2 Man Tournaments

Bigtruck

Bigtruck

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Many players, starting out in pool, haven't been playing long or just haven't matched up much, are often afraid of being "ran over"

I thought it would be helpful to many if we could list some of the "equalizers" that can make a match up possible between players of different speeds.

I have always been reluctant to play with ball spots and cannot elaborate much on them, but I would like to hear about the different weight effects.

Here?s a few things that I have used:

1. POST UP - eliminates air barreling
2. Cover options and rules up front -
3. Alternating breaks - takes away from strong breaker.
4. Winner breaks - allows momentum, advantage stronger player
5. Rack your own - insure yourself good rack
6. Shorter race - advantage weaker player
7. Longer race - advantage stronger player
8.
9.
 
-calling combos and pockets on the money ball

-taking away pockets or designating pockets that the money ball can hit(you can only make the money ball in the corners, or on one side of the table).
 
Yes

sharkeye9 said:
-calling combos and pockets on the money ball

-taking away pockets or designating pockets that the money ball can hit(you can only make the money ball in the corners, or on one side of the table).
Click to expand...

I first saw this at the Texas Open a few years ago. Lil Jon was playing Lizard 9ball except they ea. had opposing corner pockets ( like 1 hole) for the 9 ball only. Can't remember who won, but they played all night.

Ray
 
Bigtruck said:
Many players, starting out in pool, haven't been playing long or just haven't matched up much, are often afraid of being "ran over"

I thought it would be helpful to many if we could list some of the "equalizers" that can make a match up possible between players of different speeds.

I have always been reluctant to play with ball spots and cannot elaborate much on them, but I would like to hear about the different weight effects.

Here?s a few things that I have used:

1. POST UP - eliminates air barreling
2. Cover options and rules up front -
3. Alternating breaks - takes away from strong breaker.
4. Winner breaks - allows momentum, advantage stronger player
5. Rack your own - insure yourself good rack
6. Shorter race - advantage weaker player
7. Longer race - advantage stronger player
8.
9.
Click to expand...

As you mentioned the players or at least many of them just starting out are reluctant to match up b/c they don't have the knowledge or experience to judge their opponent's abilities. On the other hand if a player is rated through the APA, BCA, or some other rating organization then they already have a way to weight their opponents.

The really tentative situation for a newby is playing in an open tournament. They are really just shark bait for many many opponents.

I would be more comfortable competiting in a tournament that was rated. This way I know I would have some chance at winning or coming in somewhere other than dead last. IMHO.
 
????

Dawgie said:
As you mentioned the players or at least many of them just starting out are reluctant to match up b/c they don't have the knowledge or experience to judge their opponent's abilities.
Click to expand...


Dawgie,

let's help them!

If you and me match up and you are killing me, what adjustments would bring us closer together? Blueberry crush? I get the breaks? You have to make the nine in that pocket there? Add something! And what effect does it have?

Always POST UP - eliminates air barreling, cover options and rules up front -

1 Alternating breaks - takes away from strong breaker.
2 Winner breaks - allows momentum, advantage stronger player
3.Rack your own - insure yourself good rack
4.Shorter race - advantage weaker player
5.Longer race - advantage stronger player
6.subtract pocket(s) your opponent can pocket the cheese. - adv weaker player.
7.
8.

Ray
 
Bigtruck said:
4.Shorter race - advantage weaker player
5.Longer race - advantage stronger player
Click to expand...
I appreciate this thread, but I wanted to make a minor point about the above. A shorter race does not favor the weaker player, it just doesn't favor the stronger player as much as a long race does, and even this effect is negated if they are going to play all night anyway. I think the length of the race has more to do with the stakes than it does with who is the better player. If you are overmatched or suspect you might be, you will want a nice long set to find out where you are without spending your whole bankroll. If you know you are favored you might want to play short sets to get the money flowing more quickly. If you are going to destroy the other guy you might want a long set and a huge bet because he won't play another one.

