Handicap 9 ball tournament

[Driller]

I played my first handicap 9 ball tournament last week while on vacation in Fla. It seemed that the ratings were from around 30 to 120. Is this a standard rating system used nationwide or is it different around the country? The room owner usually starts people out at 75. But since he seen me play for a couple of hours before the tournament he decided to adjust mine. I was wondering if there are different rating systems out there, or is this pretty much how they all work?

 

[Driller]

I was wondering because this seems to be a good system to rate players against one another. Other than the A,B,C,D system. Does anyone play in a similar tournament rating system?

 

[cubc]

Yea theres a few like that. Some are good. Some are retarded and give skilled female players low ranks to get laid or something. But theres plenty where you can be rated a 2 to a 9 and it's a race. You'll get your sandbaggers who fake how bad they are to do better against 9's and many honest players dont like that type of tourney (myself included). Generally it's a good tournament but theres times you'll come across women who can run 6-7 balls at a time be rated a 2 and bust all the 9's asses. Just how it goes.


edit: I realize that sounds incredibly sexist but hell it's true. I dont think I've ever seen a guy ranked a 2 that can run 6-7 balls. Plenty of women though.

 

[Kevin Lindstrom]

USPPA system

When I lived in California the handicapped league I played was like this. It is know as the USPPA sysytem. It was / is a great system. I sure wish someone on the east coast would develop this USPPA system here.

 

[Snapshot9]

The system

I played my first handicap 9 ball tournament last week while on vacation in Fla. It seemed that the ratings were from around 30 to 120. Is this a standard rating system used nationwide or is it different around the country? The room owner usually starts people out at 75. But since he seen me play for a couple of hours before the tournament he decided to adjust mine. I was wondering if there are different rating systems out there, or is this pretty much how they all work?[/QUOTE

you have stated is based on a 'National' handicap system that Bob Jewett
helped develop. Currently, 2 rooms here in Wichita are using it for handicapping, but here it ranges from about 10 to 165 which determine the matches to be from 2-2 up to 6-2 in 8 ball, and 3-3 up to 7-3 in 9 ball.

Each match win or loss is recorded and adjusts handicap. The problems from this handicap system are: 1) If you win early after starting to play the tournament, your handicap goes up real fast (Mine went up 18 points
after my first win), but if you win say after playing 50 matches, then it goes up at a lessor rate. 2) There are 60's and 70's that run the table all the time (I lost to 2 70's one night, 3 shots missed in 2 matches by them).

The system, basically, is okay, although the formulas need tweaked to be more equitable for all players. A tournament should be fair for ALL players, even the best ones, and not just try to work the money to in the middle of the pack. You make it fair for all, and whoever wins wins.

2) If the better players win, there handicaps go up to the point where they really don't have a chance to win anymore unless they shoot absolutely perfect and get some lucky breaks on top of it. This, ultimately, drives these better players away from the tournament after a period of time. Beginners, bangers, and low intermediate players play because they want some entertainment, but the more skilled players are there for the competition and payback..

3) Some players never win, but they play stronger than their handicap, and their handicap does not go up. Many 70 somethings will beat upper handicaps because of the races, 5-2 or 6-2, but might lose later on to someone that has about the same handicap as they have and playing a 2-2 race. The system only records win or lost for a match, and not whether you beat someone with a handicap 40-50 points higher than you, or vica versa.

Your better players are the 'lifers' in the sport, if you drive them away, they will rarely ever come back. Beginners and bangers are on and off, whenever they want some 'fun', and if they are developing a real interest
in Pool.

The better players are of interest to many other players, and to railbirds who like to watch them play, and many have Pool reputations already.
Better players in a tournament are always a draw, meaning they get people out there to watch or follow the tournament, and these people also spend money on drinks, food, etc..

One of the main goals for a tournament is participation, thus driving away better players because you jack up their handicaps so much is self defeating. Without fair competition for ALL players, regardless of skill level, your participation will suffer in the long run.

 

[cubc]

amen. I can honestly say I hate racing to 9 vs a 2 who can run some balls. It's like playing the ghost. You miss, dont make a ball on the break, or something happens where the 1-9 lines up off the break without making the ball then it's good game.

I liked a local tournament in TX at a place called Rusty's. They went from 3 to 7 (with very very few 3's). If you were the same rating then it was a race to 3 (like if two 7's matched up). Tournaments ended at a reasonable time and they always started at 8. That was the best way I've played yet that gave the less skilled a chance but didnt castrate the top players.

I agree with everything you said Snapshot.

 

[Pushout]

When I lived in California the handicapped league I played was like this. It is know as the USPPA sysytem. It was / is a great system. I sure wish someone on the east coast would develop this USPPA system here.

Tried, but the room owner balked. Without going on a bit, I just can't do it right at this time. I've told Tony I'd take another shot at it later, though.

 

[Driller]

I went 2 and out in the tournament and played pretty well. I had to spot 1 game in both matches.(4-3) They rated me at a 95. I noticed that John Schmidt was 120 but he wasn't at the tournament. I much rather head up matches in tournaments. I think handicaps should be for leagues.