Handicapping 9 Ball: "Lowest 4" "Lowest 3"...

BasementDweller said:
.... I know I've never been satisfied with how 9 ball is handicapped.
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The APA found a way: turn it into 14.1-rotation and get one point per ball. Take away most of the value of the nine. That doesn't get the weak player any more time on the table, though. It just lets them do something useful in the first half of each rack.
 
I think your option is good. But imo your son would get better faster by having more opportunities to shoot more balls in.

He needs a game that would offer many different types of shots to learn how to shoot them and not have to worry about getting shape.

After he can run 4-5 balls consistently. Maybe then he can play 9 ball.

With the last game I brought up. His shot making should improve quickly i'd bet.

Like you said on your original post. It's hard to handicap 9b when the difference in skill level is so far apart.
 
BasementDweller said:
That doesn't at all sound interesting FOR ME.

What specifically about my version of 9 ball do you think isn't good for us?
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It’s crazy that you are getting so much flak on what is obviously a great idea! You get to play for real. He sees that and learns what is possible. On his trip, he gets to shoot more than once or twice. He is also learning how to get on the next ball, without paying the death penalty, for every mistake. It’s a great idea.
 
Jimmorrison said:
It’s crazy that you are getting so much flak on what is obviously a great idea! You get to play for real. He sees that and learns what is possible. On his trip, he gets to shoot more than once or twice. He is also learning how to get on the next ball, without paying the death penalty, for every mistake. It’s a great idea.
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Thanks. Yeah some probably think I should force him to "have some skin in the game" and gamble with me. 😉
 
I like the idea, keeps the newbies interested, wish I would have used it for
my kids. Give newbies 8 games on the wire in a race to 9 usually means they get beat 9-8 unless the higher skilled player is just a banger. More choices and limit the number of low balls as they gain experience. 👍
 
boogieman said:
Another different spot for 8 ball could be to play 8 ball but you have to run them in rotation.
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That's a good suggestion that we've actually tried. Trouble with that one is -- it can be too difficult for me to get a shot for several innings. So then all my blocker balls are still on the table making the runout really difficult for him. The game bogs down. Then it totally flips if he fails his runout. Then it becomes like 9 ball for me with his one ball, or the 8 still on the table that he can't get to.
 
Well it’s cool of you to get him going.

Short rack 8 ball might be a good one to try out. I have never played. But Every time they have a tournament here it looks fun.
 
Jimmorrison said:
It’s crazy that you are getting so much flak on what is obviously a great idea! You get to play for real. He sees that and learns what is possible. On his trip, he gets to shoot more than once or twice. He is also learning how to get on the next ball, without paying the death penalty, for every mistake. It’s a great idea.
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👈🏼👈🏼exactly what they said
 
he needs a game that is very fair so that he wins his share of the time until the game wears off.

take turns open break with all the balls on the table. first to make 8 wins the game.
1. you can only run one and stop. then he shoots and can run all he can. then your turn to run one only and stop.
2. after he starts beating you at that, you can go to two and stop. and so on until it becomes completely fair.

this way he is spotting you and adjusting when he gets too good for the game. that is the key. rather than you spotting him and doing all the shooting.
 
maha said:
he needs a game that is very fair so that he wins his share of the time until the game wears off.

take turns open break with all the balls on the table. first to make 8 wins the game.
1. you can only run one and stop. then he shoots and can run all he can. then your turn to run one only and stop.
2. after he starts beating you at that, you can go to two and stop. and so on until it becomes completely fair.

this way he is spotting you and adjusting when he gets too good for the game. that is the key. rather than you spotting him and doing all the shooting.
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Surely you guys are just messing with me now.
 
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