Can someone explain the APA 'equalizer' system

[Control]

I'm thinking of implementing something similar in our local pool hall over here in switzerland. The equalizer system looks pretty interesting. I understand how the 'frames to win' is determined, but I'd like to know how players climb or fall in rating. If I start as a 4, what must i do to move up to 5 status or to be 'reduced' to 3 status? Just collect a certain number of wins/losses? against any other rated player? how many wins?

 

[Koop]

It is a computerized system which is based on innings or how many times at the table it takes to run the rack out. The higher the innings the lower the handicap and vice versa. The highest you can be in 8-Ball is a 7 and in 9-Ball it is a 9. A solid 7 in 8-Ball consistently has anywhere from 0-2 innings meaning when there is an opening he/she will run out. Of course with a system like this there will always be sandbagging to maintain a lower skill level and for this reason a lot of people, including myself, don't give this system much weight when truly measuring someones skills.

Here is a link to the APA website which gives a description of how skill levels are determined.

http://www.poolplayers.com/equalizer.html

Regards,
Koop

 

[Control]

hmm, thanks

I'll have to dream up something else then, because that system doesn't really seem to help much. The number of innings doesn't really show the players level, as much as the opponents skill at playing safeties.
I think I'll define something along the lines of: 12 recorded games with less than 3 losses will move you up, more than 9 losses will move you down. In between, you stay at your level. To avoid people refusing to play when they've reached a high level, a week without a recorded game counts as a loss, or maybe as two losses. I'll keep the frames-to-win chart however.