Survey....
- Thread starter poolchic
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I dunno if either of those two options are a true test of billiards skill. They test other stuff like your ability to handle pressure, but if you lose lots of money gambling or you lose tournaments, you don't really have the answer to your question of "just how good am I?"
Joe's answer is probably a better measuring stick than either of those options. But maybe what you're really asking is the popular question "what's going to make me better? Gambling or tournaments?" ...that's a pretty tough call, there are world-class players who swear by gambling and others who swear by tournaments.
Odds are you probably don't even need to test your billiards skill because you have a pretty good sense of who you can beat and who you can't at the local pool hall.
Joe's answer is probably a better measuring stick than either of those options. But maybe what you're really asking is the popular question "what's going to make me better? Gambling or tournaments?" ...that's a pretty tough call, there are world-class players who swear by gambling and others who swear by tournaments.
Odds are you probably don't even need to test your billiards skill because you have a pretty good sense of who you can beat and who you can't at the local pool hall.
Running a table. Everyone wants to compare themselves to professionals when they mention being skilled. The concept of par in golf came about because of pro players. A bogey, in the old days of golf, was considered a good score on a hole. Then, the pro tours started and "par" became the term associated with the average score for a hole.
If you can run a table, you're better than 90% of the pool players playing the game. Play with people you consider to be "good". Not elite, but good. See how you do against them over a period of time. I like the straight pool idea. That's how I used to practice. It makes you better at all the games.
If you can run a table, you're better than 90% of the pool players playing the game. Play with people you consider to be "good". Not elite, but good. See how you do against them over a period of time. I like the straight pool idea. That's how I used to practice. It makes you better at all the games.
You would have to have a test of all billiard games, not just one. Some are great at 8-ball or 9-ball but can't play straight pool or one-pocket. I've even seen some guys that are great at one-pocket but can't read a 9-ball table(as odd as that sounds!). If you don't play a certain game you just won't be as good as someone on a similar level that is well versed in that game. There's sooo many variables too, I have issues playing on shorter tables... What's the standard height of table you're going to use? Is that player used to playing on that table height?
consistancy year after year, a 20 year career is more impressive to me than someone who beats everyone for a year and disappears, one hit wonders dont impress me. Buddy Hall has been a fearless player for ever, Efren has been winning for ever, Archer isnt old but he has been winning since he busted out on to the scene. Those guys impress me.
One good day running 300 balls means you had a good day, Ive had good days, not that good not even close, but I have played so good for a day that it dosent really represent how how good I play-I looked good for a day, that dosent mean anything. Its how long you can sustain a high level of play-something most people cant do, myself included. We all play over our heads or out run the nuts from time to time but "the world has the 8" at any time for years is what seperates the ledgends from the average players. On my best day I have been a solid A player but I'm not a A player. I was a A- player once for 6-8 months so what? that aint anything, I was proud of it but that was then now i'm a B player accordiung to Jay Helfert but i'm playing bad because of the back problems, when I get back in stroke I'll be an A- player, this time I hope I can sustain that level. Its hard to sustain your best evel of play.
Its like makeing $$$ anyone can have a big year if they get lucky but if someone does good for 10 years, you know they didnt get lucky 10 years in a row,
Or look at Bonds, roids or not he still hit a zillion HR's and thats alot bigger than 70 in one season. he is old for his sport and is clean now but he is stronger because of the roids and will be for the rest of his life, so he has created an advantage, but his mind is still strong to keep focused all these years, i've done alot of roids and i promis you i couldnt hit a HR. so its more than drugs he is a champion because he played top baseball forever.
One good day running 300 balls means you had a good day, Ive had good days, not that good not even close, but I have played so good for a day that it dosent really represent how how good I play-I looked good for a day, that dosent mean anything. Its how long you can sustain a high level of play-something most people cant do, myself included. We all play over our heads or out run the nuts from time to time but "the world has the 8" at any time for years is what seperates the ledgends from the average players. On my best day I have been a solid A player but I'm not a A player. I was a A- player once for 6-8 months so what? that aint anything, I was proud of it but that was then now i'm a B player accordiung to Jay Helfert but i'm playing bad because of the back problems, when I get back in stroke I'll be an A- player, this time I hope I can sustain that level. Its hard to sustain your best evel of play.
Its like makeing $$$ anyone can have a big year if they get lucky but if someone does good for 10 years, you know they didnt get lucky 10 years in a row,
Or look at Bonds, roids or not he still hit a zillion HR's and thats alot bigger than 70 in one season. he is old for his sport and is clean now but he is stronger because of the roids and will be for the rest of his life, so he has created an advantage, but his mind is still strong to keep focused all these years, i've done alot of roids and i promis you i couldnt hit a HR. so its more than drugs he is a champion because he played top baseball forever.
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^^ fatboy, again I forget to touch on something and another member jumps in at bat and hits it out of the park! Consistancy! Anyone can beat anyone on any given sunday. But can they beat them repeatedly over a course of time in many situations and maybe different games?
But if you had to pick one single game to test overall shotmaking, position play, decisionmaking, etc. I'd say 14.1 is the fairest test. You can run a rack of 9 ball backwards and upside down... and even though it took a single inning, there's still no way to be sure if you're a god or a dog. If I ask a guy "can you run a rack of 8 or 9 ball" I might know for sure he's at least intermediate, but I don't know anything else. He might be A+ or he might be an average C.
But if I ask a guy his high run in straight pool and he says it's 100 balls I know instantly his level, I don't need to ask any more questions. There's no way to reach 100 if you're a mediocre player, there are no simple 100 ball runs.
But if I ask a guy his high run in straight pool and he says it's 100 balls I know instantly his level, I don't need to ask any more questions. There's no way to reach 100 if you're a mediocre player, there are no simple 100 ball runs.
A true great is someone who can play all the games well. One pocket, straight pool, 8 ball, 9 ball, 10 ball, rotation, 3 cushion, hell even snooker. Efren comes to mind.
nope
IMO, the ONLY true test to see how well you play, is to play whatever game makes you focus the hardest, against the BEST player you can find. Only when you are fully involved in a certain game, can you truly find out how well you REALLY play. IMO, the game don't really matter...Its how well you concentrate on winning during that specific game that will tell you more than you think.
poolchic said:
IMO, the ONLY true test to see how well you play, is to play whatever game makes you focus the hardest, against the BEST player you can find. Only when you are fully involved in a certain game, can you truly find out how well you REALLY play. IMO, the game don't really matter...Its how well you concentrate on winning during that specific game that will tell you more than you think.
A true test to see how good you are is for the cash. People can get to a consistent break and run ability but can you do it for the cash? It really doesn't mean anything if you can run out for fun. Tournaments are ok but even if you get to beating champions in them that doesn't really tell your true skill. It does show you can play but how would that change if cash was on the line? My opinion is if you can play your ability for the cash then your skills have been put to the test. Nobody agree with this?
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I'm w/ JoeW. Your high run in 14.1 is a true test of your ability IMO.