My first APA 8-ball night - lesson learned

donuteric

donuteric

always a newbie
Silver Member
This is my last summer here, so I thought I'd try out their 8-ball league format before I head home for some new and exciting adventures. The other team put up a SL3 against me, so the race was 6-2. She's a new player, so I assume the strategy was to have her lost, and dropped down to a 2.

I won the lag. Broke an ugly rack, back and forth a bit, and I ended up winning the first rack. She couldn't really pot 2-3 balls in an inning. I was shooting good; my confidence was raised; and that was where all good things came to an end.

I broke the 2nd rack, ran till the 8, but had to jump half ball to make the 8 to the corner. Since it was a half ball jump, I decided not to go back and grab my break stick, and just use my player. CB just caught the edge of the ball the it was jumping over; it went airborne, caught the bad part of the rail and bounced off the table. I only realized I lost the rack after noticing all the weird sighs and looks from both teams.

She broke the 3rd rack. Dried, clustered, but low balls looked pretty good. It wasn't so much a runnable rack, but I managed to get to the end with a tough 8 to pot. Didn't hit it hard at all, the 8-ball caught the points twice, and kicked into another ball, then went in to the unintended pocket. So I lost again.

Ouch! :( But lesson learned, I could've just gave her ball in band both times and I was still able to return to the table. Instead, knowing I was playing an extremely weak player, my ego kicked in, gear switched into showing-off mode, and I was punished.

Do you guys have any self-realization loses in your career?
 
You can't use your break stick to jump in an APA league. You must use the stick you regularly shoot with. And no jump sticks.

Kim
 
I have more losses in APA to lower skill lever players than any other, and for the exact reason you mention...

I NEVER scratch on the 8, knock it in out of turn, etc. against higher level players but I bet I have done it 5 times against the weaker ones...

For some reason I don't have the killer instinct to bury the lesser players...
 
donuteric said:
This is my last summer here, so I thought I'd try out their 8-ball league format before I head home for some new and exciting adventures. The other team put up a SL3 against me, so the race was 6-2. She's a new player, so I assume the strategy was to have her lost, and dropped down to a 2.

I won the lag. Broke an ugly rack, back and forth a bit, and I ended up winning the first rack. She couldn't really pot 2-3 balls in an inning. I was shooting good; my confidence was raised; and that was where all good things came to an end.

I broke the 2nd rack, ran till the 8, but had to jump half ball to make the 8 to the corner. Since it was a half ball jump, I decided not to go back and grab my break stick, and just use my player. CB just caught the edge of the ball the it was jumping over; it went airborne, caught the bad part of the rail and bounced off the table. I only realized I lost the rack after noticing all the weird sighs and looks from both teams.

She broke the 3rd rack. Dried, clustered, but low balls looked pretty good. It wasn't so much a runnable rack, but I managed to get to the end with a tough 8 to pot. Didn't hit it hard at all, the 8-ball caught the points twice, and kicked into another ball, then went in to the unintended pocket. So I lost again.

Ouch! :( But lesson learned, I could've just gave her ball in band both times and I was still able to return to the table. Instead, knowing I was playing an extremely weak player, my ego kicked in, gear switched into showing-off mode, and I was punished.

Do you guys have any self-realization loses in your career?
Click to expand...

Why did you start out as a 7? I realize you can (and should!) start yourself at a higher level if your skill is high. That said, and I hope I don't sound like a jerk, you had two failed run-outs and in the second game you over-hit what sounds like a tough shot. And you didn't play safes to get yourself out of trouble.

Anyway, lesson learned. 6-2 can get away from you pretty quick if you make an early mistake. In lopsided matches, I tend to play pretty tight the first 2-3 games; then if I've swept those, the opponent is usually a little dejected and I can loosen up a bit.
 
I understand the rules state a player cannot switch cue within rack, but most matches I play the players are very understanding. Most of them are satisfied as long as you're jumping with a full stick. When I do so, I normally ask if my opponent is OK. If not, I'll either find another route or attempt to jump with my player. Half a ball isn't difficult at all! Oh well...

I started out as a 7 because of my 9-ball rank.
 
