6 Pocket League Debuts at Fast Eddie's in San Antonio

6 Pocket Level Play handicapping

The process and alogrithm by which Level Play (our trade marked name for the process and resulting numbers) handicaps are produced is part of the overall provisional patent on 6 Pocket.

It is a pretty complicated process and has to be in order to produce handicap numbers that are both consistent across the skill levels and equitable for all players, while not giving unfair advantage to the poorer player. - For purposes of this discussion "players" are anyone playing 6 Pocket regardless of skill level.

What it really comes down to is that we are taking a sub-set (top 10 of the last 20) of the recent score data accumulated for a player and then using it to develop a "trend" for that player much like the golf algorithm does. The Level Play number produced then is a "number" which gets added to the players "natural score" in order to produce a "net score" that can then be used to compare that player against the other "net scores" in a competition to determine "ranking"

This number is tracked for the player through our web-site AND we track it for each of the 3 basic table sizes...7, 8, and 9 foot based on actuall score data for those basic sizes submitted to the Level Play Handicapping System.

It is important to note that the only scores that are "eligible" for use in the handicapping system are those which result from a regular competion, and/or handicapping session, conducted at a 6 Pocket League Sanctioned Facility.

Anyway, if you want to try it at home, you can take the following approach:

Make a list of all of your game scores - using 10 turn games. If you have more than 10, use only the top 10. if you have more than 20, use only the top 10 of the last 20.

Identify and "set aside" your highest game socre.

Take the remaining scores and calculate an unweighted average (total the scores and divide by the number of scores). Remember to not use your highest score in this calculation.

Subtract the average score from this calculation from the highest score you set aside earlier and record the remainder.

Now divide the remainder by 2 and record the quotient.

Now add this quotient back to the average produced above.

Now subtract this total from the appropriate tabel size "par" where said pars are
7 foot = 150
8 foot = 146
9 foot = 142

Now divide the remainder from the subtraction above by 10, and the quotient is your level play number for that tabel size.

My current Level Play number of record for an 8 footer is 11.6. Yes this means I get to add 116 balls to my natural score on a 10 turn game at an 8 foot table....

If you think that's sad, what's worse is I STILL CAN'T BREAK A NET 146!!!!

The bottom line is that we think this sytem produces a number that represents what you are "capable" of on you best day, not "likely" to do on an average day....now to win a handicaped competion you must play up to your best ability.

S
 
I got to try it today with my buddy. We decided to do 5 racks to keep things quick. I'm supposed to beat him and we figured no need to drag it out.

15 k that was easy, never out of line
15 1 minor out-of-line recovery, at this point I think I'm a lock for 75
5! I got too straight, forced to move the CB with draw... and while stroking the shot I moved a ball that would have altered the path of the CB if it hadn't moved >_<
14 Hosed after the break and forced to use the relief option
5!@#!@ Talking instead of focusing on the game.

So, 54 instead of 75.

I enjoyed it, I have usually only 1 or 2 problems to solve after a strong break and a world of options for dealing with them, so I feel like I can run out every time. However I found that once those issues are dealt with (or if there are no issues), it's a little too easy, and I can feel my opponent getting bored waiting for his chance. Not that I let that affect my pace or shooting =)

My buddy didn't like it as much. He gave it a 2.5 on a scale of one to fun, haha.

My overall impression: I think for B- and below this can be fun. When you get to strong B or above, it's maybe a little too easy for the shooter. Also it can be bad if 2 guys are on 1 table. Waiting through a full rack of 15 balls is a lot of sitting. Maybe in a competitive league atmosphere with proper handicapping I'd find it more fun but it felt to me a lot like half-focused practice.
 
I've seen several people say they played only five racks. Why play five when the game is ten? Five will reveal less mistakes:D Ten will give a more realistic picture.
 
I got to try it today with my buddy. We decided to do 5 racks to keep things quick. I'm supposed to beat him and we figured no need to drag it out.

15 k that was easy, never out of line
15 1 minor out-of-line recovery, at this point I think I'm a lock for 75
5! I got too straight, forced to move the CB with draw... and while stroking the shot I moved a ball that would have altered the path of the CB if it hadn't moved >_<
14 Hosed after the break and forced to use the relief option
5!@#!@ Talking instead of focusing on the game.

So, 54 instead of 75.

