No bias APA vs BCA

K

kleinm3351f

New member
Experienced APA member here having heard all the bellyaching about it and understand that both leagues have their pluses and minuses.

Wondering from someone who understands that and sees it the same way, what are the advantages/disadvantages, if any disadvantages, of BCA over what is clearly meant to be a beginner’s league, APA?

Thanks!
 
Ooooohh, oooohh, me, me!!!!!

I just started a BCA 9-ball league 9-ball (I played last year in a 14.1 BCA league, too). Here are the contrasts between it and the APA I've been playing the last three-four years.

BCA: little to no scorekeeping. APA: innings, ball counts, defensive shots.
Players in BCA, at least in my area, are nearly all very serious about their pool game. APA, um, not so much. (This is expected, though, based on the intended audiences of each.) As a result: BCA: fun to watch, better be on your best game. APA: how many innings so far? 31?!?
BCA: In at 7:30 (7:00 to warm up), out at 9:30. APA: In at 7:00, last match done around 12:30am, if we're lucky (6:30 warm up)
BCA: no drama (at least so far). APA: lots of drama (I have to play first; I can't play first; I will pay you next week; I'm a 2, I can't beat a 6; what do you mean, that's a push shot?; 8-ball gotta go in clean, right? (No.); whaddayamean I lost because I didn't mark my pocket - it was BIH and the 8-ball was in the jaws of the pocket!)
BCA: I can jump, right? APA: no jumping.
BCA: I can push out in 9-ball, right? APA: What's a push out? Is that the same as a push shot?
BCA: I'm here to play pool. APA: It's my turn already? Hang on a minute, I'm at the bar ordering shots.

In my limited BCA experience, it's all about the pool. In APA, it's less pool, more drinking and socialization. Neither is right or wrong. Depends on your goals and perspective.

View these comments with a jaundiced eye. I tried to make my post less offensive with the "Neither is right or wrong" comment.
 
In my area, 80-90% of the players are the same, so I don't have the argument that BCA is more serious players. The biggest plus, for me, of the APA is the race format vs playing 1 game at a time.
 
The best league you can play in is a weekly tournament to go to instead where most are trying to win. APA and BCA are both ok. All league is is a good time to practice safeties against opponents. And playing regularly keeps your stroke straight. Edit: I guess that came out harsher than I was meaning it. ButEverything else you can practice by yourself is the point. And the weekly tournaments will probably be better for you if you are looking to improve over any league.

Oh and APA isn’t really a beginners league. It’s what you make of it, and all that’s available in many places. A lot of 600+’s that play it here. Most of the BCA league players that are good around this area are only in the 500’s. So location and availability matters too.
 
Last edited:
dquarasr said:
Ooooohh, oooohh, me, me!!!!!

I just started a BCA 9-ball league 9-ball (I played last year in a 14.1 BCA league, too). Here are the contrasts between it and the APA I've been playing the last three-four years.

BCA: little to no scorekeeping. APA: innings, ball counts, defensive shots.
Players in BCA, at least in my area, are nearly all very serious about their pool game. APA, um, not so much. (This is expected, though, based on the intended audiences of each.) As a result: BCA: fun to watch, better be on your best game. APA: how many innings so far? 31?!?
BCA: In at 7:30 (7:00 to warm up), out at 9:30. APA: In at 7:00, last match done around 12:30am, if we're lucky (6:30 warm up)
BCA: no drama (at least so far). APA: lots of drama (I have to play first; I can't play first; I will pay you next week; I'm a 2, I can't beat a 6; what do you mean, that's a push shot?; 8-ball gotta go in clean, right? (No.); whaddayamean I lost because I didn't mark my pocket - it was BIH and the 8-ball was in the jaws of the pocket!)
BCA: I can jump, right? APA: no jumping.
BCA: I can push out in 9-ball, right? APA: What's a push out? Is that the same as a push shot?
BCA: I'm here to play pool. APA: It's my turn already? Hang on a minute, I'm at the bar ordering shots.

In my limited BCA experience, it's all about the pool. In APA, it's less pool, more drinking and socialization. Neither is right or wrong. Depends on your goals and perspective.

View these comments with a jaundiced eye. I tried to make my post less offensive with the "Neither is right or wrong" comment.
Click to expand...
you forgot one (kind of, as it is an addition to your second point) - APA: cram as many people into the bar for as long possible to give them and APA as much business / money as possible
 
dquarasr said:
Ooooohh, oooohh, me, me!!!!!

I just started a BCA 9-ball league 9-ball (I played last year in a 14.1 BCA league, too). Here are the contrasts between it and the APA I've been playing the last three-four years.

