Dieser Beitrag ist auch auf Deutsch verfügbar.
Ambitious pool players usually spend a lot of time at the pool table. Usually they play with other players, watching them, asking for ways to improve. Some players even set up drills. But most don’t stick to a regular practice regimen. Besides time and good drills you need a good concept for regular practice, though.
The creators of the app “Checkbilliard” started to give players this said concept. The app contains drills, tests and videos to support players getting better according to their current skill level. Historically, the app is the successor of the PAT system, the “Playing Ability Test”, which was developed about 10 years ago and which helped thousands of players to practice with a structure. The PAT system hasn’t been developed further for various reasons, although it remains the foundation of many players’ practice routine.
The stagnation of PAT created a gap in times when players don’t just want to practice with paper and a pen, but prefer working with their smartphones and tablets. A mobile app was the way to go.
Pricing structure
- Section 1: no registration, basic test (“QUICK 20”) and drills, some videos available
- Section 2: free registration neccessary, extended tests (“QUICK 20”, “SHORT 50” oder “STRAIGHT 100”) and drills, some videos available
- Section 3: paid level, (about $10/month) including all tests and personalized drills, all videos available (test it for free for one month with coupon code PABAU215 → more information)
Apps for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets
The app is available for iOS, which runs on iPhones and iPads as well as for Android smartphones and tablets. I tried the app with a Nexus 5 Android smartphone, so everything you read refers to a Nexus 5. I guess the experience is more or less the same on all devices though.
First start and further tests
Starting the app for the first time you’re prompted to play the basic test. It’s not neccessary to register for this first test. It takes about 30 minutes and is a good option to get a feel for the app and get a general idea where your skill level’s at.
Afterwards you have the opportunity to register for free for section 2 and play another, more detailed test. Depending on the test result you’ll get a different test in section 2.
For section 3 you need, as I said before, a paid plan. Only on this level you’re able to play the full test and only here you get personalized drills. With the coupon code PABAU215 you can try section 3 for free for one month. → more information
Depending on your test results you get drills that you can use to improve your game and get better test results. It’s recommended to repeat the tests regularly to track your long-term improvement.
Usability
I’m a friend of well-made apps with a great design and outstanding usability. Checkbilliard could improve in this department.
First, there’s the explanatory copy which is not perfectly clear every time. Sometimes I don’t understand how a certain drill should be played and how the score should be counted. This should be improved.
Second, there are little technical bugs which make the app hard to use sometimes. Texts are disappearing sometimes, the app doesn’t start, you have to login again… You get it. Nothing that should keep you from using the app, but they just could do better here.
On the plus side, the team behind the Checkbilliard app is constantly working to improve the app and get rid of bugs. Constant improvement is more important to me than an app that hasn’t been changed in years (like the “Break Speed” by Predator, for example).
Contents
On top of the drills the app contains plenty of videos explaining basic technique. It’s great that you can watch a lot of these videos in the free version, too. To get all the videos you need the paid plan, of course.
The production quality of the videos is top-notch. Ralph Eckert, who also created the drills and the whole concept behind the app, explains the basic techniques. On top of that you can watch multiple world champion and BCA hall-of-famer Ralf Souquet playing the drills.
In a nutshell, Checkbilliard is a great app which gives you high-quality content and a really good structure for your practice routine – already in the free version. The paid plan is even better. It’s not a bargain, but comes at a reasonable price of $10 / month. With the coupon code PABAU215 you can try section 3 for free for one month. → more information
The app could use some smaller improvements regarding the quality of copy and minor bugs. But the development team is contantly improving the app. So summing it all up, it’s a clear “yes”!