Question for those who play in tournaments, do you ?

Jack Madden said:
What pro tournaments handicap the players? Golf, tennis, world series, super bowl - no.
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I wouldn't bring up the whole 'pro' thing in this case. It's a whole different realm. And as far as pro golfers, tennis players, etc. - the competitions may not be handicapped, but the participants tend to be getting paid regardless.

I think handcapping in tournaments is great at times, and awful at other times. Introducing handicapping means someone has to make a judgment call on other people's skills - and that opens up a whole can of worms. Did Joe Jumpstick over there get overrated, underrated? Did it cause his matches to go down differently than they should have? etc. etc.

Handicapping a tournament is a good way to bring in more people - the people who wouldn't play if they knew they had to play a stronger player even, knowing their chances are small and they'd just be donating. But I wouldn't use handicapping in a tournament where you're trying to draw out the top players.
 
I find non-handicapped events to be far more productive for my personal game than handicapped and for several reasons:

1. You can take credit for your wins and responsibility for your losses
2. Whomever is making the handicapped decisions often will have significant influence over the outcome of the event
3. Non-handicapped events will draw stronger competition which will inevitably make you a better player
 
Handicap

I think the calcutta would be stronger in a handicapped tourny. More chances for anyone to win and probally would draw more players. IMO
 
The original poster asked this question for an undefined reason. Answering in a hlpful manner really depends on that.

Assuming he asked this from a room owner or tournament hosts perspective,
I'd give the following answer;

A handicapped event will bring more players in to participate. Starting this event will be a considerable task if the intention is to be fair. In the NY area, we have a tour that is handicapped, and for the most part, pretty accurate. the TD has running computer files on just about all the players. Anyone new who competes, usually comes with a reference. Close attention is usually paid to a unknown player. Handicpps can be rasied at ANY time during an event. Obviously, any "known" player can play a ball or slightly better at any time. No need for adjustments then. But when an unknown player, comes in as a c player, and his first match, hangs on to beat another c player, and does the same thing his next match against a b player, and so on, adjustments will be made. there is a way to make this systme fair and effective.

If the OP was asking from a players perspective, then I'd say, playing in open tournaments would be the way to go, because you get a reall opportunity to test yourself and evaluate where you stand. I know I'm not winning any open events, and usually here in my area, I'll tell you who the top 4 players will be before the tournament starts. average players should go into these events looking for an education, not a payday.

rg
 
I definitely prefer no handicap because I have to play above my speed to win, which should be the case in a tournament.

I play in a tournament here which is kind of like the best of both worlds where it is handicapped, but basically into 3 very broad categories where I would say 75% of the ppl play each other even. Then there is the very low category for ppl who may have been playing < 1 year. The main category usually gives them the last 2. Then the very good category where the players may string racks together. They usually give everybody else the 8 and breaks. (Here, the breaks is the key because it eliminates them from running rack after rack and the other player would have to step up and shoot to get to the 8.)

The categories are broad enough where it really doesn't help to stall.
 
No Handicap.

I don't mind losing to better players but I hate losing to weaker players due to a handicap.

And I'm not proud about beating a better player because of a handicap.
 
TooManyCues said:
If you play in tournaments, do you prefer what I will call open play were everyone in the tournaments is an equal with no handicapping.

Or do you prefer to play under a handicapping system, or rating system where weaker players are give some weight?.

What are the pros and con to both system? Why do you personally like one system over the other?
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Only like even tourneys with strangers...
Handicap it only with locals...
 
For money tourneys I prefer NO handicapping. First, handicapping cannot be established properly and someone is always gripping or winning because they are not properly handicapped. Second, I get NO satisfaction beating a better player if I'm rated lower.

Being a 7 in APA 8 ball, I usually find it a challenge playing a lower ranked player. Plus I get to play a lot of games if I'm playing a 2 or 3 and I win. Plus if gives everyone a fair chance to win. But in general this is the only time I like a handicapped match.

For money games, this is the only way to play. I do not like stealing from those who can't play as good, and I try to make the game fair.
 
We have a local tour (small) that operates mainly in Quebec and this part of Ontario. They run their events like a previous poster mentioned, the whole divide my speed and only those that speed or under may play. They have Pro, SP, AAA, AA, A, B, and C events. The "handicap" for the event is a stagered entry fee. To me a stagered entry fee is usually enough for the serious player that wants to improve. Show up and pay 1/4 of the Pro entry fee for a chance to play a top player? Most players are in to that. They usually have decent turn outs as well.

To the room owner, run an event with straight races to 9 or 11 and have a staggered entry fee. The stronger players will show up to win and the lesser players will be getting at least two long races against people that would other wise charge them for lessons at a rate usuallly more than twice what their entry was per hour. It is a great deal for the lesser players and a drawing factor for the upper echelon players.
 
I stink, yet I support NO Handicap. What's the point of winning with a handicap? Just a hollow victory.
 
ScottW said:
I wouldn't bring up the whole 'pro' thing in this case. It's a whole different realm. And as far as pro golfers, - the competitions may not be handicapped, but the participants tend to be getting paid regardless.
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I beg to differ...in the PGA if you do not make the cut, you are NOT getting paid. Top pros miss the cut all the time.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
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