I enjoyed it, I have usually only 1 or 2 problems to solve after a strong break and a world of options for dealing with them, so I feel like I can run out every time. However I found that once those issues are dealt with (or if there are no issues), it's a little too easy, and I can feel my opponent getting bored waiting for his chance. Not that I let that affect my pace or shooting =)

My buddy didn't like it as much. He gave it a 2.5 on a scale of one to fun, haha.

My overall impression: I think for B- and below this can be fun. When you get to strong B or above, it's maybe a little too easy for the shooter. Also it can be bad if 2 guys are on 1 table. Waiting through a full rack of 15 balls is a lot of sitting. Maybe in a competitive league atmosphere with proper handicapping I'd find it more fun but it felt to me a lot like half-focused practice.

I have a question.........when you get strong B and above players your obversation is it might be a little to easy, so I would like to ask why the skill level matters if 2 B players played a game and the winner won a 6 Pocket match 143 to 142.

IMHO, winning is winning weather it be Golf, Bowling 10 Ball, 6 Pocket or anyother game regardless of your skill level.

Imagine this difference in pressure:eek:, your playing on the last day in a competition and you know in order to win the tournament on a tough 9' table before you make your first break......you have to shoot a 143 to win.

That might not be to easy even for John Schmidt.
 
I have a question.........when you get strong B and above players your obversation is it might be a little to easy, so I would like to ask why the skill level matters if 2 B players played a game and the winner won a 6 Pocket match 143 to 142.

IMHO, winning is winning weather it be Golf, Bowling 10 Ball, 6 Pocket or anyother game regardless of your skill level.

Imagine this difference in pressure:eek:, your playing on the last day in a competition and you know in order to win the tournament on a tough 9' table before you make your first break......you have to shoot a 143 to win.

That might not be to easy even for John Schmidt.

Well, everything gets tougher in a tournament setting, that's for sure. With my opponent being a speed below me (and no handicap in place) I didn't feel any pressure, which translated to just clearing a table as if I'm practicing.

I guess when I complain about the game feeling "too easy" then I mean it strictly from a "are we having fun yet?" point of view. There's not much thinking and no safeties, kicks, jumps, etc. It almost feels like straight pool but the hard break means there's little cluster-breaking and moving through heavy traffic. And I don't have to worry about leaving a key ball or break ball.

Without restrictions on what you can shoot, there's rarely long shots or tricky cue ball movement either. You don't have to plan as much as you do in 8 ball where half the balls are unshootable and you can't afford to get stuck behind one.

Maybe it's just me and other B players have a little more fun. I'll give it another shot if my buddy is willing. He put up a donut rack and a 3 so I think that might have affected his point of view. I didn't shoot as well as I wanted either, I'd like to get that 75.
 
Well, everything gets tougher in a tournament setting, that's for sure. With my opponent being a speed below me (and no handicap in place) I didn't feel any pressure, which translated to just clearing a table as if I'm practicing.

I guess when I complain about the game feeling "too easy" then I mean it strictly from a "are we having fun yet?" point of view. There's not much thinking and no safeties, kicks, jumps, etc. It almost feels like straight pool but the hard break means there's little cluster-breaking and moving through heavy traffic. And I don't have to worry about leaving a key ball or break ball.

Without restrictions on what you can shoot, there's rarely long shots or tricky cue ball movement either. You don't have to plan as much as you do in 8 ball where half the balls are unshootable and you can't afford to get stuck behind one.

Maybe it's just me and other B players have a little more fun. I'll give it another shot if my buddy is willing. He put up a donut rack and a 3 so I think that might have affected his point of view. I didn't shoot as well as I wanted either, I'd like to get that 75.

Try 10 racks and shoot for a perfect game.:) I understand what your saying and yes it is more fun to compete with handicaps. Sam goodrich our director has a proven handicap and he played Brandon Shuff with this outcome.......Brandon shot a 136 straight up (scratch) and Sam shot a 135 with his handicap. Sam averages making 2.3 balls per rack.

This is a great example of how it will work in our league play and for those that have a proven handicap and want to match up.
 
I think that convincing someone who plays mostly 8 ball that this game will improve their overall game may be somewhat difficult. A lot of people will consider the game too easy, then be embarrassed when they initially shoot a low score, and not want to participate any more. I've seen this in relation to Fargo. It does take a different mind set and I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that John Schmidt would agree with this. It's the responsibility of the better players to encourage participation, with the idea of overall improvement. Trying something new and different can be hard at first but the outcome can be worth the effort.

Edit: Thanks, Dick, for the post concerning handicaps. I haven't had a chance to go over it yet, but expect to this afternoon.
 
