BCA Question

ball-banger

ball-banger

I hate this damn game!
Silver Member
I currently play in the APA, but i'm steadily growing tired with some of the aspects of it (there have been more than enough threads about it). I was wondering how BCA leagues work. I do enjoy the team aspect of the league, just not the handicapping part. I know that BCA is not handicapped, but how good are the players that participate? Are there a wide range of skill levels? I am only a 5 in APA, so would I have a chance to compete or would I be out of my league? (No pun intended) I'm pretty much a beginner, so sorry if this has been asked.
 
Actually, BCA is handicapped locally. Once in Vegas, however, it's straight up first team to 13 wins. If you're familiar with VNEA, the handicap system is roughly the same. If not, here we go.

Your handicap in BCA is, put simply, your scoring average. Each match you play 1 rack of 8-ball versus 5 members of the opposing team. You can earn 0-16 points depending on how many balls you make and how many balls you left your opponent with.

There are a few local leagues that operate with no handicap. They are usually loaded with top level players (90% would be 7's in APA). You can go to playbca.com for more information.
 
I feel you on the APA part.

Playing in it has become more of just a training ground then anything of significance to me anymore.
 
Our BCA handicap league is a little different...

If you win the game you get 8 points. So winning all 5 games get's you a 40 (perfect score). If you don't win the game but make a few balls you get 1 point for each ball made ( by you, you opponent, or on the break) So if you beat a guy and he was left with 3 balls on the table you would get 8 points and he would get 4. The player avg. are set before the match based on your performance. the first 3 weeks of the season are played "straight up" no handicap. so if you shot a 30, 38, 27 your avg would be a 31 or 32 (can't remember if we round up or down) anyway. before the match starts you would add up each teams players avg and compare it to the opp. team avg. the difference is the "spot" or amount of points the higher ranked team has to give the other team.

pretty simple and it's worked for years. We also have minimum avg for "A" and "B" players since we let them participate in the handicapped league. A's are a minimum of 38 and B's are 36. The maximum team "strength" is ACCCC or BBCCC or any combination that does not exceed that.

Recently we started an "open" division for the better players in the area and we play with the straight race to 13 format with no handicap but right now limit the team strength to a maximum AAABB. Although as players improve I see us lifting all the restrictions for the Open division. BTW we have TONS of great players and both leagues are TOUGH!!!!!
 
ball-banger,

The weekly BCAPL leagues are no different than those you might find in ACS, APA, TAP. Yes, there are team handicaps. There are also individual player rankings or averages. The main difference is the teams can have five players, each of whom may be equivalent to an APA 7, playing on the same team (no average limits). Even if a team has five superstars, the difference in individual averages may allow a weaker team to win a round or the match. Don't be afraid to stick your toes in the water. You might find the temperature is just right. When you get to Vegas however, everything will change. BCAPL open teams play a race to 13 wins. There will be no handicaps.

Another way to look at it is, do you want to improve your game? What is the use of playing weaker or equal players all the time? Even if you lose, you might learn something while watching a better player or players. Give it a try. You can always go back!

Lyn
 
ball-banger said:
I currently play in the APA, but i'm steadily growing tired with some of the aspects of it (there have been more than enough threads about it). I was wondering how BCA leagues work. I do enjoy the team aspect of the league, just not the handicapping part. I know that BCA is not handicapped, but how good are the players that participate? Are there a wide range of skill levels? I am only a 5 in APA, so would I have a chance to compete or would I be out of my league? (No pun intended) I'm pretty much a beginner, so sorry if this has been asked.
Click to expand...

Better than APA? Yes rules are far superior for BCA 8 ball.

Competition challenge? Depends on players in your area.

Common scenario is to load up one or two teams with the best players and if you're on one of those two teams you get a good match playing the other good team and the rest of the teams can be boring.
 
I play in the BCA league in Colo Spgs co and there is no handycap system
at all. 5 person team,race to 13 HEADS up play...
It is alot better than APA IMHO ...
 
BCA and VNEA are both much better leagues. Valley is a little bit easier competition I think.

In BCA only games matter in higher level play. In Valley you need ball count.
 
I have always heard great things about the BCA. Got into a league that was played in a PH. The first match I played in was against the LO's team. I played against him in my last game and the last game of the match. He broke, made a ball and missed on his next shot. I was "lucky" and ran out the table. He said to me that all he needed was one ball for the team to win totals and he missed on purpose as he didn't want to run up his handicap.

I finished out the league session. I than quit because I found that it is manipulated more than the APA.

The only league that works well is one that plays heads up. If you can't keep up then improve otherwise accept where you stand. Handicaps just don't work.
 
TheBook said:
The only league that works well is one that plays heads up. If you can't keep up then improve otherwise accept where you stand. Handicaps just don't work.
Click to expand...

thebook,

I know of no area of life today where someone is not trying to manipulate the system. No handicap system is perfect. In all the years I've played, I've never heard of a scratch league playing either on bar boxes or full size tables. If you want to play in a league, expect cheating of some sort. Accept it happens and just have a good time playing. My guess is that is what ball-banger really wants.

Lyn
 
I recommend playing APA Masters. No handicaps mix of 8 ball (max 5 games) and 9 ball (max 8 games) in a race to 7. Call pocket for 8 bal. I'm an 5 in APA, and I get beat a lot, but its always a learning experience. Scoring for the teams go on games won, not matches. It is quite a challenge to me since most players are 7s, but I prefer it to handicapped matches. I figure the best way to get better is to play better opponents.
 
Why not lookup your local BCA League Operator. Find a league night somewhere, stop by, watch, ask questions. New Members are usually warmly welcomed, and you get a 'feel' for the league and it's members.

League operators by geography can be found at www.playbca.com .... or is it www.bcapl.com ??? Oh well.
 
ball-banger said:
I currently play in the APA, but I'm steadily growing tired with some of the aspects of it (there have been more than enough threads about it). I was wondering how BCA leagues work. I do enjoy the team aspect of the league, just not the handicapping part. I know that BCA is not handicapped, but how good are the players that participate? Are there a wide range of skill levels? I am only a 5 in APA, so would I have a chance to compete or would I be out of my league? (No pun intended) I'm pretty much a beginner, so sorry if this has been asked.
Click to expand...

Well, good news. CSI (CueSports International) www.playcsipool.com the parent company to BCAPL (BCA Pool League) is offering a handicap league! USAPL http://www.playusapool.com/

It uses a fail proof - national handicap system. It has a catch 22 for sand baggers and it eliminates that problem and it being a national system you're not just a big fish in a small pond who becomes baby shark's bait in the ocean :grin-square:

Check it out and until 1 June 2010, there is NO MEMBERSHIP FEE to join! and if you qualify in USAPL, you can still compete in 2010 BCAPL National in Las Vegas.

This is a new league and slowly but surely growing nation-wide.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming USAPL Operator, contact Mark Estes in CSI Office. (702) 719-7665

S.
 
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