whitewolf said:
Do you remember her name?
League: The Diet Coke of Pool?
- Thread starter SkippyFL
- Start date
Do you remember her name?
Sweet Marissa
www.Bella-Muse.com
whitewolf said:Don't you get a lot of players poking you in the ass when they want your attention, like getting someone to watch the hit?
The person who pokes me in the ass will be pulling back a stub lol Except in Aaron's case, in which he pulls back a chubby
whitewolf said:BTW, I really do not like players who wear these ear gizmos. It is so impersonal, stuck up, etc. How can I give you shit while you are shooting anway? Do I jump up and motion to you to remove the muffs so I can say something?
I don't think I'm being stuck up... I let them know beforehand it's what I do to concentrate. When I'm not playing pool, I'll socialise with anyone and everyone.
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Why I like APA better
I like the APA better because it is one complete match. If you start out slow, you can have the opportunity to make the necessary adjustments to come out on top. Also, playing more than one game at a time allows you to have your time, you to be the central focus, like another poster had said before. It allows your team to focus on you, and the outcome of every shot. I go only to play socially, I have met a lot of great people in the APA.
I do like going just once a week, it helps keep my 8 ball game sharp since that isn't a primary game I practice (9-ball, straight pool). I find that most do have an inflated sense of how they play, even the 5's, and they really don't want to find out otherwise. I also play the APA because it puts pressure on me because I am playing not for myself only like usual, but all these other people depend on me also. That has been a positive thing for the most part. I have been on teams that look at me like a guaranteed win, and think that I am not trying or just sluffing it off if I don't win like they think I should. (I am a 9 and a 7) I guess that all comes from the team environment, and it can be expected from time to time.
In the end, most people play for the social aspect. I pretty much never see anyone from the APA going to any qualifiers for either the men or women. All seem to be pretty content playing in their arena. I guess given how high the level of pool can really go, no one wants to think they are that close to the bottom, but can be only that far from the top when the top is a 7.
I like the APA better because it is one complete match. If you start out slow, you can have the opportunity to make the necessary adjustments to come out on top. Also, playing more than one game at a time allows you to have your time, you to be the central focus, like another poster had said before. It allows your team to focus on you, and the outcome of every shot. I go only to play socially, I have met a lot of great people in the APA.
I do like going just once a week, it helps keep my 8 ball game sharp since that isn't a primary game I practice (9-ball, straight pool). I find that most do have an inflated sense of how they play, even the 5's, and they really don't want to find out otherwise. I also play the APA because it puts pressure on me because I am playing not for myself only like usual, but all these other people depend on me also. That has been a positive thing for the most part. I have been on teams that look at me like a guaranteed win, and think that I am not trying or just sluffing it off if I don't win like they think I should. (I am a 9 and a 7) I guess that all comes from the team environment, and it can be expected from time to time.
In the end, most people play for the social aspect. I pretty much never see anyone from the APA going to any qualifiers for either the men or women. All seem to be pretty content playing in their arena. I guess given how high the level of pool can really go, no one wants to think they are that close to the bottom, but can be only that far from the top when the top is a 7.
NewGuy said:Personally, the APA in Hoboken and NYC has been a very good experience. I've met a lot of great people and I also picked up a thing or two about pool
Is it possible that we are mixing up the APA with bar room players? I think the APA seems to be well run, and the BCA as well. What I think happens is that bar league players do not get a chance to see higher level pool room players, as a result they have a much higher self ability image. Bring your APA or BCA league into the pool rooms They belong there anyway, supporting the billiard rooms supports billiards.
I think the race in the APA is perfect and I think more BCA leagues should adopt it, there are no rules that say they can not. Also, the APA and BCA can be played on full size tables also.
pete lafond said:
I noticed that too - it seems like some posts are probably referring to bars. My division plays in a hall and lots of the players are regulars there and at the other local halls. The next closest 9-ball division to me plays at Comet in Parsippany. We're playing on full size tables, and the halls are dry.
Mary
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DDKoop said:
Thats exactly how I feel... Im a APA 7 and a few times took a 2 or 3 lightly and start getting cute with shots and doing crazy shot.. Ended up getting beat!!. If you play them like you are playing a 5,6, or 7.. they will have no chance unless they are sandbaggers!!
pete lafond said:
I think you may be referring to my post. Yes, for the most part, when I think of the APA, I do think of bar-room players but my comments apply across the board. See, no matter where the APA is (bar or poolroom), you're still going to see a skill-level pyramid that narrows a little sooner than most leagues. I was an s/l 7 (8-ball) and frankly, there were very few of us and not because people of my level didn't want to play but because the system produced these results.
For me, my best pool education happens when I feel challenged, not hand-cuffed. The race needs to be long enough that both players are given opportunities at the table and luck doesn't perceive to be a factor. When I played in the APA and lost, frequently it was because of the shortened race. The ratio of games need for my opponents may have been correct but the game doesn't always stick to those ratios in the short-run. When I noticed this, I'd simply write-off the results as a statistical anomoly. When I play someone of near-equal ability, it's much different. You appreciate every turn at the table and consider every moment to be a potential turning-point. If I assess that a below-average person cannot possible run-out, there is probably a 98% chance I'm right. I can never safely say the same thing about someone around my own ability which is what drives me to perform my best. If I lose an even match, I have nobody but myself to blame.
