APA Handicap system - how does it work
- Thread starter salam4
- Start date
according to some, wanting to know how it works is usually a sign of trying to figure out how to manipulate the system....so, whatever you are ranked just ask to be ranked one higher to avoid being accused of sandbagging
It's been asked before, and I'm not sure the APA is willing to give out the exact formula on how they figure the rankings.
It's been asked before, and I'm not sure the APA is willing to give out the exact formula on how they figure the rankings.
The APA has had their lawyers send a large unnamed internet search company DMCA complaints to remove information on the handicap system that was posted to usenet boards that they had archived. It wasn't even up to date info on the formula, but info from when it was the Bud Light/Busch league.
There is a nice thing about legal documents... They leave paper trails...
Brian
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Think most handicapping system do not factor in the factor of hiding true speed, and that is the flaw with a short term handicapping.
I think the only handicap system that works long term is the type that crawfish hands out... Or is that hands off?
Either way, he's taking a stab at rolling out his system! Brian
Basically it's a lot simpler than what you might think.
Sure, there are the variables like innings and safes, etc. but what it really comes down to is your win percentage.
If you're winning more than 65% of your matches, you will likely go up.
Win 65% at that level and you'll go up again. You'll keep going up until you no longer can win 65% of the time. You go up much easier than you come down.
If you ever go to Vegas, whatever your handicap is when you play there, you will NEVER go below. Now, go sandbag until your heart's content or man-up and play your true skill-level and you'll never have to worry about it again.
I'm not going to argue with anyone or field a lot of questions. I just know what I know from having owned an APA franchise.
I hope this answered your question.
SweetPea
Pug-n-pool lover
Skill Levels???
We have a guy on our 9-ball team that had lost 12 out of 12 matches (by a lot, at least 20 points) and he is still a 6. Our captain was a 5 and was out of town for 2 weeks, so he didn't even shoot and he went down to a 4. Our team is just out for fun (we are in last place), but we play fair and don't sandbag. How does someone that loses all his matches stay a 6 and someone that didn't even play for 2 weeks go down to a 4? Neither one has been to Vegas.
according to some, wanting to know how it works is usually a sign of trying to figure out how to manipulate the system....so, whatever you are ranked just ask to be ranked one higher to avoid being accused of sandbagging
It's been asked before, and I'm not sure the APA is willing to give out the exact formula on how they figure the rankings.
We have a guy on our 9-ball team that had lost 12 out of 12 matches (by a lot, at least 20 points) and he is still a 6. Our captain was a 5 and was out of town for 2 weeks, so he didn't even shoot and he went down to a 4. Our team is just out for fun (we are in last place), but we play fair and don't sandbag. How does someone that loses all his matches stay a 6 and someone that didn't even play for 2 weeks go down to a 4? Neither one has been to Vegas.
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We have a guy on our 9-ball team that had lost 12 out of 12 matches (by a lot, at least 20 points) and he is still a 6. Our captain was a 5 and was out of town for 2 weeks, so he didn't even shoot and he went down to a 4. Our team is just out for fun (we are in last place), but we play fair and don't sandbag. How does someone that looses all his matches stay a 6 and someone that didn't even play for 2 weeks go down to a 4? Neither one has been to Vegas.
I have a good one....had a buddy, in Vegas go up after winning his match (he was a 4). Get this, Opponent made the 8 on the break and scratched - 0 inning win - He broke dry - opponent made a couple of balls, and then an 8 out of turn - 2 wins, 1 inning - then he made the 8 on the break - 3 wins, 1 inning. Not a single win was a reflection of his skill as a player, but he went up anyway. I too have heard of players going up without playing or going up while losing....really?? C'mon. BTW, haven't played APA since our trip to Vegas in 07.
for the love of god - factor in some grammar.
The Secret Revealed
(number of shots taken / number of balls made ) * number of balls on the table = y
Here where it gets screwy.
y^number of drinks you had * log(number of good teeth) = g
g * humidity level * BO content = <skill level>
Exception:
If you play a safety you are a 7.
