Question for all the league players

[ridinda9]

When an SL4 beats an SL6 3-4, why doesn't he get moved up to make the race fairer?

Because 3-4 was a hill- hill race , and in theory that means that the equalizer is working properly , and both players are in theory performing to their potential. If he had iced you 3-0 , or 3-1 , it might be an indicator of an underclocked player . Don't forget that innings (was it a quick match , or did y'all drag it out ?) and marked defenses also affect his (and your) handicap . Was he playing safeties ? Was your scorekeeper marking them ?
A team may stay in the top of the rankings , and yet still manage to keep their handicaps low by rotating which players win & which players lose on a weekly basis. If the s/l 4 beats you this week , he plays for the loss in the next two weeks , then is moved back to the winning slot again .
First place needs only 3 wins per week in most divisions , and you have 8 players to spread them over.

 

[JoeW]

I played in the leagues for ten years and it seems to me that most everyone one was pleased to have their handicap go up. Oh there were lots of people who complained in all sorts of ways but it was (and is) a measure of one’s status as a league player.

If you listen between the lines nearly everyone thinks they are at least one level higher than their current rating. Some will often attribute their lower rating to their ability to sand bag and if you listen you will hear a sense of pride in one’s handicap as it is raised.

A higher handicap means you are a better player and that you contribute more power to the team. It also means that you often get to play more games or better matches.

 

[ridinda9]

Do people sandbag one session so they can win the next session?

NO ! they sandbag TWO sessions so they can win one session . In fact , they may lay low for several years while they line up the perfect
team for NTC. It's a commitment for them . . . .

 

[Georgia Boy]

Bill812 raises a good point about alcohol, I believe there are vey few palyers I have ever seen who shhot better with alcohol in them. This is a definate problem and I myself face this weekly, there are normally only maybe 2 of us that haven't got sh*t faced before League matches. It's a definate downer for me, I love the guys I shoot with, but hate how they turn up and play. It's been so bad on occassions I have seriously thought about quitting this team, but can't bring myself to do it at the moment, although after this session it may come to that.

One exception to the alcohol thing would be the Canadian 'Big Bill' Werbeniuk. I saw him play snooker in the UK numerous times and man could that boy drink, he'd have 5 or 6 pints before a match and then one for every frame of the match........wow. He was the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet, never had a bad word to say about anyone and always looked for the best in people. Unfortunately Bill passed away in 2003 and is sorely missed. I believe the last time we met was in 1989 or 90 in Blackpool when he was playing in a qualifier and he was coming to the end of his career although pretty down about it he still amazed everyone with some of the outrageous shots he could play

 

[Antfarm]

Yeah I think not drinking helps a lot! One of my friends swears up and down that he is better when he is drunk (which I hear all the time from random people), but to me that is absurd. In the past I've had a shot to help calm my nerves, but lately I've decided to take up breathing instead, lol. And I also sit down when my opponent shoots, which also tends to relax me. I think at where I am in the game, the mental aspect is getting more crucial. Because of this, I try and take my time (consistent pre-shot routine), especially after shooting an easy shot after making a hard one. I also play many more safes than I used to, and have gotten better at them.

I started off as an SL3 in APA (8&9), am now I solid 4, and think that by next season I should be a 5, with my current game. My wife and I are moving in a year (from my home state of Michigan, to hers, Indiana) and are gonna be buying a house. One of the pre-reqs is a finished basement with plenty of room for a table

Ah.... the dream. That's the one thing I can't wait for when I finally move back to the States. I will have my pool table ready house ASAP!

Greg

 

[Antfarm]

Bill812 raises a good point about alcohol, I believe there are vey few palyers I have ever seen who shhot better with alcohol in them. This is a definate problem and I myself face this weekly, there are normally only maybe 2 of us that haven't got sh*t faced before League matches. It's a definate downer for me, I love the guys I shoot with, but hate how they turn up and play. It's been so bad on occassions I have seriously thought about quitting this team, but can't bring myself to do it at the moment, although after this session it may come to that.

One exception to the alcohol thing would be the Canadian 'Big Bill' Werbeniuk. I saw him play snooker in the UK numerous times and man could that boy drink, he'd have 5 or 6 pints before a match and then one for every frame of the match........wow. He was the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet, never had a bad word to say about anyone and always looked for the best in people. Unfortunately Bill passed away in 2003 and is sorely missed. I believe the last time we met was in 1989 or 90 in Blackpool when he was playing in a qualifier and he was coming to the end of his career although pretty down about it he still amazed everyone with some of the outrageous shots he could play

I hear you about being upset when teammates get drunk. The league I'm playing in now is kind of a strange format. People are generally ranked between 1200 and 2000. I'm a 1750 but only because I'm new and they started me out at 1600 (I'm 19 and 3). It takes a while to go up and all depends on the handicap that you play... if you are a 2000 and play and beat a 1200, you might get 2 points. But, if you loose to a 1200, you will loose 30 points+. We play two sets of 6 singles matches (single games) followed by 3 doubles matches in either regular or scotch doubles. It is really strange because it is all single games. You will probably play just three single games all night. I don't really like that.

My point it, by the end of the night and when it's time for doubles, 75% of the team is hammered. Not I. I don't really like to drink when playing pool. I may have a drink or two to calm down after the day. But, I really hate it when I get stuck playing with mister drunky that couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. I find myself doing all the work (usually not the greatest of problems) or I am working extra hard trying to leave them a super easy shot in scotch.

People may think they can play better when drunk but it's just because they amaze themselves that something stupid they did actually worked.

Greg