If you're worried about getting robbed by the spot, you're missing the point of the APA. It's a beginner-friendly league, so the rules are geared towards giving the beginners a fighting chance. If you've got someone who can't make three balls in a row and doesn't understand safety play (or just isn't very good at it) vs someone who can consistently break and run, obviously your lower skilled player will never win a rack. APA's goal is to still make that lower skilled player a viable member of the team despite not being able to run out or even shoot-shoot-safe.
So I just joined a league....!
- Thread starter todd2000
- Start date
If you're worried about getting robbed by the spot, you're missing the point of the APA. It's a beginner-friendly league, so the rules are geared towards giving the beginners a fighting chance. If you've got someone who can't make three balls in a row and doesn't understand safety play (or just isn't very good at it) vs someone who can consistently break and run, obviously your lower skilled player will never win a rack. APA's goal is to still make that lower skilled player a viable member of the team despite not being able to run out or even shoot-shoot-safe.
I know a couple people in the APA who used to be great players, but getting older, injured, blinder, etc, they're just not capable of playing great pool any more. APA gives them a venue where they can still contribute to the team. I'd call that worthwhile.
It also stems a little of the frustration for the newer players, and increases the challenge for the more experienced players.
That would have to a be a pretty sizable spot, if the guy getting "robbed" made most of the balls and the 9....
For example, SL8 vs SL4 is 65 to 31 race. "most" of the balls would indicate over half, and the 9 counts as 2. That's a big spot, and making "most" of the balls the SL8 will win most of the time. But if he doesn't take care of business the SL4 can certainly sneak up on him.
The purpose of league play is to have fun and maybe even learn something.
There are many leagues to choose from.
Contact the home office - or local league operators and make your choice.
Different people have different reasons for playing league.
Just don't loose site of what your reasons are.
Have fun!!
Mark Griffin, CEO
markg@playcsipool.com
CSI - CueSports INternations, LLC
BCAPL
USAPL
There are many leagues to choose from.
Contact the home office - or local league operators and make your choice.
Different people have different reasons for playing league.
Just don't loose site of what your reasons are.
Have fun!!
Mark Griffin, CEO
markg@playcsipool.com
CSI - CueSports INternations, LLC
BCAPL
USAPL
I know all about it I played in this format for about 5 years, I was making a point to the person I quoted that the opposite is true too.
I enjoy the format and I think it, along with no push after the break, no jump cues, makes this format and the spots the toughest I ever played.
I enjoy the format and I think it, along with no push after the break, no jump cues, makes this format and the spots the toughest I ever played.
Last edited:
Yep, been there and had to deal with it.
It is easy to do "not taking care of business" with no push out, no jumps, no masses's.... et all
It is by far the hardest format and spots I have ever experienced in league pool. I would rather give up games on the wire.
It is easy to do "not taking care of business" with no push out, no jumps, no masses's.... et all
It is by far the hardest format and spots I have ever experienced in league pool. I would rather give up games on the wire.
hopefully you got into a league with some people that can actually play. nothing more painful than watching people try to play who have no idea what they're doing.
have fun bro
Last edited:
Have a blast!!!
.
I know that a league for me gives me motivation to practice and keeps me interested in the game. Just keep in mind that it is a league and for the most part a chance to play against competition and be with other players. Don't expect to make money off of it. Don't worry about what other do or say. Have fun.
Play (be) safe with the women.:yeah:. .
uttahere:
.
I know that a league for me gives me motivation to practice and keeps me interested in the game. Just keep in mind that it is a league and for the most part a chance to play against competition and be with other players. Don't expect to make money off of it. Don't worry about what other do or say. Have fun.
Play (be) safe with the women.:yeah:. .
uttahere:.
They call it 9 ball, not "1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-ball." Points are for straight pool.
Come to APA nationals and you will see that some pretty solid 9ball is played. I ran 3 and 4 racks in both the matches I lost. my opponent ran 4 racks from a scratch on brake and unfinished 5th rack and out on me (Alex Olinger). I know apa 9ball has that points system which is a bit unusual, but at the end of the day it really comes down to who plays pool the best will win, even with those quirky rules.
They call it 9 ball, not "1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-ball." Points are for straight pool.
Take a look at this clash of the titans video and tell me this isn't a good format.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6F3NUM58hM
This in my opinion, is the fallacy of handicapped leagues. Someone who slops in 2 or 3 balls per rack is not playing the best. They may still win because of the handicap but they aren't the best. With that said, this format brings many new people to the game and that's not all bad.
I've been playing league for about 15 years with the same basic group of guys plus or minus a few that had to move away for jobs. For me it isn't just the league, but it is also about getting out with the guys and having some fun. It's kind of like work.....some folks will be negative......and some positive. It is what you make it, so I would say go out and have a lot of fun.
