Handicap System

myerspa

myerspa

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So I run a small 8/9 ball league at my University. I'm pretty new to it and it worked out pretty well last semester. However, due to the VERY large ranged in skill between players, I've decided that I need some sort of handicap system.

I've been doing some research and there are some VERY complex ones o.O, I'm leaning right now towards the Argonne system? Not 100% sure that's actually what it's called.

I was wondering if anyone knew of any fairly simple handicap system's I could implement.

Thanks!
 
For 9 ball, just give numbers to your players based on skill with 1 being the lowest and higher numbers being stronger. Make the handicap based on the difference in ranking like this:

1 point difference: last 2
2: 8 ball
3: 7 ball
4: 6 ball
5: 7 out
etc.

For example; if a player rated 5 plays a player rated 6, the 6 gives the 5 the last 2.

At first give ratings to your players based on your best judgement. After the first few rounds, raise the people who won all of their matches a rank and lower the players who lost all of their matches a rank. Keep adjusting and after a while you will have a fairly accurate handicap system.

If new players come in either assign them a rank based on how you know they play or start them somewhere in the top half of your ranking system (but not at the top) and have them work up or down based on how well they do.

For 8 ball you can just assign games given on the wire in the same way, but keep in mind that a players 9 ball rank and 8 ball rank may differ.
 
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myerspa said:
So I run a small 8/9 ball league at my University. I'm pretty new to it and it worked out pretty well last semester. However, due to the VERY large ranged in skill between players, I've decided that I need some sort of handicap system.

I've been doing some research and there are some VERY complex ones o.O, I'm leaning right now towards the Argonne system? Not 100% sure that's actually what it's called.

I was wondering if anyone knew of any fairly simple handicap system's I could implement.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
The Argonne system is Ron Shepard's adaptation of the NPL for an eight ball league. Mike Page's system is an extension of those ideas (all based on the chess rating system developed by Arpad Elo). Mike has a way to handle ratings adjustments while still maintaining some advantage for the better player. The basic NPL system ensures that the better players have no long-term advantage. I think that in all three systems the player that is really favored is the one who is improving.

Basic idea: Everyone has a rating. A player who is about 100 points above another player is expected to win twice as many games in a match. Matches are handicapped by a formula that tries to make each match equally fair. Players who win matches go up in the ratings, and those who lose go down. Every match changes a players rating, which is possible due to the fine gradations of level. The adjustment is automatic according to the system and not subjective.
 
handicap.........the only thing i hate in pool.


take it away and the weak will get stronger faster, they may not see it but when they realize it they will be thankful.

that being said i also hate going to fresh tourneys being unknown and getting tossed in as a c/b so i tell them to put me in as the highest, this makes me work a lot harder at my game.



as a matter of a fact screw anybody that wants to take away my long hours of practice and dedication to this game so some banger can be competitive. i say make em work for it, not help them win!!!!!!!!
 
dave_k said:
handicap.........the only thing i hate in pool.


take it away and the weak will get stronger faster, they may not see it but when they realize it they will be thankful.

that being said i also hate going to fresh tourneys being unknown and getting tossed in as a c/b so i tell them to put me in as the highest, this makes me work a lot harder at my game.



as a matter of a fact screw anybody that wants to take away my long hours of practice and dedication to this game so some banger can be competitive. i say make em work for it, not help them win!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Take away handicaps and the prize pool shrinks to 1/4. Handicaps are a necessary evil. There are plenty of open non handicap tournaments for you to snap off if you are so inclined.
 
myerspa said:
So I run a small 8/9 ball league at my University. I'm pretty new to it and it worked out pretty well last semester. However, due to the VERY large ranged in skill between players, I've decided that I need some sort of handicap system.

I've been doing some research and there are some VERY complex ones o.O, I'm leaning right now towards the Argonne system? Not 100% sure that's actually what it's called.

I was wondering if anyone knew of any fairly simple handicap system's I could implement.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I like a number system our local hall used to do. Between 3-8 handicap. Any new player starts as a 5.If a 3 plays an 8 the 3 must win 3 games before the other player wins 8. It seems to be fair and simple.
 
In the words of Mr. Vince Lombardi, "If you can accept losing, you can't win.”
Click to expand...

Yep I fully agree :)

I actually didn't WANT to put in a handicap. The issue is that a number of players I fear wouldn't play without it.

Thanks for your input everyone!
 
Have you thought about handicapping the entry fee as opposed to the game weight and/or ball weight? Perhaps from $5 to $25 entry fee. I've seen successful results with this format in past.
 
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