Wikipedia

Draft:FargoRate

{{[[Template:Infobox sports ranking |Infobox sports ranking ]]}}

FargoRate is a statistical rating system for pool (pocket billiards) that calculates a unified global skill rating based on game-level win–loss data across opponents and events.[1] The system relies on maximum-likelihood optimization over a worldwide opponent graph and applies exponential time-decay to older results—creating comparability across regions, equipment, and game formats (e.g., 8-ball, 9-ball, 10-ball).[2] The scale is logarithmic: a 100-point gap corresponds roughly to a 2:1 win ratio.[3][4]

FargoRate has been adopted by leagues and tournaments, such as the BCA Pool League and USA Pool League managed by CueSports International (CSI), and regional bodies like Western BCA for purposes including player eligibility and divisioning.[5][6][7]

Overview

edit

FargoRate predicts game outcomes based on rating differences and assigns ratings that maximize likelihood across the full dataset.[2] Unlike sequential Elo updates, its global approach enhances cross-regional consistency—especially where data is sparse or distributed.[2]

The rating scale is continuous. Most competitive players rank between 200 and 700, while top professionals often exceed 700. The logarithmic scale means rating gaps correspond to consistent win ratios at any level.[1][3][4]

History

edit

Created by Mike Page and developer Steve Ernst, FargoRate emerged in the early 2010s as a global unified rating system.[1][8]

In 2016, CSI integrated FargoRate and its League Management System and used it for division limits at national championships.[5] Regional bodies also adopted it for categorizing players, and it gained visibility via instructional media like Billiards Digest.[9][10]

FargoRate has also appeared prominently in event branding, including the “FargoRate Ohio Open” in the Predator Pro Billiard Series.[11][12]

Mainstream Media Recognition

edit

Fedor Gorst’s victory in the FargoRate Ohio Open was covered by WCBS Sports[13] and AZBilliards,[14] noting its role in the Predator Pro Billiard Series. The WPA Pool website also reported on the FargoRate Ohio Open as part of the U.S. Pro Billiard Series.[15] The Predator Pro Billiard Series has also highlighted FargoRate branding in its annual recaps.[16]

Methodology

edit

Maximum-likelihood optimization

edit

FargoRate models game outcomes via logistic probability functions and solves for all players’ ratings that best explain the full set of results.[2]

Time decay

edit

Older match results are exponentially de-weighted (e.g., ~3-year-old games carry half weight, ~6-year-old games a quarter), ensuring relevancy while preserving connectivity.[2]

Equipment and game neutrality

edit

By using only win–loss data, FargoRate remains robust across different tables and formats; the opponent network helps smooth out such variations.[17]

Adoption and applications

edit
  • Leagues and amateur events: Integrated into CSI’s national championships and Western BCA eligibility criteria.[5][6][7]
  • Professional-level branding: Featured in Predator Pro Billiard Series event titles and media coverage.[11][13][14][15][16]

Comparison to traditional Elo-type systems

edit

Unlike Elo’s per-game updates, FargoRate’s global likelihood model with time decay provides increased predictive consistency and cross-group calibration.[2] Its logarithmic scale maps differently (base-2, 100-point = 2:1 rate) compared to Elo’s base-10/400 structure.[2]

Influence and parallels in chess

edit

The 2017 Universal Rating System (URS) for chess—by Jeff Sonas, Mark Glickman, J. Isaac Miller, and Maxime Rischard—adopted unified ratings across classical, rapid, and blitz with time-weighted game data.[18][19][20][21] URS demonstrated higher predictive accuracy than traditional FIDE Elo, echoing FargoRate’s core design philosophy.[22]

Reception

edit

Pool coaches and writers commend FargoRate for enabling cross-region comparison and fair seeding, while noting its reliance on sufficient recorded games. Its rating bands are used frequently in instructional drills and event seeding discussions.[4][10][5][23]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c "FargoRate". FargoRate.com. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "FargoRate — a look behind the curtain". FargoRate Blog. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  3. ^ a b "What does a Fargo Rating difference mean?". FargoRate.com. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "FargoRate Pool Player Rating System (FAQ)". DrDavePoolInfo.com. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d "FargoRate for Teams at the BCAPL National Championships". CueSports International. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Fargo Ratings – Pool Player Ratings for the World!". CueSports International. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Western BCA Players". Western BCA. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  8. ^ "Fargo entrepreneurs standardizing pocket billiards ratings with FargoRate". Emerging Prairie. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  9. ^ ""Player Ratings" Illustrated Principles" (PDF). Billiards Digest. December 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Perfect Practice with Darren Appleton". Billiards Digest. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  11. ^ a b "November 2021 Blog". Billiards Digest. November 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Predator and CueSports International Launch the US Pro Billiard Series". AZBilliards.com. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  13. ^ a b "Gorst Wins FargoRate Ohio Open for Third Predator Pro Billiard Series Title". WCBS Sports. 23 October 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  14. ^ a b "Gorst Wins FargoRate Ohio Open For Third Predator Pro Billiard Series Title". AZBilliards.com. 25 October 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  15. ^ a b "Final 16 Set for FargoRate Ohio Open". WPA Pool. 16 October 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Relive an epic year of Predator Pro Billiard Series". Predator Pro Billiard Series. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  17. ^ "Fargo Ratings and Table Size". CueSports International. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  18. ^ "Universal Rating System – Home". UniversalRating.com. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  19. ^ "URS – Frequently Asked Questions". UniversalRating.com. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  20. ^ "Grand Chess Tour Announces Rating System, Wildcards". Chess.com News. 4 January 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  21. ^ "On Chess: Launch of Universal Rating System opens doors for global chess community". St. Louis Public Radio. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  22. ^ "Universal Rating System: A Performance Rating Across All Time Controls" (PDF). Chandra Alexis Chess Club. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  23. ^ "Anatomy of a Close-to-Fair Tournament Tour". FargoRate Blog. 5 January 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Draft:FargoRate&oldid=1307938694"