On the main topic, an unseasoned player would be smart to stay away from a handicap that is unfamiliar because it might be a trap. Since we are educating the public here, we should mention some of those, too. For example, it takes an experienced player to be able to judge the value of the break as compared to a ball spot. If I offer you the seven out if you let me break, do you like it? Better to start with the simple ones to get a feel for the system.
 
I got a good recommedation on Az recently regarding posting up. After agreeing to bet just put your money on the light or the counter like it is the most normal and standard thing to do. Typically you won't have to ask them to post up they will do it.

Most recently I did that but the guy didn't do the same. I then said, "Oh by the way I just posted up over there." pointing at the money. He then put his money up. I won that set and he said, "Heads." I took the money I'd won and left mine there again and then said, "I just posted up again over there." He then went over to the atm and came back and said his card isn't working.

HA!!! That was the end of that action. I dodged an air bullet.
 
cant run out

I've seen some filipino's match up where they can't break and run out...or they can only make 3 balls in a row...1 and safe, 2 and safe, etc....throw in some games on the wire or money balls and you can really handicap good games and gamble with players across the spectrum if you are a top notch player.
 
Luxury said:
I got a good recommedation on Az recently regarding posting up. After agreeing to bet just put your money on the light or the counter like it is the most normal and standard thing to do. Typically you won't have to ask them to post up they will do it.

Most recently I did that but the guy didn't do the same. I then said, "Oh by the way I just posted up over there." pointing at the money. He then put his money up. I won that set and he said, "Heads." I took the money I'd won and left mine there again and then said, "I just posted up again over there." He then went over to the atm and came back and said his card isn't working.

HA!!! That was the end of that action. I dodged an air bullet.
Click to expand...
Nice move. I especially like the way you didn't have to argue or be insulting to get the job done.
 
Rep

Luxury said:
I got a good recommedation on Az recently regarding posting up. After agreeing to bet just put your money on the light or the counter like it is the most normal and standard thing to do. Typically you won't have to ask them to post up they will do it.

Most recently I did that but the guy didn't do the same. I then said, "Oh by the way I just posted up over there." pointing at the money. He then put his money up. I won that set and he said, "Heads." I took the money I'd won and left mine there again and then said, "I just posted up again over there." He then went over to the atm and came back and said his card isn't working.

HA!!! That was the end of that action. I dodged an air bullet.
Click to expand...

If everyone did this, a lot of threads here on AZ would've never happened!

Ray
 
Tell us

longhair said:
On the main topic, an unseasoned player would be smart to stay away from a handicap that is unfamiliar because it might be a trap. Since we are educating the public here, we should mention some of those, too. For example, it takes an experienced player to be able to judge the value of the break as compared to a ball spot. If I offer you the seven out if you let me break, do you like it? Better to start with the simple ones to get a feel for the system.
Click to expand...

So LH, can you tell us how to judge the above scenario. And, do you have some "simple ones" to suggest or add?

Ray
 
Last edited:
Bigtruck said:
So LH, can you tell us how to judge the above scenario. And, do you have some "simple ones" to suggest or add?

Ray
Click to expand...
No, I don't know a formula for how to judge a situation like that, other than with loads of experience as a guide. In the exact scenario I mentioned, you love it, because my break is weak and you will get to shoot often if I'm breaking every rack, but against a player with a strong break this is a very tricky question.

The simple ones I was thinking of are ball spots (the wild 7, say, or the last two) and games spots (2 games going to 7, for example) without the complication of other changes. The more complicated the game becomes the more chance there is for a new player to get duped.

All of that said, I do enjoy some of the stranger match-ups. I have played one handed, off handed, with a phenolic tipped cue, and without my glasses to make a game. I have seen players using a jump cue, a broom, or a housecue with no tip. You could require at least one bank shot in a rack, or let the weaker player take one ball off the table at any time during each rack playing 9ball or 8ball. With that one you are playing two-way position all the time. A few years ago I saw Cliff give Corey 10-6 playing onepocket, but Corey had to use a bridge on every shot. That wasn't enough; Cliff had no chance at all.
 
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