What EXACTLY is an "A" Player?

Flex said:
That's quite something. I watched a fellow who played the ghost on a 9 footer and robbed him, 7-2. Does that make him a AA player?

Flex
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Most of the A players around here match up real close to the ghost. AA players around here beat the 10 and 11 ball ghost in about the same manner as A players beat the 9ball ghost. If your player can stick it to the 9ball ghost like that on a regular basis, then yeah I would rate him higher than an A player.
 
I would agree with BB and Joey in CAli

I would agree that your strong A players will be able to beat the ghost in a race, not necesarily spank the ghost, and would do what BB posted on average. ike anyone even Strong A players have good nights and bad nights. When you get into the various rankings of A it becomes blurry and is extremely difficult to tell. I know A players that on a given night will beat anyone, but on other nights have trouble giving the last two to a B player.

p.s. those are A- players, not sttrong A or A+ players. A+ players will be more consistent.
 
Through the past I made alot of moneybetting against guys who were thought of as A players playing the ghost.
Depending on the table and how they break it can be tough.

IMO an "A" player is someone that during any race to nine is likely to
run 1-2 racks. A "AA" player would likely run 2-3 racks and guys like
Efren and Johnny are likeluy to run 3-4.
Of course there will always be sets where people run more but moreso in the "AA" or higher levels. That means that there will be sets with zero racks ran as well. These somehow always gets left out of most action and match reports.

IMO most people have all players overrated. The top players keep control of the table through consistency and better safety play. There will be the occassional 4-6 pack but most of the times the top players know that the odds are better by staying within themselves.

I really like watching the top guys play the ghost due to the amount of good offensive shots a player has to shoot. Find a way to get that type play on TV and pool will be a hit. No one wants to watch Tiger hit a 3 iron off the Tee and then a 7 Iron layup followed by a nice chip and a birdie put. They want to see him crush it and then hit a stupid shot chasing the green followed by him scrambling and maybe a birdie put. Few guys are able to recover the way that Tiger and pool players like Efren and a few others are able to. The rest have to be mere mortals.
 
frankncali said:
Through the past I made alot of moneybetting against guys who were thought of as A players playing the ghost.
Depending on the table and how they break it can be tough.

IMO an "A" player is someone that during any race to nine is likely to
run 1-2 racks. A "AA" player would likely run 2-3 racks and guys like
Efren and Johnny are likeluy to run 3-4.
Of course there will always be sets where people run more but moreso in the "AA" or higher levels. That means that there will be sets with zero racks ran as well. These somehow always gets left out of most action and match reports.

IMO most people have all players overrated. The top players keep control of the table through consistency and better safety play. There will be the occassional 4-6 pack but most of the times the top players know that the odds are better by staying within themselves.

I really like watching the top guys play the ghost due to the amount of good offensive shots a player has to shoot. Find a way to get that type play on TV and pool will be a hit. No one wants to watch Tiger hit a 3 iron off the Tee and then a 7 Iron layup followed by a nice chip and a birdie put. They want to see him crush it and then hit a stupid shot chasing the green followed by him scrambling and maybe a birdie put. Few guys are able to recover the way that Tiger and pool players like Efren and a few others are able to. The rest have to be mere mortals.
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Yes, I agree. I think we will see a lot of shots from Efren which we will not normally see in a real game. It will be an awesome show.

Richard
 
An "A" is a slight favorite to beat the 9ball ghost with BIH after the break providing conditions are favorable.

There are MANY "A" level players.
 
On one of the AccuStats video, the pros runout with ball in hand on the one ball more than 80% of the time.
 
A-Player

Its slightly different in the Us and Canada. Here an A=A and in Canada an A=Eh.
 
Here is what I think of as an "A" player.

An "A" player is basically an expert pool player. They have a complete game which includes:

- Ability to execute all manner of shots, including banks, safety, and kicks.

- They have an intimate knowledge of patterns and routes for position play and can execute all manner of shots with excellent cue ball control.

- They have excellent speed control, even on multiple rail position shots and full length table shots.

- With a little practice, they can run 40 - 50 - 60 or more in straight pool.

- They can consistently run out in 9 ball on an open table at first opportunity.

- They know the extremes of shotmaking and position play.

- They also have strong knowledge of strategy and experience playing various opponents.

- Their mental game is solid enough to hold up under pressure.

