classifying players ...
You can track it pretty well until you get out of town players. If you have heard of them or they have a reputation, it is usually because they are a road player or someone that has won big tournaments.
Every self respecting hustler or good player will tell you they would prefer to rob rather than gamble ... that should be a given ... remember 'Let the buyer beware' instead of the 'Let the seller be accountable' that exists nowdays in our society.
If it is a handicapped tournament, and you have an unknown player from out of town, they should play at the highest handicap, i.e., play as a 12 handicap in a 3-12 handicapped 9 ball tournament.
Another way is to ask them what is the most money they have ever shot for before. If it is 5 figures or above they are a very good road player, usually a 10-12 skill level, 4 figures is a 7-10 skill level, 3 figures is 5-8 skill level, 2 figures is 3-6 skill level, and 1 figure is a
2-4 skill level. never played for money is a beginner or just a plain non gambler but usually not over a 7 skill level because when you get good and learn you can make money from your skill, you usually gamble, how much depends on the person and how good they might be. Seasoned road players should be considered PRO's because they make their living or the majority of it from Shooting Pool. I have played 41 years, been on the road when I was young, considered an 'A' player now, but not an 'A+' player as we classify them here in Wichita. I published a billiards newsletter for this area for 2 years, and still track every tournament in the general area, and the rest of Ks. and Ok. too. I would like to add one thing, the person that decides if a player can play in a handicapped tournament should not be playing in those tournaments too. They have a tendency to eliminate anyone better than them so that they can win the money ...