I'm not saying I like the BCA over the APA on the whole. You can't say that because the BCA comes in many different shapes and sizes. All I'm saying is I prefer my experiences in the BCA over my experiences in the APA. The version I play in is more challenging for me. I cannot say the same would be true for someone outside my region.
APA Triple Play
Locally, Tampa Bay, I prefer our APA league to BCA, one of the biggest reasons is that I like to play a race against another person, not just one game against several different people. Our APA league director recently started a Triple Play division and even though this is the first session he has already attracted a few good local players who did not play in the APA. For those not familiar with APA Triple Play you play three players each night, there are no handicaps and it is a race to seven, you play 8 games of 9 ball and 5 games of 8 ball. Personally I couldn't wait to sign up. I play APA 9 ball and am a seven, and I want nothing more than to play better players and improve my own game, imo most of the better APA players in my area feel the same way. By the way I also play in a lot of local tournaments and yes I even gamble. Most but not all of our APA teams play out of pool halls not bars. I think another reason that I prefer APA is that our league director does a great job and holds a lot of tournaments and qualifiers for all skill levels. I'm sure it makes a big difference when you have a league director who is enthusiastic about pool in general and really enjoys his job. Anyone else have a local Triple Play division?
Steve
Locally, Tampa Bay, I prefer our APA league to BCA, one of the biggest reasons is that I like to play a race against another person, not just one game against several different people. Our APA league director recently started a Triple Play division and even though this is the first session he has already attracted a few good local players who did not play in the APA. For those not familiar with APA Triple Play you play three players each night, there are no handicaps and it is a race to seven, you play 8 games of 9 ball and 5 games of 8 ball. Personally I couldn't wait to sign up. I play APA 9 ball and am a seven, and I want nothing more than to play better players and improve my own game, imo most of the better APA players in my area feel the same way. By the way I also play in a lot of local tournaments and yes I even gamble. Most but not all of our APA teams play out of pool halls not bars. I think another reason that I prefer APA is that our league director does a great job and holds a lot of tournaments and qualifiers for all skill levels. I'm sure it makes a big difference when you have a league director who is enthusiastic about pool in general and really enjoys his job. Anyone else have a local Triple Play division?
Steve
Chilifide said:
I've heard something about a new APA division to attract better players. Sounds great, maybe they will get one here.
Chilifide, if you see Pat Howey down there, tell him Pete from Rochester says hi. A fantastic pool player, runs 100's in straight.
Interesting discussion. I just started playing in the APA (8 ball) this summer. Been playing in other local leagues for many years. Just needed a change of pace. (Got sick of the B.S. in my regular 9 ball league) Haven't seen much of the sandbagging and unsportsmanlike play in the APA....yet. I hope the APA isn't really as bad as what has been posted in this discussion, it's my only night out each week. (I really need to get out more often....)
Only substantial negative thing I have run into so far is slow play. A race to 2 between two skill level three players should never take an hour. ARRRRRGH!!!! Also, starting a match at 7:30 pm and finishing at 12:15 AM is very undesirable.
Anyways.....you will have the sandbagging and unsportsmanlike conduct in any league out there. You can't avoid that in league play.
JMHO
Scott
Only substantial negative thing I have run into so far is slow play. A race to 2 between two skill level three players should never take an hour. ARRRRRGH!!!! Also, starting a match at 7:30 pm and finishing at 12:15 AM is very undesirable.
Anyways.....you will have the sandbagging and unsportsmanlike conduct in any league out there. You can't avoid that in league play.
JMHO
Scott
<start rant>
I'm done with playing on APA teams.
Last night was a real good example.
I drive through the last of rush hour traffic,
to be on time for the start of team play at 7pm.
And my match started at midnight!
So bottom line on APA team pool:
It is a sub-optimal use of my time.
Last night, including travel,
I invested 7 hours of my life
to play pool for one hour.
And I spent those 7 hours
in a VERY sub-optimal environment.
A smoky, over/under-airconditioned,
dirty, LOUD bar without food.
More reasons? the tables are
undersized, poorly maintained,
and the balls are a joke!
I can get my pool groove on elsewhere,
at far less cost in time,
in MY CHOICE of location
at MY CHOICE of time
with MY CHOICE of opponents.
The APA offers a social environment
"where everyone can play, and anyone can win"
as they say in their ads.
Well, I'd prefer to avoid that social experience.
My goals go beyond meeting new people and having fun.
I shoot pool to learn the art of pool.
To learn the secrets of life through pool.
To create a thing of beauty through pool.
To be the best pool shooter possible.
And I want to do it on my terms.
As you can see plainly from the last sentence
in the previous paragraph, I am a soloist.
The APA is all about teams.
