How long to play before adjusting a handicap?

hang-the-9

hang-the-9

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I used to give of the guys I play with 3 in a race to 7, and beat him probably 8 of 10 sets that way.

To even things out, I tried 2 to 7 and the last 2. We only played 2 sets this way, but he beat me 7-4 and 7-5 that way. Is it too early to think that's too much of a spot or should we play 10 sets this way. I am heading to play tonight, and not sure if I should offer 1 to 7 and last 2 or just the last 2 or play as is for a bit. I'm not really interested in beating him all the time, but for an even match up that would need me to focus on the full game.
 
worldison2 said:
Would you consider ball spots?
Click to expand...
He is giving balls spots - 2 on the wire and the last two.

To the OP - I would try 1 on the wire and the last two. See how that goes.
 
You should wait 42 minutes. If after that, you cannot decide, wait until you've played precisely 42 games. If even then, it's hazy, you should know after 42 sets.
 
I have always been told that when you are ten ahead that there needs to be an adjustment. I personally will not give anyone a spot. I will not ask for a spot either but will merely point out the disparity in skill levels if I feel I cannot get there playing even. I leave it up to my opponent to offer me a spot or I don't play. Then again...I am not a hustler either. A hustler may give you what you want but never what you need. I would recommend that you give up games on the wire before giving up balls. If you give up balls...do not give games on the wire. If you want to give up balls and you feel it is too tough...then give them balls but take the breaks away from them. Also, giving up the last balls on the table is a better start than by giving up wild or call shots. The call shot may be a better spot if you cannot consistently run out at the end though. To be honest, unless your opponent cannot run more than two or three balls you should not be giving up more than one ball unless you are a Master's level player or better. Of course, I am just a B-player...or am I?
 
Spot

I would say forget the games on the wire. Offer something like the 7 ball, that way you can gauge what his true speed is. Often with spots like the last two or games on the wire it's hard to know what is fair. When just giving straight up ball spots it's alot easier to adjust. If he wins with the 7 adjust to the 8 ball. Ofcourse alot of this depends on what the final score is. Another thing I would suggest is play a longer race. Something like a race to 11.
 
hang-the-9 said:
I used to give of the guys I play with 3 in a race to 7, and beat him probably 8 of 10 sets that way. ...
Click to expand...
If you want an automatic way to adjust the spot to be fair, you can use the following table. Keep track of how many sets you are ahead. Play the corresponding match. For example, if you are 45 sets ahead, play 10 games to 4 -- you go to 10, he goes to 4. If you want to keep some advantage for yourself, ignore 1 out of 10 of your wins or take slight money odds, such as 11:10.

The reason this system is guaranteed to find a fair match is that the spot is adjusted according to wins and losses. If you are winning more than 50% of the matches, the spot is guaranteed to go up.

The particular ranges of "matches ahead" are chosen for technical reasons that aren't important for this application. If you feel that a 5 or 6 match swing is too small to trigger a change of spot, just make the ranges 20 wins wide, so the left column reads 0-19, 20-39, and so on, or pick your own step.

I have other tables for shorter matches.

Sets
Ahead -- match
0-3 -- 7-7
4-10 -- 7-6
11-14 -- 8-6
15-18 -- 7-5
19-24 -- 8-5
25-29 -- 9-5
30-34 -- 8-4
35-39 -- 9-4
40-46 -- 10-4
47-53 -- 9-3
54-57 -- 10-3
58-67 -- 11-3
68-77 -- 10-2
78-81 -- 11-2
82-UP -- 12-2
 
Thanks for the replies all.

I think the main reason why I went with the ball spots (last 2) is because I noticed I was winning quite a few games when he missed the 8 or 9, or played bad shape from the 8 to the 9. Also, in theory at least :-), the last 2 spot should keep me focused to the end and not rattle the 8 or allow myself to ease up knowning the opponent would allow me another chance. The issue is I managed to play really stong the first few games of the set, then started hanging the 8 ball, and with the last 2, it was an easy win every time for the other guy. I guess I just need more focus or my skill is not even with the spot I was giving up.
 
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