Self-Proclaimed Open Level Shooters
- Thread starter MBTaylor
- Start date
I'd say you are "open" level if you are in the top 5-10% of your area. If you have 400 serious players in your town, and you are in the top ten, I guess that would qualify. "Open" also means, to me, that you can match up with most anyone that could walk in the door without asking for something ridiculous like the 4, 7, last four and the break. This includes Johnny, Cliff, etc. If you are in the smaller areas where there are forty players, and you are in the top 3-4, that would be open. If you play in open events and are a threat, that would be "open." Dead money players in the open events are not "open."
Is it so hard to believe that there are quite a few very good players on here? Hell, there are a lot of great players that have "down time" during the day to screw off on the computer. Or, in my case, I am in sales. My down time could be on AZ. Why do you resent so many overestimating their game? Or ... are they? There are, so I've been told (ha, ha) that there are plenty of "unknowns" that can really play who have no credentials. Wanna check some credentials with a few, just pull out your wallet, ask and show up. There are, I am sure of this, quite a few on here that would oblige.
I can name quite a few people that can match up with almost anyone, who live within two hours of here, that you won't recognize. And they like it that way.
Is it so hard to believe that there are quite a few very good players on here? Hell, there are a lot of great players that have "down time" during the day to screw off on the computer. Or, in my case, I am in sales. My down time could be on AZ. Why do you resent so many overestimating their game? Or ... are they? There are, so I've been told (ha, ha) that there are plenty of "unknowns" that can really play who have no credentials. Wanna check some credentials with a few, just pull out your wallet, ask and show up. There are, I am sure of this, quite a few on here that would oblige.
I can name quite a few people that can match up with almost anyone, who live within two hours of here, that you won't recognize. And they like it that way.
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Blackjack said:
In no way was I referring to you, any of the pros, well recognized shooters, or instructors. Just questioning the credibility of some claims.
I have received some great information by reading the threads and information received from people like you, ie the kicking PDF.
Excellent Post. I wish you were still in Texas so I could get some lessons from you. Please let me know if your ever going to be passing by.Blackjack said:
MBTaylor said:
While I don't know what an open level shooter is, when I ask any of the League players in town to gamble, they all bow politely or simply head for the door.
JoeyA (not sure if that was the proof you were looking for....and I'm not close to the top of the food chain on AZ Billiards)
MBTaylor said:
I understand that -
My only reason for posting that was to illustrate that not all knowledge is going to come from champion level players.
Some of the greatest champions in history have learned little things from some of the most obscure people - some you have never heard of. Mizerak credits EZ Hazzard and Pete Tascarella as some of his MAJOR influences. Most of us have heard of Tascarella as a cuemaker, but he was a big influence on the Miz as a PLAYER. Hal Mix was a big influence on Nick Varner, and I can pass on countless other references.
"Kicking Academy" was not written by me at all. It was a series of posts by another member of this forum (Dead Aim) that were saved by Craig - who passed the .pdf on to me and I passed it on to you and hundreds of other people. I have no idea who Dead Aim is at all.
My point is, don't discount any of the knowledge that is being passed along here. Many of the instructors here recommend each other, respect each other because we understand the value of the knowledge that is being shared not only from us, but from EVERYBODY. IMO, that is what makes this forum valuable.
MBTaylor said:
Then, just who are you referring to?? That's a hell of a statement to make if you aren't going to name names. Fifteen to twenty years ago, I was called "A solid B player". I've never claimed to be a "good" player nor have a whole lot of people here. Only recently a new person claimed to be just under pro speed, but their posts can't back up that statement and as a matter of fact, refutes it. A lot of people know a lot about the game and maybe don't play as well as their knowledge suggests, but who cares?? A lot of people may not be as articulate as some but play way stronger than most of us might ever envision ourselves playing. I think this statement may stir up quite a hornet's nest and I'm not sure that wasn't your intent in the first place.
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Good way to put it. That is me in a nutshell, also. Except the ones that want the six and the break. I played as a 7 in the APA (high as it goes in my area) and went undefeated. I almost enjoyed the league. It's just hard for me to commit every single Monday night. I also say that when 90% of the people you ask to play ask for weight, you're an open player.JoeyA said:While I don't know what an open level shooter is, when I ask any of the League players in town to gamble, they all bow politely or simply head for the door.
JoeyA (not sure if that was the proof you were looking for....and I'm not close to the top of the food chain on AZ Billiards)
Most people on here won't even give their real names. If you can't get their name it is impossible to gauge their speed. Some do and play really strong. Take the forum for what it is worth. If you know who is respected, just read their opinion. I know a player on this site that is B speed at BEST and never bets a penny and never plays a tournament, but talks like a killer player/gambler on here. If you want credentials go see a pro or instructor, ie Blackjack, Scott Lee they have more than enough to back it up.
My Mum says I am good, and I beat Dad at a bar box one-handed two years ago.
I also beat Niels Feijen one-handed in September 2006, race to 2. Best 50 $ I have ever earned
I am from a small island with only 521 people living here, and I am the best they have ever seen.
I also beat Niels Feijen one-handed in September 2006, race to 2. Best 50 $ I have ever earned
I am from a small island with only 521 people living here, and I am the best they have ever seen.
I've played in quite a few open tournaments. But only for the sake of playing in them. I don't know how to compare my game to better players, or pro's except for I'm found lacking. I'm dead money, but that doesn't also mean that my opinion on a certian shot or my knowledge is any less valuable to someone asking. Granted if a pro told you to shoot something one way while I said another I'd probably go with a pro, but hey I've made suggestions to pro's that they said after looking at it were the way to go. On here it's not really about getting an online lesson, just sharing information. Some people just do it like know-it-alls.
I'm not going to answer your original question, but I will give some unasked-for advice, which is always a risky proposition.MBTaylor said:
Let it pass.
Some people have to strut and preen. Ignore them, or at least ignore the arrogant, conceited parts. If you continue to read their posts, how they really play may eventually come out. If you don't get that information, just give them the benefit of the doubt -- it costs you nothing.
As for whether their other info is any good, you have to decide on a case-by-case basis, just as you do with all posters here and everyone you meet in the real world. There are champions who spout foolishness and hackers who have an excellent handle on what's needed to play well even if they can't execute perfectly. It's hard to separate the wheat and chaff but it's necessary unless you want a head full of chaff.
MBTaylor,
I don't think I've ever classified myself as an "Open" player, but I do know that when I was able to view and comment before on the Wei table diagrams, the strong players were agreeing with me on shot selection probably 95% of the time.
Also, I think the percentage of agreeance is even higher with my posts on the mental aspect of the game.
I may be a C player in skills, but as far as thinking about the game, I think I hold my own. If you think I can't teach you anything about the game because I am a C player, then that is your personal choice.
Russ
I don't think I've ever classified myself as an "Open" player, but I do know that when I was able to view and comment before on the Wei table diagrams, the strong players were agreeing with me on shot selection probably 95% of the time.
Also, I think the percentage of agreeance is even higher with my posts on the mental aspect of the game.
I may be a C player in skills, but as far as thinking about the game, I think I hold my own. If you think I can't teach you anything about the game because I am a C player, then that is your personal choice.
Russ
an open level player should be a player that is competitive in an open tourney.
i think it's a good question especially if you've read this thread (defining "pro" speed)
i mean if you're going to dissect a person's game and tell them what they did wrong and what you would've done instead shouldn't you have some sort of credentials to back it up? snapping off a tourney, high point leader in a tour, etc.
while you can learn something from anyone it just makes it easier to figure out who the azzhats are from the people who actually know what they're talking about.
i think it's a good question especially if you've read this thread (defining "pro" speed)
i mean if you're going to dissect a person's game and tell them what they did wrong and what you would've done instead shouldn't you have some sort of credentials to back it up? snapping off a tourney, high point leader in a tour, etc.
while you can learn something from anyone it just makes it easier to figure out who the azzhats are from the people who actually know what they're talking about.