BCA: little to no scorekeeping. APA: innings, ball counts, defensive shots.
Players in BCA, at least in my area, are nearly all very serious about their pool game. APA, um, not so much. (This is expected, though, based on the intended audiences of each.) As a result: BCA: fun to watch, better be on your best game. APA: how many innings so far? 31?!?
BCA: In at 7:30 (7:00 to warm up), out at 9:30. APA: In at 7:00, last match done around 12:30am, if we're lucky (6:30 warm up)
BCA: no drama (at least so far). APA: lots of drama (I have to play first; I can't play first; I will pay you next week; I'm a 2, I can't beat a 6; what do you mean, that's a push shot?; 8-ball gotta go in clean, right? (No.); whaddayamean I lost because I didn't mark my pocket - it was BIH and the 8-ball was in the jaws of the pocket!)
BCA: I can jump, right? APA: no jumping.
BCA: I can push out in 9-ball, right? APA: What's a push out? Is that the same as a push shot?
BCA: I'm here to play pool. APA: It's my turn already? Hang on a minute, I'm at the bar ordering shots.

In my limited BCA experience, it's all about the pool. In APA, it's less pool, more drinking and socialization. Neither is right or wrong. Depends on your goals and perspective.

View these comments with a jaundiced eye. I tried to make my post less offensive with the "Neither is right or wrong" comment.
Click to expand...
and in reply to your second to the last - APA and some players I know: What's a push shot? Or, there is no such thing as a push shot / double hit.

hahahaha
 
kleinm3351f said:
Experienced APA member here having heard all the bellyaching about it and understand that both leagues have their pluses and minuses.

Wondering from someone who understands that and sees it the same way, what are the advantages/disadvantages, if any disadvantages, of BCA over what is clearly meant to be a beginner’s league, APA?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Apa is the harder format while everyone only complains about slop yet if you’d played any amount of matches, your not losing much if anything on slop
Handicapped races
Take what you make


Bca the easier format
Open table , bih anywhere after a scratch break
Scratch shooting the 8 not a loss single game
 
I’ve played acs and bca for decades and apa in the last 10 years. I’m a 7/9 and I prefer apa. I like playing a race against someone and trying to out run their handicap . Now I only play masters . I think that’s the best format in League pool. 5 games of 8 ball and 8 games of 9 ball. First to win 7 games wins.
I played acs this year for the first time in a long time. It’s the same as bca.. I was reminded quickly why I don’t like it. they play 4 sets of 5 games. And you can only play 1 game in each set. so you can sit an hour or more between games. I know some say the league is more serious but that to me is meaningless. Anyone can win one game of 8 ball specially if you sit and hour plus.
I’ll give you an example. This year in the playoffs I played 2nd in the first set. my opponent broke empty and I ran the table. Then they sat me the 2nd set. I got broke and ran on in the 3rd set. By the time I finally played last in the 4th set I hadn’t hit a ball In almost 3 hours. That’s not worth it to me. I know you can sit a long time waiting to play in apa but at least after sitting 3 hours I play multiple games so I have a chance to catch a stroke.
Also acs nationals are a joke compared to apa. It’s not worth the trip to Vegas. Bca isn’t much better.
 
Last edited:
The 9 ball points system in the apa doesn’t make much sense to me. I would be rated at a higher level than I actually am. There are things I do like about the apa as a learning experience. BCA more serious, and purist pool.
Every thing in life has upsides & Downsides.
 
Isn't BCA however the league wants to play? Where is this "one game per set" coming from? That does sound even worse than APA. Not every BCA league is like this, is it?
 
Jack Fate said:
The 9 ball points system in the apa doesn’t make much sense to me. I....
Click to expand...
If you are going to have a wide range of players shooting, it makes pretty good sense if you want to do a rotation game. The 2s and 3s have zero chance to run out but they can make progress by pocketing the 1 and 2. I think players should stay away from normal nine ball unless they can run out from time to time.
 
The thing I often find amusing is when folks complain about slop in APA, they're usually referring to 8-ball. And those same people will complain about the points-based system of 9-ball, as opposed to someone winning by making the 9... even while "riding the 9" and seeing where it goes ;)

Seriously, someone said it earlier... its the people that make the experience, not the format. Find a group that works for you, and enjoy playing pool.
 
Last edited:
One thing that never gets mentioned is personal schedules. In my area APA offers a Sunday league with both 8 and 9 ball. I also play BCA one or two nights (1 night regular, 1 as sub) during the week as well, but I just like the APA Sunday afternoon/evening timeframe because it is convenient to my schedule. I find myself more relaxed at that time rather than playing after a full day of work in a pressure cooker.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top