Speed, Scale and Skill Levels

[dr_dave]

FYI, you can find comparisons between several systems used by various leagues and player-rating tools here:

http://billiards.colostate.edu/threads/ratings.html​

Regards,
Dave

Someone in another thread asked a question about comparing an APA SL5 to the alphabetical speed rating that is so often used outside of league play. Rather than derail that thread asking for explanations, I thought to start a new one, one that could go off the rails all on it's own!

I've only played APA, since it's the only game in town, and I live quite far off the beaten path. Without a multiple hour drive, I just can't go to watch (or participate) in a "regular" style tournament where the alphabetical rating would be used.

Can you folks give me some perspective on how to compare the various skill levels of players? I do remember seeing something along these lines in the middle of a different thread, but as I recall it wasn't the thrust of that thread, nor complete. (Perhaps my memory fails, and if so, I apologize.)

Yes, I realize not all APA 7's are the same level of player, depending on the area they play in . But "on average" how does the various Skill Levels for all the leagues compare to each other, and to the alphabetical ranking used outside of league play? Please be reasonable about this, I know many feel APA players are the bottom of the barrel. We're easy targets, and I can handle that. I'm simply curious how I stand versus everybody else, and where I'll be as I progress. And how to compare the better players in my area to the rest of you folks. When I read different discussions here and someone declares themselves a "B" player, or a "lower A player", it would be good for perspective sake.

Thanks folks.

 

[justadub]

FYI, you can find comparisons between several systems used by various leagues and player-rating tools here:

http://billiards.colostate.edu/threads/ratings.html​

Regards,
Dave

Thanks for the link, Dr.Dave.

Interestingly enough, the comparisons therein are quite similar to what has been posted here. At least in a general sense, which is all we hope for with such a broad subject area.

Thanks again, to you and everyone posting. This is helpful, and has given me a small bit of perspective on how to view the abilities of the better players in my area. I kind of suspected as much, but it seems to me that these folks that I see and play with are probably all in the upper-C to lower-B level. Give or take a little, I suppose.

And that's cool. As for me, well, the alphabet doesn't go down that far on these listings....

 

[Neil]

..........

 

[Neil]

.............

 

[Koop]

SL-3 or below: D+ Player or below
SL-4: D+ to C- Player
SL-5: C- to C+ Player
SL-6: C+ Player
SL-7 or above: C+ Player to Pro

Based on the New England tour in my area I would say this is pretty close although I am going off 9 ball only.

SL-3 or below: D+ Player or below
SL-4: D+ to C- Player
SL-5: C- to C Player
SL-6: C+ to B- Player
SL-7: B
SL-8: B+ to A-
SL-9: A to Open

 

[scratchs]

Phil has written some great material, but I feel he is wrong in this aspect. You go around the country, and you will see very few places that categorize an A player as a pro. Most places I've been to rate an A as a low level shortstop.

I agree with what your saying Neil..I have also seen where tournaments have different degrees/ratios of A players ..such as A,AA,AAA,4A..like you said,go around the country,shoot watch some streams..an one can get a pretty good idea.Oh well,you have a good weekend..

 

[paksat]

I think you are being a bit generous with your evaluation. The very best APA players on average wouldn't be close to A level. There are a few that are, but they are the exception.
Not trying to be petty, and not knocking league players (I have been one for years), but there are players you never see in leagues that would give huge weight to most APA 7s and not bat an eye.
Think about the players on the regional tours. The ones who regularly finish in the money are head and shoulders above most high ranked league players...and most of them would strugle to win a pro event, although they might finish fairly well.
If the APA is your primary reference to evaluate skill levels, you are missing a huge number of players who are way beyond what you see on Tuesday night.

Steve

Then you must be playing in an area with weak players. One of our 9's around here blanked neil fujiwara a couple months back in a weekly tournament. There are several others here that are capable of doing the same to other players of his calibre.

I know how levels can change from one area to another as I played in a different region and all the 6's and 7's there would hardly be 5's in the area i'm at now.

 

[paksat]

You are dead wrong here bro. GirlEight1 is an SL9 and she would be lucky to run a rack in 10 tries all day long.

I have known other SL9s and they could never string 3-4 racks together.

You are being way to generous.

I got several people around here just waiting for you to come down and try that opinion big dog.

 

[paksat]

Based on the New England tour in my area I would say this is pretty close although I am going off 9 ball only.

SL-3 or below: D+ Player or below
SL-4: D+ to C- Player
SL-5: C- to C Player
SL-6: C+ to B- Player
SL-7: B
SL-8: B+ to A-
SL-9: A to Open

careful, you'll get called a liar bro.

 

[BryanBpool]

I got several people around here just waiting for you to come down and try that opinion big dog.

I dont think people are arguing that there are no 9s that play open/pro speed. There certainly are. There was a dude in regionals in Orlando who smoked a 7 75-3 in 3 innings. There are 9s that can play.

That being said, take the worst 9 in your area, and Id be willing to bet that person is not a 3-4 rack runner on a daily basis.

Im quitting the APA after this session because the rules cater to bangers....

No Push
No Jump Cues
All BullS@#@

 

[paksat]

I dont think people are arguing that there are no 9s that play open/pro speed. There certainly are. There was a dude in regionals in Orlando who smoked a 7 75-3 in 3 innings. There are 9s that can play.

That being said, take the worst 9 in your area, and Id be willing to bet that person is not a 3-4 rack runner on a daily basis.

Im quitting the APA after this session because the rules cater to bangers....

No Push
No Jump Cues
All BullS@#@

I said they "CAN" string that many racks together.

Most pros don't even string that many together in a race to a 100 on a daily basis.

 

[BryanBpool]

I said they "CAN" string that many racks together.

Most pros don't even string that many together in a race to a 100 on a daily basis.

ahhhh..

Well, I can, and have on several occasions done that...... Maybe I just dont give myself enough credit lol.

 

[Koop]

You are dead wrong here bro. GirlEight1 is an SL9 and she would be lucky to run a rack in 10 tries all day long.

I have known other SL9s and they could never string 3-4 racks together.

You are being way to generous.

?????????
Are you serious? A SL9 who can barely break and run.
That is the worst case of getting screwed on your skill level I have ever seen then. Typically a SL9 should be able to run multiple racks on you. All the ones I have run into were at least A players.