how are ya'll doing in league ?

[justadub]

So is it better to have closely matched players or not-so-closely matched players?

I'm a captain in NAPA and I just put up whoever wants to play next.

In my opinion, it is. I'm trying to win the most points for my team, to give us a chance to get into the playoffs. So I try to give us the most favorable matchups to win as possible.

There are a lot of mitigating factors, of course, and with APA you have to deal with the 23 rule, too. I want all my players to get to play, but we can only play 5 out of 8 each week, so taking turns needs to be managed.

I also try to match up my lesser skilled players against similar skilled players. I want them to have a chance to win, and I want them to have fun. I cannot imagine having my 2's or 3's sitting there, watching a 7 run balls, and maybe shooting once. That isn't any way to get them engaged in the game, to me. (Yes, some times I'm forced into it by other teams strategy, and yes, during playoffs anything goes, which i make sure they understand.)

I don't know much about NAPA, so I can't compare strategies, or the necessity of it.

 

[DAVE_M]

In my opinion, it is. I'm trying to win the most points for my team, to give us a chance to get into the playoffs. So I try to give us the most favorable matchups to win as possible.

There are a lot of mitigating factors, of course, and with APA you have to deal with the 23 rule, too. I want all my players to get to play, but we can only play 5 out of 8 each week, so taking turns needs to be managed.

I also try to match up my lesser skilled players against similar skilled players. I want them to have a chance to win, and I want them to have fun. I cannot imagine having my 2's or 3's sitting there, watching a 7 run balls, and maybe shooting once. That isn't any way to get them engaged in the game, to me. (Yes, some times I'm forced into it by other teams strategy, and yes, during playoffs anything goes, which i make sure they understand.)

I don't know much about NAPA, so I can't compare strategies, or the necessity of it.

I've noticed in 9-ball, more so than 8-ball, that matching players up is way more important. The point spread in 9-ball can get out of hand if you have bad match ups. There are enough 3's and 4's that, given the chance, can get their 20-30 points in the blink of an eye.

My two losses this session were lost with less than a 10 point spread.

 

[mcsock]

Played Sat. night 9b my back went out. Was not much of a match, I was having trouble beening over to pick the balls up to even rack for him. Suppose to play 8b tonight, going to take a pass on that, hopefully be ok for Sat. again. Sucks to get old.

 

[krupa]

In my opinion, it is. I'm trying to win the most points for my team, to give us a chance to get into the playoffs. So I try to give us the most favorable matchups to win as possible.

There are a lot of mitigating factors, of course, and with APA you have to deal with the 23 rule, too. I want all my players to get to play, but we can only play 5 out of 8 each week, so taking turns needs to be managed.

I also try to match up my lesser skilled players against similar skilled players. I want them to have a chance to win, and I want them to have fun. I cannot imagine having my 2's or 3's sitting there, watching a 7 run balls, and maybe shooting once. That isn't any way to get them engaged in the game, to me. (Yes, some times I'm forced into it by other teams strategy, and yes, during playoffs anything goes, which i make sure they understand.)

I don't know much about NAPA, so I can't compare strategies, or the necessity of it.

In NAPA every match (8-, 9-, or 10-ball) is just a race with the requisite number of games determined by the difference in skill level. For example, if I'm a 78 and you're a 69, it would be a 5-4 race. (I am not a 78, I only chose it for demonstration purposes.) There's a table (and an online app) that shows you how to calculate the race.

Every week your SL is adjusted by a point or two. There isn't a 23-rule, so if you have a very strong player, he's going to be playing some pretty lopsided matches. For example, tonight if I put my lowest player up against their strongest player, it would be an 8-2 race.

In general, my decision is based on:
* who needs to leave early
* who wants to play whom (sometimes people want revenge/redemption)
* and then I play last because everyone else has left.

 

[lorider]

In NAPA every match (8-, 9-, or 10-ball) is just a race with the requisite number of games determined by the difference in skill level. For example, if I'm a 78 and you're a 69, it would be a 5-4 race. (I am not a 78, I only chose it for demonstration purposes.) There's a table (and an online app) that shows you how to calculate the race.

Every week your SL is adjusted by a point or two. There isn't a 23-rule, so if you have a very strong player, he's going to be playing some pretty lopsided matches. For example, tonight if I put my lowest player up against their strongest player, it would be an 8-2 race.

