forget pro pool for a moment, how is amateur pool?

[ElKabong]

I have a question for discussion.

If the wasnt leagues and barbox (APA, BCA, TAP and whatever), do you actually think alot of folks would be playing?

In my discussions with many poolroom owners, the leagues pays all the bills and the other players are the profit.

1on1pooltournys - (who never played leagues BTW) said 2 things I will never forget.

1.) With all of these league players, he never sees them come in and practice. I would bet that is true with 80-90% of league players. He, on the other hand, practiced daily.

2.) The other thing he mentioned is they spend the majority of their time worring about handicaps verses trying to improve. He got tired of hearing the endless drama at hanidcap tournaments, and league play. He thought it should always be even and the best player wins.

I never noticed it until he mentioned it and I have never forgot it since.

Tip of the hat to old 1on1,
Ken

Since you're familiar with APA if I recall correctly, does our local BCA have a higher level of play?
May not be apples to apples since we are a small city, with a smaller pool of players.

I played VNEA with a handicap years ago, there seems to be little difference compared to BCA with no hdcp in the top 50%, but the bottom 50% seems a lot more competitive in BCA.

I think knowing you have to win even, vs manage hdcp, is a great motivator to improve.