The good thing you realise what you did wrong lol. Those low handicaps don't get much respect from the better players in that format much, at least where I'm from, BUT anyone giving up big weight had better recognise because that HC system is there for a reason and that is to even the feild. Just a couple blunders and it can be over fast.
 
Last time I played another SL7, I beat him 5-0 in 5 innings. I usually end up playing SL3s and SL4s, and I'm either playing 6-2 or 5-2 and usually end up winning some matches in 20 innings. Or I lose some matches in 20 innings.

Lower SL players have the advantage of having no cue ball control, so when they miss, NOBODY has a shot.
 
BrokeStroke said:
Last time I played another SL7, I beat him 5-0 in 5 innings. I usually end up playing SL3s and SL4s, and I'm either playing 6-2 or 5-2 and usually end up winning some matches in 20 innings. Or I lose some matches in 20 innings.

Lower SL players have the advantage of having no cue ball control, so when they miss, NOBODY has a shot.
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HaHaHa your are absolutly correct. The funny thing there is after they do it when they look up and say I been practicing those safties. :angry:
 
My matches against lower players usually last a lot of innings. I play really tight just so I don't let them win. If I notice the person is taking a lot of time outs then I make sure I make them burn their time outs early by playing safes. Once I get in that mode the other player usually just gets fed up and starts smacking balls around or handing me the cue ball. Remember in 8-ball play your safes early not when you're down to 1 or 2 balls left.
 
Cory in DC said:
Why did you start out as a 7? I realize you can (and should!) start yourself at a higher level if your skill is high. That said, and I hope I don't sound like a jerk, you had two failed run-outs and in the second game you over-hit what sounds like a tough shot. And you didn't play safes to get yourself out of trouble.
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I was thinking the same thing.

Maybe the OP was just goofing around i.e. the match really didn't matter that much?

I actually had a similar thing happen to me, in a league match. Playing 8 ball, I lost 2-2 (she only needed 2 games to win), but get this...my opponent only made ONE BALL. Rack 1-I break & run, Rack 2- I break, shoot a ball or two and trade safes, then I run out to the 8, get a thin angle, go for it anyway and scratch 2 rails in the opposite side pocket. Rack 3-she breaks dry, I run out. Rack 4- I break, run down to the 8, have to thin/spin/cut the 8 off the end rail, int othe corner, scratch in corner pocket at the other end of the table.

Granted, the match "didn't matter", so I was freestroking. :o


Eric
 
Eric. said:
I was thinking the same thing.

Maybe the OP was just goofing around i.e. the match really didn't matter that much?

I actually had a similar thing happen to me, in a league match. Playing 8 ball, I lost 2-2 (she only needed 2 games to win), but get this...my opponent only made ONE BALL. Rack 1-I break & run, Rack 2- I break, shoot a ball or two and trade safes, then I run out to the 8, get a thin angle, go for it anyway and scratch 2 rails in the opposite side pocket. Rack 3-she breaks dry, I run out. Rack 4- I break, run down to the 8, have to thin/spin/cut the 8 off the end rail, int othe corner, scratch in corner pocket at the other end of the table.

Granted, the match "didn't matter", so I was freestroking. :o


Eric
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I started out as a 7 because I have an established rank from playing the 9-ball league in the past few years.

I learned my lesson alright, but I also proved that a player CAN in fact win the whole set for sitting on his/her chair. :thumbup:
 
whammo57 said:
You can't use your break stick to jump in an APA league. You must use the stick you regularly shoot with. And no jump sticks.

Kim
Click to expand...

Actually at last years NTC event, we were told that you could switch to your break stick as long as it did not have a phenolic tip. YMMV..
 
I don't like being a SL7 in APA. I'm not that good of a player but I'm ranked a 7 and its tough. Almost anyone you play only needs to win 2 or 3 games to your 5-7 games. Normally I try and match up against a SL5-7 because at least you don't have to give up too much weight if at all. The worse one is when the other team puts up a throwaway SL2 on you. One mistake like an early 8, scratch on 8, or just getting unlucky and they are on the hill and you still have to win 7 games. I don't take it too seriously though as APA is all for fun anyway.
 
donuteric said:
I learned my lesson alright, but I also proved that a player CAN in fact win the whole set for sitting on his/her chair. :thumbup:
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I once handed an opponent a win in his chair, too. I once carelessly gave a 4 (5-2 race) a game and then when it was hill/hill (4-1) I broke in the 8 and scratched for the loss. :angry:

Then I had to sit there while the guy's practically doing cart-wheels yelling, "I beat a 7! I beat a 7!". And for the rest of the session I had to hear the guy's father saying, "He's not that good... my kid beat him." :o

Oh well, life in the APA.


