Ratings (e.g., A, B, C)

[APA7]

Geez. These kind of ratings give me a headache. I was once called a D+ at best by yappingwolf. Hardyhar

When you add safety's into the definition, shape, how many balls one runs, it seems to work best if a person is equivalent in all of those areas. But, IMO, if one runs balls well but is weaker in strategy, or vice versa, it does kind of make one wonder what they really are.

Like I would probably meet the definition of a C in safety and a D+ in ball running and in between a D+ and a C- in shape, so putting a label on that is pretty tricky.

I would rather keep playing and not worry about it. LOL

Laura

Laura, based on your info, you should be around a D+ player. Of the catagories you mentioned (safty/ball running/shape) safety is probably the least important. Ball running and shape go hand in hand and usually, the better shotmaker usually wins the match. Of course that is assuming that the shotmaker has some idea when he/she should be playing safe and when to run out.

By the way, a D+ is a solid advanced Beginner, which is where you should be after playing seriously for 2 years.

If you look at Tom's chart, all the ratings factor in everything including "strategy". Alot of times, strategy is nothing more than playing to a good safe when the rack isn't runable. Inexperienced players usually play safe after a botched position to there next shot. Of course the most important thing noted on the chart is "missed shots". This is the #1 reason beginner/intermediate players lose games.


Brian

 

[catscradle]

Of course it varies by region, but I'll give another comparison using the APA 9 ball ratings:

D = APA 3 and lower

D+= APA 3, 4

C = APA 4-5

C+= APA 5-6

B = APA 6-7

B+= APA 7-8

A = APA 8-9

A+= APA 9

Open= all the levels of Pro


Brian

I think this chart breaks down at the top. I think B players can reach the top of the APA handicaps (9 in 9-ball 7 in 8-ball), after that point the top APA players could range from there up. That is they could be a B or an A+, the gradient just isn't fine enough in the APA rating system towards the top of the heap. I think it is accurate through the mid-level handicaps (assuming no sandbaggin, yeah, right, in the APA), but beyoud that nah.
JMHO
Cat <- A 5 who probably really is a 'C'.

 

[piglit]

...the reason this arguement came up was that a 7 beat an 11 player in the tournament. When people said the 7 should really be much higher handicap, the counter-arguement was that he often chokes so that's why he's a 7.

Sounds to me like the problem is the choking and not the # of games=goal.

They should make him think he has to go to 13. Then stop him @11 and tell him he's done.

-pigy

 

[APA7]

I think this chart breaks down at the top. I think B players can reach the top of the APA handicaps (9 in 9-ball 7 in 8-ball), after that point the top APA players could range from there up. That is they could be a B or an A+, the gradient just isn't fine enough in the APA rating system towards the top of the heap. I think it is accurate through the mid-level handicaps (assuming no sandbaggin, yeah, right, in the APA), but beyoud that nah.
JMHO
Cat <- A 5 who probably really is a 'C'.

Cat, I agree, I think you are right on. I tried to get it as close as possible.


Brian

 

[Bluewolf]

Laura, based on your info, you should be around a D+ player. Of the catagories you mentioned (safty/ball running/shape) safety is probably the least important.

By the way, a D+ is a solid advanced Beginner, which is where you should be after playing seriously for 2 years.


Brian

Thanks Brian.In our league we have ball runners. I mean sl3-sl5(some of the fives) who can run balls, do hard long cuts, banks but do not have good shape. I am just getting the hang of shape a little. I have done this kind of shape before but I put this one on the wei to give you an idea of where I am. This was done two weeks ago leaving me straight on the 8.It is not that accurate on the wei because it was on an 8 ft,draw crappy on the wei and put a little english on the first shot but the correct angles were really there, created on the first shot, 2 rails for position on the next shot with the right ball speed. The problem I have is doing good shape when there are a lot of balls on the table.

