How is a player rated?

Question

just curious on how they rate a player entering a handicapped tourny, if he/she isn't a scantioned league player? is 13 the highest? thanks, just a thought

Answer 1

Hi Bone,

When I was actively playing in OPEN pool tournaments, each player's RATING (skill level), determined the HANDICAP itself.  This RATING AND HANDICAP, was set forth by the tournament director, in combination with each player's sanctioned player-activity and rank. I never understood EXACTLY how this player-rating system was clearly determined ---- as the rating system itself, boiled down to some sort of 'frenetic formula' ----for lack of a better term. It's really more about sanctioned RANK than it is "rate" ---though players were, and still are, indeed "rated".

RATING:

Players were rated on a scale of 1-10 (in my day) :  

1-3 = EXTREME-Novice: could hit balls -- never going to find THIS player in an open 8 or 9-Ball tournament.

4  = Novice, undertands rules, can play --- a "banger".

5  =  Avid player, is moderately skilled, "shot-maker".

6-7  =  Highly skilled and  'active player', seasoned, competitive, has won tournaments, plays in sanctioned leagues and ranked tournaments. All statistics are recorded and registered by the State 'Body' of Sanctioned Pool Players.

8-9  =  Professional status ---player is ranked among the TOP 15 active players in the state (sanctioned players), qualifies for regional and national tournaments, national championships won, professionally skilled road-player or hustler who would rather not "go national" - doesn't want name to be known).

10 = World Champion status, best road-players (who DO play at a national and world champion level).

When I started playing in these Open tournaments, I was rated from a 6 to a 9 ----depending on previous outcomes, game-development, current activity, placing in--- or winning major tournaments ---and top players I would beat or lose to. Ranks ---not ratings ratings, fluctuated among the top active players. Again--- I never fully understood the "rating system", though somehow it 'worked', and was a fair system for Open Tournaments. Very few players complained.

Handicap:

How many balls my opponent would have to pocket to win --- or vice versa. For example: I might have been required to pocket all 9 balls; where my opponent may only be required to pocket only 7 ball (1 thru 7) to win ----depending on the player's rating.

In a basic race to 7 format:  I may have been required to be the first player to win 7 games, while my opponent was only required to win 5 games (or vice versa), depending on the player's rating.

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As I just read-up on the curent rating system, the system has not been updated in a few years.

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Here's a link to view the National Rating System Chart, and a vague explanation of the system -----much like MY vague explanation ....HA!  

You posed a good question ----and a tough one to clearly answer.

http://www.billiardsdigest.com/new_power...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Po...

In my Internet search here, I have read everything there is to read, regarding your question. I have NOT found a satisfactory, iron-clad, or direct answer. I DO undertand that ratings have to do with how players 'match-up'. At the same time, to stick a number between 4 and 8 on a player, is not a perfect science nor is the "rating system" a  'cut and dry'  formula.

Good grief ----just tell me who I'm playing, and tell me what the handicap is, so we can get this match started !!?

LAG

PS. Johnny, WHO is "LL"???  Luther "Wimpy" Lassiter ???!

Stu' :  In THAT scenario:  No. You would be given cue ball in hand (place anywhere on the table), and you would have to pocket the 8 and 9. Also note, that in the game of 9-Ball ....you can hit the 1-ball and pocket the 9-ball and win. As long as you hit the LOWEST numbered ball on the table FIRST, you can carom, combo, or even 'slop'  the 9-ball in for a win. But if it comes to a 'run-out' of each ball, and *I have just pocketed seven consecutive balls and I scratch --- you must make the 8-ball AND the 9-ball (or shoot the eight ball into the nine --pocketing the 9-ball, or carom off the eight, etc.) to win the handicapped game.  

Also ----*please shoot me, if I ever do that in a match!!?

Answer 2

Out sider in a league tourn ??

Im not real sure Bone maybe  L.L. or Tracy can help they know more about rankings than i do

Answer 3

Lor: How many balls my opponent would have to pocket to win --- or vice versa. For example: I might have been required to pocket all 9 balls; where my opponent may only be required to pocket only 7 ball (1 thru 7) to win ----depending on the player's rating.

With this what would happen if you cleared 1 thru 7 then missed the eight, does your opponent win without pocketing a ball?

Answer 4

The non-league handicapped tournaments I've played in just assign you the "average" rating when you're new, unless you are a known player that would warrant a higher rating. Your rating is then adjusted based on how you did in that tournament and in the future.