Season 3 Group Preds Div A

Division A

Ok I know this is everyone's favourite part. These preds were especially tricky because the groups are so tough I have a lot of good players missing out of the playoffs. Most were done by myself (Jon) and Ben (fhm_champion) did Group C. Best of luck with your sets and just a reminder semi-finals or better qualifies you for the year end prize tny.

Group A
pas_killa - Is there a better way to start off a preds section than to start with this guy. Pas is very old school has been around for a while. Played in tons of cam comps with varied success. I'm hoping he is getting back on his game lately because this is going to be a tough competition. Might need to learn how to safety a little more to make the playoffs here but it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

ll_chex_ll - Luiz is a pretty good player, definitely happy to have him in the competition. He's had pretty good success within the comps I've seen lately with decent showings in UCC and 8brcam group stages. He's an all around player who can take advantage of other's weaknesses for sure but he's a little bit inconsistent. With this being such a challenging group wins are going to be hard to come by.

__Trav__ - Trav had a great first season... well at least the group stage went pretty well for him. After an early exit in the playoffs last season Trav will be wanting to better that performance. Another great performance this season will be even more legit with a stronger field. He has a very strong all around game and I see him qualifying for playoffs but definitely won't walk over this group like last season.

Sourwood - Daz is back and in form as evidenced by his semi-finals appearance in the previous season. He's got a tough road just to make it back to the playoffs this season with this gruelling group stage. If he stays on form he should be able to pick up the necessary wins to advance but there's no sure thing here. Should be able to manage a spot in the knockout stage.

the_pool_professor - Last season's champ Kenny really had no challenge through the playoffs winning every set with ease. This season will be a big change. I see him making the playoffs quite easily and challenging Trav for top spot in this group. While Kenny is still one of the favourites to win this entire competition there's no change it will be a walkover this time around.

king_hustler2004 - Last season he pulled out a second round playoff appearance which kept him in the top division for this season. I know King wouldn't have it any other way to be playing against the best but this is going to be a really tough group for him. He has the ability to run a lot of tables which can win vs anyone but overall everyone else in this group has a more well rounded game. Wouldn't be shocked if he wins a couple sets but that's his limit.

Pecking Order - 1.Kenny 2.Trav 3.Daz 4.Pascal 5.Luiz 6.King

Group B
pool.sharko - Mina is in his first effort here in SSCam. He definitely had the pedigree coming into this competition with strong group stages in each of the last two 8brcam competitions. He is a difficult player to play against and can hit spectacular shots to finish tables. His safety game leaves a little something to be desired but he doesn't have to rely on it very often. Playoffs are a possibility here but it's a tough group.

i_always_rape - Shane earned his spot in div A with good performances in the last two competitions qualifying for playoffs with decent seeding both time. This could be his one and only season in div A barring him scraping out at least a couple wins which I highly doubt. I've always been told that my negative predictions will be proven wrong but in this group Shane won't finish higher than 5th.

stun.shot - The last time Nick was put in a group with this kind of talent he responded with an 0-6 run in 8brcam div A. That was probably a fluke but his skill will definitely be tested in this group here. I think last season's finalist is definitely up to the task of at the very least qualifying for the knockout stage but first in the group is doubtful. Nick is going to need to be on his playoff form from the get go and I think he'll know that.

poolist - Derrick is trying his hand in his first SSCam competition. The early favourite to take first place in this group, Derrick is going to give everyone trouble. When he's playing a lot of sets as he is right now he's going to be running a lot of tables. Knows when he has to safety but rarely has to. In the blink of an eye you could be looking at a 3-4 game losing streak and the set is over. Only downside is catching him cold he can leave his opponents open runs galore. Not as if he can't be beaten but he should be a lock for the playoffs.

DOMINATING - TJ had a pretty successful season last season becoming one of Kenny's many victims in the second round of the playoffs. Previous to that set he had been showing some rare form that hadn't been seen in a while. Hopefully he's not too busy and can shoot a little to avoid the rust but he could definitely come out of this group if those runs are going down. His very aggressive style seems to work moreso than not so he'll be riding that wave if all is well. Will be fighting some quality players for a spot though.

fhm_champion - Ben might have surprised some people taking his run in the competition all the way into the semi-finals last season. The reason for that I believe is his steady gameplay. Doesn't seem to change his style too much throughout the set and doesn't let games slip away. There's definitely a challenge in this group to prove that last season was no fluke. I think Ben will scrap out some key wins to grab a spot out of this group.

Pecking Order - 1.Derrick 2.Ben 3.Nick 4.TJ 5.Mina 6.Shane

Group C
streets_d1sciple - Matt Lasko, one of the most annoing players on yahoo pool next to me. He prefers to try and run tables and is a good runner, but lacks consistency at times. However, he is still good and I will not be surprised if he makes a run at this division.

