AndyDandy75
New member
Does anyone else find the two main leagues in Canada (TAP and CPA) too competitive for their taste?
I picked up the game of pool (8ball, 9ball, cutthroat) during college and then took a 17yr break to start a career, family, etc.
I've recently got back into playing again on a regular basis. Even tracked down the old codger who ran the league at the college watering hole back in my school days.
He ran a friendly league once a week where you showed up, paid your money and played a frame against everyone else who showed up in your skill range. He used the old BCA 10 point scoring system and matched everyone on either the A, B, or C table based on their scoring average. Rather than throw most of the money into a pot to be won at the end of the season, he'd treat us to a proper sit-down meal and raffle off prizes he'd buy with the money instead. Everybody got something.
Recently, I have tried both TAP and CPA here in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada as they seem to be the ones with the marketing and tech behind them. I found that they both are fixated on shooting only the high percentage shots, and playing defense until someone screws up to maximize the chance of a winning the frame. Win enough frames to win the match to contribute to your team. Win win win because ultimately you are playing for a trip to Las Vegas to play in the national tourney.
While some people like that level of competitiveness, I've always played pool as an escape from the stress of schoolwork and work.
They talk down about my college pool experience as amateur-ish and theirs is 'the' way to improve my game.
With family and career, I have precious few hours during the week to play pool. Should I not be doing it in a manner that I enjoy?
Is this the face of Canadian pool?
Anyone else care to comment?
or recommend a care-free league in the TriCities area?
p.s. I'm currently investigating the WCRPL - Waterloo County Recreational Pool League and the CCSA - Canadian Cue Sports Assoc. league.
Apparently I haven't seen enough winters to play in the over 55 snooker league :wink:
I'll report back on my experiences.
I picked up the game of pool (8ball, 9ball, cutthroat) during college and then took a 17yr break to start a career, family, etc.
I've recently got back into playing again on a regular basis. Even tracked down the old codger who ran the league at the college watering hole back in my school days.
He ran a friendly league once a week where you showed up, paid your money and played a frame against everyone else who showed up in your skill range. He used the old BCA 10 point scoring system and matched everyone on either the A, B, or C table based on their scoring average. Rather than throw most of the money into a pot to be won at the end of the season, he'd treat us to a proper sit-down meal and raffle off prizes he'd buy with the money instead. Everybody got something.
Recently, I have tried both TAP and CPA here in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada as they seem to be the ones with the marketing and tech behind them. I found that they both are fixated on shooting only the high percentage shots, and playing defense until someone screws up to maximize the chance of a winning the frame. Win enough frames to win the match to contribute to your team. Win win win because ultimately you are playing for a trip to Las Vegas to play in the national tourney.
While some people like that level of competitiveness, I've always played pool as an escape from the stress of schoolwork and work.
They talk down about my college pool experience as amateur-ish and theirs is 'the' way to improve my game.
With family and career, I have precious few hours during the week to play pool. Should I not be doing it in a manner that I enjoy?
Is this the face of Canadian pool?
Anyone else care to comment?
or recommend a care-free league in the TriCities area?
p.s. I'm currently investigating the WCRPL - Waterloo County Recreational Pool League and the CCSA - Canadian Cue Sports Assoc. league.
Apparently I haven't seen enough winters to play in the over 55 snooker league :wink:
I'll report back on my experiences.