I joined my first APA league last night

[jjinfla]

The APA is what the APA is. So enjoy it for what it is.

No matter what anyone tells you there really are no great players in the APA who are rated a 6 or below.

The longer you stay a 4 the more fun you can have.

When you first start out your handicap will jump all over the place. Whatever you do you do not want to crush anyone the first few matches you play. Sure, play to win, but do not overwhelm the person.

Once you get over 50 matches in the computer then things will all work out.

Yes on days you will see APA 1's and 2's run 4 or 5 or 6 balls. It just is the nature of the game. The next time out that same person will miss a hanger 6 inches from the pocket. That is why they are 2's.

But it really is fun to see a 1 or 2 play a 7 in 9 ball and make a few balls in a row.

APA 9 ball is about as close as you can come to having a realistic handicap system in pool. It really is a good system. Just don't fight it. Remember, it all evens out after you have 50 matches. Until then, don't fight the system, just play it to your advantage.

Jake

 

[ScottW]

Once you get over 50 matches in the computer then things will all work out.

Um, no. More like 10 or so.

50 matches would take over a YEAR to get, for your average APA player. 52 weeks in a year, minus bye weeks, weeks between sessions, and weeks you don't play as your team has more than five people.

 

[NeZ]

I'm 6 matches into league play now. I'm having a lot of fun.

I lucked out and got a good team. I didn't know the team before signing up. A friend and I just went up on the first night and there was a team that needed players.

They're all laid back and we're playing just for fun. My division only has 5 teams in it, we've played them all and there don't seem to be any problems with dishonesty or sandbagging as far as I can tell.

I lost my first 4 matches and dropped all the way down to a 2. I've now won my last two in a row so I'm thinking they might move me to a 3 for next week.

Judging by all the folks I've seen play so far I think I probably should be a 3or maybe a low 4. I know the 5's I've played are clearly better than me, so I don't think I'm at that level.

I'm not worried about it though, I'm just playing and having fun. It is nice to win though. After I dropped those first 4 I thought I'd never win.

 

[ScottW]

NeZ, are you playing 8-ball or 9-ball? And I've no idea what your gender is. Guys aren't supposed to be able to drop to a 2 in 8-ball.

A good team is crucial to your enjoyment of league (not just APA). I lucked out close to four years ago, when I started playing APA - I got on an established team, which happened to be one of the stronger teams, and also fit me well personality-wise. That team has evolved over the years, lost a couple people, picked some others up - but we've kept that same "feel" to it. And we're an even stronger team now.

And as far as your skill level goes - it'll improve. Playing league will help you a lot, considering where you are now. I started off in 8-ball with my team as a 4, and now I'm a butthair from being a 7.

 

[Bamacues]

APA is fun

There is certainly some sandbagging, but I feel it only hurts the players who sand bag. If you frequent a pool hall, you know well enough who is sandbagging and who is not. Playing leagues at least makes certain that you will get to play some decent matches, probably against some even skill level players from time to time, but a 6-2 or 7-2 match in 8 ball can also be tough to win, or a 9 ball race of 75-14 or 19 with players who can at least hit straight shots. I have been to Vegas 3 of the last 4 years, and it is a ton of fun, but almost like work after 3-4 days of 8AM to 2AM matches (I am not as young as I used to be). Just enjoy the fact that you are around other folks who share a love for the game.
Joe

 

[Da Poet]

I'm 6 matches into league play now. I'm having a lot of fun.

So do you still have the three ladies on your team? How's that going? Who cares about your playing!

Congrats on your first win. It seems that it takes new players about five matches to adjust to the whole environment. Not the handicap stuff, just the atmosphere, pressure and that sort.

Good luck!

 

[NeZ]

NeZ, are you playing 8-ball or 9-ball? And I've no idea what your gender is. Guys aren't supposed to be able to drop to a 2 in 8-ball. .

I'm playing 8-Ball and I am a guy. We're just going by the Skill Level that's on the sheet each week. I wasn't aware that guys weren't supposed to drop to level two. It happened to another guy on my team also.

I'll check the rule book and follow-up with my league operator to make sure everything is correct.

 

[NeZ]

So do you still have the three ladies on your team? How's that going? Who cares about your playing!

Congrats on your first win. It seems that it takes new players about five matches to adjust to the whole environment. Not the handicap stuff, just the atmosphere, pressure and that sort.

Good luck!

We do still have 3 girls on the team

We're actually doing a lot better as a team also. Last week we won all 5 matches and we won 4 this week with one make-up still to play.

I am getting a lot more comfortable. The first few times I played I was totally off my game and not shooting anywhere close to as well as I normally do. I'm getting much closer to normal speed now.

