Handicap - what to give/get?

Roy Steffensen

Roy Steffensen

locksmith
Silver Member
I am curious how to know what handicap to ask for/give in matches.

If you normally ask for 3 games in a race to 9, what is the correct handicap when getting a ball, and what do you prefer?

I am pretty new in using the ball-handicap, so I am curious about how to know what comes next in the handicap-system if you win/lose?

Of all these I list up here, how would you "rank" them? Playing 9-ball, this is how I think I would list them: (But not sure, because sometimes 1 wild ball can be better than 2 call balls)

6 and 7 both wild
Call 6 and wild 7
Call 6 and call 7
7 and 8 both wild
Call 7 and wild 8
7 and 8 both call
Wild 6
Call 6
Wild 7
Call 7
wild 8
call 8

How can you compare these handicaps to giving games on the wire in a race to 9? Is the 6-ball like giving 4 games?

When do you use ballhandicap and when do you use games on the wire? Sometimes give/get both, if so, why?

Please help me, I want to start to WIN moneymatches too ;)
 
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Roy Steffensen said:
I am curious how to know what handicap to ask for/give in matches.

If you normally ask for 3 games in a race to 9, what is the correct handicap when getting a ball, and what do you prefer?

I am pretty new in using the ball-handicap, so I am curious about how to know what comes next in the handicap-system if you win/lose?

Of all these I list up here, how would you "rank" them? Playing 9-ball, this is how I think I would list them:

Wild 6
Call 6
6 and 7 both wild
Call 6 and wild 7
Call 6 and call 7
Wild 7
Call 7
7 and 8 both wild
Call 7 and wild 8
7 and 8 both call
wild 8
call 8

How can you compare these handicaps to giving games on the wire in a race to 9? Is the 6-ball like giving 4 games?

When do you use ballhandicap and when do you use games on the wire? Sometimes give/get both, if so, why?

Please help me, I want to start to WIN moneymatches too ;)
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I think giving 3 games on the wire in a race to 9 is pretty much equivalent to giving someone the 7. JMO.

Southpaw
 
I would say that it all depends on who you are playing and what their strengths and weaknesses are.
 
Southpaw said:
I think giving 3 games on the wire in a race to 9 is pretty much equivalent to giving someone the 7. JMO.

Southpaw
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So which one do you prefer, and why?

Leading 3 - 0 at start, and take the 2 first games gives you a heavy lead in the beginning and this can get your opponent "out of stroke". If you have ball-handicap you are "only" up 2 - 0.

At hill hill it is way better to have the ball handicap because then you still have handicap.

So what to choose? Any other advantages/disadvantages when comparing these 2 systems?
 
Roy Steffensen said:
I am curious how to know what handicap to ask for/give in matches.

If you normally ask for 3 games in a race to 9, what is the correct handicap when getting a ball, and what do you prefer?

I am pretty new in using the ball-handicap, so I am curious about how to know what comes next in the handicap-system if you win/lose?

Of all these I list up here, how would you "rank" them? Playing 9-ball, this is how I think I would list them: (But not sure, because sometimes 1 wild ball can be better than 2 call balls)

6 and 7 both wild
Call 6 and wild 7
Call 6 and call 7
7 and 8 both wild
Call 7 and wild 8
7 and 8 both call
Wild 6
Call 6
Wild 7
Call 7
wild 8
call 8

How can you compare these handicaps to giving games on the wire in a race to 9? Is the 6-ball like giving 4 games?

When do you use ballhandicap and when do you use games on the wire? Sometimes give/get both, if so, why?

Please help me, I want to start to WIN moneymatches too ;)
Click to expand...
Your list is pretty well in order of the progression of spots with the exception that if I were receiving the handicap I would rather have the wild 7,8 than the call 6 and wild 7. 2 wild balls are more of spot than a call and a wild no matter what # balls. That is unless you are totally helpless then it doesn't matter anyway.:)

If you are playing a really good player it really doesn't matter which (1) ball spot you receive as they are all relatively similar. Obviously the wild 6 is better than the wild 8 but I have seen great players give the 8 then the 7 then the 6 and still win. It is only one ball. Games on the wire are much more of a spot between 2 accomplished players IMO.

That is my take on it and I have lost to many people with many different spots. :D
 
However, if you are playing a great player and you have the Wild six....what are the odds you get to shoot that six? A great player should be able to breeze right past the six and take it out of play....so it's almost better getting an 8 or something since it's later in the rack....and if they do allow you to shoot before the six....would it be hard enough to get to the six? but then again??

You also have to throw into the handicap system about giving/taking breaks....that could change everything. If a great player's break is working well, they may be able to runout or past the six many times, but if you take their breaks....you at least have the first chance at either running to the six or playing safe in there somewhere.
 
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Roy Steffensen said:
I am curious how to know what handicap to ask for/give in matches.

If you normally ask for 3 games in a race to 9, what is the correct handicap when getting a ball, and what do you prefer?

I am pretty new in using the ball-handicap, so I am curious about how to know what comes next in the handicap-system if you win/lose?

Of all these I list up here, how would you "rank" them? Playing 9-ball, this is how I think I would list them: (But not sure, because sometimes 1 wild ball can be better than 2 call balls)

6 and 7 both wild
Call 6 and wild 7
Call 6 and call 7
7 and 8 both wild
Call 7 and wild 8
7 and 8 both call
Wild 6
Call 6
Wild 7
Call 7
wild 8
call 8

How can you compare these handicaps to giving games on the wire in a race to 9? Is the 6-ball like giving 4 games?

