APA Unmarked Pocket Cost my Rackess, then the Match

So to play devils advocate here, and for the sake of discussion. Let's say the team that chose to "take the win" was in the running for the leagues Big Dawg title, which means they get to skip tri-cups and automatically play in cities for a chance to go to Vegas. Not to mention Big Dawg winners usually get to play a few weeks for free. Does the opposing captain have an obligation to his team to do what's in the team's best interest? (In this case, take the ticky tack win on a technicality)
 
jviss said:
I have no idea what that means, how that can be. Do you mean there are no bank shots that are not necessary to call?

(I thought a dead bank was a shot where if you hit the OB squarely with the CB, it would go off a rail and straight into a pocket, i.e., no cut necessary.)
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it was a dig on the APA; he thinks league players can’t make bank shots.

Signed,
A league player who marked his pocket this week on a full table bank on the 8, where both balls were mid of short rails and 8 was center table.
 
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justadub said:
You also are supposed to mark your pocket in TAP, as well...

I agree that it's a cheap move, but it is the rule. And it's not a secret. If you ever get to go to Vegas, you had better be ready to do it, as well as most higher level tournaments.
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Yeah.

Think of this as a cheap reminder.
 
Maniac said:
In the two APA divisions around here that I play in, I usually ask my opponent before we lag if it is okay if we just call the pocket for the 8-ball. Almost every opponent I ask agrees to do it.

It is a sh*t move to claim a game that way if what the OP says about the 8-ball's pocket being obvious...and I have zero doubt that he's telling the truth.

Maniac
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The first APA league I played in (Was Busch league back then) I was playing the league operator. He said "Is it okay if we don't worry about marking the pocket for the 8-ball." I said "Sure!". This was probably my second league match ever.

Well, long story short I called the 8-ball but didn't physically mark it - and he called me on it. Yep. Loss of game. Welcome to league play newbie! He denied that he ever said it and even though other people heard it he stood by it. And he was the LO so what could we do?

Guy has had a good career and a reputation for being a stand up guy blah blah blah. All I know is he is a no good POS cheater at the pool table.

So, no offense, but I would still mark my damn pocket! :D
 
jviss said:
O.K., I'm starting to understand this:

"self-righteous dweebs who would take a "win" when their opponent fails to (mark the pocket)" = someone who plays by the rules.
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Yep. You are starting to get it. :D

I'm with you though.
 
That is the best thing that could have ever happened. For the rest of your life now, you will call the pocket with the marker. You will never forget, ever. If you do at this point, you deserve to lose.

20 years ago I was playing a guy the 5 and 7 better than me with only the 7 for $5 a game. It was just cheap sparring but he was guaranteed to get paid. I was down 6 or 7 games, and had a straight in shot on my money ball, made it, and he said I didn't call it. I was so angry, I quit, paid him, and didn't play him again for a long time. A while later I told him thanks, you taught me a good lesson and it only cost me $5. From that moment until today, if my money ball is hanging in the jaws of the pocket, I always call it. Even if my opponent says to me you don't have to call obvious stuff.

This is how you learn:)
IMO as always:)
 
I'm friends with virtually everyone in my division, or at least "friendly". We all know each other pretty well, save for the few newbies we get each session.

I've gone to mark my pocket different times, and had my opponent say it was ok to call them. I tell them that I am in the habit of doing it, and I don't want to break that habit. And it's cool with me if they wanna call it for theirs, I'm just gonna stay in my routine.
 
Low500 said:
Not a "dumbass" move....just a careless one.
Use this as an opportunity for the future to play mind games with your opponents.
BUT you must do it with a straight face or they won't like it.
When you're on that 8 ball for the gelt, get down into shooting position just like you were going to fire it in. Take the practice strokes and all that....just don't pull the trigger.
THEN.....raise up quietly and go over and mark the pocket with the appropriate marker.
(drives them nuts internally because they think you've forgotten and they're going to get an easy win)
Then after it's marked, get back down and drill the 8 into the marked pocket.
Soooooo delightful. I love doing things like that.....insidious.
Won't matter one bit to a seasoned player, but to league amateurs it sends them into mental turmoil.
:thumbup:
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A technique golfers will employ in match play is to concede putts early in the match, but then when it's near the end and the pressure is on, insist that one's opponent putt out..
 
