APA Regional Skill Level - How does this affect handicap

[maxeypad2007]

Obviously different regions have different speeds of players. My understanding is Louisville, southern Ohio, Alabama and Louisiana have some of the strongest APA regions.

How is this compensated for in places like Vegas? I've heard rumors that players that are say a 6 in 8-ball are immediately bumped to a 7 if they play in one of those regions. Also, is there some sort of science to this (like a chart or forumula) that I could take a look at.

 

[daveb]

I come from a rural area in central Illinois where there is not a lot to do except drink and play pool in the winter months. We have a LOT of strong players here ( and I have played across the country). Teams from our region who go to Vegas, regularly have players that are raised two or more handicaps. We have had several teams get disqualified in recent years for sandbagging. The problem is that their handicaps are legitimate in our area comparable to the other players and teams in our league. They are not sandbagging relative to the competition at home.
Handicap adjustments is Vegas are based primarily on pissing and moaning. Sour grapes.

 

[Cornerman]

Obviously different regions have different speeds of players. My understanding is Louisville, southern Ohio, Alabama and Louisiana have some of the strongest APA regions..

Break it down even further. A strong division within a region withing a state could be stronger than a division just 20 miles away. So, you'll hear the moaning at the state cup.

And yes there's a forumula out there. It won't help.

Fred

 

[jrt30004]

just groan and bear it

Obviously different regions have different speeds of players. My understanding is Louisville, southern Ohio, Alabama and Louisiana have some of the strongest APA regions.

How is this compensated for in places like Vegas? I've heard rumors that players that are say a 6 in 8-ball are immediately bumped to a 7 if they play in one of those regions. Also, is there some sort of science to this (like a chart or forumula) that I could take a look at.

for the life of me i can't figure out how the APA determines skill levels. I recently moved to atlanta from south florida and the level of comp here blows away the level of comp in the area i was in. top that off with the fact i hadn't played pool much less APA in over eight years. Upon return i still was held to a sl5, which jumped to a six in nine ball - after a LOSS. i have seen people at the city level tourney jump two levels on the strength of a few good matches. the company line the APA towes is your SL is based on your last 20 matches. Who you played, innings, defenses, games w/l. good luck on figuring it out. and all of this is magnified in the higher level tourneys such as vegas. and yes all of this peeing and moaning is from someone who actually enjoys the APA.

 

[mongoose-]

This is my OPINION on the APA system. I think you are absolutly correct on the regions even distances in the same state of the variences between handicap levels. As we all know there in no perfect system of handicapping that will keep everyone happy in any league and skill levels between regions will definatly vary. I however see the APA in 2 ways.

#1 They have brought a large number of players into the sport over the years by using their 23 rule system thus making teams split when raising handicaps. Good ? Yes for the participation of the sport.

#2 The APA is a business... a money making racket for the league operators/franchise owners. Regardless what the operator or national office may say about their "computer handicapping system" that league operator can go in and adjust those handicaps as they see fit. I have seen it done here on several occasions by the operator in our state.

Here are a couple examples of what I have seen first hand in the APA.

We had a lady playing with us for 2 years in the APA. In that time she had won a total of 4 matches in both 8 & 9 ball combined. She was a 2 in 8 but the operator had dropped her to a 1 in 9 on a couple occasions. Just happened that we were playing a team with another poor player so we matched her up agiant so. She won the match in 78 innings. Next week she was raised back to a 2 and the opponent was dropped to a 1 and remains there. How so ? Averages do not lie.

We had another girl who had won 3 matches in 2 years playing 8 ball and is still playing at a level 3. Keep in mind our region here in Maine is not a strong region compared to many places across the country.

I have seen personally team captains call the league office complaining about players handicaps and the operator go into the system and change things and have them change the handicaps that night of play on the sheet after its already been sent out.

I had sent a letter to the national office requesting a handicap review of those girls I have mentioned and their reply was you need to request a review from the operator. DUH... thats been done and here we are.

With that being said my strong OPINION is that the APA itself is a great organization for the sport. However I feel that the operators themselves are to blame in general for the big variences in the system. They run a basic format and adjust things to keep people comming in so they can make more money. As the money made in the APA isn't from a large population of high level players it's from the lower skilled players majority.

Just common sense that levels of play will vary from regions.

I myself have gotten out of the APA and would not join one of their leagues again. If I want to line someones pocket I'll match up with a better player then myself and gamble. At least I'll be paying for real pool.

Thats my $.02 cents.

 

[Scott Lee]

Actually it is based on your BEST 10 scores, out of the last 20 matches you played. Scores change all the time, as new matches are added. Every match you play, counts in your s/l...even tournament play (even if it's just an independent APA tournament, and not 'higher-level' play).

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

your SL is based on your last 20 matches.