You are a very lucky person. What percentage of pool players have had the opportunities you have?
You are looking at the world of billiards through rose colored glasses. 99 percent of us can't see it the same way you do.
APA 8-ball Rankings
- Thread starter HawaiianEye
- Start date
You are a very lucky person. What percentage of pool players have had the opportunities you have?
You are looking at the world of billiards through rose colored glasses. 99 percent of us can't see it the same way you do.
WinnerBreaks
Registered
I'm a SL6 in 8 Ball and a SL7 in 9 Ball. When I'm just shooting around with my coach before league I'm not playing my best.
I'm usually trying different patterns and intentionally trying to cheat every pocket. When an out is fairly straight forward I'll likely take a more difficult path and/or put English on shots that don't require it.
Often times my coach will take a pattern and make me shoot it three different ways back to back to back.
If money is on the line or they are not sand bagging...and they are 6s...at least up here in Buffalo; they are run out players 5 out of 10 racks.
I'm usually trying different patterns and intentionally trying to cheat every pocket. When an out is fairly straight forward I'll likely take a more difficult path and/or put English on shots that don't require it.
Often times my coach will take a pattern and make me shoot it three different ways back to back to back.
If money is on the line or they are not sand bagging...and they are 6s...at least up here in Buffalo; they are run out players 5 out of 10 racks.
This right here. It has been a few years since I played APA, but I was a 7 in 8ball and 8 in 9ball. At best I am a B+ player. Always thought it odd that I was the highest rank possible in 8ball given my skill rating. But, I also never sandbagged....
When I played TAP for a bit, by rankings were 2 below these.
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Then they shouldn't be 6's. If you look at Dr. Dave's Break and Run Statistics http://billiards.colostate.edu/bd_articles/2016/aug16.pdf
According to his data, the top pro's are just above that 50% mark. If you SL 6's can break and run 50% your 7's should give the world a few games on the wire.
I was going to say the same thing, an APA 6, even in a good area with good players should be a B to B+ player. No B player I know runs out half of his racks. I would say maybe there will be one break and run a set or every few sets, something like 1/5 to 1/10 break and runs.
Absolutely. Some people get down right violent when you play a defensive shot, call you
names, cast aspersions at your family and your entire gene pool... I love it!
It’s funny when you get that from players with a handicap that should know better. I’m thinking I have clusters to deal with that I can’t find a good breakout for while the safety does help develop them. Nobody ever told them not to run a rack they can’t run out of. Then they get desperate, do something silly and open the whole thing up for you and give ball in hand.
I am an APA 7 and I played in the APA for about 2 1/2 sessions before I became bored with it.
I consider myself a very good B level player right now as I don't practice as much anymore due to time restraints. Years ago I might have been an A- skill level, played in many open tournaments including a few Derby City events. I joined to help a friend of mine who owned a bar. Eight years prior I was also ranked a 7 and after my team made it to qualifying we showed up to play and the league bumped 2 of my players up a level so we could not even fit the 23 rule. We had to forfit, Pissed me off so I said I would never play in the APA again.
The 23 rule played a factor and also when teams would put a 2-3 up against me on purpose trying for some huge upset. That never worked. What fun is it for a 7 to play a 2,3,4. I want a competitive game and I want to play the best person on the other team. I guess you can say I was not a very good fit for the APA.
To me the APA is a social league mostly comprised of players who just like to get together for fun and like to drink a bit. I have nothing against that, it's just not for me. As they get better, assuming they do get better they will likely move away from the APA.
I tried to help my teammates and offered practice time on my personal table to help improve their games. It's a 9' shimmed table and plays hard but it's a fair table for a competitive player. Only 1 or two actually showed up a few times and they mostly wanted to play not work on their games in general.
I use to chuckle when players lost week after week and would make all the excuses out there. They never did anything really to improve their game so I did not understand why they expected different results week after week.
I also noticed many APA players never went up in skill level when I played and I also use to see the occasional intentional sandbagging.
I might have been a bit more interested if my area had a Masters division and it was played on 9' tables but that ended up not being an option in my area. Many of you are right when discussing the negatives of the APA including all the sandbagging which occurs. I think for the right person it is a good league, just not for a skill level 7. Just my 2 cents and a few thoughts of my time in the APA.
I consider myself a very good B level player right now as I don't practice as much anymore due to time restraints. Years ago I might have been an A- skill level, played in many open tournaments including a few Derby City events. I joined to help a friend of mine who owned a bar. Eight years prior I was also ranked a 7 and after my team made it to qualifying we showed up to play and the league bumped 2 of my players up a level so we could not even fit the 23 rule. We had to forfit, Pissed me off so I said I would never play in the APA again.
The 23 rule played a factor and also when teams would put a 2-3 up against me on purpose trying for some huge upset. That never worked. What fun is it for a 7 to play a 2,3,4. I want a competitive game and I want to play the best person on the other team. I guess you can say I was not a very good fit for the APA.
To me the APA is a social league mostly comprised of players who just like to get together for fun and like to drink a bit. I have nothing against that, it's just not for me. As they get better, assuming they do get better they will likely move away from the APA.
