My play style is pretty fast and loose on a barbox. That's probably the reason I can't win much in 8-ball. I have no patience (on a barbox). Which is sad, because I play some slow methodical one pocket better than I play 8/9/10ball.
What's the best strategy for APA/CPA "points" 9-ball?
- Thread starter DAVE_M
- Start date
My play style is pretty fast and loose on a barbox. That's probably the reason I can't win much in 8-ball. I have no patience (on a barbox). Which is sad, because I play some slow methodical one pocket better than I play 8/9/10ball.
Then play as if you're playing someone just as good if not better than you. The handicap theoretically is supposed to do that. So, every shot is an evaluation of runout vs. safe.
It can't be a "hey, he won't get out" mentality. You have to play as if he can get out the moment you walk away from the table because of the handicap where every ball he makes is crucial.
So, play such that when you leave the table, you've left on a good safety or a two-way shot. If you have the skills, that's what you do in 9-ball anyway. If you don't have the skills, then just shoot for balls in the pocket. No strategy will work consistently if your skill level is mediocre.
Freddie
Here's my stupid story. My first night of APA 9-ball several years ago, I broke and ran my first or second rack. Someone said "50 cents a patch". I played APA 8-ball since 1988 and I had never heard of that. They just threw me patches at the end of the year and they went into my award drawer!
Well, I though they meant that I'd get PAID 50 cents per break and run! And I had four the first night! I thought it was going to be a money maker!!! Yeah, I'm that dumb.
What's a rackless 8-ball?
Freddie <~~~ would rather see a good rack
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a rackless 8 ball means you did not do any racking during your match.
in other words where you win the lag and win every rack during your match. you wanna buy some ? i got 4 this session.:smile: 50 cent apiece. lol.
So that's what that means.... Hell, even I had one of those in 9-ball this session. A first for me.
Of course, our LO doesn't track or award that one. No biggie, just interesting.
I dont totally understand the apa ranking system. I am only a 4 in 9b and 8b both. I win a little less than 50% of my matches. Last season in 9b I lost to one 3 and 3 fours, but beat two 5s and two sixes. Both 5s I beat without the weight. But I still only shoot at 50%, but hear constant complaints about sandbagging which I am not. 40 years ago, yes I played a lot of pool and was many times better than I am now, I know the game much better than I normally play, but have flash backs to the old days and put things together now and then, but it is not sandbagging. We have a handcap review committee to re-rate players, basically going around the formulas and just asigning a new ranks. I have been told by others to expect it to happen. I play pool for fun, but really do not want to be rated higher than I should be, or finding team might get hard.
I had one last session. I was told I get a patch, but never did. I think the patches are silly as a pool player, but great to promote the game and league play.
I agree. I like to get'em, cuz it means I accomplished some small something, but it's not a big deal. As a mediocre SL5, I don't get a bunch of them like many folks here do, so I do enjoy the odd occurrence when it happens.
i called my lo today regarding a question i had concerning splitting my double jeapordy team.
while i had him on the phone i told him i did not receive my b&r patch from my last night of the regular session. he apologized and said he forgot to send them out this week due to the 2 week layoff over the hollidays .
he said he he was glad i brought that up and he would go back and look up who earned patches and get them out this week. i told him the reason i brought it up was because i did not want the patch but instead wanted to fill out a coupon for the trip to vegas and was not sure of if it was allowed since i did not fill it out 2 weeks ago. he said yea no problem.
in our area every one who earns any patch can opt to fill out a coupon in lieu of recieving the patch.
the coupons are entered into a drawing. the winner of the drawing receives a free trip to the singles nationals in vegas this year.
Congratultions on your first win. Just the fact that you know who Efren Reyes is enough to put him as your avatar, means your probably going to run over virtually everyone you play.
I'm sure your Captain/League Rep was like...ummm well...they start you out as a 4 and um, yeah we'll just let the APA work this out for us. Lol. You shouldn't have started as a 4, but the inevitable easy wins are just too tempting. :grin:
As you move up... you still will probably finish toward the top of your tier. I think APA 9 ball with their point system is the only way I want to play 9 ball now. The Jansco brothers got it wrong, its all about the points. Welcome to the APA.
Also just a small piece of mental advice... if you suspect a 4 or 5 of being a sandbagger, don't let it bother you, make it a challenge in your mind that EVEN THOUGH this person's spot might not be right...that you can beat them anyway.
Thats it..have fun and keep us updated as your season progresses.
I'm sure your Captain/League Rep was like...ummm well...they start you out as a 4 and um, yeah we'll just let the APA work this out for us. Lol. You shouldn't have started as a 4, but the inevitable easy wins are just too tempting. :grin:
As you move up... you still will probably finish toward the top of your tier. I think APA 9 ball with their point system is the only way I want to play 9 ball now. The Jansco brothers got it wrong, its all about the points. Welcome to the APA.
Also just a small piece of mental advice... if you suspect a 4 or 5 of being a sandbagger, don't let it bother you, make it a challenge in your mind that EVEN THOUGH this person's spot might not be right...that you can beat them anyway.
Thats it..have fun and keep us updated as your season progresses.
i agree dub its not like you won money or anything of that nature but it shows you played at a certain level to to earn one.
my fav would have to be the 8 ball break and run patch because that is pretty hard to do under the closed break format.
the patch i am proudest of is the skunk patch i received for beating another 5 at the nationals 20-0. not trying to be bragadocious or anything but that patch symbolizes the fact that i was playing pretty sporty at the national level beating another 5 by a score of 38-4.
i wish i could maintain that level of play every match .the problem is i have too many issues going on in my life that prevents me from being 100% mentally prepared for every match.
far too many people overlook the importance of the mental aspect of the game. you would be surprised how much more consistent you would be if you approached every game with the same mindset and desire to win everytime.
patches, trophies or money
Don't be embarrassed, be proud. You played great......and guess what, this is your HOBBY. Mine too. There are too many guys on here that talk a good game that couldn't beat the 6 ball ghost on a bar box. Hell, my kid loves the patches and I would be lying if I told you I wasn't proud when he tells his 8 year old friends that all those trophies and patches are from his old man kicking ass.
Don't be embarrassed, be proud. You played great......and guess what, this is your HOBBY. Mine too. There are too many guys on here that talk a good game that couldn't beat the 6 ball ghost on a bar box. Hell, my kid loves the patches and I would be lying if I told you I wasn't proud when he tells his 8 year old friends that all those trophies and patches are from his old man kicking ass.