In general, my decision is based on:
* who needs to leave early
* who wants to play whom (sometimes people want revenge/redemption)
* and then I play last because everyone else has left.

iirc you play laggers choice....same as i.

there is strategy in not only who you match up but after the lag there is strategy in what game to play.

handicaps can vary in 8,9 or 10 ball which could affect what the races are in each game.

take me for example.

my last napa match i won the lag. upon looking at the handicap table the races were as follows.

8 ball... 6-3 race. me going to 3 with 60% lifetime win record

9 ball...7-2 race. me going to 2 with 40% lifetime win record

10 ball ..7-3 race..me going to 3 with 50% lifetime win record

now some people may have chosen 9 or 10 ball simply because your opponent has to give you 4 or 5 games on the wire vs 3 in 8 ball. to me it don't matter what the race is... i just think about the odds of me getting to the money ball

without me posting mine or my opponents handicaps you can see by the races he is better at 9 or 10 ball than i am. i am better at 8 than 9 or 10.

in the above match i chose 8 ball due to the reasons i stated above. i won this match 3-3.

either my strategy works or i just got lucky.

 

[krupa]

iirc you play laggers choice....same as i.

there is strategy in not only who you match up but after the lag there is strategy in what game to play.

handicaps can vary in 8,9 or 10 ball which could affect what the races are in each game.

take me for example.

my last napa match i won the lag. upon looking at the handicap table the races were as follows.

8 ball... 6-3 race. me going to 3 with 60% lifetime win record

9 ball...7-2 race. me going to 2 with 40% lifetime win record

10 ball ..7-3 race..me going to 3 with 50% lifetime win record

now some people may have chosen 9 or 10 ball simply because your opponent has to give you 4 or 5 games on the wire vs 3 in 8 ball. to me it don't matter what the race is... i just think about the odds of me getting to the money ball

without me posting mine or my opponents handicaps you can see by the races he is better at 9 or 10 ball than i am. i am better at 8 than 9 or 10.

in the above match i chose 8 ball due to the reasons i stated above. i won this match 3-3.

either my strategy works or i just got lucky.

Yeah, I play laggers choice. I'm pretty irresponsible when it comes to choosing the game though.

If I win the lag, I let my opponent choose the game. If I have to choose the game, I choose 9-ball because it's my weakest game and I need to play it more.

 

[AcuraHeel]

A buddy of mine that plays on my APA wednesday teams is the captain of an APA travel team on monday nights and he begged me to play on his team since they dont have any high ranks, been playing there for 3 weeks and that night doesnt have any high ranks either, so after I started, one of the teams recruited an APA SL8 as they said to "give me a run for my money", anyways, this monday I had to play him, the guy started really strong in 9ball, he was running out, I didnt have a shot for quite a while I was a bit nervous, I was down I believe 41-12, he finally left me open and I ended up kicking it into gear and ended up putting 3 or 4 break and runs, final score 75-52, he had to make it to 65 to beat me. That felt good, then on 8ball he didnt really have a chance, ended up being 5-1.

Josh, who is this "8" that you played? That's an impressive comeback....63-11

 

[Dunnn51]

I had to play the best in the poolroom in leagues other nite. Last time we played, I beat him pretty bad. (was a fluke, he was off that nite as he is easily 2 balls above me) APA 9-ball. I was tight and made too many mistakes. 3 misses, 2 blind scratches. He was a RAZOR as he was getting ready for Regionals. I ran out just once; he was all over my mistakes so I felt lucky to come out with a 13-7 loss.
After my 2nd mistake (Bad roll for position), I let out a bear-growl. :angry:The peops not knowing me on the other tbl chanted "Goosfraba." Made me laugh :grin:

so here goes: ............................ GoooooooooooosFraba !

There, thas a little better ! :grin-square:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fscuv4PIjws

 

[krupa]

I ended up playing the other teams best player (and one of the best in the league). True to my earlier post, I lost the lag and choose 9-ball. Both 8 and 9 ball would be 8-4 races, 10-ball was going to only be 6-4

Neither of us could get the speed of the table: he would get an extra inch or two of roll and leave himself hooked; I would get an extra couple inches and scratch.

Even though I scratched on the 9-ball TWICE I managed to win 4-4 with a couple of decent outs.

This puts me first place in points and unless there was a complete blowout (which is actually possible due to a very weak team), my team will go into our bye week in first place. We certainly won't stay in first place after our bye, but it's nice to see our name on top for right now.

 

[DAVE_M]

Won my APA 9-ball match 18-2. Played at home so we were back on the new Diamond BB's.