If a player is lacking any of the above, they are not an "A" player in my book.

What separates the "A" players from the pros and the upper tier of top local players is generally shooting percentage. The higher the shooting percentage, the fewer mistakes, the better the player.

It's pretty much like all sports. At the highest levels of the game, everyone can do the same things, maybe some are a little better at one thing or another, but the players who make the fewest mistakes eventually prevail.

Chris
 
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Stupid Question Time.....

Who or What is this 9 ball Ghost????

I saw a guy at the pool hall had a cue with a liquid glow in the dark butt (looked sorta Lavalampish).....Was this some sort of Plasma Containment for the said Ghost???

I ain't afraid of no Ghost..........;)

McCue Banger McCue....

Oh and I'm a solid D player so watch out world I'm coming ...:eek:
 
TATE said:
Here is what I think of as an "A" player.

An "A" player is basically an expert pool player. They have a complete game which includes:

- Ability to execute all manner of shots, including banks, safety, and kicks.

- They have an intimate knowledge of patterns and routes for position play and can execute all manner of shots with excellent cue ball control.

- They have excellent speed control, even on multiple rail position shots and full length table shots.

- With a little practice, they can run 40 - 50 - 60 or more in straight pool.

- They can consistently run out in 9 ball on an open table at first opportunity.

- They know the extremes of shotmaking and position play.

- They also have strong knowledge of strategy and experience playing various opponents.

- Their mental game is solid enough to hold up under pressure.

If a player is lacking any of the above, they are not an "A" player in my book.

What separates the "A" players from the pros and the upper tier of top local players is generally shooting percentage. The higher the shooting percentage, the fewer mistakes, the better the player.

It's pretty much like all sports. At the highest levels of the game, everyone can do the same things, maybe some are a little better at one thing or another, but the players who make the fewest mistakes eventually prevail.

Chris
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The thing U keep saying, *execute*, is the key word. I think alot of players, especially C and D players have more knowledge than ability to execute. Knowing the shots is 1 thing, knowing and doing it consistantly is a whole nother level.

Brian
 
APA7 said:
The thing U keep saying, *execute*, is the key word. I think alot of players, especially C and D players have more knowledge than ability to execute. Knowing the shots is 1 thing, knowing and doing it consistantly is a whole nother level.

Brian
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If you are stating they know the outcome they would like vs. the ability to achieve, I agree. On the other hand, many D (more especially D) and C players have no idea of what can be accomplished at times and even would not be able to recognize good pattern play (many fight against what is natural and simple, though do learn in time). With respect to basics, then yes they do know what should be done.
 
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frankncali said:
Through the past I made alot of moneybetting against guys who were thought of as A players playing the ghost.
Depending on the table and how they break it can be tough.

IMO most people have all players overrated. The top players keep control of the table through consistency and better safety play. There will be the occassional 4-6 pack but most of the times the top players know that the odds are better by staying within themselves.

I really like watching the top guys play the ghost due to the amount of good offensive shots a player has to shoot. Find a way to get that type play on TV and pool will be a hit. No one wants to watch Tiger hit a 3 iron off the Tee and then a 7 Iron layup followed by a nice chip and a birdie put. They want to see him crush it and then hit a stupid shot chasing the green followed by him scrambling and maybe a birdie put. Few guys are able to recover the way that Tiger and pool players like Efren and a few others are able to. The rest have to be mere mortals.
Click to expand...

Aren't the ring games that they have shown on TV basically trying to beat the ghost? You miss and you lose your turn, no safeties allowed. The only part missing is ball in hand after the break.
 
TATE said:
What separates the "A" players from the pros and the upper tier of top local players is generally shooting percentage. The higher the shooting percentage, the fewer mistakes, the better the player.
Click to expand...

Agreed on this, but dont forget another major factor that separates most pros from most A players: consistent strong breaks with whitey squatted near the middle. Pro players execute this one element of the game far superior to A level players.
 
uwate said:
Agreed on this, but dont forget another major factor that separates most pros from most A players: consistent strong breaks with whitey squatted near the middle. Pro players execute this one element of the game far superior to A level players.
Click to expand...

It even separates the "A" players from each other. The break is the weakest part of my game. I have a pretty mediocre break, and I feel like I'm spotting players with a good break the 7 ball.

Chris
 
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