Handicap vs Open Tournaments

R

Rickw

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I play in handicap tournaments. I'm rated high enough that I spot most of the people I play. When I play someone that appears to be sandbagging, it really irritates me and hinders my performance. It seems like there are a lot of sandbaggers out there too. When I'm spotting someone and they run a rack or out move me, I just feel like throwing in the towel; I don't do it, but I sure do feel like it.

When I play open tournaments, they're usually too long for me to play. I just don't have the time to play in a two day tournament. Besides, that first day is usually a marathon if you're still in the tournament at the end of Saturday night!! I see a lot of weaker players playing in the opens and I think they must be crazy because I don't think they have a chance. On the other hand, they're getting good experience and some of them are getting their entry fees back depending on who they draw in the early rounds.

I'm thinking that I need to just buck up and play the opens and get the good experience. What do you all think? Should I quit playing the handicaps?
 
One recommendation for handicap tournaments: It requires an entirely different type of mental toughness to beat someone below your skill level than it takes to beat someone better than you. Even in an open tourney you're going to run into someone who makes you think, "gee, I'm gonna smash this guy. He's got no game." That's when you need to be your most attentive. :)
 
Go for it Rick. I have seen a lot of local players really elevate their game by playing in tournaments such as the Joss tour. You just need to be realistic going in but I think that would be the best way to bring your game to the next level. Most guys don't even win their entry fee back but say it is worth it to play against the very best. If I had the time and money it is something I would definitely consider doing.

Best of luck,
Koop
 
Originally posted by Rickw What do you all think? Should I quit playing the handicaps? [/B]
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I think you could do whatever makes you happy, therefore, thats what you should do. You have a choice. It's wonderful.
 
Rick W, It sounds like you are unhappy with the handicap tournaments where you are better than the field but don't always come out on top because you have to spot people who really shouldn't be getting the spots. But on the other hand you are leary of entering the Open tournaments because you will be on the low end of the totem pole. Quite a dilemma. It seems that no matter which tournaments you enter you will lose. So depending on how much the Open tournaments cost you might do well to give them a try every now and again and see how you do. You might surprise yourself. But if you never enter the Open tournaments you will always be second guessing yourself as how well you could have done. Keep in mind that if your goal is to be average and you achieve 100% of your goal all you are is average. But if you strive for the best and only achieve 85% of your goal you will still be head and shoulders above most people. Jake
 
Just play your best against all competitors, no matter what their skill level is!!!!

You should play in both handicapped and open tourneys
 
I think Jake is right. If you never give yourself a chance in any of the open tournaments. You'll never find out how well you do.
 
sounds like open tournaments allow you to focus on your game , whereas handicapped gets you thinking about your opponent.


and you'll always find sandbaggers everywhere.
 
Believe me, I know about handicapped tourneys and how you feel.

But, my suggestion would be to play in both. I think they go hand-in-hand. That is, in each tournament the competitors are equally dangerous, any player is a threat to win against you.

I think the key is to not try and think about the opponent but rather think about the appropriate shot and performing it correctly. One ball at a time instead of the overall outcome of what might happen.

Rick
 
Handicaps are "affirmative action" for pool and are abused in the same manner. If there was an honest way to do it they would be a good system for friendly type environments. But there isn't as of now.

People that actaully believe they won something using any kind of handicap system need to choose a different hobby, because they didn't really win a thing and never will until they play even.
 
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Thanks everyone for the great advice!! I think I will continue to play the handicap tournament so I can work at getting my head straight about shooting the shots instead of worrying about my opponent.

I am going to bite the bullet, though, and also try to fit in the time for an open tournament now and then even though I'll probably just help fatten the purse for the top finishers. What the heck, that's helping someone isn't it? Seriously, I do think it will help my game too as many of you suggest. Thanks again for the great advice!
 
Rickw said:
When I play someone that appears to be sandbagging, it really irritates me and hinders my performance. It seems like there are a lot of sandbaggers out there too. When I'm spotting someone and they run a rack or out move me, I just feel like throwing in the towel; I don't do it, but I sure do feel like it.
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I think that this situation should reverse the psychology. When you know that someone is sandbagging you, you should feel being an underdog and get challenged. If you win, shame on him for failing in his scheme. If you lose, let him be a marked man. Don't make a fuzz over it so that he will not remember you. Study his game and get back at him (no time frame) with vengeance in a money game.

I hate those guys too. It happened to me once and after some years, I saw the guy again. He was a marked man, and he hardly remembered me. It was my turn. Revenge is sweeter when you see them break into sweat while counting money to pay you.

Vengeful thinking is one good tool for anger management. :)
 
Personally, I feel that handicapped tournaments punish those of us who've spent the time and money to get good at the game. I know plenty of people who have low handicaps and want to stay that way, just so they don't have to give up weight. There is no incentive for them to get better (besides pride) since they still get a chance to win against good players. For that reason, I prefer open tournaments. Open tourneys are a better gauge of ability, and in my experience, the competition is much more serious. Around here, though, there are many more handicapped tournaments than open tournaments. Any night of the week, I can find a handicapped tournament. Open tourneys come around maybe once every couple of months. I still play in the handicapped tournaments, but I use those as practice, getting used to the pressure (external and internal), playing safeties, and running out at the right moments. I'll be honest, I get nervous sometimes (I don't know anybody who doesn't), and the more tournaments I play, handicapped or open, the more I get used to that feeling, so when it comes time to play in an open tournament, I'm ready for that nervousness and I can adapt. I guess what it all boils down to is that if I lose, I'd rather lose to a player of equal or greater ability, not to someone who won only because they were able to get more games on the wire or ball spots due to their inability to play.

-djb
 
At "Hardtimes" in Bellflower CA ... they have a $15 entry fee tourney were you may play Efren or Jose Parica ! With or without a handicap...What a great way to play in tourney!!!
 
Agrack,

I wish I lived close to Bellflower!

Doomcue,

One of the problems with open tournaments for me is that they take up so much time. We do have a couple here is Sacramento that are one day tournaments. One of them starts at about 8 PM and if you're in the finals, you won't get out until about 11:30 or later. That make for a long day for me who starts out at 5:00 in the morning. It also makes it tough to get up the next morning! I know, bitch, bitch, bitch!! One of these days soon, I'll retire and play all the tournaments. I may even visit all you AZers so I can clock you all! LOL!!
 
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