skill levels. what's the relation?

[madmiller]

Does anyone know how the skill levels in APA co-relate to A,B,C,D players rankings?
What I would like to find out for example is what kind of player an APA skill level 6 is? or what a C player would be ranked in APA and so on...
Is there a table like that somewhere?

 

[Atlatlien]

There is no guaranteed conversion. In APA nine ball, I've seen B players ranked a 4 and C players ranked 6 or 7, so it kind of depends on their level of sandbagging and the accuracy/integrity of the scorekeepers.

My guess at what should be the general breakdown:

1-3: D Player
4-5: C Player
6-7: B Player
8-9: A Player and up

 

[hang-the-9]

Much of the time APA skill does not relate to how the player plays outside of the APA

Roughly, if the person plays to his ability, a 2-3 is a D 4-5 is a C (C- to C+) 6-7-8 is probably a B, 8-9 can be B+ to an A+ since they don't go higher than 9.

It also depends on the area. I have seen some high ranking players that would be a level or 2 lower in some rooms because there are better players overall in that area. An 8 playing somewhere with a low average skill would be killed in a national competition by an 8 from a room where you have A players play in.

 

[zpele]

Much of the time APA skill does not relate to how the player plays outside of the APA

Roughly, if the person plays to his ability, a 2-3 is a D 4-5 is a C (C- to C+) 6-7-8 is probably a B, 8-9 can be B+ to an A+ since they don't go higher than 9.

It also depends on the area. I have seen some high ranking players that would be a level or 2 lower in some rooms because there are better players overall in that area. An 8 playing somewhere with a low average skill would be killed in a national competition by an 8 from a room where you have A players play in.

He speaks the truf.

I play in a room that is frequented by several A and A+ players. I play against them all the time and most of the area is considered to be lower ranked than they should be nationally.

Whenever anyone from my area goes to nationals they tend to clean up.

So the moral of the story is if you live in a rural area with bad pool players.... you should move.

 

[Cornerman]

There is no guaranteed conversion. In APA nine ball, I've seen B players ranked a 4 and C players ranked 6 or 7, so it kind of depends on their level of sandbagging and the accuracy/integrity of the scorekeepers.

My guess at what should be the general breakdown:

1-3: D Player
4-5: C Player
6-7: B Player
8-9: A Player and up

I'm the poster boy for ratings comparison. I'm pretty much the worst SL-9 in the universe. And in nobody's wet dream would I be considered an A player.

I've played several SL-8's that are C+ players at best.

Freddie <~~~ okay, 2nd worst SL-9 in the universe

 

[wambamcam]

I've been a SL 7/8 in 9-ball, and I can't compete with most B+ level players most of the time.

All relative to the competition you play when you talk about league rankings.

 

[dr_dave]

Does anyone know how the skill levels in APA co-relate to A,B,C,D players rankings?
What I would like to find out for example is what kind of player an APA skill level 6 is? or what a C player would be ranked in APA and so on...
Is there a table like that somewhere?

FYI, lot's of info on various player rating systems, along with comparisons, can be found here:

player rating resource page​

Enjoy,
Dave

 

[Cornerman]

FYI, lot's of info on various player rating systems, along with comparisons, can be found here:

player rating resource page​

Enjoy,
Dave

Sorry Dave but to have Koop's opinion on your page is as dangerous as anything else. People will get confused. (Koop is my friend and I'm sure he was simply reporting his particular area)

As I've stated previously, I'm an SL-9 and the last three seasons I played, I had one loss. And I am no A player. And quite honestly, I'd say I've been down at that B to B- clip and I was still having no problem at an SL-9.

I have a pool playing league acquaintance that's an SL-9 in an area that boasts a team National Champion. And he's a a C+ on most days.

People shouldn't get fooled. If you're not the top rating, you're a C at best.

 

[dr_dave]

FYI, lot's of info on various player rating systems, along with comparisons, can be found here:

player rating resource page​

Sorry Dave but to have Koop's opinion on your page is as dangerous as anything else. People will get confused. (Koop is my friend and I'm sure he was simply reporting his particular area)

As I've stated previously, I'm an SL-9 and the last three seasons I played, I had one loss. And I am no A player. And quite honestly, I'd say I've been down at that B to B- clip and I was still having no problem at an SL-9.

I have a pool playing league acquaintance that's an SL-9 in an area that boasts a team National Champion. And he's a a C+ on most days.

People shouldn't get fooled. If you're not the top rating, you're a C at best.

FYI, I've added the following disclaimer to the resource page:

Actual levels of ability corresponding to different player ratings can vary significantly among different leagues and different regions. There is no direct correlation between an APA rating and actual level of play. The ratings are relative only to other players in the league. However, in a competitive league with a wide range of abilities, the APA ratings will generally correlate with traditional A-D player ratings along the lines summarized by Koop below.​

I agree with you that a person's APA handicap rating can have very little to do with that person's actual level of play.

Regards,
Dave

 

[Cornerman]

Deleted - the ratings from Koop are a bit generous, but I guess they're not awful.