...but It's Not as Easy as It Seems

You will recall this is the way the opening post begins.....

I just wanted to thank everyone participating in this thread for their comments and enthusiasm...and I agree that we need all the help we can get from the better players encouraging those of us who are not so good!

I had the opportunity last night to oversee a Level Play handicapping session....(where you are playing to record a score for the great Level Play handicapping computer in the sky) .... and I think both of the players were probably Bs (even though I'm not sure what B really means) Anyway...both players were in general scoring 10+ per rack and I gotta tell you....they were COMPETING...but in a far friendlier way than I've seen in 8 and 9 ball matches where defense is a prime "strategy".

And these guys were fast! No hesitation, break, clear the trouble, and on to the gravy...and both seemed to be cheering the other on (with friendly sharking to boot), so I dare say their's was in no way a boring experience!

The problem seemed to be that as they got the table more and more clear, their shot opportunites were harder and harder and then they would get a little out of shape and miss on 12 or 13....or in one case, a simple lack of concentration..or maybe looking to far ahead... resulted in a jawed shot and a low rack score....

In pro/semi-pro tournament competition, we will run a 20 second shot clock with only one extension per turn!

Back when we first debuted, there was a guy at the facility that I just couldn't seem to get through to....and on the final day he came up to me and said...."I know what's wrong with your game.....it'll take too long to play."

I said that it is true that the better you are the longer it takes, but it still plays in less time than a typical 8 or 9 ball match, especially with the shot clock.

While he agreed with that, he was concerned that for the "league" players, it would begin to drag on and on.....

I left him with that thought and went and rounded up 2 other players....(both significantly better than me, but representative of league "hotshots"). I then set the stop watch on my iPhone and the THREE OF US PLAYED A TEN RACK GAME AT THE SAME TABLE. When the final scores were tallied (my usual 23, a 50 plus and a 60 plus), I walked over to the gent and showed him the stop watch....it read 59 minutes 1 second!

He laughed out loud and said "I'm in!" and is now promoting 6 Pocket to good and not so good players alike!

It's Fun,
It's Fast,
It's Fair,
It's Felixble.....

But it's not as easy as it seems!
 
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Imagine city / state / franchise / region wide competitions

As an update on the launch at Fast Eddies, we now have over 80 players registered and doing handicapping sessions...in order to get ready for an inaugural tournament to be held on June 27th.

The interesting part (besides the fact that the purse with added is likely to approach $3K!!!! - heck I've seen some "mini tour" events that don't pay that well) is that individuals will be competitng in multiple facilities...simultaneously!

That's right, the will be 64 players in one location, and the balance (we are shooting for another 64) will play at another FE facility in San Antonio...They'll all start at the same time and the scores will be "rolled up" for both facilities and ranking assignments made as a result of the roll up. Imagine it....the winner may be in one facility and the second place player in another.

Now just look into the future as this thing gets rolling!!!

Take a multiple location company like Fast Eddies...with 20 some odd stores. They could organize/hold "corporate" tournaments where people are playing in all of the locations simultaneously. Say you got 50 players in each store, they paid a $40.00 entry fee, and you had 20 stores participating....that's $40K in purse money!

Take it a step further and it's dozens of pool halls and bars in a large metro area...the numbers just start to explode...

Take it state wide...WTF

Make it region wide...OMG

I can guarantee you that league players have never seen these kind of purse totals and they will be flocking to the local pool halls and bars to try and get in on the cash...

And with the Level Play handicppinsg system, they have just as good a chance as anyone else!

6 Pocket is......The Future Of Billiards
 
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I played this weekend. I scored a 68 with one perfect 15 and one rack where I got 0. Unfortunately I didn't know about the "relief" rule. The game is nice, fun, and really didn't take too long. I really like the aspect where it is you vs the table. At my level there are a lot of missed shots in games like 9 ball, and it's incredibly frustrating when an opponent misses and accidently gets a solid safety out of it.

I also play a decent amount of straight pool and this seems to fit right in with that, except it's a lot easier. I'm going to introduce it to a couple buddies at the hall and see what they think.
 
i will always miss safety play, but 9ball sucks without grady's rules. this reminds me of bowliards.
 
6 Pocket is......The Future Of Billiards

This statement really doesn't sit well with me.

I mean, sure it seems to be great for certain types of league players, but considering that the game is just too easy for AA or higher level players, it's not realistic.

Don't get me wrong, I wish you the best of luck with it.....but a few successful weeks/months of test leagues doesn't justify such a statement.
 
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