Rich...I'm not siding with Ben, but I know for a fact that he is just a kid, and isn't old enough to play in APA.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Rich R. said:
APA love it or hate it?
- Thread starter railfirst
- Start date
accustatsfan said:
That would be a problem because your inning count would be higher, but if you keep winning it won't matter as much because % of wins out of last 20 would then be the overriding factor.
As for going from an 8 to a 9, just play and improve. I don't think there is a magic formula.
On the slop thread, I've played APA for six years and I actually can't even recall where an 8-ball match was decided on slop. Slop has more of an effect on 9-ball (where you'd score a point) but then pro 9-ball rules allow slop too so you can't criticise the APA for that.
As with any format, there is room for improvement but you can't please everyone all of the time. I think APA rules work well for the targetted market (your average once a week player that wants to have fun, play some pool and meet people). The fact is that the APA keeps many establishments, especially pool halls in business and without the APA, we'd all have a lot less places to play. We all want pool to thrive, so rather than bashing pool organisations, make constructive comments/suggestions so that those on this forum that have some power to do so can take them on board. I play APA, BCA and an in-house League and will continue to support all of them.
Dave Nelson said:
Dave,
I don't know about the laws where you are from, but all of the rooms in Maryland are smoke-free. Being a non-smoker, I think that is great. It hurt business at first when they went smoke-free, but it has rebounded. It is nice to play a match and for your clothes not to smell bad.
I can't speak to the stale beer issue....I am not a drinker.
We would have more pool worth watching if we could get more high-level players like you involved.
Joe
Thanks Joe
I'm anything but a high-level player. I rank C in our straight pool round robin. That's second from the bottom. I play because I love the game. Fortunely, we play our matches on Sunday afternoon. The room is not crowded and about half of us are non smokers.
I think we will have smoke free pool rooms in Wisconsin when pigs fly.
Dave Nelson
I'm anything but a high-level player. I rank C in our straight pool round robin. That's second from the bottom. I play because I love the game. Fortunely, we play our matches on Sunday afternoon. The room is not crowded and about half of us are non smokers.
I think we will have smoke free pool rooms in Wisconsin when pigs fly.
Dave Nelson
Scott Lee said:
Scott, that is all the more reason he shouldn't be on a public forum typing a bunch of crap about something he knows nothing about.
I'd be the last person to say the APA is perfect, but it is not as bad as some idiots like to say. When someone says bad things about APA players, that includes me and I take offense.
Scott, as a former APA LO, you should take offense too.
Rich...I agree with you here. I'm also one of the biggest supporters of APA here on the forum...and frequently say something, when someone badmouths APA or APA players. I mentioned early in this thread, that there was no catagory for folks like you and me, who don't play slop pool, yet really enjoy APA.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Rich R. said:
C'mon Ben...APA is primarily a BAR league (although some divisions, in some league areas, are played in poolrooms, on 9' tables), and you know you have no business being in a bar. BTW, just because you don't like something, doesn't mean you should badmouth it publicly, like you have been here. When I was an APA league operator (more than 15 yrs ago), I tried to get Terry Bell and Larry Hubbard interested in doing something for juniors. They just flat had ZERO interest. That doesn't mean APA isn't good for pool...it just means that they're interested only in adults playing.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
railfirst said:
Ben...Did you read my post? APA is a bar league. You're too young to be in a bar. APA is 4 times the size of the next largest organized league. That makes it good for pool. Leave it at that. Your time will come...
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
railfirst said:
Ben...You're comparing apples and oranges now. Of the four organized amateur pool leagues here in the U.S.A. (APA, BCAPL, VNEA, TAP) NONE of them play strictly by the world standardized rules. 
I'll let you figure that one out.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
I'll let you figure that one out. Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
railfirst said:
railfirst said:
So you are saying that a pool league can't be good for pool if it doesn't allow you to play? I don't think that is the criteria that should be used.
BTW, I have no idea of your age, but the APA allows players to become members at the age of 18. The following is copied from the national APA web site.
"You must be 18 years or older to participate in regular APA Leagues (some areas may require players to be 21 or older)."
If you are age 18, it may be your local LO or local laws that are keeping you out, not the APA. If you are under age 18, you certainly shouldn't be in a bar or pool room serving alcohol. Enjoy whatever league you are in until you are older.
I don't know of any league or major tournament that uses the standardized rules in the strictest sense. The standardized rules are meant to be a guide. Organizers determine where they want to go from there. Sometimes the changes are very slight and sometimes they are major.railfirst said:
When you are old enough to get around to different tournaments, you will learn what is going on.
This has been a very interesting topic of discussion with some passionate debate both pro and con, thank the Lord we live in a Country where all people still have the right to post their opinions. First, I must state that I do have a pony in this race ( I am a APA LO) but I also play on a BCA team so I hope that the opinion I express does have some merit.
Concerning slop, here is my opinion: As a "7" in 8 ball when matched up against 6's or 7's there is a slop shot is made on a rare occasion, usually never effecting the over-all outcome of the match. When matched up against the 2's, 3's or 4's where slops shots may happen more frequently in a match, I feel I still have the upper hand at winning these matches based upon my greater skill and experience in these situations. But let me tell you a "7" versus a "4" is a very tough match to win.
Pool leagues and the growth of pool: I sincerely believe there is a place in pool for any type of structured league, pool halls and bars needs league players to keep the doors open so that we all have places to play the sport we so passionately love.
I will close this post by encouraging all players to find a league that they enjoy, be it APA, BCA, VNEA, TAP, etc and support our sport so that it continues to grow. I will step off the soapbox and defer to the next posters opinion.
Concerning slop, here is my opinion: As a "7" in 8 ball when matched up against 6's or 7's there is a slop shot is made on a rare occasion, usually never effecting the over-all outcome of the match. When matched up against the 2's, 3's or 4's where slops shots may happen more frequently in a match, I feel I still have the upper hand at winning these matches based upon my greater skill and experience in these situations. But let me tell you a "7" versus a "4" is a very tough match to win.
Pool leagues and the growth of pool: I sincerely believe there is a place in pool for any type of structured league, pool halls and bars needs league players to keep the doors open so that we all have places to play the sport we so passionately love.
I will close this post by encouraging all players to find a league that they enjoy, be it APA, BCA, VNEA, TAP, etc and support our sport so that it continues to grow. I will step off the soapbox and defer to the next posters opinion.
Dave Nelson said:
Dave,
Everyone learns when they are younger the phrase "Don't knock it until you try it!"
The fact is, you may have enjoyed your higher skills valued by weaker shooters. You may have learned a lot about your own game from sharing your knowledge and experience with others. You may even have made some new friends along the way.
You should not feel justified to bash something you have never experienced and chalk it up to your freedom of expression. And in order to do so, you are being asked to invest very little, IMO. Even less if someone is willing to pay your weekly fees.
BTW...I've played APA with teammates who are excellent straight pool shooters, with high runs of 69 and 89 from what I remember them telling me. :wink:
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