When do you use ballhandicap and when do you use games on the wire? Sometimes give/get both, if so, why?

Please help me, I want to start to WIN moneymatches too ;)
Click to expand...

3 games on the wire means the spotter has to hold his opponent to 5 games in a race to 9. That's pretty sporty. I would say that an equivalent spot would be closer to the 6 ball wild as Paris Hilton.

You want to win money matches, never accept what the other guy is willing to give. You are likely to come out on the short end every time.

Now if a tuna, like me sees you at the Deby City Classic and says, "I know you play real well and I will take the orange crush in a race to 9"; you should just empty out your pockets on the table and say "Go for it". :D

JoeyA
 
Roy Steffensen said:
So which one do you prefer, and why?

Leading 3 - 0 at start, and take the 2 first games gives you a heavy lead in the beginning and this can get your opponent "out of stroke". If you have ball-handicap you are "only" up 2 - 0.

At hill hill it is way better to have the ball handicap because then you still have handicap.

So what to choose? Any other advantages/disadvantages when comparing these 2 systems?
Click to expand...

If Im getting the spot, I think I would rather have the ball so that I always have a spot every game. If Im giving the spot, I think I would rather give up the games. Because if you can win enough games to get the score tied, then your opponent is playing you even so to speak.JMO.

Southpaw
 
Ktown D said:
Your list is pretty well in order of the progression of spots with the exception that if I were receiving the handicap I would rather have the wild 7,8 than the call 6 and wild 7. 2 wild balls are more of spot than a call and a wild no matter what # balls. That is unless you are totally helpless then it doesn't matter anyway.:)

If you are playing a really good player it really doesn't matter which (1) ball spot you receive as they are all relatively similar. Obviously the wild 6 is better than the wild 8 but I have seen great players give the 8 then the 7 then the 6 and still win. It is only one ball. Games on the wire are much more of a spot between 2 accomplished players IMO.

That is my take on it and I have lost to many people with many different spots. :D
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My experience lately is related to what you said. A good player gave me the 7 and I won 9 - 3. Another day he gave me the 6 and beat me 9 - 4... So for good players I guess it really doesn't matter which ball it is.

Yesterday I played to ahead sets against a player that is as good as the one who beat me with the 6. We played 10-ball 7 ahead, I got the wild 7 (but not on the break). I won 23 - 16.

Next set we played 5 ahead 10-ball, I got the wild 8 (but not on the break), then I lost 14 - 9.

I guess I have only played like 10 sets all in all with ball handicap, and I think I like it better then games on the wire, but I find it really difficult to know what to give/ask for. (Normally ask for, unfortunately)
 
Is WILD completely wild? Meaning you can slop it in anywhere.

We play ball spots either IT (in numerical sequence), Call (Combinations are allowed but must be called, ball and pocket), and wild (slop allowed anywhere).

I always wondered if this was everyone elses vocabulary.
 
JoeyA said:
Now if a tuna, like me sees you at the Deby City Classic and says, "I know you play real well and I will take the orange crush in a race to 9"; you should just empty out your pockets on the table and say "Go for it". :D

JoeyA
Click to expand...

I am considering giving you the orange crush in a race to 9, but I get all the breaks and ball in hand after the break. Deal?
 
Southpaw said:
If Im getting the spot, I think I would rather have the ball so that I always have a spot every game. If Im giving the spot, I think I would rather give up the games. Because if you can win enough games to get the score tied, then your opponent is playing you even so to speak.JMO.

Southpaw
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Very well said!! If you give someone games, you can take their spot away, but if you give them a ball....they have that spot throughout the race!
 
i would rather give games on the wire if i'm giving up the weight and take balls if i'm getting the weight.
 
Fatboy said:
i would rather give games on the wire if i'm giving up the weight and take balls if i'm getting the weight.
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I agree. Having a spot is a confidence booster and if you can blow someones confidence by taking the first 3 games while giving them 3, then you will have a better chance.
 
Roy Steffensen said:
I am considering giving you the orange crush in a race to 9, but I get all the breaks and ball in hand after the break. Deal?
Click to expand...
Dumb question - Whats an orange crush spot?
 
Spots

Southpaw said:
the 5 ball is often referred to as the orange crush.

Southpaw
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I have seen and heard to different things when talking about the orange crush.

1. is the breaks and the 5
2. is the 5,6,7,8 and 9

Which in my opinion depending on what the run out speed of your oponent is. the 2 different ways i have heard the crush be stated arent that different. If you are giving somone the crush you are at least 5 speeds better than them.

But however you look at the orange crush it is a huge spot.

I hope someone agrees with me on the but giving spots is all relative. If I am trying to get a bum to play. I will give him the breaks and the 4 ball. If he cant run 3 balls i dont really have to worry about the 4. And the game sounds good to the bum even though he can't win at it.

I have a good friend who in tournaments plays 1 rank higher so he gives me the last 2. But if we play for money I give him the 8 ball. I hate tournament play and love to gamble. So thats why spots are all relative. at least imho.
 
The 357 Magnum

Not the gun, but the spot: The wild 3, 5 and 7.... With the guys who give me that spot, it's not good on the break.

Flex
 
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