Please don't make me explain 9 ball
(number of shots taken / number of balls made ) * number of balls on the table = y
Here where it gets screwy.
y^number of drinks you had * log(number of good teeth) = g
g * humidity level * BO content = <skill level>
Exception:
If you play a safety you are a 7.
Please don't make me explain 9 ball
i have tried to figure out how they arrive at my handicap and have been told different things by different people. the apa's own literature says to stop sandbagging mark innings and defenses, so i am going to guess that plays more than a small part. i know you're win percentage plays a role. but which one carries what weight i can't for the life of me figure out. i play on two (used to be three) different 8 ball teams and two different 9 ball teams. two sessions ago i had a combined 88.8% win rate in 8 ball. never moved from a five, in fact i have a lower win % and i am still a 5. in 9 ball i have never been over 50% combined for all the teams i am on and i am a 6. i know this i was a five until i stomped two players who have been in the league forever and help the office run tournaments - i am not saying i went up because the office played favorites - i am just saying it seemed a little convenient:shrug:
It's very easy to understand how his going up after that win in Vegas can happen if you understand the handicap system. My bet is that this particular player had a high winning percentage and was on the borderline of going up. Add that to the handicap being the best 10 of your previous 20, that means a score went off that list and was replaced by this "win". That win also increased his winning percentage. Without going into any more detail of things that are supposed to be kept secret it's fairly simple math that is used and easy to see how it happens. I'd love to go and put all the info I have gleamed on the handicap system here, but it's not my information to give out.
Brian
My bad Brian, division by zero = 2 for APA.
Hey I don't play in APA and never have, But here is my 2 cents for what it is worth.
First if you are from BFE with a small population, your 5 or 6 handicrap is not the same as Big Cities with a large population and tons more players when going to Vegas. Your 6 in BFE might only be a 4 in NYC.
Next. The Win By Percentage is just as important as the number of games you win. The number of balls you give up is what I call Win By Percentage and should be deducted from the balls you made. Divided that by the number of games you played to find your Win By Percentage. Some people with big handicraps have very low or even negative Win By Percentage, yet those with lower handicraps have higher Win By Percentages in the Bush League I play in. What I am saying is they win by a big percentage and lose by a small percentage.
Shot selection also plays a big part in pool. I see those with poor shooting skill win because of great shot selection. But in any thing it is hard to rank people and no system seems perfect. Tiger Wood has his bad days like any one else.
When looking at a player for my local league team, I look hard at the Win By percentage rather than the average score they shoot. Because we go by total points or balls, I want a player who can leave their opponent with as many balls on the table as possible.
First if you are from BFE with a small population, your 5 or 6 handicrap is not the same as Big Cities with a large population and tons more players when going to Vegas. Your 6 in BFE might only be a 4 in NYC.
Next. The Win By Percentage is just as important as the number of games you win. The number of balls you give up is what I call Win By Percentage and should be deducted from the balls you made. Divided that by the number of games you played to find your Win By Percentage. Some people with big handicraps have very low or even negative Win By Percentage, yet those with lower handicraps have higher Win By Percentages in the Bush League I play in. What I am saying is they win by a big percentage and lose by a small percentage.
Shot selection also plays a big part in pool. I see those with poor shooting skill win because of great shot selection. But in any thing it is hard to rank people and no system seems perfect. Tiger Wood has his bad days like any one else.
When looking at a player for my local league team, I look hard at the Win By percentage rather than the average score they shoot. Because we go by total points or balls, I want a player who can leave their opponent with as many balls on the table as possible.
that might be great only the apa does not keep track of how many balls you win by in 8 ball and they do not factor the number of balls specifically in 9 ball - they take how many balls each player made and come up with a split, the wider the gap in the slit and you handicap will be affected accodingly (up or down). so they do not use a "win by" percentage, only a winning percentage.
Everything that is recorded on the sheet is factored into your handicap. Hope that clears things up.