What is an "A" player?

fd_colorado

fd_colorado

Go Pack Go!!!
Silver Member
I've been out of playing any kind of serious pool for years, so I don't even know, do they refer to people as "A" or "B" players anymore?

If they still use that system then what is the definition of "A" and "B" players?

Somebody told me at one time that I was an "A" player. For the span of about 3 months, some 20 years ago, I was playing my best ever. I could break and run 2-3 racks of 9 ball in a row a couple of times in a 2 hour session. Was that "A" player ability?

Since I've started playing again I can't see the long shots anymore and play more from where I know I should be hitting the ball than where I can actually see the ball (if you other old, blind guys know what I mean). I probably have about 40 hours of play time in since my return to the game. Now I can break and run about 1 rack for every hour of play and am looking to string together my first 2 racks, break and run in years.

My play is pretty inconsistent with lots of opportunity for the opponent due to missed easy shots (when I am not running out). People look at my game and want to get in. With more board time the game should come back up a bit.

So what level of player am I right now?

Thanks
 
fd_colorado said:
I've been out of playing any kind of serious pool for years, so I don't even know, do they refer to people as "A" or "B" players anymore?

If they still use that system then what is the definition of "A" and "B" players?

Somebody told me at one time that I was an "A" player. For the span of about 3 months, some 20 years ago, I was playing my best ever. I could break and run 2-3 racks of 9 ball in a row a couple of times in a 2 hour session. Was that "A" player ability?

Since I've started playing again I can't see the long shots anymore and play more from where I know I should be hitting the ball than where I can actually see the ball (if you other old, blind guys know what I mean). I probably have about 40 hours of play time in since my return to the game. Now I can break and run about 1 rack for every hour of play and am looking to string together my first 2 racks, break and run in years.

My play is pretty inconsistent with lots of opportunity for the opponent due to missed easy shots (when I am not running out). People look at my game and want to get in. With more board time the game should come back up a bit.

So what level of player am I right now?

Thanks
Click to expand...

There's numerous threads on this subject...Stringing 3 racks on a regular basis would definitely put you in A+/shortstop status.

A players will break and run out often.
B players will run 6-8 balls consistently.
C players can run 4 or 5 balls regularly.

There's no real definition, but A players rarely miss shots.
 
fd_colorado said:
Thanks - using that criteria I would say that I am a C player right now.
Click to expand...

Yeah, me too. High C, low B.

Do you wear contacts when you play? I used to use my glasses and found I was looking over them. I got contacts fitted for pool, meaning I told the Doc to make them good from 2' to about 10' and I found I could see the edge of the ball better and it picked my game up a ball or two.

Dwight
 
BigDogatLarge said:
Yeah, me too. High C, low B.

Do you wear contacts when you play? I used to use my glasses and found I was looking over them. I got contacts fitted for pool, meaning I told the Doc to make them good from 2' to about 10' and I found I could see the edge of the ball better and it picked my game up a ball or two.

Dwight
Click to expand...

I wear contacts. They work just fine.
 
Drew said:
I wear contacts. They work just fine.
Click to expand...

Did you find that you shot better than when you wore glasses or no difference. I know a guy that plays with big lenses while he is shooting and uses smaller ones for regular wear. I like the contacts.

Dwight
 
BigDogatLarge said:
Did you find that you shot better than when you wore glasses or no difference. I know a guy that plays with big lenses while he is shooting and uses smaller ones for regular wear. I like the contacts.

Dwight
Click to expand...

The rim on my glasses got in the way of my line of sight so I just took them off while playing. I learned how to play with my natural eyesight and then invested in contact lenses when I felt the fuzziness was impeding my ability to pocket balls. I don't even wear my glasses anymore. I know plenty of people that play well with glasses. Just like anything else, you can learn to adjust to your conditions.
 
i cant make a ball with glasses on, i have no idea how anyone can play with glasses on, i wear contacts, if i dont i cant see a ball 5 feet away.
 
I just got glasses about 6 months ago and don't like them for playing pool. The lenses are too small so I tend to look over them - not good. Bigger lenses and forcing myself to use them is probably the long term solution.

I can't even put drops into my eyes so contacts aren't an option.

For now, I am just trying to play better shape :-)
 
Fatboy said:
i cant make a ball with glasses on, i have no idea how anyone can play with glasses on, i wear contacts, if i dont i cant see a ball 5 feet away.
Click to expand...

I hear you Eric. Without my contacts I can't read the number on a ball sitting in the middle of the table (no matter where I stand around the table).
 
seems hard to me to define a player based on their ability to run 9-ball racks without defining what tables they are playing on. Obviously running racks on a 9' table is much more difficult than a Valley bar box.

Also the rating system is usually gonna be based on what city/region you are playing in and what the level of play is around you.

If you can't remember the last time you ran a rack of 9-ball... then you probably aren't an A :p
 
Da Bank said:
seems hard to me to define a player based on their ability to run 9-ball racks without defining what tables they are playing on. Obviously running racks on a 9' table is much more difficult than a Valley bar box.

Also the rating system is usually gonna be based on what city/region you are playing in and what the level of play is around you.

If you can't remember the last time you ran a rack of 9-ball... then you probably aren't an A :p
Click to expand...

I always base it on a 9 ft tight pocket table. Anybody in the world can run out on a barbox.
 
Drew said:
I always base it on a 9 ft tight pocket table. Anybody in the world can run out on a barbox.
Click to expand...


thats a bit of a stretch.. my sister plays pool and she has NO CHANCE of doing that, haha. Poor sis.

There are plenty of leagues and serious tournaments played on 8' tables though and I still believe there is a pretty large difference between running out on an 8 than a 9. There is also a significant difference, in my opinion, in running out on say a GC vs. a Diamond Pro.
 
Interesting perception on player ranking. Straight pool is coming back though, and believe it or not, some people shutter at the merer thought of having to play 9 ball. :)

I hope a 14.1 standard is available to rank players out there also. :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top