Intermediate TT :: Ratings Posted

Good point about the ratings being a few years out of date. However, I can attest to the fact that these players play no less than they did a few years back. And if anything, John is enjoying more than enough to maintain level (3 days a week of play).

As always Ratings Central is reporting lower than USATT ratings. That's all I can figure, as Sonu Bhatia (one of Maine's best active players at US1962 in 2009) is only rated about 1500 ratings central. Same for Albert Landry a US1700+ player in 2009 who is only RC1439 and TJ Braley is got an initial USATT 1400+ rating but is only rated in the high 800's according to Ratings Central. But I won't turn this into yet another "which is system is more accurate" debate, because discrepancies exist between the two systems, and perhaps having both ratings posted helps paint a better picture (at least in terms of matches played, history, etc).

And Jim, I know you are scratching your head about John, but keep in mind that he's beaten both Cory Johnson in 2008 and Harry Vu (when he was active)several times. Those were both legit US1600+ players at the time. He does well against folks with good mechanics up to about 1700 or so. If for no other reason that loopers up to the 1500 level simply don't have the footwork or consistency to survive the blocks and counters that he dishes out.

davidz wrote: In order to beat John, I may try some of these   1. Agressive looping with higher success ratio for heavy backspin balls. Strong slow looping for backspin balls may also help. 2. Quick underspin or backspin long service following next powerful hit. 3. To be a good chopper and controller, and can also keep the ball retured low and fast. 4. Blade with long pip in one side and inverted rubber in the other side. 5. It is better to have quick playing pace because he stands closed to table.

You're mostly on the mark.
The people who can beat him in friendly matches usually play 1. , 2. and/or 5. He has trouble against some LP styles (especially classic penhold w/ the twist of FH LP) - but again, what sub 1800 player doesn't have trouble against that style ;D

John regularly beats choppers/control players who mix chops/lobs/loops.

addoydude wrote: Jonan wrote:   I noticed when comparing rating central ratings of players at my recent tournament vs their USATT ratings that across the board the ratings were 200 and up to even 400 points lower on ratingscentral. Icontek's rating is higher on ratingscentral.

Last time I checked, my USATT rating had finally oustripped my RC rating.

BONUS Video posted in OP

See my sig.

JimT wrote: There was this kid in a Boston club who went head-to-head with me during practice. Man, he was looping and power-driving like Ma Long, his fast loops were really good

Wow, looping like Ma Long and only go head to head against you. Guess you are better then I thought

Don't worry, I get your point and I agree with it, some players have "warm up" strokes that makes them look really good, but little understanding or skill when it comes to actuall match situations.

addoydude wrote: to be honest even hookshot's link above doesn't look like coached players. Many juniors with coaching have more polished looking strokes even at 1000 level. Of course these juniors usually have trouble in adjusting to spin variation even though they have good form. Which just goes to show good form is not everything and basement style can take you far.

Yeah, I faced a tiny beast of a player in a 1050 rated kid who was like 8 years old it seemed. I won, though honestly only due to winning a couple games by serving with long pips and getting a lot of misses on the returns. He was good, was getting good coaching, was good at drills, just didn't have the experience though he could loop with better form and more balls than many 1600 players. I'm fairly sure I wouldn't win if we faced again, after the match his dad took him to a table and ran drills on reading spin on low spins serves...

I don't think it's fair to use a high light video to compare players against a video that shows every single mistake made. Have the guys in the original video play 5-6 matches and show the high lights from that and I bet a lot of us would rate them as a lot better.

to be honest even hookshot's link above doesn't look like coached players. Many juniors with coaching have more polished looking strokes even at 1000 level. Of course these juniors usually have trouble in adjusting to spin variation even though they have good form. Which just goes to show good form is not everything and basement style can take you far.

Jonan wrote:   I noticed when comparing rating central ratings of players at my recent tournament vs their USATT ratings that across the board the ratings were 200 and up to even 400 points lower on ratingscentral.

Icontek's rating is higher on ratingscentral.

Maybe rating is relative to a region.  These guys appear to be more consistent that 1300-1400 level players I play with.  I'm on par with 1500-1600 players in my region, but I'm not so sure I can beat these two in a tournament.  

Here is the thing - I watched the video and then tried to compare these guys to the people who play tournaments in Quincy and see who plays at approximately same level. And I frankly thought that people who have 1300-1400 rating would have no problem at all with both of these players. I was apparently wrong.

However - I should say two things

a) those ratings are very old
b) those ratings are from Maine-only tournaments while playing vs the same crowd. It would be very different for these guys when they come to another place.

yeah.. People watching me play always overrate me. :)

The most interesting thing here is that almost every one who guessed gave them a lower ranking then what they actually have.

Now, is this because so few have seen their own game on video and thinks they look so much better then these guys? Or, is it because this is the internet and it's so easy to put people down?

Sure, awkwards styles and a coach who wanted to teach them proper strokes would end up baldwith in an hour, but they where way more consistent then a lot of other ~1400-1600 players I've seen on vids.

I failed to see the strong fh, but the bh seemed to be a real weapon. Hardly a loop, but a good bh hit from one of the guys.

icontek wrote: Tomkat I have an old sheet of fake provincial h3. How does that sound?

Thanks but I play with junk rubber on both sides,anti on the BH and medium pips on the FH. Gotta keep em on their toes.

Tomkat I have an old sheet of fake provincial h3. How does that sound?

WooHoo,what do I win!  I'm about 1600 myself and both players were making some shots that would "give me some problems",so I figured both were at the 1500-1600 level.

Rating and match history posted on Page 1.


Thanks all for playing, there were some interesting observations in the thread.

Folks who pointed out that Scott's FH was effective were partially right (on table% needs to be higher)

Folks who pointed out that John had a strong BH were correct (push or counter, he will keep it in play).

I'll see if I can get a match of John vs. a more traditional opponent soon.