BrokeStroke said:
Lower SL players have the advantage of having no cue ball control, so when they miss, NOBODY has a shot.
Click to expand...

TAP! TAP! TAP!
 
Winston846 said:
I once handed an opponent a win in his chair, too. I once carelessly gave a 4 (5-2 race) a game and then when it was hill/hill (4-1) I broke in the 8 and scratched for the loss. :angry:

Then I had to sit there while the guy's practically doing cart-wheels yelling, "I beat a 7! I beat a 7!". And for the rest of the session I had to hear the guy's father saying, "He's not that good... my kid beat him." :o

Oh well, life in the APA.




TAP! TAP! TAP!
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I've noticed that the true low level players really don't know how bad they are, or how much better the good players play. They'd miss easy shots and then act like it was a once in a year occurance, and of course next time they shoot and miss an easy shot, then it's another "oh wow how can I miss that" all over again.

I've lost 9-ball sets with the other player never even making a real shot. Race to 2, break and run to the 9, get a sharp cut, and scratch in the side. 1-0. Guy then breaks the 9 in. See ya. Can't say anything about the APA handicaps though, I avoid bar tables and the APA more than I do herpes.
 
hang-the-9 said:
I've noticed that the true low level players really don't know how bad they are, or how much better the good players play. They'd miss easy shots and then act like it was a once in a year occurance, and of course next time they shoot and miss an easy shot, then it's another "oh wow how can I miss that" all over again.

I've lost 9-ball sets with the other player never even making a real shot. Race to 2, break and run to the 9, get a sharp cut, and scratch in the side. 1-0. Guy then breaks the 9 in. See ya. Can't say anything about the APA handicaps though, I avoid bar tables and the APA more than I do herpes.
Click to expand...

APA 9ball uses a point system. Each ball is worth 1 point and the 9 is worht 2 points. So in the example you gave you would be ahead 8-2 after the first game even though you never made the 9ball. I actually like this variation of 9ball. Like rotation and straight pool mixed together.
 
ndgreen said:
Actually at last years NTC event, we were told that you could switch to your break stick as long as it did not have a phenolic tip. YMMV..
Click to expand...

Rules are very "fluid" in the APA. Last time I played years ago, I was told you could jump with your break cue as long as you didn't break it down. But that can change from match to match based on who you're playing and where you're playing. I spoke to the APA National Organization last year and they said they had no plans to restrict the use of phenolic tips.
 
OneIron said:
Rules are very "fluid" in the APA. Last time I played years ago, I was told you could jump with your break cue as long as you didn't break it down. But that can change from match to match based on who you're playing and where you're playing. I spoke to the APA National Organization last year and they said they had no plans to restrict the use of phenolic tips.
Click to expand...


APA rules are very clear on this. This is straight from the manual-

http://www.poolplayers.com/tmanual.pdf
Massé and jump shots are legal, when executed properly (see MASSÉ
SHOTS and JUMP SHOTS described in Definitions), but such shots
must be attempted using your regular shooting cue (see REGULAR
SHOOTING CUE described in Definitions). Players are not allowed to
break down their cues or switch to specialty cues (such as cues designed
for jumping and/or breaking) to attempt massé or jump shots.

If a league allows this they are breaking the rules unless they have some sort of bylaw in place that specifically says that you can jump with your break/jump cue.
 
I believe at the nationals event these rules are strictly enforced, not just by the judges but also by the opponents. Whereas when the match setting in at a local bar, my experience is that most players are quite flexible with the rules. There are many times when I face against SL7+ in a 9-ball match, I often ask my opponent if they wanted to play push shot after the break and consider that as a safety play. Despite the rules, most higher ranked players prefer to take a little bit of luck out of the format. We know when we have an unlucky break, and hand our opponents ball in hand on a barbox with open layout, we'll be sitting and watching.
 
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