My team is competitive, but we don't take it to the level of seriousness that some do....though we are there to kick some A$$!:smile:
My team is competitive, but we don't take it to the level of seriousness that some do....though we are there to kick some A$$!:smile:
I understand what you are saying, but in the league I play in, there is no slop allowed. This allows for a pretty accurate system of handicapping.
If we ranked pool players like school students, APA 8-ball leaguers would be like elementary students. The 9-ball leagues would be junior high school students. Your local shortstops could be high school level, while Pros would represent college and beyond.
Once you master elementary school, you should move on to Junior HS, unless you want to stay behind as the smartest 6th grader (according to many complaints here, appears to be very common in the APA).
In smaller towns without the demand to sustain more than one league, you end up with the 1 room school house situation. The league handicap is strained like a farmhouse school teacher giving a common math quiz to the high schooler who mastered Alegbra while the 4th grader who barely knows his/her multiplication tables.
Without leagues, we're not going to produce higher skilled pool players, which in turn creates demand and drives the sport.
Once you master elementary school, you should move on to Junior HS, unless you want to stay behind as the smartest 6th grader (according to many complaints here, appears to be very common in the APA).
In smaller towns without the demand to sustain more than one league, you end up with the 1 room school house situation. The league handicap is strained like a farmhouse school teacher giving a common math quiz to the high schooler who mastered Alegbra while the 4th grader who barely knows his/her multiplication tables.
Without leagues, we're not going to produce higher skilled pool players, which in turn creates demand and drives the sport.
Last edited:
Jaday
Registered
I like the APA 9 ball rules, it makes it a much more challenging game for higher level players. In terms of evening the odds of winning, I think the handicap system is quite good, but the game is not gonna have the same feel or even strategy as classic 9 ball.
Good luck and have fun with your league! I've been playing APA for a few years now and I still enjoy it.
Good luck and have fun with your league! I've been playing APA for a few years now and I still enjoy it.
You two
that said you just started league might give some thought to getting your own cue if you don't have one. You will shoot better and more consistent with your own cue. Buying your own cue is fun and nerveracking.
Decide on how much you want to spend on a cue, then research all the cues in your price range.
that said you just started league might give some thought to getting your own cue if you don't have one. You will shoot better and more consistent with your own cue. Buying your own cue is fun and nerveracking.
Decide on how much you want to spend on a cue, then research all the cues in your price range.
Another thing about APA-scored 9-ball vs traditional 9-ball....
Without the ball-point scoring system, every lower level player in the room (which is often most of them) would be taking flyers on the 9 whenever possible, even if it wasn't a good idea. Perhaps that speaks to the league-player mentality, and perhaps it doesn't, but it bears consideration.
The current method of scoring doesn't end the game (and perhaps the match) on a flyer. There is at least some work to be done in every match, no matter what the spot or conditions.
Without the ball-point scoring system, every lower level player in the room (which is often most of them) would be taking flyers on the 9 whenever possible, even if it wasn't a good idea. Perhaps that speaks to the league-player mentality, and perhaps it doesn't, but it bears consideration.
The current method of scoring doesn't end the game (and perhaps the match) on a flyer. There is at least some work to be done in every match, no matter what the spot or conditions.
good point dub. i joined the napa league last month and it is a double jeapordy league... we play both 8 and 9 ball. last week i was behind in my 9 ball match and knew i had to change my strategy. i played a few 9 ball combos and came from behind winning my match. thats something i never do in my apa matches because its all about getting every point you can before your opponent does.
i gotta tell you a story about lower level players vs higher.
i started a new team 2 sessions ago and 2 weeks ago my old teamates were playing on the table next to me in the playoffs. my old team was up 2-0 and needed 1 more wai to advance to the tri-cups. they thre out a girl who is a pretty good 3 and the other team put up an 8. after 2 racks the 3 only had 2 points. after she racked the 3rd rack she stood beside me and i told her to relax that she was more nervous than a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
she said we only need one win and i cant beat this 8. i said let me give you some quick advice.
1. you got to relax. take a deep breath before you shoot. you cant make a straight in shot while shaking like a leaf.
2. play the table , not your opponent.
3 make every shot you know you can make only if you know you can get on your next ball.
4. if you see you cant get on your next ball hit the object ball to a rail or behind another ball. dont leave him an easy shot and above all dont give him ball in hand.
5. last but not least have fun , thats why you are here , ok ? she gave me a peck on the cheek and said thanks.
well her opponent broke dry on the 3rd rack. she made 5 then left him bad. he made a good hit and she missed then he ran out.
she continued to make 4 or 5 every rack winning the match. her opponent , who i have never seen without a smile on his face was so mad at losing he slammed his stick on the table causing the tip to fly off. guess he couldnt take losing to a lowly 3 lol.