Raised to SL 7 for the second time for the last time?

[krupa]

A few weeks ago, I was raised to an SL 7 in APA 9-ball. I was happy for this. I want new challenges and doing things the hard way has always been more satisfying, educational, and fun for me.

Unfortunately, my very first match as a 7 was disastrous. I couldn't make a ball, scratched if I did, and in general sucked. Needless to say I was promptly dropped back down to a 6 where I have stayed for 4 matches (I think.)

Last week, I played very well and was once again rewarded with being raised to a 7. :thumbup: See... the way handicaps work is that when you're being honest and playing as well as you can, your ability is reflected in that number. Having your handicapped raised is recognition of the fact that you're improving. It's not a punishment, it's a reward.

Now I know a lot of people can argue that handicapped systems can be "gamed" by sandbaggers so they can gain an unfair advantage by playing below their speed and that's true. But I cannot control that. I can only control what I do. I also realize that APA SL's aren't a great indicator of general ability per se. 7 here is going to be different than a 7 someplace else and I suck at NAPA 9-ball (I keep playing it with the APA mindset... but that's OK too, because they are different games.) I don't look at the absolute number, I'm looking at the change in that number.

I love to play pool and I want to get better and I want that reflected in whatever system I play in.

So keep calm, shoot straight, and wish me luck tonight; it's the last night of the regular session and I'd like to go out with a win.

 

[Maniac]

A few weeks ago, I was raised to an SL 7 in APA 9-ball. I was happy for this. I want new challenges and doing things the hard way has always been more satisfying, educational, and fun for me.

Unfortunately, my very first match as a 7 was disastrous. I couldn't make a ball, scratched if I did, and in general sucked. Needless to say I was promptly dropped back down to a 6 where I have stayed for 4 matches (I think.)

Last week, I played very well and was once again rewarded with being raised to a 7. :thumbup: See... the way handicaps work is that when you're being honest and playing as well as you can, your ability is reflected in that number. Having your handicapped raised is recognition of the fact that you're improving. It's not a punishment, it's a reward.
Now I know a lot of people can argue that handicapped systems can be "gamed" by sandbaggers so they can gain an unfair advantage by playing below their speed and that's true. But I cannot control that. I can only control what I do. I also realize that APA SL's aren't a great indicator of general ability per se. 7 here is going to be different than a 7 someplace else and I suck at NAPA 9-ball (I keep playing it with the APA mindset... but that's OK too, because they are different games.) I don't look at the absolute number, I'm looking at the change in that number.

I love to play pool and I want to get better and I want that reflected in whatever system I play in.

So keep calm, shoot straight, and wish me luck tonight; it's the last night of the regular session and I'd like to go out with a win.

I always appreciate and like to hear from those who go out and simply play the best game of pool that they can and just let the numbers fall where they may. This is how I do it too. I also find it very rewarding when my skill level goes up.

Shoot straight, my friend!!!

Maniac

 

[justadub]

Congrats.

I am looking forward to the time when I become a SL6. Hopefully in the near future.

Good luck with your next match.

 

[Dunnn51]

Good Luck !

Hope you get all the good rolls !

A few weeks ago, I was raised to an SL 7 in APA 9-ball. I was happy for this. I want new challenges and doing things the hard way has always been more satisfying, educational, and fun for me.

Unfortunately, my very first match as a 7 was disastrous. I couldn't make a ball, scratched if I did, and in general sucked. This made me chuckle! I thought it only happened to me Needless to say I was promptly dropped back down to a 6 where I have stayed for 4 matches (I think.)

Last week, I played very well and was once again rewarded with being raised to a 7. :thumbup: See... the way handicaps work is that when you're being honest and playing as well as you can, your ability is reflected in that number. Having your handicapped raised is recognition of the fact that you're improving. It's not a punishment, it's a reward.

I love to play pool and I want to get better and I want that reflected in whatever system I play in. To "love" the game is what keeps us playing :thumbup:So keep calm, shoot straight, and wish me luck tonight;

 

[iba7467]

Last week, I played very well and was once again rewarded with being raised to a 7. :thumbup: See... the way handicaps work is that when you're being honest and playing as well as you can, your ability is reflected in that number. Having your handicapped raised is recognition of the fact that you're improving. It's not a punishment, it's a reward.

That is great. The handicap system is not a problem, the problem as you will soon see is being a marginal 7. You now have to spot players in a shorter race meaning the percentage is tougher to overcome. This would not be too much if it were not for sandbaggers. My only real complaint is that someone who plays smart and safeties well enough to beat weaker opponents (essentially a very smart APA 5) can be moved to a 7 and have to play even with Gary Abood.

 

[bdorman]

I always play the best game I can.

The problem is, no one believes me.

"How did you miss that shot? My grandmother could make that shot and she's been dead for 20 years!"

Best of luck in your last session!

 

[krupa]

Many thanks to everyone.

I try to hang too much importance on skill levels; in NAPA the rating changes after every match, but it doesn't happen a lot in APA so seems to be a bigger accomplishment.

 

[ctyhntr]

Congratulations. As a 7, you're maxed out in apa 8-ball. At this point, the more you improve the handicap works in your favor.

 

[krupa]

Congratulations. As a 7, you're maxed out in apa 8-ball. At this point, the more you improve the handicap works in your favor.

Thanks! I'm only a 6 in 8-ball, though, and destined to stay there. I played one short 8-ball doubles session last year and called it a career. I don't play 8-ball in the APA partly because of the rules (like 1%) and mostly (99%) because of the way-too-long hours.

 

[Banks]

Many thanks to everyone.

I try to hang too much importance on skill levels; in NAPA the rating changes after every match, but it doesn't happen a lot in APA so seems to be a bigger accomplishment.

Stop slacking off and get back to work! You still have 2 skill levels to go..