 

[nine_ball6970]

There is no real answer to this question. I think you can only relate an APA skill level to how that player plays on a barbox. Lots of guys play solid on barboxes but their game doesn't transition as well to 9 footers. I am playing BCA now on 9 footers and am ranked an A. AAA is maximum. I think i would be in the B range if I hadn't been spending most of my time playing on 9 footers. FWIW I was an 8 in APA when I quit playing.

 

[Cornerman]

There is no real answer to this question. I think you can only relate an APA skill level to how that player plays on a barbox. Lots of guys play solid on barboxes but their game doesn't transition as well to 9 footers. I am playing BCA now on 9 footers and am ranked an A. AAA is maximum. I think i would be in the B range if I hadn't been spending most of my time playing on 9 footers. FWIW I was an 8 in APA when I quit playing.

FYI, the APA is not restricted to barboxes. Not that that was the point of your post.

In St Pete, all of the pool halls are heavy with APA league on 9' tables.

Freddie <~~~ leagueless

 

[evis]

I would say thats pretty accurate.

There is no guaranteed conversion. In APA nine ball, I've seen B players ranked a 4 and C players ranked 6 or 7, so it kind of depends on their level of sandbagging and the accuracy/integrity of the scorekeepers.

My guess at what should be the general breakdown:

1-3: D Player
4-5: C Player
6-7: B Player
8-9: A Player and up

 

[Koop]

Sorry Dave but to have Koop's opinion on your page is as dangerous as anything else. People will get confused. (Koop is my friend and I'm sure he was simply reporting his particular area)

As I've stated previously, I'm an SL-9 and the last three seasons I played, I had one loss. And I am no A player. And quite honestly, I'd say I've been down at that B to B- clip and I was still having no problem at an SL-9.

I have a pool playing league acquaintance that's an SL-9 in an area that boasts a team National Champion. And he's a a C+ on most days.

People shouldn't get fooled. If you're not the top rating, you're a C at best.

LMAO...no offense taken and I completely agree :grin:

 

[nine_ball6970]

FYI, the APA is not restricted to barboxes. Not that that was the point of your post.

In St Pete, all of the pool halls are heavy with APA league on 9' tables.

Freddie <~~~ leagueless

I know. I was going to expand my post to say that APA play on 9 footers more closely correlates to what others have mentioned. I have seen teams at Nationals accused of sandbagging because they play weekly matches on big tables then play at Nationals on barboxes. A 9 on a big table more than likely isn't going to be a C player anywhere. It is all subjective if you take differences in equipment. Players who play on valleys vs players who play on diamond barboxes. Personally I think playing a game like Fargo on any table will give you a pretty accurate idea of where you are at on that type of equipment. I rattle tons more balls on diamonds compared to gold crowns so my skill level would be lower on the diamond.

 

[boyersj]

I also think the koop scale is a bit generous. Also remember APA is not 9 ball persey, but some modified point game with 9 ball rules. Make each ball worth .5 (1-8) and the 9 ball worth 6 and then they might have a system that feels like 9 ball

 

[trob]

I also think the koop scale is a bit generous. Also remember APA is not 9 ball persey, but some modified point game with 9 ball rules. Make each ball worth .5 (1-8) and the 9 ball worth 6 and then they might have a system that feels like 9 ball

I enjoy playing it but your correct... Its more rotation straight pool then nine ball. Getting out isn't as important in Apa and in nine ball that's all that matters.
I do have to agree ... I just became a nine and am a good player but from what I read I'll get killed in Vegas by 6s who can string together racks lol

 

[bflojosh]

I know. I was going to expand my post to say that APA play on 9 footers more closely correlates to what others have mentioned. I have seen teams at Nationals accused of sandbagging because they play weekly matches on big tables then play at Nationals on barboxes. A 9 on a big table more than likely isn't going to be a C player anywhere. It is all subjective if you take differences in equipment. Players who play on valleys vs players who play on diamond barboxes. Personally I think playing a game like Fargo on any table will give you a pretty accurate idea of where you are at on that type of equipment. I rattle tons more balls on diamonds compared to gold crowns so my skill level would be lower on the diamond.

I completely agree. We play our 8ball apa on 9ft diamonds so as a 6 I did very well against 7s in vegas on the dumpy valley barboxes. I think it is also relative to who you are competing with in your area. There are a couple of 7s around here that will beat me 10/10 times if they are only giving me one game on either a barbox or 9ft.

 

[Scott Lee]

Mr. Koopman...Wow! You have certainly changed a lot since we met. That's YOU in your avatar...right? Just kiddin' ya Dave! Hope all is well up in Beantown! :grin:

On topic, as a former APA LO, I think the ratings are scattered. In different league areas, 7's, 8's & 9's will be solid players. In others they won't be...just like Fred said. I agree with the poster that said playing Fargo is a better method of determining how well you play...at least in practice! :grin: Whether that holds up under the pressure of competition may be another story! :grin:

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

LMAO...no offense taken and I completely agree :grin:

 

[Eddie May]

This is an impossible question to answer.... ABCD rating is different based on what part of the country you are in as well as APA SL ratings. So a C player from Chicago could be a SL 9 in bumble **** Ohio. But then a A player from Wyoming could have a tough time playing a 6 in 9 ball from NY.