How does the FargoRate rating and handicapping system work?
The FargoRate rating and handicapping system, which is different from the Fargo rating drill, is a statistics-based system for tracking player abilities. Here’s an explanation of the theory behind the system, which is based on the Elo rating system. Here’s a rough interpretation of rating ranges:
800 – top world-class professional
700 – top player to pro level; a threat to run six in a row if the break is working; world-class female player.
600 – has run three-in-a-row multiple times and maybe four-in-a row a time or two; high run in 14.1 of 50-60.
500 – good local league player; runs out first time at the table occasionally.
400 – runs out first time at the table infrequently.
300 – common level of play for non-competitive league players; running out is very unlikely.
200 – beginner; has probably never run a table.
100 – novice with poor eye-hand coordination.
The table below summarizes how FargoRate ratings compare to other common player rating systems, including Billiard University (BU) Playing-Ability Exam scores:
For more information, see “Player Ratings” (BD, December, 2020).
FargoRate ratings are on a logarithmic scale (like the Richter scale for earthquakes), so a gap of 100 points (at any level) predicts a 2-to-1 game-win ratio, indicating the better player (100 points higher) is roughly twice as good.
The following webpage allows you to look up FargoRatings for different players and determine a probability for one player to beat another in given race: fairmatch.fargorate.com. Here’s a video that explains what differences in FargoRatings imply.
The Salotto app can be used by anyone to set up matches and enter results into the FargoRate system.
If you don’t have a FargoRating, you can approximate your rating with playing-ability tests like the Runout Drill System (RDS) or the Billiard University (BU) Playing Ability Exams. They assess a wide range of important pool skills in a methodical, thorough, and consistent way. They also provide both numeric and descriptive player-level ratings.
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