A rule is rule. What you are doing is circumventing the rules.

shasta777 said:
I am also in APA... I always ask my opponent if it is OK to just call the pocket BUT... I also do it in front or loud enough for others on both teams or so both my Capt... & theirs also hear it... This way there is NO question at all... (just in case opponent says I did NOT call the pocket)…. for those who do NOT want to take any chance at all JUST mark the darn pocket.... lol
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I don't think that is what he is saying.

I viewed it as APA players would miss the straight in and it would bank into another pocket.

RichSchultz said:
it was a dig on the APA; he thinks league players can’t make bank shots.

Signed,
A league player who marked his pocket this week on a full table bank on the 8, where both balls were mid of short rails and 8 was center table.
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Marking the pocket

I play APA as well and hate the rule but abide by it unless my opponent and I agree before the match. Typically the lower ranks complain about not marking but if their player doesn't have to they go with it because even SL 4 and 5 captains tend to follow the high ranking player on their teams wishes.

Also wanted to comment on the made 8. Watched your videos and not trying to throw shade your game......but you like to full stroke most of your shots and you move the furniture ALOT. I know when I play 3's and 4's I don't play myself out of wins by doing anything I cant fully predict.
 
Low500 said:
Not a "dumbass" move....just a careless one.
Use this as an opportunity for the future to play mind games with your opponents.
BUT you must do it with a straight face or they won't like it.
When you're on that 8 ball for the gelt, get down into shooting position just like you were going to fire it in. Take the practice strokes and all that....just don't pull the trigger.
THEN.....raise up quietly and go over and mark the pocket with the appropriate marker.
(drives them nuts internally because they think you've forgotten and they're going to get an easy win)
Then after it's marked, get back down and drill the 8 into the marked pocket.
Soooooo delightful. I love doing things like that.....insidious.
Won't matter one bit to a seasoned player, but to league amateurs it sends them into mental turmoil.
:thumbup:
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Where's the "heart" emoji? Love it! Definitely going to rattle some cages with this next time we play!!!

At the risk of sounding like I'm still dwelling on this, I'll address a couple comments/questions.

The un-marked 8 was a gimmie. Straight shot into the side, at maybe 15 degrees. 28-30" total travel. No other balls were in the vicinity of the Q, 8, or pocket. It was a slam dunk.

Normally we do yell "mark your pocket!." However, it was the perfect storm... 5 of us were present, but it was the last match of the night and 1 guy had just left. Another guy happened to be in the bathroom. Guy 4 was watching, but it was his 1st-ever night of pool league. He barely knew the rule, let alone yell something... Guy 5 was keeping score, and I overheard him say he looked up just as I was shooting...

I was on fire last night. Moving quickly around the table, and shooting fast. I was so amped that, by the time I got my awesome leave on the 8, I just stepped around the corner of the table without thinking and popped it in.

My biggest mistake was getting caught-up in the moment. Everything had come together. I was shooting at least as good as my best practice session, and I was on a roll. My confidence was through the roof - so much that, the prospect of having to play again didn't phase me in the least because I knew I couldn't lose... Unless I beat myself. haha

A lot of good suggestions and antidotes in this thread. :thumbup:
 
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Mark your pocket.

Bar league = drunks , therefore avoids fights...mark pocket.
#1 reason why APA founders created the rule. pretty simple

Even, at highest APA rating, 8 ball is race to 5. That is a short race at best,even if it is a rackless night with 5 BNR's thats 40 potential shots. Therefore I don' look for or need any concessions, on easy 8's or closing runs. Nor do I give them because I figure not my business to take away shots from a player. Enjoy the short time you have and play.

Get in to a flow and mark your pocket. Enjoy Pool and the social aspect of league.
 
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I’m sure you know, but in case anyone else doesn’t the max is race to 5 unless a team puts a 2 or 3 up against a 7. Then they’re 2-7 or 2-6 races, respectively. Teams have tried that on me a couple times lately.
 
I have over 1500 matches in apa and have seen this move pulled a total of 3 times so its not like its a common occurrence. It did tick me off each time but there are some people who will try to get a win anyway they can..

Like others have said...... A lot of people around here will agree to just call pocket ....not call on obvious shots....even concede the 8 on an obvious easy shot. Dub brings up a good point....never fail to mark it and you will.never be called on it.
 
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