I tried to help my teammates and offered practice time on my personal table to help improve their games. It's a 9' shimmed table and plays hard but it's a fair table for a competitive player. Only 1 or two actually showed up a few times and they mostly wanted to play not work on their games in general.
I use to chuckle when players lost week after week and would make all the excuses out there. They never did anything really to improve their game so I did not understand why they expected different results week after week.
I also noticed many APA players never went up in skill level when I played and I also use to see the occasional intentional sandbagging.
I might have been a bit more interested if my area had a Masters division and it was played on 9' tables but that ended up not being an option in my area. Many of you are right when discussing the negatives of the APA including all the sandbagging which occurs. I think for the right person it is a good league, just not for a skill level 7. Just my 2 cents and a few thoughts of my time in the APA.
My favorite response: I don't know what you're complaining about...you're back at the table aren't you?
You were missing the point about why they would put a 2 or 3 against a 7. It was a strategic move. They figured you would beat anybody they put against you so they used that 2 as a sacrificial lamb, in the hopes their other players would win their matches.
And I have seen big upsets when a 2 or 3 plays a 7.
Huh? Elaborate please?
I understand the strategic issue behind it, just saying I did not like it :smile:. Nothing wrong with the APA it is one of the largest leagues around if not the largest.
I also understand it can be a good match for the lower player getting to play up against a high level player, nothing wrong with that and I am sure a good experience. I just started seeing those matchups way too often.
I just wanted to play players that were around my skill level. I did have some fun and met many real good people which was a benefit that will last many years if not a lifetime.
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That is one of my main reasons for not joining the APA.
I want to play someone who is going to punish you if you make an error. If I think I can get away with making a mistake, it distracts me from my game and I lose focus. I don't like playing people where I know I'm going to get a half dozen turns at the table each game. I like playing run-out pool or games where some serious "battle of the wits" are going on before somebody finally makes a mistake and then the game is over.
This isn't exactly the first time he has written a long-winded, self-congratulatory post about how amazing he is at pool, in contrast with all the rubes and hacks around him who are embarrassing and terrible.
Is anyone here familiar with the name
Ted Elias? He was a top notch straight
pool (and every other game for that matter)
player In this area. He did play in our local
leagues for quite some time. It certainly was
not below him, but he was a top notch kind of guy.
It wasn't called APA back then. It was either Busch League
or Camel league, but was essentially the same
thing. But pool and the people playing it, were vastly different then today.
Everybody loved to play against him,
even though they knew they didn't
stand a chance. Ted would always
let the lower skilled players win
at least one game. Unless you were
an arrogant gas bag that liked to run
your mouth. Then he would stomp you.
Ted Elias? He was a top notch straight
pool (and every other game for that matter)
player In this area. He did play in our local
leagues for quite some time. It certainly was
not below him, but he was a top notch kind of guy.
It wasn't called APA back then. It was either Busch League
or Camel league, but was essentially the same
thing. But pool and the people playing it, were vastly different then today.
Everybody loved to play against him,
even though they knew they didn't
stand a chance. Ted would always
let the lower skilled players win
at least one game. Unless you were
an arrogant gas bag that liked to run
your mouth. Then he would stomp you.
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If you are anything close to a "strong player" that wants to progress and push your game, then you're probably at the end of your rope with team APA. It's for beer, friends and fun... and ultimately frustrating for competitive pool past a certain level.
If two 6's downright suck in my area, then they are both probably sandbagging. Getting their innings in... maybe taking a loss. It's a torturous way to be "competitive" IMO, but if sand can be bagged - it will attract sandbaggers.
But remember - it's not considered cheating to drink 10 beers before a match! :thumbup:
If two 6's downright suck in my area, then they are both probably sandbagging. Getting their innings in... maybe taking a loss. It's a torturous way to be "competitive" IMO, but if sand can be bagged - it will attract sandbaggers.
But remember - it's not considered cheating to drink 10 beers before a match! :thumbup:
Wow your harsh, I am just an average B level player. I never intended to sound otherwise. My main point was that for me the APA was not a good fit for me.
A-A-RON
Registered
It depends on the area, the league operator and some other factors. I myself am a SL7 in APA 8-ball, but a SL6 in APA 9-ball. In my opinion I shouldn't be one, especially with only being at 50% 8-ball for the session across all my teams and only having 50% lifetime wins. According to my LO, the reason for bumping me up was that I consistently beat other 6's & 7's. Which in my opinion is a crock of s*** because it doesn't take into account the others that are having a bad night or sandbagging their skill. It sucks really because my teams are the ones who are now punished with having to work around my SL7 status. And yet, I know a TON of 5's & 6's that would either beat me or give me a run for my money. I was essentially told (without these exact words) to suck it up and accept that im a 7 now. Im totally fine with being one, just not at the expense of hurting my teams.
EDIT: USAPL is suppose to be starting in my area soon so I hope that picks up because then we will have something that is fargo rated and not this dumbass APA equalizer system.
EDIT: USAPL is suppose to be starting in my area soon so I hope that picks up because then we will have something that is fargo rated and not this dumbass APA equalizer system.
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