Rating systems

        Many great ways to measure your game exist.  In order for a rating system to be accurate it must show you long term results. You never would want to measure your game in just one game of pool. It would not give a realistic impression for the better or worse than is real.  Depending on your favorite game here's a couple of options if you are playing or practicing by yourself and want to be able to measure your own improvement of your performance.  Measure and log your results each day you plan and watch yourself develop as a better player. Otherwise its hard to notice when you've really improved.

Straight Pool.

Rack up a game of straight pool and run 10 racks of balls out.. Only count misses and scratches 1 pt each. The higher your score you worse you did.  You will shoot 150 balls in this drill and is a good way to measure your long term ball pocketing ability.  Connecting the racks together in straight pool is challenging. You may burn up several misses just to break up the balls.  Slop shots are not allowed and are counted as misses.

Amateur will make 90+ misses / scratches  in this drill

Top ranked Amateur 20-40 misses / scratches

Professionals 2-10 misses / scratches

A perfect score is possible if you can run 150 in straight pool 

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9 ball

Break 10 racks of nine ball and run as far as you can each rack. If nothing goes in on the break start with ball in hand on the 1 ball.  When you miss stop and re rack the balls and start over.  Give yourself a point for each ball made and add up your total score and divide by 10 .  This shows you your average run and will give you perspective for how well you stay in line and pocket balls.

Amateur 2-3 ball average run

Top ranked amateur 4-7 ball average run

Professionals 8-9 ball average run