START(
%AZ6M6%B[1\8%CB7B9%D[8B4%Eq1E9%FZ9\4%GC4B3%HQ1R2%IB3B5%JZ8B2
%LC1[9%MB7\3%NB8[9%OB8B6%Pr8O1%UD1[1%VY9K6%Wn4D4%Xr3N8%Ye6Z3
%Zm5D1%[Z8K6%\Z6T3%][8U1%^d6[6
)END

I think you are right about the two going hand in hand when a player gets reasonably strong, but see gaps even in the intermediates.
My sl7 hubbie started teaching me safe when I was a beginning two and I see quite a few who crumple, choke, and start shooting worse.I do not know exactly what I do to them but I do seem to have that affect on other players.

It is pretty awful and hard to watch when a potentially good player is controlled by their emotions and allows themselves to be distracted by external events, internal negative thoughts, the other player, or how many games down they are, etc. That stuff does not bother me and I am not aware of anything but the table and the game. FL and I spent many hours on the phone about this, because i was often going into THIS state, trying to figure out how I was able to do this while better players were all nervous and stuff.

I think that if I keep playing, I will get better on the shooting and shape.Like you said, only two years, in time hope to become a 'player'. LOL

Laura

 

[APA7]

The problem I have is doing good shape when there are a lot of balls on the table.

START(
%AZ6M6%B[1\8%CB7B9%D[8B4%Eq1E9%FZ9\4%GC4B3%HQ1R2%IB3B5%JZ8B2
%LC1[9%MB7\3%NB8[9%OB8B6%Pr8O1%UD1[1%VY9K6%Wn4D4%Xr3N8%Ye6Z3
%Zm5D1%[Z8K6%\Z6T3%][8U1%^d6[6
)END

Laura

You just said the key to winning 8 ball. It seems like the better players CAN get out with alot of balls on the table. Bunting balls around waiting for the opponent to get most of there balls off, then miss, only seems to work with weak players. The better players kick very well, only run balls when the runout is possible and nothing is truly "safe". Also, if you keep bunting balls around, the better player will eventually find an opening and crush you by running out.


Brian

 

[Bluewolf]

APA, strategy and never give up

You just said the key to winning 8 ball. It seems like the better players CAN get out with alot of balls on the table. Bunting balls around waiting for the opponent to get most of there balls off, then miss, only seems to work with weak players. The better players kick very well, only run balls when the runout is possible and nothing is truly "safe". Also, if you keep bunting balls around, the better player will eventually find an opening and crush you by running out.


Brian

The better players is the key. I have seen some very good kickers but I usually do not get to play them. Whether I try for a kick, especially a somewhat difficult one depends on the situation including my capabilities of making the kick and my estimated outcome of that attempt.

I think I am strong on defense because my sl7 hubbie started teaching it to me as a beginning two when the only balls I could make were the short ones. I really do not just bunt balls around. I do try to look at the whole situation to decide whether to play safe or offense and what balls to play and try to plan position, even though I am not very good at that yet. <G>

When i was a two, I met this 'safety five' and I just thought he had the best defense around. Then a week ago, I saw him again, this time with a little less eyes of the child and saw that his safes were not even that good and his offense sucked. Our five stomped him easily and he crumpled mentally under that onslaught. He is so into safe that he tries to teach it to the threes. The girl I played last week literally did not know when to run and when to duck. She could shoot but did not have that balance and became somewhat unraveled when her safes did not work.IMO, she had recived lopsided instruction.

BTW, during my one year and 9 months of playing pool, I have been very sick for most but the first few months and the past couple of months. I became deathly ill during that first thanksgiving and was hospitalized. Then it was just one thing after another. I kept competing sick, even when I could not practice and could barely stand up to play.There were times (when i was not sick and could practice) that I was shooting better than I am currently so have some work ahead of me. I guess it is a miracle that I kept getting better in spite of all that and can only guess that it is because I have this never give up attitude,and some encouragement from people like Don when I was unable to practice.

Laura