Yeah, that was my feeling about describing the time when "I" thought that I became a strong player. It's all relative. That's why my goal now is to eventually reach a 700 Fargo Rating. If I can do that, then I could objectively say that I have reached the skill level of the lowest level pro player. But age seems to be a big factor. I think that after the age of 50 it becomes harder and harder to dramatically improve one's game.In my teens I thought I was a strong player when I started beating all my friends and relatives. Then in my 20s I entered some small tournaments and found out I was only average in those circles. So I kept playing until I started winning a lot of them. Then I thought I was a strong player. So I entered a qualifier for a pro event and had to play the tournament director first round. He was pushing 70 years old and was a former pro. He moved the cue ball so smooth that I was mesmerized. And he was an over the hill pro. I found out I was no where near a pro. So I kept playing and donated in several pro tournaments and beat a couple of pros a match and only got in the lower money a time or two. So in the small pool rooms I was considered a strong player, in the big rooms above average and in the pro circles a really weak player. I am almost 60 now and even though my game is not what it used to be the above senerios would still pretty much be true.