Seven At Last!

This morning the latest list of players was published,
and above is a small (humble) version of the list.
To see the list in all its glory, click it.

The first thing you will notice is that
yours truly remains at the top of the list.
Closer inspection will reveal that
my skill level is now a 7 (Seven),
the highest skill level possible for 8 ball.

It was only 8 months ago
that I was getting beat regularly
in this game of 8 ball.
On reflection, the primary reasons
were that I was not recognizing natural patterns
(patterns that give natural position on the next ball)
and I was therefore trying impossible runouts.
Two simple ingredients for disaster.

This fulfills one more of the goals in my
2007 Plans For Pool Excellence.

I should take this moment to say "Thank You"
to my instructor, Tony Sorto ("El Maestro"),
for, without his genius it would have been
impossible for this pig to learn to sing.
Gracias, amigo.

OK, now back to the practice table,
and to achieving the other goals...

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Mission Accomplished #2007-g

Yesterday I decided to work on
one of my Pool Goals for 2007.
More specifically, the goal labeled "G",
which is the Straight/Rotation exercise
and getting a score of 130+.
My score today was 139.
That's an average of 13.9 points per rack,
and puts me in the "Semi-Pro" category.
(see chart below)
I just love it when I keep getting better!

Here's the rules:

1. Break full rack of 15 balls. Run in any sequence for first ten balls, then rotation for last five.
2. One point per ball for each of the first ten, then 2 points per ball for each of the last five, maximum of twenty points per game.
3. Any miss or scratch ends game, except on break. If you scratch on the break, then spot the cue ball at the head or foot spot.
4. After break, push ok to head or foot spot, or within 1 rackspace.
5. If push, then deduct 1 point only if score is 20.
6. Balls pocketed on break count if no scratch, otherwise dead.
7. Total your score for ten games, then divide by 10 for average.

How do you rate? See below:

	Rack Avg.
Tour Pro	19 - 20
Professional	17 - 18
Semi Pro	13 - 16
Devel. Pro	10 - 12
Advanced	7 - 9
Intermediate	4 - 6
Recreational	0 - 3

Easy, right?
Not really!
Try it.

Click here for scoresheet & rules.
(Excel spreadsheet format)
Let me know how you do with it!

I suppose my next goal in this exercise
should be to achieve 150,
or maybe to average over 130 for 100 racks.

Do you know of any other good exercises?

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