SURVEY: Deciphering handicap levels

Bustah360

Bustah360

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I'm interested in collecting information on what people think an A player, B player, C, and D player skill set are. For example, a B player should consistently run X amount of balls on average, or "you're a B player if you can make X shot at least 8 times outta 10, etc....

I'm asking because I currently play in a league where I think the higher level player, is actually being taken advantage of. So I'm just looking for some type of assurance.
 
A search of the threads on this forum will likely lead you to the following information cited and agreed upon by a good portion of the forum members:


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
>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 easily 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
 
BWTadpole--->Thanks! I feel relatively the same about the guidelines you've stated. What I was told is that there's some type of program that regulates handicap based on the games they've played. Only problem is that I believe there to be quite a few sand-baggers. That's why I'd rate someone based on ability, not by what games they've won/loss.

Anyone else have an opinion?
 
BWTadpole said:
A search of the threads on this forum will likely lead you to the following information cited and agreed upon by a good portion of the forum members:


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
>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 easily 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
Click to expand...


I like this description. But I wonder if there is an eqivalent for 8-ball, since that is all I or most anyone else here plays. Running a rack in 8-ball would be a bit more difficult than in 9-ball, wouldn't it? And the "getting out from the 7" doesn't apply very well either.

Thanks in advance. I'm just trying to assess my game, and the others I play with.
 
Last edited:
justadub said:
I like this description. But I wonder if there is an eqivalent for 8-ball, since that is all I or most anyone else here plays. Running a rack in 8-ball would be a bit more difficult than in 9-ball, wouldn't it? And the "getting out from the 7" doesn't apply very well either.

Thanks in advance. I'm just trying to assess my game, and the others I play with.
Click to expand...

Honestly I would imagine that its a bit different being 8ball. The thing about it is, that I find 9ball to be more difficult. Running a rack in 8 ball is not an easy task for an average player, no argument there, but the difference being that 8ball only requires you to shoot at either stripe or solid, where as in 9 ball, you must hit the next ball in order no matter where it is on the table. I'd like to see handicap opinions on 8ball too. Straight pool is handicap system I'm completely clueless on, in case anyone might know more that, it'd be appreciated.
 
Bustah360 said:
I'm interested in collecting information on what people think an A player, B player, C, and D player skill set are. For example, a B player should consistently run X amount of balls on average, or "you're a B player if you can make X shot at least 8 times outta 10, etc....
Click to expand...
FYI, many descriptions and comparisons of the various player rating systems can be found here:

I hope that helps,
Dave
 
I think it depends what area you are from. Around here the rankings are

Pro
Master
AA
A
B
C

So to the above ranking system a master would be equivalent to an A player, AA=B, A=C
 
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