And then you just kind of start all over again. :thud:

 

[justadub]

That is great. The handicap system is not a problem, the problem as you will soon see is being a marginal 7. You now have to spot players in a shorter race meaning the percentage is tougher to overcome. This would not be too much if it were not for sandbaggers. My only real complaint is that someone who plays smart and safeties well enough to beat weaker opponents (essentially a very smart APA 5) can be moved to a 7 and have to play even with Gary Abood.

The same point applies when you first move up to any new level, tho it certainly gets magnified the higher you progress.

When I first went up to a 5, I struggled for over a year. A good friend of mine is in the same situation as a new 5 currently.

Part of the deal, part of the process. One that I look forward to dealing with again soon, hopefully.

 

[Mr Hoppe]

Good luck in your final match of the season tonight Krupa!

I have just started playing APA again this session after an absence of 2 or 3 years. We have two weeks left in our season, and my 8-ball team is in first place so far. I'm 9/10 in 8-ball, and if I beat at least an SL 3 in the next two weeks, I will clinch the 8-ball Top Gun race, so I'm a bit excited about that, although I've won it several times before.

I've been the captain of an APA team for about 10 years or so, and I will say that their format adds strategy to the player match-ups that a non-handicapped format does not have. Unfortunately though, handicapping anything always brings about controversy... I do wish the APA would implement the 'super 7' concept. As not all SL 7s are created equal, a stronger 7 would have to win more games, but remains a 7 so as not to disrupt the 23 point skill cap per team.

Anyway, you have a great attitude about your SL, and I hope you continue your trip up the ladder. Good luck!

 

[alstl]

I refuse to believe a pool player would game a handicap system to gain an advantage.

 

[Ģüśţāṿ]

Congrats on going up! They say its an accomplishment ( which it is ) but it's tough trying to run that many more balls. I just went up another S/L in 9 ball and it's not easy to stay in control of a match without always playing smart (good safeties and such). It really is a fair system, besides sand baggers, as most matches I see/play are usually fairly close. Anyways keep up the good work! You don't have much further to go! :thumbup:

 

[CMD]

Congrats on going up! They say its an accomplishment ( which it is ) but it's tough trying to run that many more balls. I just went up another S/L in 9 ball and it's not easy to stay in control of a match without always playing smart (good safeties and such). It really is a fair system, besides sand baggers, as most matches I see/play are usually fairly close. Anyways keep up the good work! You don't have much further to go! :thumbup:

I will assume you have not been to Vegas...


It gets pretty tough out there, to say the least. It's not the higher levels so much, but when you see 3's running racks. That will get you pretty nervous awfully quick.



Congrats on getting to 7!

 

[Ģüśţāṿ]

@ CMD.

Unfortunately (or fortunately haha) no I have not been to Vegas, but I do see this from time to time. That's why I said most matches. Hell, I lost a few weeks to a S/L 2 ( I was an 8). He broke the first game, played a good safe and ran out. Needless to say the next few games went very similarly. As rediculous as that was there wasn't much I could do. I played my game as best as I could but him needing many less balls than myself made quick work of me . But such is life.

 

[stutz]

I was a 5 for two seasons, moved up to a 6 at the beginning of this session, won ONE match all season. Dropped back down to a 5, played another 5 and waxed him. Following week I get moved back up to a damn 6, loose last week, dropped back down to a 5 for this week.

I don't know if it's a mental thing for me or what. I just dont feel comfortable as a 6. I also try my best every match, but sometimes I play like a "once a month" casual player, other times I can't be beat.

 

[CoachDitka2001]

I was a 5 in APA 8-ball for about 5 years. Toward the end of my time as a 5, I has about a 90% winning percentage for 3 or so sessions. My style of play was extremely safety-oriented, with many, many two-way shots in my matches. The final session I was a 5, our 7 moved out of town, and my play style changed to a much more offensive style, looking to run out as much as possible. I was immediately a 6, and then the following week a 7 where I have been ever since (3 years). I found my winning percentage dropped quite a bit, and after a year I realized it was because I was attempting to run out every chance I could get, and when I missed the other guy normally ran. Eventually I came to a happy medium, and have once again have a very good winning percentage.

Some people get frusterated with their rank after they move up, lose a few, and don't move back down. Keep in mind that your rank is based on your best 10 out of your last 20 matches, so if you find you can't win much at your new rank, it might be a while before you drop.

Anyway, my advice is be mindful of your playing style and shot choices as your rank goes up, and don't start trying to run out every chance you get. Also, have fun!

Dave

 

[lorider]

I will assume you have not been to Vegas...


It gets pretty tough out there, to say the least. It's not the higher levels so much, but when you see 3's running racks. That will get you pretty nervous awfully quick.



Congrats on getting to 7!

in my 2 years in apa so far i have never seen a 3 run a rack. of course i have never been to vegas either:frown: if there are 3's that can run racks it is due to inaccurate scorekeeping in the local leagues.

i can only think of 2 times i have ever seen a 4 run a rack. i am a 5 and i only had 3 break and runs all of last session, 37 matches.

this session i have no break and runs in 23 matches. mainly because i have been playing like shit lately.

whenever i am in a match i am always watching my opponent, if i see him make a safe i make sure our scorekeeper marks it. accurate scorekeeping will help cut out sandbagging.

 

[lorider]

I was a 5 for two seasons, moved up to a 6 at the beginning of this session, won ONE match all season. Dropped back down to a 5, played another 5 and waxed him. Following week I get moved back up to a damn 6, loose last week, dropped back down to a 5 for this week.

I don't know if it's a mental thing for me or what. I just dont feel comfortable as a 6. I also try my best every match, but sometimes I play like a "once a month" casual player, other times I can't be beat.

hey ! that sounds like me.:grin-square: