So today I played in a regional singles tournament straight to Vegas. I’m currently ranked a three or was ranked a three and eight ball and after my second match win in the tournament I was promptly bumped up to a four. Unfortunately this messed with my mind a bit and I lost my third match. So my question is, was APA improper in changing my handicap during the middle of a tournament or should it wait until after the tournament. It has soured my taste in the league and considering quitting the APA. I’m really hesitant to complain for fear of retribution.
APA handicap bumped during the middle of a regional tournament
- Thread starter CJ1961
- Start date
In short, no, they were not.
Most of the APA tournaments are "live" tournaments, meaning that each match is entered into their "system" individually, and you can be raised, or you can be lowered, during the tournament. I don't know if you watch the APA finals from Vegas that are on YouTube, but in a few of them, people playing in the finals are higher handicap than that tier would normally be, because they were elevated during the event. It happens.
If you're going to quit, why fear retribution? I have to think that you joined to play competitively and to get better. You're doing that. You have to view this as an achievement, and look forward to the next one, or you'll never enjoy playing in league play, and neither will your teammates.
Most of the APA tournaments are "live" tournaments, meaning that each match is entered into their "system" individually, and you can be raised, or you can be lowered, during the tournament. I don't know if you watch the APA finals from Vegas that are on YouTube, but in a few of them, people playing in the finals are higher handicap than that tier would normally be, because they were elevated during the event. It happens.
If you're going to quit, why fear retribution? I have to think that you joined to play competitively and to get better. You're doing that. You have to view this as an achievement, and look forward to the next one, or you'll never enjoy playing in league play, and neither will your teammates.
I do appreciate the advice and the words of wisdom. I will try to look at it differently in the event that it happens again in the future.
I overall like apa better but that is something I liked better about tap. You don’t get bumped up in the middle of regionals. They put your numbers in and if you played I believe (someone feel free to correct me if I’m wrong it’s been a while) 2 skill levels over your head you get red flagged if it happens again in the tournament your disqualified. I had a friend who’s team won a trip to nationals because he had a 4 who played like a 7 twice And they got disqualified
While APA has no problem raising your hcp, they will move mountains to keep from lowering your hcp. They never take into consideration that your opponent played horribly (bad day at work, wife on your ass, etc.) that day. Play that same person again next week and get your ass handed to you; don’t expect a reduction in your hcp. That’s how APA rolls.
dquarasr
Registered
That’s because in the APA Equalizer system wins don’t count as much as you might think. It’s innings, innings, innings.
40 years in the APA now. I still love the weekly matches and having fun trips to Vegas 19 times now...too fun! I ignore any drama and just play pool.
Happens all the time. Take it as a complement and keep going. I played a 9 ball qualifier, the guy that best me was a 6. I worked my way back up through the loser bracket to the top 3 players, had to play him again. this time he was an 8. You'd think if he went up 2 places in a few matches he would get de'ed. He beat me again and lost in the finals.
It can and does happen. It's certainly a means of combatting the sandbagging that everyone sems to think is so prevalent in APA. There are people who will game the system, until they get to the bigger tournaments, and then play a lot better.
Or, you could have been on the bubble already, and your performance pushed you to the next level. It's not always about the sandbaggers.
Your LO (or whoever was running the tournament) should have told everyone in the players meeting that this was a possibility. I've been to many such meetings in the 15+ years I've played, and it's always mentioned. "Check your scoresheet between rounds, someone may have gone up, OR down, between rounds."
Sadly, I've seen many people instinctively react the way the OP did in the initial post. There are people here locally that won't play APA anymore because "that *%$#* LO raised me at States. And we got forfeited next round for going over handicap."
Well... did you look between rounds like we've all been told to do? The answer is no. It's a shame. And it's easy enough to have happen, someone just has to be vigilant about paying attention to the little things.
I watch the LO's entering the info into the computer. They aren't intentionally raising anyone. And I've seen them look at the results, and mutter about it, knowing it would be causing a problem for that team. Certainly not their idea or intention.
Or, you could have been on the bubble already, and your performance pushed you to the next level. It's not always about the sandbaggers.
Your LO (or whoever was running the tournament) should have told everyone in the players meeting that this was a possibility. I've been to many such meetings in the 15+ years I've played, and it's always mentioned. "Check your scoresheet between rounds, someone may have gone up, OR down, between rounds."
Sadly, I've seen many people instinctively react the way the OP did in the initial post. There are people here locally that won't play APA anymore because "that *%$#* LO raised me at States. And we got forfeited next round for going over handicap."
Well... did you look between rounds like we've all been told to do? The answer is no. It's a shame. And it's easy enough to have happen, someone just has to be vigilant about paying attention to the little things.
I watch the LO's entering the info into the computer. They aren't intentionally raising anyone. And I've seen them look at the results, and mutter about it, knowing it would be causing a problem for that team. Certainly not their idea or intention.
its right to adjust if someone is in the wrong bracket even if they dont agree with that. handicaps in tournaments are there to make it closer to fair for all.
and if things make you lose your head messing with your mind then you arent cut out to play in tournaments or pressure situations.
and if things make you lose your head messing with your mind then you arent cut out to play in tournaments or pressure situations.
DeeDeeCues
Well-known member
APA can be a hoot and a half, but it should be only for fun. The people who ruin APA are the people who take APA seriously. I only played it for a session and a half, but with the right people, it's a blast.