Team members count on you to win,
to show up according to schedule, (a commitment!)
at the start of every match,
whether they actually play you or not,
to be available to play at a moment's notice,
to keep score for other players' matches,
to stay interested and focused on the
play in progress,
and to coach when/if needed.
That's a lot of baggage I prefer to do without.
I just want to shoot pool.
Now let me be perfectly clear:
The APA is a great format for most players,
as their rapid growth has surely proven.
They do a great job of introducing new players to the game.
But after a certain point, it's time to move beyond teams,
and stand up as an individual.
<end rant>
I'm done with playing on APA teams.
Last night was a real good example.
I drive through the last of rush hour traffic,
to be on time for the start of team play at 7pm.
And my match started at midnight!
So bottom line on APA team pool:
It is a sub-optimal use of my time.
Last night, including travel,
I invested 7 hours of my life
to play pool for one hour.
And I spent those 7 hours
in a VERY sub-optimal environment.
A smoky, over/under-airconditioned,
dirty, LOUD bar without food.
More reasons? the tables are
undersized, poorly maintained,
and the balls are a joke!
I can get my pool groove on elsewhere,
at far less cost in time,
in MY CHOICE of location
at MY CHOICE of time
with MY CHOICE of opponents.
The APA offers a social environment
"where everyone can play, and anyone can win"
as they say in their ads.
Well, I'd prefer to avoid that social experience.
My goals go beyond meeting new people and having fun.
I shoot pool to learn the art of pool.
To learn the secrets of life through pool.
To create a thing of beauty through pool.
To be the best pool shooter possible.
And I want to do it on my terms.
As you can see plainly from the last sentence
in the previous paragraph, I am a soloist.
The APA is all about teams.
Team members count on you to win,
to show up according to schedule, (a commitment!)
at the start of every match,
whether they actually play you or not,
to be available to play at a moment's notice,
to keep score for other players' matches,
to stay interested and focused on the
play in progress,
and to coach when/if needed.
That's a lot of baggage I prefer to do without.
I just want to shoot pool.
Now let me be perfectly clear:
The APA is a great format for most players,
as their rapid growth has surely proven.
They do a great job of introducing new players to the game.
But after a certain point, it's time to move beyond teams,
and stand up as an individual.
<end rant>
Pelican said:Come on Koop. A 6-0 win on a 2 should not have taken but 8-10 innings max. How long does that take. You spending too much time going for refills?
Pel
I hear ya Pel. Problem was, I'd make a nice run, screw the pooch toward the end of the rack, and it would go from a 1 inning game to 6 or 7. Those 2's play some awesome unintentional safeties DDKoop said:
Ive seen 2 APA 2's go at it for 50+ innings in a race to 2...
FastMikie said:
Fast Mike,
You hit it right on the nose with your rant. Thats exactly how I feel about APA leagues and Ive only played in it for 2 sessions. Sometimes my match doesnt start til after midnite and sometimes I dont get to play at all. It all depends on the circumstance the team is in. My team captain usually consults everyone about who to play next etc, which is good. And we make that decision as a team. But playing in shitty run down bars with poor equipment really pisses me off. Thank god theres more 'good' places to play than shitty places.....The APA is definitely not for everyone but its good to give it a try. Its a different experience. And when I cant take it any more, its time to move on....
dooziexx said:
This is just another reason to get pool leagues into the pool halls. Supporting pool halls, supports billiards.
Leagues are a great way to have fun and improve through meaningful competition. I have seen very good players that play only against other players regularly but miss out on the team competition. Team competition adds a different level playing pressure that some players fall short in, become discouraged and quit. I'm sure that many who play on teams can remember some pretty tight matches for the money (trophy) and can remember experiencing heightened levels of play and who performed the best. I'll bet they can also remember some very good players that fell apart, from other teams or maybe even their own.
Leagues organizations promote billiards and we need them for the game.
pete lafond said:
I don't know about your area, but in the areas I've played in I find a lot of APA players don't want to play in pool rooms. They like the barroom atmosphere with cheap drinks (relative to pool rooms) and a less serious attitudes. Many also prefere 7/8 footers over the 9 footers. A lot of people around here also play out of private clubs so they can still smoke and because it's cheaper still over the barrooms.
Personally I prefer playing in a pool room, but a lot of them are just becoming glorified barrooms/nightclubs with bigger tables anyway.
I also think a lot of pool rooms don't want to give away table time and a round of drinks or food for a league and they're expected to do so for the APA.
JMHO
BTW, love the slip stic, haven't tried the cleaner yet. One of these days in my copious sparetime I'll get down Mike Webb's and pick up a bottle. I had a letter for a free sample, but I lost it, oh well.
catscradle said:
If you received a letter, then the cleaner is on its way. The post office had a hard time because the laws have changed and as a result our product kept coming back to us because of regulations with flammable materials. Anyway, all has been resolved. Shipping costs were crazy as they were almost the same as the cleaner. We are now starting to work with distributors to get products into pool rooms which will make it easier for everyone. Bottom line you should see the cleaner any day.