who are your favorite players "A" players to watch?

E

evergruven

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I don't know what the fargo equivalent is, 600-700?
somewhere in there, I'd like to see more of players at that level
ideal if they're on youtube, but tell me who ya like
thanks and cheers
 
evergruven said:
I don't know what the fargo equivalent is, 600-700?
somewhere in there, I'd like to see more of players at that level
ideal if they're on youtube, but tell me who ya like
thanks and cheers
Click to expand...
What are you asking? The ONLY players i watch on-line are PRO's. Probably 720 and up. I wouldn't get out of the electric chair to watch 600 speed players play. 600 is higher than my current speed probably but i still don't want to watch them. If you want to sweat 600's just go to a local tournament.
 
garczar said:
What are you asking? The ONLY players i watch on-line are PRO's. Probably 720 and up. I wouldn't get out of the electric chair to watch 600 speed players play. 600 is higher than my current speed probably but i still don't want to watch them. If you want to sweat 600's just go to a local tournament.
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right, bit of a silly query I guess
why watch lesser-skilled players when there's plenty of pro speed to drool over
I've watched pro speed and I like it..a lot
and I've learned plenty from watching my faves box
but in an effort to relate better skill-wise, and maybe learn something new as a result
I thought why not check out some different players
I'm a lil hip to local speed..getting out is fine, but I'm casting a wider net, y'know?

to all, how's bueller play?
 
evergruven said:
right, bit of a silly query I guess
why watch lesser-skilled players when there's plenty of pro speed to drool over
I've watched pro speed and I like it..a lot
and I've learned plenty from watching my faves box
but in an effort to relate better skill-wise, and maybe learn something new as a result
I thought why not check out some different players
I'm a lil hip to local speed..getting out is fine, but I'm casting a wider net, y'know?

to all, how's bueller play?
Click to expand...
The human brain is a pattern-imitating machine. If you watch players of lesser skill, your brain can actually learn erroneous patterns. Not a chance. There's nothing to "relate" to, that a pro will not execute better, and more consistently. PLUS, poor methods of playing that work, due to a player's natural physical skills, can lead one to believe that is a style to emulate. Example? Overuse of inside follow when cutting balls into corners to get to center table.., versus a natural two rail stun that has better speed control.

Watch a player who overuses that inside follow, and it looks pretty. And one's ability to execute these type of touchy position plays quickly decays under pressure, as it is HIGHLY stroke and speed dependent. If you understroke it a hair, you end up cutting the ball too thin, and sailing long on position.

The vast majority of players would improve MUCH faster if they watched more professionals play, instead of their local A players.
 
ShortBusRuss said:
The human brain is a pattern-imitating machine. If you watch players of lesser skill, your brain can actually learn erroneous patterns. Not a chance. There's nothing to "relate" to, that a pro will not execute better, and more consistently. PLUS, poor methods of playing that work, due to a player's natural physical skills, can lead one to believe that is a style to emulate. Example? Overuse of inside follow when cutting balls into corners to get to center table.., versus a natural two rail stun that has better speed control.

Watch a player who overuses that inside follow, and it looks pretty. And one's ability to execute these type of touchy position plays quickly decays under pressure, as it is HIGHLY stroke and speed dependent. If you understroke it a hair, you end up cutting the ball too thin, and sailing long on position.

The vast majority of players would improve MUCH faster if they watched more professionals play, instead of their local A players.
Click to expand...

inside follow doesn't usually look pretty
don't ask me how I know:D
thanks for your opinion
my original question stands
until it falls
thanks again
 
evergruven said:
inside follow doesn't usually look pretty
don't ask me how I know:D
thanks for your opinion
my original question stands
until it falls
thanks again
Click to expand...
I think it fell before it stood. I gotta ask, do you even play? Reason i ask is some of your questions sound like you've never played. You wanna see 600's?? Go enter a tournament. I'm sure you'll see a few up close.
 
ShortBusRuss said:
The human brain is a pattern-imitating machine. If you watch players of lesser skill, your brain can actually learn erroneous patterns. Not a chance. There's nothing to "relate" to, that a pro will not execute better, and more consistently. PLUS, poor methods of playing that work, due to a player's natural physical skills, can lead one to believe that is a style to emulate. Example? Overuse of inside follow when cutting balls into corners to get to center table.., versus a natural two rail stun that has better speed control.

