I've played 8-ball and 9-ball under BCA, APA, and TAP. The handicapping system that APA uses is at least as good as any other system in use. I agree with Jude that the APA system will allow you to pretty accurately match up players from any region with players from any other region.
Handicapping pool is an inherently difficult thing to do and no system is going to be perfect. It is an attempt to take players of widely disparate skill levels and even the playing field so that anyone can win. If everyone were completely honest and played to the best of their abilities every time at the table, any of these systems would probably work well. Unfortunately, not everyone is honest. In my opinion, the APA system works better than any other system I've played under across the board. It has it's flaws, to be sure. I don't think it's possible, given the human element involved, to devise a flawless system.
I have seen people that can easily play at SL6 or higher play all season as a SL 3 or 4, only to turn it on during the playoffs. Since the scoring system takes into account the number of innings played, I've seen people intentionally miss numerous shots during regular season play to keep the number of innings up. But, you know, it eventually catches up with them. If they can actually enjoy winning like that, then more power to them. Personally, I'd rather play a skill level higher than my actual skill level than to win a match because I was playing at a lower level that I should have been. Luckily, the people that will cheat are vastly outnumbered by the honest ones.
I am the captain of my 9-ball team. We have been in 1st place for the last 2 sessions and have made it through every qualifier we've been to so far and this past session was only our 2nd session as a team. It's not because we're all that much better than the teams we play (although I think we are
). It's because we play our best every match we play, we support each other, we practice together regularly, and we post our matches strategically. We are a cohesive team. I call our LO at least once a session and request that they make sure we are all rated appropriately. When we practice together, we practice going to our next higher skill levels. I do not tolerate sandbagging from anyone on my team. If we have to win by cheating, I'd rather not play at all.
We get a ton of complaints from people who don't think we are rated high enough. That just means I'm doing my job.
Any league is only going to be as good as the people that play in it.
Handicapping pool is an inherently difficult thing to do and no system is going to be perfect. It is an attempt to take players of widely disparate skill levels and even the playing field so that anyone can win. If everyone were completely honest and played to the best of their abilities every time at the table, any of these systems would probably work well. Unfortunately, not everyone is honest. In my opinion, the APA system works better than any other system I've played under across the board. It has it's flaws, to be sure. I don't think it's possible, given the human element involved, to devise a flawless system.
I have seen people that can easily play at SL6 or higher play all season as a SL 3 or 4, only to turn it on during the playoffs. Since the scoring system takes into account the number of innings played, I've seen people intentionally miss numerous shots during regular season play to keep the number of innings up. But, you know, it eventually catches up with them. If they can actually enjoy winning like that, then more power to them. Personally, I'd rather play a skill level higher than my actual skill level than to win a match because I was playing at a lower level that I should have been. Luckily, the people that will cheat are vastly outnumbered by the honest ones.
I am the captain of my 9-ball team. We have been in 1st place for the last 2 sessions and have made it through every qualifier we've been to so far and this past session was only our 2nd session as a team. It's not because we're all that much better than the teams we play (although I think we are
). It's because we play our best every match we play, we support each other, we practice together regularly, and we post our matches strategically. We are a cohesive team. I call our LO at least once a session and request that they make sure we are all rated appropriately. When we practice together, we practice going to our next higher skill levels. I do not tolerate sandbagging from anyone on my team. If we have to win by cheating, I'd rather not play at all.We get a ton of complaints from people who don't think we are rated high enough. That just means I'm doing my job.
Any league is only going to be as good as the people that play in it.