Does anyone want to improve their game?
- Thread starter Doug the horse
- Start date
I run a weekly handicapped tourney at Cue Phoria in Orlando... I do my best to make the handicaps fair and we get a large turnout every week.. If someone wants to play at a handicap higher than they are skilled, I let them.. This makes them have to work a little harder if they are indeed trying to better their game.
We tried to have open tournaments but they generally only last a short while as everyone knows the hierarchy already and isn't willing to keep donating. Everyone is all gung ho at the onset, but that lasts a short while, then the tourneys end up with 3 players showing up...
I grew up the same way... playing guys better than me even until they wouldn't play me anymore, then moving on. This doesn't happen anymore as it seems everyone is short on money or just not willing to make a small financial and time investment needed to improve their game.
If you're looking to play some people even for cheap, come down and there are lots of people to match up with.. Otherwise, your only option is the random handicap tourneys which are everywhere..
We tried to have open tournaments but they generally only last a short while as everyone knows the hierarchy already and isn't willing to keep donating. Everyone is all gung ho at the onset, but that lasts a short while, then the tourneys end up with 3 players showing up...
I grew up the same way... playing guys better than me even until they wouldn't play me anymore, then moving on. This doesn't happen anymore as it seems everyone is short on money or just not willing to make a small financial and time investment needed to improve their game.
If you're looking to play some people even for cheap, come down and there are lots of people to match up with.. Otherwise, your only option is the random handicap tourneys which are everywhere..
Well, I must have missed out on something, somewhere. I thought the subject here was league players going to the local Brew and Que, and socializing. Jeez.
In my time playing $10 tournaments I always entered with the idea of winning..........never did, came in 3rd a lot of times.
The one thing that the $10 bought me was the opportunity to play a bunch of folks with a bunch of different styles of play.
It was worth $10 to me to play a lot of different people. Best $10 I ever spent. :smile:
John
The one thing that the $10 bought me was the opportunity to play a bunch of folks with a bunch of different styles of play.
It was worth $10 to me to play a lot of different people. Best $10 I ever spent. :smile:
John
Doug the horse
Registered
I just got back home from my local tournament. 4 people showed up. Normally there are 30-35 players. So I guess participation can be an issue regardless of handicap or not.
Agree 100% on this. The local "pool hall" has a chip tourney I get 3 chips. Everyone else 6. When I questioned the owner he said "we'll if you win a lot the weaker players might not come anymore." So I don't go anymore would hate for someone to feel like they needed to practice to improve and win a tournament.
Doug the horse
Registered
Can you imagine a basketball game where certain players weren't allowed to jump because they had an "unfair" height advantage or a boxing match where the more experienced better trained fighter had to take 5 punches before he could punch back 1 time. The better fighter has every right to kick the crap out of his opponent because he worked his but off training. It should be the same way in pool. If you haven't spent the necessary this training and conditioning, prepare to get your tail kicked!
Hey Horse, you might try to find a group playing American Rotation. You won't have this (above mentioned) as an issue. It's the cleanest game we now have with the biggest local and potentionally national rewards for your invested time and money. At roughly $5-6/hour to play in a 10 man group (round robin locally for 6-9 weeks -then a local playoff) for $700-$800 for 1st and a national entry to play for a couple of thousand...4 X's a year. No Piss in Pool (call shot /call safe.. can pass shot back at anytime... No jump cues...9ft tables only Alternating break- break ball in hand simple 15 ball rotation) , only get paid on made balls...no handicaps No bs... 100% player funded
Check it out... Looking at 64 rooms (512 players) to find the best players in that area.. (Currently over 45 rooms)
Look up info on Joe Tucker on Facebook and also search American Rotation on FB.
https://m.facebook.com/AmericanBilliardClubLeague
Randy
.............
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Technically speaking if you've been beat by a lower ranked player it's an incentive for you to get better as to not lose games you should win. It's a wash if you look at it that way. I'm trying to improve MY GAME, don't care what anyone else does. I play a tourney Thursday nights where the handicap is in favorite of the lower ranked players. Short races and big spots in games and balls. I've won 7 out of the last eight. It's helped my game treamndeously. I took a year and half break, I do that often, if I would of stuck with it and played these type of tourneys I would be a strong A by now. Life is more important than pool, although it's my passion, but like I said, giving a strong spot to a lower player is equivalent to playing a strong player even up as far as game improvement goes. Either which way you look at it, in long run it helps you. 
Handicaps, alternate breaks, loser breaks, all are done to slow down the better players. This works to some degree in most instances but it never works out really for the worst player. The players at the end if the event has any size are the higher skilled with little or no handicap help not the lower skill higher handicap banger types. If the idea is to handicap it so it is fair for all players then there is not ever enough handicap in a bigger $$$ handicap tourney.
I have been going to to a 4-8 handicap tourney they bar out the best players in the area so the solid A's cannot play to this day I do not think after 5 years I have ever heard of a 4 winning this event. It is usually won by a 7 or 8. 5's or 6's cash but the cream rises to the top in events that is going to happen no matter the format. The handicap helps fill the field the better players seem to still usually get the cheese.