He broke the first rack, ran 4 balls and missed, I ran out.
I broke the second rack dry and he was hooked. I got out after some safes.
Broke the third rack illegally (miscued). Reracked and broke, cue ball went into orbit... FAIL
He ran a few more balls and missed, I played more safes and got out.

My last 2 points actually ended up on a 9-ball. That was different lol.

 

[oshua86]

Josh, who is this "8" that you played? That's an impressive comeback....63-11

I played Miles George. Once in a while I can hit them straight lol.

 

[Banks]

I played a buddy that's been fluctuating as a 6 and 7 in 8 for a little bit. He was playing well and I just couldn't get it done. Lost that one 5-3, I think. Took last night off so I could spend a little more time with the g/f. Looking forward to summer, so I can cut back to 1 league night a week(Wed night masters, usually over by 9pm). Should have diamond barboxes at my usual bar by then, so I'll get all the practice I need for a while.

 

[Rain-Man]

:sorry: Got beat in 2 different leagues last night in 8-ball (TAP and BCBC which is a local league)... Didnt play 'horrible', but I just didnt have it last night. First rack in both leagues (I lost the lag both times), and my opponent snapped the 8.. I tried to mount a comeback, but I was already giving up a lot of weight as it was, then the 8's on the snap made it worse...
I didnt mind so much losing to the guy in TAP league, because hes a very good 5. Hes one of those 5's that one night can shoot like a 7, and the next night shoot like a 3-4. Nice kid though, and he was pretty happy he finally got his first ever win against me :thumbup:. Thats kinda (IMO) what league play is all about, so I was more than ok with it...


I have APA 9-Ball tonight. I was moved up to an 8 in that league (started as a new player 4). This is my new league I just joined about a month ago, so I kind of like being able to go to new places and meet new people that Ive never been to or shot against. I dont even know where this place is Im playing at, had to map quest it (lol)....

Good Luck out there,
Rain-Man

 

[Matt]

A buddy of mine that plays on my APA wednesday teams is the captain of an APA travel team on monday nights and he begged me to play on his team since they dont have any high ranks, been playing there for 3 weeks and that night doesnt have any high ranks either, so after I started, one of the teams recruited an APA SL8 as they said to "give me a run for my money", anyways, this monday I had to play him, the guy started really strong in 9ball, he was running out, I didnt have a shot for quite a while I was a bit nervous, I was down I believe 41-12, he finally left me open and I ended up kicking it into gear and ended up putting 3 or 4 break and runs, final score 75-52, he had to make it to 65 to beat me. That felt good, then on 8ball he didnt really have a chance, ended up being 5-1.

:yikes: One day, I hope to rain down break and runs with such frequency that I can't remember if I had 3 or 4 in the last 7 racks.

 

[justadub]

:yikes: One day, I hope to rain down break and runs with such frequency that I can't remember if I had 3 or 4 in the last 7 racks.

Yeah, me too.

 

[DAVE_M]

Yeah, me too.

2-pack Dave... :frown:

One day I will be able to run more than 2 racks!
I bet I can put together a 10 pack of dry breaks :embarrassed2:

 

[justadub]

2-pack Dave... :frown:

One day I will be able to run more than 2 racks!
I bet I can put together a 10 pack of dry breaks :embarrassed2:

Some session I'm gonna have more than one break and run....Bwahaha

 

[Spimp13]

2-pack Dave... :frown:

One day I will be able to run more than 2 racks!
I bet I can put together a 10 pack of dry breaks :embarrassed2:

Just remember who gave you that nickname

Tonight we have a makeup match on top of our regular match so most likely I will get 2-3 matches in...should be busy but fun. GL to me.

 

[justadub]

Stepped on my anatomy last night at 9-ball. Got beaten by someone that I usually can get past. I was up 20-10 at one point, too...

Very disappointed in myself. Let it get away. Poor mental control, I guess.

 

[DAVE_M]

Just remember who gave you that nickname

Tonight we have a makeup match on top of our regular match so most likely I will get 2-3 matches in...should be busy but fun. GL to me.

I'm going to put some work in Sunday and see if I can work the kinks out of my break. That's my biggest problem. Whitey goes crazy when I crush them. If I slow it down, I can control it, but I'm still 50/50 on dry breaks.

I left work around 5, traffic was so bad it took me 1.5 hours to get home. Called my wife (who was also working and gets off at 7) and made dinner plans. At 7:30, as I'm walking out of the house, my captain calls and tells us we have a makeup match and I have to go... Pssshhhh ain't nobody got time fo dat

Dinner was delicious