A_D_A_M_ - Adam is a pretty classy player who is above average on most days compared to most players, and when he is hot he can be tough to beat. Look for him to be a tough match for anyone in this group because he can shoot well and play smart.

bromzzz - Stephen is a decent runner on most days, who decides against snooker on most occasions. He could surprise a few people in this division in this group if he runs well. On the other hand, if he does not finish his runs, he will find it tough to win in this group.

mr_camtasia - His name is Chris. He is a fantastic shooter. Once he starts flowing, he gets his noodle going!!! (And it is hard to stop). Expect to see many runs by this guy because he is dangerous. Also, he can play snooker and bank good too, and has virtually no weakness to his professional game play.

leeds_united14 - Jon is also a good player. He can play any type of game he desires and is smart on when he decides to run. If he finishes his runs like he is expcted to, he can make some noise in this group.

TlNO_NICA - Tino is a nice guy. His game style is odd in my opinion, he can play kind of bad, but then out of no where the next set he can play like he is one of the best ever. So obviously he can be inconsistent, and you never know what you're going to get, but he's a decent runner who lacks a snooker game. Nevertheless, he is a good person but I think he struggles in this group.

Pecking Order - 1.Chris 2.Jon 3.Adam 4.Matt 5.Stephen 6.Tino

Group D
mvp_shameful - Last time Sid was in this competition he was a finalist losing to Kevin Season 5 last year. He's back and he's back on his game doing outstanding in competitions of late most notably making a good run in 8brcam's playoffs this season. Sid has a great all around game and has the patience to stick with his mostly conservative gameplans. Should fight with Conor for top spot in this group.

expect.loss - Trio gets his wish playing in his first legit cam comp in a while. While I know he's definitely eager to prove himself against the best it'll be a tall task in this group. He definitely has the talent to get a couple wins out of this group but that'll be his ceiling. His high wire act isn't nearly consistent enough to get by against this quality.

thebezisback - Conor is an often spectacular player who has been in a bit of a funk from what I've seen lately. He's always been one of the scariest players to play against for anyone. On talent alone definitely takes first place in this group. Can play any style but his array of shots is so massive that he doesn't often have to settle for a safety. If he's on his game is a favourite to win this group and the whole competition.

legend.skillz - Cam had some championship aspirations last season that were cut short by Daz in the quarter-finals. Unfortunately for him it only get tougher from here. Even though he won his division last season his chances at pulling the same feat again here are unlikely. While Cam is an excellent runner who can beat anyone I think his game will be a little too one dimensional to take 4-5 wins in this group. Should cruise into the playoffs though barring a big upset.

safdarbandali - Not really too sure the history on this guy but I think he's pretty new to the cam comp world. He's no stranger to set wins in the comps he's played in but he's really lacking any sort of signature win. He definitely has the potential to get hot but until those skills get displayed on the big stage i'm not sold on it. Safdar has an outside chance of qualifying for playoffs but he's in for tough sets from everyone.

Pimpism - Chad has really impressed me with his play in the league and with his showing in the previous SSCam season. This new format will be especially challenging as the group stage will require focus for every match. I think Chad will have to stay patient and rely on his safety game here to have a shot at the playoffs because the run game gets shaky for him at times. If he plays the way he can the playoffs are a possibility but he's going to get some schooling from the top dogs in this group.

Pecking Order - 1.Conor 2.Sid 3.Cam 4.Chad 5.Trio 6.Safdar

Group E
toyboy2die4u - Two seasons ago Kazi was a finalist in this competition. Last season no playoffs at all in a pretty mediocre group. Not really too sure what happened there but he is showing some form in qualifying for the 8brcam playoffs this current season. There isn't really anyone in this group other than Ant who can overmatch Kazi but I think he'll be fighting for the final playoff spot.

mvp_chiddy - Craig had a fairly unspectacular season in the previous one without having his sets finished in the group stage and the highlight being a first round playoff victory vs Shane. Although he's had some pretty strong results in other competitions he hasn't been able to show that he can consistently knock off top players. On talent alone Craig is in the top 3 here but he can't afford to take any sets off.

mvp_fate - This player needs no introduction to anyone who's been following cam comps any time lately. He has been the last man standing seemingly in most of the competitions he enters. Should blast through this group pretty easily, I won't even bother trying to tell you how he's going to do it because that would take up too much space. Probably the only group where I can guarantee a player gets 1st place.

nhanxx - Everyone's favourite story of last season was Nhan's run to the quarter-final round where he pushed Ben to 14 games. We'll see after this season if it was really worth while because this group stage is going to be tough. Nhan has made tremendous strides in his game but to put it together this fast to compete in this group might be asking too much. We were surprised with last season's run so maybe he can surprise us again. Take notes while you're waiting for your turn to shoot in these sets.

sykology - Brent barely made the playoffs last season getting in with two archive wins and even then just barely. He is no stranger to tough groups being a regular participant of 8brcam's div A. He seems to surprise everyone with his success but at the end of the day his name consistently comes up in the playoffs. He'll need to have his mojo going because he plays a type of style that's all or nothing. Might have to vote against playoffs but no doubt it'll be close.

black_stallion009 - Irfan is still an improving set player and he had another solid season with a quarter-final appearance in last one. This will be new territory for Irfan in SSCam as he won't be expected to dominate this group. Far from it in fact, he'll be fighting and will need some quality wins to even qualify for the playoffs. I think Irfan will live up to the challenge and will do work to snag 2nd or 3rd place.

Pecking Order - 1.Ant 2.Kazi 3.Irfan 4.Craig 5.Brent 6.nhanxx