Watch a player who overuses that inside follow, and it looks pretty. And one's ability to execute these type of touchy position plays quickly decays under pressure, as it is HIGHLY stroke and speed dependent. If you understroke it a hair, you end up cutting the ball too thin, and sailing long on position.

The vast majority of players would improve MUCH faster if they watched more professionals play, instead of their local A players.
Click to expand...

I'd call "A" level as 600-650 Fargo. On average, I don't want to watch them, but the exception is when they are either young or relatively new to the game, and appear to have real possibilities of future excellence. I remember watching Ga Young Kim when she was 17, perhaps around the year 2000. She'd definitely have been judged an "A" player then. Her decisions were unrefined and her playing rhythm a bit choppy. Ah, but that stroke, that break and that power made it obvious that the sky was the limit, and within a couple of years, she was definitely among the world's five best women, a real threat to future hall of famers Allison Fisher, Karen Corr, Jeanette Lee and Gerda Hofstatter.

I'll really enjoying watching an "A" whose star is clearly on the rise, but otherwise I agree 100% with your post.
 
I enjoy watching Chicagoan Gil Hernandez play. Seems to make the high percentage play most of the time. Stays on the correct side of the ball and plays nice patterns. Also like his rhythm when he's playing well. Plays all games pretty well on all size tables. Just has a nice well rounded efficient game.
And couldn't be a nicer, more humble guy.
 
I agree with most here that watching pro level players is a great way to learn correct pattern play, shot selection, etc... However, you can watch the pros all you want to but many times the shots they shoot and the shapes they play are high percentage for them and very low percentage for B or C players. Without putting in the table time practicing what you are seeing/learning, you'll never develop the cb control required to play at that level. It is just so far beyond a C or B player's current skill that it may seem hopeless, which could be counterproductive.

For C or B players I think it's beneficial (in addition to studying up on pros) to watch local A players. This gives you the opportunity to see what a player at the next skill level is doing that makes them better than you. You will also learn what they do compared to what pros do, and you'll notice why they aren't at the pro level. Many (if not most) A players imitate the pros, playing the right shots and trying to stay on the correct side of each shot. They just lack pro consistency. But this doesn't mean you can't learn from them.

Any little increase in knowledge or skill level raises your game a little higher. Improvement is an incremental process, so don't get fooled into thinking that you can only learn by watching the pros. Like I said, they often play shots that are so far beyond your skill level that you'll find it impossible to imagine yourself being that good. But if you're a C player you can easily imagine yourself reaching B player status. Or as a B player you can see yourself becoming an A player.
 
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evergruven said:
I don't know what the fargo equivalent is, 600-700?
somewhere in there, I'd like to see more of players at that level
ideal if they're on youtube, but tell me who ya like
thanks and cheers
Click to expand...

Try googling on youtube these local players from my area:

Eddie Abraham
Josh Brothers
Adam Keilar
Bob Maidhoff
 
garczar said:
I think it fell before it stood. I gotta ask, do you even play? Reason i ask is some of your questions sound like you've never played. You wanna see 600's?? Go enter a tournament. I'm sure you'll see a few up close.
Click to expand...


Do you even play? He asks for some names of lower ranked players that are interesting to watch. He can watch whatever he wants to watch. When did he ask you what you view? Go watch some more pros and quit trying to hijack threads for no apparent reason.
 
nodeflection said:
Do you even play? He asks for some names of lower ranked players that are interesting to watch. He can watch whatever he wants to watch. When did he ask you what you view? Go watch some more pros and quit trying to hijack threads for no apparent reason.
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He does seem to be doing same a lot lately.

He even popped into the Carom page recently to tell um how it should be!
 
I learned quite a few really useful things from watching all kinds of players.

A. Kang taught me how to put the cue behind the back, and it is amazing how many players better than he do it wrong.

Efren has said he learned many shots from watching hacks.
 
garczar said:
I think it fell before it stood. I gotta ask, do you even play? Reason i ask is some of your questions sound like you've never played. You wanna see 600's?? Go enter a tournament. I'm sure you'll see a few up close.
Click to expand...

nodeflection said:
Do you even play? He asks for some names of lower ranked players that are interesting to watch. He can watch whatever he wants to watch. When did he ask you what you view? Go watch some more pros and quit trying to hijack threads for no apparent reason.
Click to expand...

