Pool League Shopping?

H

HomerJay20

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I am just starting to look at potential leagues to join. APA, TAP, VNEA... I'd love to research my options then just go up to the bar / pool hall where they are playing and see league play in person. Anyone have any comparison / contrast thoughts on the different leagues? Is there a good thread I'm missing that compares all of them?

Just starting into this obsession called Pool. Thanks!
 
I like the USAPL league scoring a lot better than APA at least, as they count a win as a win, and not just something that happened to end the game.

While in the USAPL (at least in the NE league I played in), each ball in a loss counts as a point, if you win the game you get 14 pts. So the loser in a 9 ball match can get 8 pts, the winner gets 14.

This punishes people properly for blowing the game winning shot, yet can keep you in the match during a loss, especially with handicaps.

Another thing is that, again at least in the N.E. area, they play by "real" rules. Meaning after the break in 8 ball the table is open no matter what drops, called shot in 8 ball. And in the Masters, even 9 ball is a called shot game, 9 on the break is not a win, it's spotted, rack your own, call all your shots. That as much as the scoring was why the USAPL was the only league in over 20 years of pool I ever joined.
 
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i only know apa and tap........just finished with a apa 8 ball league last monday night, thank goodness. i would not even consider playing 9 ball apa because of the rules. joined a tap league about 2 weeks ago and very happy with it so far, no slop in shots allowed, real 9 ball rules and i think a higher level of player overall. if you are a beginner and just want to have fun at the pool hall and not get much better over time, go to the apa league. let the firestorm begin! :eek:
 
This thread will be typical.

Go see the leagues in your area, in action.

Talk to people. In person. On here, you will not get an idea of what pool is like, where you live and play.

Good luck.
 
justadub said:
This thread will be typical.

Go see the leagues in your area, in action.

Talk to people. In person. On here, you will not get an idea of what pool is like, where you live and play.

Good luck.
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Understood. What leagues are even out there for me to look into? These are the only ones I know. Googling pool leagues returns too much garbage for me to sift through.

APA
TAP
VNEA
USAPL
 
HomerJay20 said:
Understood. What leagues are even out there for me to look into? These are the only ones I know. Googling pool leagues returns too much garbage for me to sift through.

APA
TAP
VNEA
USAPL
Click to expand...

Oh heavens, there must be more.

You don't have the other "biggie", BCApl. If I understand it correctly, they are the second biggest, after APA. It's owner, Mark Griffin, is here online a lot, and does an enormous amount for pool in this country. USAPL is associated with them, as well, same family.

Plus you may very well have local leagues in your area that aren't part of a national system. Again, this is where you need to talk to the locals. Talk to the room owners, too. Get everyone's perspective. Just be prepared for the onslaught of "APA sucks" that is due to follow, in three...two...one...

(I play APA, and I like it. It is also the only option here where I live, so I have no experience with other league systems. I have read stuff here for a few years now, and it sounds like all the league systems have good things to offer their players.)
 
IMHO Leagues are all about lining the League Owners, or League Operators pockets with your cash.

IMHO you would be better off in Tournament player were if you win, you get a Pot of Money. JMHO...

The funny thing about League also is in some cases, they the League Operator make more money from operating the leagues, than the room owner do for having the leagues in their Room, or BAR.

Some Leagues at seasons end if you are a top team give you a Trophy. Can not fold a Trophy and put it in you Wallet for Gas Money.

A good questin to ask any League Operator is what percentage of the Weekly League Fees are paid back to the Team at end of Season. Sometime you get some funny answeer, or a line of bull.
 
Coco, stop worrying about what other people make.

League is about having fun, and playing pool. If you're in a league for any other reason, it is not for you.

If the OP wants to play league, then why should he worry about how much the LO makes? That has no bearing whatsoever. It shouldn't matter.

You are typical of many that post here. Worrying about other peoples business too much. If making money in pool is the object, then sure, league isn't the way to go. If having so fun in a social setting on a regular basis, with some competition is, then league can be, and IS, fun.
 
HomerJay20 said:
Understood. What leagues are even out there for me to look into? These are the only ones I know. Googling pool leagues returns too much garbage for me to sift through.

APA
TAP
VNEA
USAPL
Click to expand...

See if UPA is offered also. I like it. Money goes in and comes back out at the end of the session. :thumbup:
 
How do you play? How often do you play? What are your goals?

I play APA and BCA. I enjoy both and I started playing with APA.

There are also ACS and NAPA leagues.
 
HomerJay20 said:
I am just starting to look at potential leagues to join. APA, TAP, VNEA... I'd love to research my options then just go up to the bar / pool hall where they are playing and see league play in person. Anyone have any comparison / contrast thoughts on the different leagues? Is there a good thread I'm missing that compares all of them?

