I think the ball count gives the lower skill level player a better chance than counting racks like in 8 ball. Especially when the lower skill level player is not intimidated by their opponent.
The premise in APA 9 ball, is that an entire rack is worth 10 points, a point for each ball and two points for the 9. If you make an early 9, you get those two points, and the next break, but it's often better to run balls for the extra points if the shots are there. Balls made on a scratch or a foul are "dead balls", and are not counted for either player.
For handicap, here are the balls needed for each skill level:
A 1 needs 14
A 2 needs 19
A 3 needs 25
A 4 needs 31
A 5 needs 38
A 6 needs 46
A 7 needs 55
A 8 needs 65
A 9 needs 75
Now just like in 8 ball, there are those that reach the higher levels that are worlds apart from those that have been there for years. And for some weekly league matches, playing a 3 against a 7 or an 8 is often a good team strategy. My GF is a 3, and I'm an 8, and in our basement practice matches, she beats me way more than I beat her. She needs to average 3 balls per rack, and she'll hit four and five ball runs more than I'll hold her to none or one. I find that playing good defensive or safety shots is something that is an absolute necessity. Lots of lower skill level players tend towards just bashing balls at break speed when there isn't a clear shot, and much as I don't like that, it often works. Those lower skill level players frequently have close matches when playing higher skill level players.