 

[jjinfla]

I'm playing 8-Ball and I am a guy. We're just going by the Skill Level that's on the sheet each week. I wasn't aware that guys weren't supposed to drop to level two. It happened to another guy on my team also.

I'll check the rule book and follow-up with my league operator to make sure everything is correct.

Don't worry about it. Just enjoy it.

If it was wrong your captain or the other team would have called the LO.

Never argue with the computer. The computer is never wrong. The computer decides your SL.

 

[bsmutz]

I started playing APA a few weeks ago (4 women on my team, lol). They started me off as a 5. I kicked butt in both 8 and 9 ball the first week and moved up to a six in both. The second week I lost my 8 ball match for failure to mark my pocket and didn't get to play 9-ball. 3rd week I again won both matches. Last week I was a 7 in 9-ball and a 6 in 8-ball. I won my hill-hill 8 ball match and was ranked too high to play 9-ball.
Overall, it's been a fun experience. It can get a little boring watching a couple of 3s slug it out, but that's what they make beer, jukeboxes, women, and TV for. What I like most about it is the length of time you get to spend at the table. The other league I play in you only get to play two games and you have to wait an hour or more between games. I always feel more comfortable after I've been playing for 5 or 10 minutes with a chance to get in stroke. I guess ideally I'd like to go play for a couple of hours and go home, but this is a nice alternative for me.

 

[Nickelsig229]

I joined one of my friends teams in the APA and tonight is my 5th match. I started as a four but after going 2 and 2 I'm now a 3. It is a lot of fun and it has rekindled a passion for billiards that I had 10 years ago while in college.

I have seen one "sandbagger" play one of my teammates but I wont let it influence the amount of fun I am having.

 

[Da Poet]

Guys aren't supposed to be able to drop to a 2 in 8-ball.

Not universally true. It's up to the league operator. I know the room and the league operator in this case and it is common for some new male players to drop down to a two. It depends a lot on the division.

 

[ScottW]

Not universally true. It's up to the league operator. I know the room and the league operator in this case and it is common for some new male players to drop down to a two. It depends a lot on the division.

I was just getting ready to post "Maybe that was a local rule" but you beat me to it.

I've recently moved my team from the edge of one LO's area to the edge of another LO's area, so I'm getting a crash course in "how different LOs do things differently"

 

[Cory in DC]

I'm playing 8-Ball and I am a guy. We're just going by the Skill Level that's on the sheet each week. I wasn't aware that guys weren't supposed to drop to level two. It happened to another guy on my team also.

I'll check the rule book and follow-up with my league operator to make sure everything is correct.

Most commonly, males can play as 2's in weekly play, but have to play as 3's in the playoffs and higher. There are no male 2's in Vegas.

Welcome to the APA and have fun. It's not perfect but with the right teammates it's a lot of fun.

Cory

 

[DelaWho???]

Having Fun in the APA

I'm having a great time in the APA. I shoot on teams Monday and Tuesday, both 8 ball.

I'd been kinda slumping for the last couple weeks, but broke out of it on Monday with my first league 8 ball break and run..... guess I get a patch or something...I was happy to win the match after the way I've played the last couple weeks. I did lose my match last night, got left on the hill, but it was my own unforced error that did me in.

I like playing league, because I get a chace to play a lot of different people, and it has really helped my confidence in my game. This is my third session, and I finally feel like I'm making good progress.

Have fun with it NEZ, maybe we'll get to meet in Vegas...

McCue Banger McCue

 

[MrLucky]

Well.....

Most commonly, males can play as 2's in weekly play, but have to play as 3's in the playoffs and higher. There are no male 2's in Vegas.

Welcome to the APA and have fun. It's not perfect but with the right teammates it's a lot of fun.

Cory

In my 25 or so years in the APA a male 2 is rare and will only stay one for a short time either they lose interest or are moved up ! Males start as a 4 and Females a 3 so its a lot easier for a Lady to drop to a 2 than for a male !!! In any playoff formats as already indicated all 2's and 3's play as 3 level! Which always screws up my team since we have 3 six rated players!!!

 

[Cory in DC]

In my 25 or so years in the APA a male 2 is rare and will only stay one for a short time either they lose interest or are moved up ! Males start as a 4 and Females a 3 so its a lot easier for a Lady to drop to a 2 than for a male !!! In any playoff formats as already indicated all 2's and 3's play as 3 level! Which always screws up my team since we have 3 six rated players!!!

You mean all male 2's, right? Female 2's are allowed in playoffs everywhere I've seen.