Do you guys play in handicap tourneys and the winner is very often or ever players with the weakest skill level given the biggest handicap. I don't like handicap events either but I don't think they are hurting anyone and the better players still seem to usually get the cash. Back to practicing all you killer sharks.
I have been going to to a 4-8 handicap tourney they bar out the best players in the area so the solid A's cannot play to this day I do not think after 5 years I have ever heard of a 4 winning this event. It is usually won by a 7 or 8. 5's or 6's cash but the cream rises to the top in events that is going to happen no matter the format. The handicap helps fill the field the better players seem to still usually get the cheese.
Do you guys play in handicap tourneys and the winner is very often or ever players with the weakest skill level given the biggest handicap. I don't like handicap events either but I don't think they are hurting anyone and the better players still seem to usually get the cash. Back to practicing all you killer sharks.
Doug the horse
Registered
I appreciate all of the feedback on this topic and really can see all sides of the issue. I was lucky enough to be heavily involved in the sport during the late 80s and 90s (glory days). I remember pro and semi-pro players teaching lessons,pool halls thriving and all aspects of the industry doing well. Back then handicaps were unheard of in pool halls and was pretty much only found in bar leagues. These days the majority of halls can't survive without a league of some sort and handicaps are the norm. I would like to see everyone playing their best game so future generations can not just play the game but love the game like so many of us have.
And people wonder why the level of play is so low these days???
Can anyone say socialism....that's actually what it is - keeping everyone level and beat down the highest so mediocrity prevails.
And people wonder why the level of play is so low these days in the United States. They've done these type experiments in classrooms and the "A" students will become "B" level within a short period of time.....sports and games are the same way of course.
'The "A" Game is my Teacher'
In many ways, Doug, it's the same mentality that we see manifested in today's youth. Every one is a winner and no one is a loser. The last thing we want to do is warp little Johnny's mind by having him lose. Oh, hell no. That won't do at all.
So what do they do on league night for those who refuse to pay their dues in a pool hall like so many of the rest of have? They simply elevate their level. If the top is an A, what the hell, make 'em a C. And, if that isn't good enough for them, make 'em a B the following week. Jesus, Joseph, and Mary.
I have to go now, I have a headache.
Can anyone say socialism....that's actually what it is - keeping everyone level and beat down the highest so mediocrity prevails.
And people wonder why the level of play is so low these days in the United States. They've done these type experiments in classrooms and the "A" students will become "B" level within a short period of time.....sports and games are the same way of course.
'The "A" Game is my Teacher'
Have you given any thought to maybe trying to put something into the game other than from your wallet, like say giving pointers to a few players that are trying to improve their game?
The best qualities have been eliminated (ie: the spot shot and 2 way shot)
One of the main issues is the game has been diluted down from it's original form. The best qualities have been eliminated (ie: the spot shot and 2 way shot) and what's left is not entertaining enough to hold many people's attention. If this doesn't change, nothing will change. 'The Game is our Teacher'
There is a solution, however, it may seem drastic to many, but such is life.
One of the main issues is the game has been diluted down from it's original form. The best qualities have been eliminated (ie: the spot shot and 2 way shot) and what's left is not entertaining enough to hold many people's attention. If this doesn't change, nothing will change. 'The Game is our Teacher'
There is a solution, however, it may seem drastic to many, but such is life.
Doug the horse
Registered
Recently a player showed up to the tourney who was obviously very new to the game and had just been bitten by the"pool bug". Proudly displaying a new cue&case and excited about joining a team in the local league. The enthusiasm just beaming from their face.it really took me back, way back. It was at that time they approached me for some advice and a tip here and there. I guess cause I'm kind of the old guy in the room. It meant more to me helping a new player than winning the match. Winning or losing a $10 tournament isn't gonna make or break my day. But helping someone else made my whole week.
So what you are saying is, you quit because it is now harder for you to win? Sort of like it is for the person who needs a handicap. You only want to play as long as you have the edge. We understand.
Can anyone say socialism....that's actually what it is - keeping everyone level and beat down the highest so mediocrity prevails.
And people wonder why the level of play is so low these days in the United States. They've done these type experiments in classrooms and the "A" students will become "B" level within a short period of time.....sports and games are the same way of course.
'The "A" Game is my Teacher'
Well said. Mr. Wiley, and to add further eloquence to your statement: "Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." Sir Winston Churchill. :smile:
I see the local pool hall with high level players as being much like a boxing gym or a busy pick up game in basketball. Its a competative environment with egos everywhere. A youngster cant expect to come in and have players doing for him. He has to control his destiny. That means its his responsibility to improve his own game in this competative environment.
The good news is that if he shows desire, puts the work in himself and approaches the big dogs respectfully, at an appropriate time, with sincere questions, they will more often than not help him. If they see that he listens and they see him working on what they taught him consistently then more knowledge will come his way. Its just knowing how to approach people imo and how to talk to people, not expecting them to cater to you but being willing to ask in a positive manner. Make friends in this environment and you can recieve good knowledge. Throw them a bone for their efforts but dont be seen as a sucker. Its a balance.
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