8 ball handicaps

I suppose the ultimate "I'll take some of yours off the table" scam is to say, "I have to clear both the stripes and solids and all you have to do is make the eight." Or maybe, "hit the eight directly."
 
Mobiker said:
I remember a league that gave lower-skilled players one or more ball-in-hand shots. Like a get-out-of-jail-free card, you could use it when you wanted.
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I played in that league. Wierd format.

There were people with 5 bih that still couldn't run out
 
NathanDetroit said:
The point here is that lower/less skilled players need to level the game.
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Agreed, but don't change the game (e.g., removing balls -- an old hustler's trick, especially if you remove the balls). I kind of like the idea presented above. Let them have a ball-in-hand a time or two (e.g., when you play a lock up safety that puts them in jail -- they then get a get out of jail fee card to play at their discretion) but no games on the wire then. However, that still bastardizes the game.

NathanDetroit said:
You,after all, moved up because you were beating players in what is a "games on the wire" league.
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I know very little about APA except:

(1) From what I've heard here on this forum is that lots of sandbagging goes on. Hard to know if some of the players he defeated weren't doing their best and dogged it on purpose?

(2) A childhood friend of mine (who's way better than me and I see from time to time when he competes at the DCC, US Open, ...) told me that he would rate me as a strong SL7. I don't really know what that means but, generally speaking, if some lesser player wants a spot, I now paraphrase something I heard on here -- "Sounds like you need to practice more."

Oh, and a huge red flag for me, is when someone starts a league game by saying "Please, take it easy on me." I smile, but in my head, I'm thinking, "Yeah, right, you know to play pretty well, and you'll stab me in the back first chance you get. No f'ing mercy."

IMO, in leagues it's best to keep the game (8-ball) the same but give the lesser players games on the wire, if the league is handicapped. That way the playing field is leveled and when the lesser player wins, they know they accomplished something (and were not spoon fed a win). One pocket, nine ball, ... for money -- spot the balls anyway you want to match up.
 
NathanDetroit said:
The point here is that lower/less skilled players need to level the game. You,after all, moved up because you were beating players in what is a "games on the wire" league.
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You asked me. I answered. You can do whatever you want. You said you’re looking for an edge on action. You aren’t looking to make things even or anything.

If I’m playing my wife, I might play something goofy like Honolulu for me, straight up for her. Or multiple turns for her. But you weren’t looking for that nonsense if you’re talking about getting action.
 
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Bob Jewett said:
There are many, many ways to spot at eight ball other than games on the wire. I think the OP wants the weaker player to be able to shoot as much as the stronger player, so games on the wire are no good here.

The weaker player:
  • removes one (two, three) balls at the start
  • removes one (two, three) balls whenever they want
  • has an extra ball in hand (or two or three) any time during the game
  • gets a hand-span at the start of every inning (moves the cue ball by up to 8 inches or so
  • gets ball in hand at the start of each inning (or shot)
  • doesn't give up ball in hand on a foul

The stronger player:
  • banks the eight
  • banks the even balls (or the odds, not including the eight) -- kicking at a sitter is OK
  • has to play one and stop (or two or three)
  • has to play in numerical order towards the eight (Saratoga?)
  • has to play in the order given -- one ball at a time -- by the weaker player -- "Go for the seven now."
  • has to play off-handed or one-handed

I used the "I'll take three of yours off the table" scam on my roommate. Didn't end well.
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When gambling with a weaker player, I offered him that every time he won it counted 2 and every time I won it only counted 1. We were playing by the game and was alot tougher than I thought it was going to be.

Ken
 
Well, let's see, 2 to 1...
:unsure:

:ROFLMAO:

I'm not one to give weight but there's no math to calculate the "inspiration" of a big spot.
 
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Bob Jewett said:
I suppose the ultimate "I'll take some of yours off the table" scam is to say, "I have to clear both the stripes and solids and all you have to do is make the eight." Or maybe, "hit the eight directly."
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I saw Melvin Sharpe in Denver one time at a league tournament (like BCA regional, but before BCA) give all comers the following spot:

Rack 9-ball rack with 8b in middle.
Melvin’s break.
Melvin is solids and has to make his balls in rotation
Melvin has to bank every ball
Sucker is stripes and only has to make 9b and 8b

It’s a suckers game obviously as Melvin is good enough to never let them have a shot on the 9.

I was amazed that people were lining up to play him.

I was even more amazed that he wasn’t playing hide the 9. He was running out. Stringing racks this way. Lots of them.
 
straightline said:
This is really confusing. Regardless, if the game is 9 ball, balls given become money balls or count toward winning the game. They must be legally potted by the player being spotted. Unless this is another April fools bit...
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Good answer. So the weaker the player the lower the money ball would be. Thanks for the clarification.
 
Pool Hand Luke said:
Good answer. So the weaker the player the lower the money ball would be. Thanks for the clarification.
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Yes also multiple numbered balls, and unspecified remaining balls. Last 2, 3, or 4 for instance where the shooter wins by getting to the specified number of balls remaining and legally potting it.
In the quest for people's money even more outrageous spots are also common.
 
straightline said:
Well, let's see, 2 to 1...
:unsure:

:ROFLMAO:

I'm not one to give weight but there's no math to calculate the "inspiration" of a big spot.
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I dont understand what you are saying. We were playing $5 a game 9 ball. I know, cheap. Moving a penny to keep track.

Ken
 
Back in Omaha in the late 80's and early 90's there was a player at Big John's who would give people balls in 8B, usually he would even let them pick their own balls that would be removed.

Of course, I've also seen him give a spot of only shooting from one end of the table.
 
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