I gotta agree with you on this, nodeflection. It seems like lately a couple people who have been pretty solid contributors to the forum are becoming more troll-like in their posts.

As to who I watch, pros are great but I also like watching the better players in local action or tournaments. But then, I also enjoy pro, college and even high school football games, appreciating each for what they are without needing to compare them. I watch pool primarily for entertainment, but I have found that watching either class of player has improved my game as well. I don't buy the idea that watching players of less than pro capabilities will hurt our game. The key is to watch thoughtfully.
 
ChrisSjoblom said:
I gotta agree with you on this, nodeflection. It seems like lately a couple people who have been pretty solid contributors to the forum are becoming more troll-like in their posts.

As to who I watch, pros are great but I also like watching the better players in local action or tournaments. But then, I also enjoy pro, college and even high school football games, appreciating each for what they are without needing to compare them. I watch pool primarily for entertainment, but I have found that watching either class of player has improved my game as well. I don't buy the idea that watching players of less than pro capabilities will hurt our game. The key is to watch thoughtfully.
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Well said...I enjoy watching the pros on streams because of the talent and excellence. I like watching local players because, well, some of them are friends who I like. They play hard and to their ability. So what's wrong with that?
 
philly said:
Try googling on youtube these local players from my area:

Eddie Abraham
Josh Brothers
Adam Keilar
Bob Maidhoff
Click to expand...

I think these guys are a little overqualified to be considered A players. I've played Adam a few times here in the LA area since he's moved out here. I consider myself an A player and he beats me, I think he's like 730-740 fargo. Eddie and Josh I only know of, but the fact that I know of them probably indicates they're above an A player.
 
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Fargo doesn't tell all , it's basically a baseball average, 600-700 is pretty sporty and many of those are capable of playing the same speed as a mid 700 player on any given day they just don't do it all the time ,


1
 
evergruven said:
I don't know what the fargo equivalent is, 600-700?
somewhere in there, I'd like to see more of players at that level
ideal if they're on youtube, but tell me who ya like
thanks and cheers
Click to expand...

Every area has a long list of A players. Below are some top players that I've encountered in my area. Any of them are very capable of winning a big open tourney.

Wally Bentley
Shannon Murphy (Semi Pro)
Shane Winters (Semi Pro)
Jason Balas
Kurt England
Ben Jones
Alex Olinger (Semi Pro)
Scooter Goodman
Shawn Putnam (Retired Pro)
Chris Mitchell
Chris Szuter (Retired Pro)
Tom Purich
Jim Davis
Shane Jackson
Shawn Perkins
Marty Lawson
Jake Cooper
Brandon Ashcraft
Ed Hancock (Semi Pro)
Derek Daniels
Tyler Thornton
Kenny Rutman
Adam Shively
Shayne Morrow
John Binion
Ben Zimmer
Steve Maryo (Retired Pro)
Zach McKee
Brandon Hallett
Dee Adkins (Retired Pro)
Jason Hunt
Jeremy Seaman (Semi Pro)
Billy Pinion
 
FeelDaShot said:
Every area has a long list of A players. Below are some top players that I've encountered in my area. Any of them are very capable of winning a big open tourney.

Wally Bentley
Shannon Murphy (Semi Pro)
Shane Winters (Semi Pro)
Jason Balas
Kurt England
Ben Jones
Alex Olinger (Semi Pro)
Scooter Goodman
Shawn Putnam (Retired Pro)
Chris Mitchell
Chris Szuter (Retired Pro)
Tom Purich
Jim Davis
Shane Jackson
Shawn Perkins
Marty Lawson
Jake Cooper
Brandon Ashcraft
Ed Hancock (Semi Pro)
Derek Daniels
Tyler Thornton
Kenny Rutman
Adam Shively
Shayne Morrow
John Binion
Ben Zimmer
Steve Maryo (Retired Pro)
Zach McKee
Brandon Hallett
Dee Adkins (Retired Pro)
Jason Hunt
Jeremy Seaman (Semi Pro)
Billy Pinion
Click to expand...

Impressive list. I've had my ass handed to me a few times by 5 names on this list. And you are right....every city has a list of A players. The smaller the population the smaller the list, and vice versa. I like watching Olinger, especially when he's playing someone else!
 
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