So I am curious what are the types of handicaps for 8-ball on a coin operated pool table? I know of one where the better player has to win like 5 games and the weaker player has to win 3 or such. Are there others. I am curious because handicapping is a touchy subject with me. I would rather loose than win handicapped. It feels like I am cheating.
types of handicaps for 8/ball?
- Thread starter jaime_lion
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The thing you gotta understand about getting spotted socially is the spotter wants a challenge too. I know you want the maximum overdose with all kinds of licks you can cop but it ain't gonna happen until you progress into a more functional level.
Spotting in 8 ball can be done by allowing the weaker player to shoot the 8 after a run of three say. Weaker players can slop the 8 at any time etc...
Removing balls is more often than not a trap for the weak player. This gives the stronger player all the defensive options.
The list is endless...
Spotting in 8 ball can be done by allowing the weaker player to shoot the 8 after a run of three say. Weaker players can slop the 8 at any time etc...
Removing balls is more often than not a trap for the weak player. This gives the stronger player all the defensive options.
The list is endless...
So let me try and understand what you said. I am the person being spotted and the other person playing me is the spotter.
To be spotted means to be the weaker player.
By being given a handicap it also helps the stronger player have more of a challenge. How does that work?
So if I got 3 balls pocketed in a row I would be able to shoot the eight ball.
Or another method is I would be able to hit the 8 ball in at any time. How does that work?
So another handicap method is removing a few of the weaker players balls from play. You are saying this is not the best method because it gives the stronger player more places to hide the cue ball behind making ti harder for me to make my balls in the pockets.
Do I have all that correct?
Thanks
8 ball is a deceptively complex game. Leagues feature it because of the wide range of options for the average player. (More people play it because it's not as intimidating as 9 ball which, IMO is an easier game for the good player/shooter.)
When a good player comes to 8 ball, He'll have a much broader overview of the options and be prepared to deal with them. If the game is not handicapped properly, the good player will be at liberty to do anything he feels like and still win. Not so if there's an equalizing handicap in place.
At the social level, playing weak players can even be a waste of time for the good player if the game is not balanced. This of course isn't a universal constant but human nature being what it is...
And slopping the 8 ball in is what I meant. This is a common pitfall among bangers so a possible spot would be to allow the weaker player to get away with it.
These are just general ways to even up the skills but like I said handicapping is endless.
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You get the break every game.
Every time I miss, you get ball in hand.
I have to bank the 8.
I have to make the 8 ball in a particular pocket.
I can only make the 8 ball on a certain side of the table.
Race to 7, you get 4 on the wire.
You bet 10, if you win you get 20.
I'll play left handed.
That's all I can think of off the top of my head.
Every time I miss, you get ball in hand.
I have to bank the 8.
I have to make the 8 ball in a particular pocket.
I can only make the 8 ball on a certain side of the table.
Race to 7, you get 4 on the wire.
You bet 10, if you win you get 20.
I'll play left handed.
That's all I can think of off the top of my head.
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After solids/stripes are determined let your opponent take some of his/her set off the table. Easy way to handicap the game.
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Spotting games is pretty much the standard way of doing it amongst people that play well. Most people who play well don’t ever play 8 ball, so the handicapping methods are not as tried and trues as 9 ball.
I’m not trying to be rude, just saying in 20 years at the poolroom I’ve never once seen an 8 ball game except for bangers on a date or a league. The better players simply don’t play 8 ball.
I’m not trying to be rude, just saying in 20 years at the poolroom I’ve never once seen an 8 ball game except for bangers on a date or a league. The better players simply don’t play 8 ball.
This is not the case in my area. One-pocket and 8-ball are the most common games played, where I usually play. Most of the gambling is one-pocket or 9-ball but plenty of gambling goes on with 8-ball too. Rarely does anyone play 10-ball but it is gaining popularity.
In 8-ball, games on the wire is easily the most common weight given. Matchups are typically races to 20+. So a common spot would be something like 21-17. Games on the wire in short races can be hard to overcome.
If you give balls as weight, you need to leave them on the table. Never remove balls that aren’t pocketed.
For instance, if you only have to hit 4, of your group, before you can make the 8, leave the other three on the table, after the break. After you have hit 4,of your group, you have the choice to make the 8 or one of your group, to continue your turn.
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90% of the Pool I’m my city is 8 ball. Some of us play Snooker so 8 ball offers more strategy,
I play in unaffiliated leagues. We don’t have handicaps. What we have instead is just more leniency. Less skilled players can reshoot if they miscue, don’t need to touch a rail, aren’t penalized for touching a ball,etc. Winner breaks but newbies always offered to break if they want to.
Comes down to having fun and not really caring who won or lost. We never play for money. I can’t remember anyone getting upset about anything for ages. It just wouldn’t be right.
We all know who the better players are but feel good when a lesser skilled player wins some award.
I play in unaffiliated leagues. We don’t have handicaps. What we have instead is just more leniency. Less skilled players can reshoot if they miscue, don’t need to touch a rail, aren’t penalized for touching a ball,etc. Winner breaks but newbies always offered to break if they want to.
Comes down to having fun and not really caring who won or lost. We never play for money. I can’t remember anyone getting upset about anything for ages. It just wouldn’t be right.
We all know who the better players are but feel good when a lesser skilled player wins some award.
I was mainly thinking league pool when I asked my question. I guess the question I should have asked is what is the official way to handicap in league play? Or is it everything you guys mentioned. I will probably just have to see how league is handicapped when I go play it.
Also I have no idea if betting is even league in the pool hall. It might be a wink wink nudge nudge thing. I will have to ask once our pool hall reopens.
Also I have no idea if betting is even league in the pool hall. It might be a wink wink nudge nudge thing. I will have to ask once our pool hall reopens.
IMO, this is not a question someone new on the scene should be asking. Exercise discretion. YMMV.
Leagues handicap generally by balls pocketed. So at the end of the game the winner gets 8 points (7 stripes plus the 8) plus maybe a bonus for winning the game. The loser gets however many balls they made. That’s just in general. Leagues will have lots of nuances in how they score the game.
Its all cool. If I do ask I will phrase it in a way so they know I am just curious. I am the guy who has asked a police officer to borrow his pepper spray cause my taco bell needed more heat.
A typical handicap where sets are concerned is to adjust required "distance" .
FI where players have a numbered rating system, the races go to the rating number of the player. IOW a 4 goes to four while a 5 goes to five and so forth. Zillions are usually disallowed because their innings take too long.