Just starting into this obsession called Pool. Thanks!
Click to expand...

:smile:

You just need to figure out if you want to just play for drinks and fun...or...try and win money and a trip to Vegas or somewhere else for a National event.

Tap and APA will cost some money, but you will have a chance to win some of your money back. You get to play all year around too, if that's what you want.
 
poolguy4u said:
:smile:

You just need to figure out if you want to just play for drinks and fun...or...try and win money and a trip to Vegas or somewhere else for a National event.

Tap and APA will cost some money, but you will have a chance to win some of your money back. You get to play all year around too, if that's what you want.
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I'm definitely just trying to have fun and let competition make me a better player. In the past I have gotten out to play with friends 1 - 3 times a month, but now I have a little 7 footer in my basement. I think competition will make me practice with more focus. Who knows - in a few years winning money might be a thought, but it's not one now. I'm lucky to run 3 balls as planned right now.
 
HomerJay20 said:
I'm definitely just trying to have fun and let competition make me a better player. In the past I have gotten out to play with friends 1 - 3 times a month, but now I have a little 7 footer in my basement. I think competition will make me practice with more focus. Who knows - in a few years winning money might be a thought, but it's not one now. I'm lucky to run 3 balls as planned right now.
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:thumbup:

If you have a local bar league in your area, it might be best for now. One with a banquet at the end of the season and nothing too serious.

APA and Tap, there is politics and just too much drama. Someone is always complaining about handicaps and shooting fouls.:rolleyes:
 
HomerJay20 said:
I'm definitely just trying to have fun and let competition make me a better player. In the past I have gotten out to play with friends 1 - 3 times a month, but now I have a little 7 footer in my basement. I think competition will make me practice with more focus. Who knows - in a few years winning money might be a thought, but it's not one now. I'm lucky to run 3 balls as planned right now.
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Hm.. a league may not be for you if you want competition and to become a better player. Many of them are filled with people who don't know how to play, don't care to know how to play and are used to the handicapping systems to win instead of getting better. It will be fun, usually, but to get better, find some good players that may or may not be in the league and feed them drinks and ribs while they show you some things.
 
HomerJay20 said:
I'm definitely just trying to have fun and let competition make me a better player. In the past I have gotten out to play with friends 1 - 3 times a month, but now I have a little 7 footer in my basement. I think competition will make me practice with more focus. Who knows - in a few years winning money might be a thought, but it's not one now. I'm lucky to run 3 balls as planned right now.
Click to expand...

I'd suggest APA for you. It will give you a better chance of competing without feeling like you're being run over by better players. It will also give you a more measurable way of noting your improvement. You can strive for that next skill rating and see how you match up with people of a similar rating. Just keep in mind that there will always be problem people in almost everything and that you're there for pool and fun.

As for learning from better players by doing something else.. you'll either learn or you won't. You can learn as almost much from bad players doing things(not necessarily on purpose) as you can from good players.

Shoot well and have fun. :thumbup:
 
Play league only for fun?

justadub said:
Coco, stop worrying about what other people make.

League is about having fun, and playing pool. If you're in a league for any other reason, it is not for you.

If the OP wants to play league, then why should he worry about how much the LO makes? That has no bearing whatsoever. It shouldn't matter.

You are typical of many that post here. Worrying about other peoples business too much. If making money in pool is the object, then sure, league isn't the way to go. If having so fun in a social setting on a regular basis, with some competition is, then league can be, and IS, fun.
Click to expand...

Beginning in 1966, I played in a number of league systems:
La Crosse Pool League
River League
National Pocket Billiards Association
Jim Stansfield Leagues
Midwest Pool League
Valley National Eight-ball Association
Billiard Congress of America
American Poolplayers Association
Jewell's Eight Ball League
Hogtown League
Silver Cue Leagues
American Cue Sports

I played league pool for four reasons:
I enjoy team play
I love pool
To make money
To have a shot at a state or national title

I came out $ ahead playing in all of the above with the exception of APA.
I made it to state and national events in NPBA, VNEA and BCA fourteen times.

I wish I lived somewhere where I had the option of more than one league system.

Donny L
PBIA/ACS Instructor
 
In house league

To OP, inquire in your area about in house leagues.

I am fortunate to have found one locally that pays out 100% in cash or prize drawing gifts.

4th place paid $500. The prize table included my new 22 inch LCD monitor.

I realize how unusual this is. The TD does it because he loves pool. The room profits from food and drink.

Always looking for teams. In Central Orange County, Ca. Handicapped. 1st and second place went to teams of 'C' players. A good crew. Seldom any issues.
 
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