, or bar, I think one is owner of a local pool newspaper, and there are a few just players on the ARS with no affiliation or loyalty to any one room or bar.
Some f the ARS members have a financial interest on how things are run as it effect their income. I honestly think the intention of the ARS was to make a fair handicapping system, but I also think personal interests, and money have got in the way of total fairness some of the time.
I am honestly think this Rating System need to be eliminated, or not controlled by those with money at stake on how the ARS rust (the bar & room owners) maybe Arizona should go back to open play, and forget all the B.S. & Games.
Many place seem to do quite will with ALL OPEN Play, and No Handicapping, just everyone who want to compete, compeating on an even playing field. JMHO.
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This is so perfectly understandable that it should be part of the BCA rule book.
This is the system we used for the All About Pool and Tri State Tours back in the day.
Handicap rankings
D- Player
will not run a rack
average run is about 3 balls
with ball in hand, will get out from the 7, one out of 3 times
rarely plays a successful safe
C-Player
will probably run one rack, but usually not more than one rack in a typical race to 7
avg. run is 3 to 5 balls
with ball in hand, will get out from the 7, two out of 3 times
mixed results when playing safe
inning ends due to botched position, missed shot or attempting a safe.
B-Player
Able to run 1 to 3 racks
avg. run is 5-7 balls
with ball in hand will get out form the 5, 2 out of 3 times
most of the time a "B" player will play a "safety" which maybe hit asily 2 out of 3 times
a typical inning will end with a missed shot, a fair safety, or a won game
A-Player
will string 2 to 3 racks
avg. ball run, 7-9
with ball in hand, will be out from the 3 ball, 2 out of 3 times
typical inning will end with a well executed safety or a win.
OPEN-Players
average 8+ balls
string racks together more than once in a match
is a threat to run out from every ball, from every position, every inning
typical inning will end in excellent safety or win
Each Division was broken down into 4 categories. Lowest handicap is D4, then D3, then D2 and so on until the highest would be OPEN 1
When we used this within my pool room for every 2 categories the higher player would have to spot 1 game. In other words a D4 would get 3 games from a C2. (D4-3; D2-1; C4-3;= 3 games on the wire on a race to 7).
Used to have this in a DOS program that used to calculate the players ongoing rating and the handicaps.
Bob
Handicap rankings
D- Player
will not run a rack
average run is about 3 balls
with ball in hand, will get out from the 7, one out of 3 times
rarely plays a successful safe
C-Player
will probably run one rack, but usually not more than one rack in a typical race to 7
avg. run is 3 to 5 balls
with ball in hand, will get out from the 7, two out of 3 times
mixed results when playing safe
inning ends due to botched position, missed shot or attempting a safe.
B-Player
Able to run 1 to 3 racks
avg. run is 5-7 balls
with ball in hand will get out form the 5, 2 out of 3 times
most of the time a "B" player will play a "safety" which maybe hit asily 2 out of 3 times
a typical inning will end with a missed shot, a fair safety, or a won game
A-Player
will string 2 to 3 racks
avg. ball run, 7-9
with ball in hand, will be out from the 3 ball, 2 out of 3 times
typical inning will end with a well executed safety or a win.
OPEN-Players
average 8+ balls
string racks together more than once in a match
is a threat to run out from every ball, from every position, every inning
typical inning will end in excellent safety or win
Each Division was broken down into 4 categories. Lowest handicap is D4, then D3, then D2 and so on until the highest would be OPEN 1
When we used this within my pool room for every 2 categories the higher player would have to spot 1 game. In other words a D4 would get 3 games from a C2. (D4-3; D2-1; C4-3;= 3 games on the wire on a race to 7).
Used to have this in a DOS program that used to calculate the players ongoing rating and the handicaps.
Bob