So what do you think the average innings are for an APA player?

I have been an SL4 for 4 sessions. last session my win % was 38% and something like 17% the session before.

The last night of last session I lost to a sl3 in 25 or so innings.

First night of this session I beat a sl3 12-8 in something over 20 innings.

second night this session I beat a sl3 18-2 in 9 innings

I show up to Tri cups where the pockets are huge and play 3 matches all against sl4's . My first 2 matches ended with me winning 13-7 and about 15-16 innings each. My 3rd match on the same table as the previous match I am put up first and I win in 5 innings 20-0 (my first skunk) ball count was 31-4.

So now my handicap has went up to a SL5 with only a month until my first singles regional. As a strong SL4 I might have a chance but as a very week SL5 I doubt I have anything but the prayer I will say before the match.

well at least you are still in the same bracket so come out early with the the safety play and make up those 7 points and then its like you are playing as a 4.
 
well at least you are still in the same bracket so come out early with the the safety play and make up those 7 points and then its like you are playing as a 4.

Good idea but my safety play sucks. Most times I try to play safe I roll out and sell out. So when both shot and safe are hard I always go for the shot. But you have given me a direction to go thank you.
 
Just theoretically, suppose you have an area where all of the players are extremely weak and another area where all of the players are strong. Maybe a rural area vs a big city like Atlanta or St. Louis. You would have to have a range of skill levels in each area from 1 to 9 but the overall ability of each area could vary by maybe 2 skill levels. In that case, wouldn't a 7 in the rural area be equivalent to a 5 in the city? Or does the APA have a way to "normalize" the two areas so the difference never exceeds .9?

The bottom line is your skill level is determined by your balls per inning in 9 ball. You count balls and innings the same way in every city, rural area, etc. It doesn't matter if you are playing an in house league with pro players or at a center for the blind. No matter where you are or who you play with, a ball is a ball and an inning is an inning. For your idea to make sense, there would have to be a system that applies the skill level 9 to the strongest players and 1 to the weakest, and distributes the rest in the middle. This isn't the case.

KMRUNOUT
 
I have been an SL4 for 4 sessions. last session my win % was 38% and something like 17% the session before.

The last night of last session I lost to a sl3 in 25 or so innings.

First night of this session I beat a sl3 12-8 in something over 20 innings.

second night this session I beat a sl3 18-2 in 9 innings

I show up to Tri cups where the pockets are huge and play 3 matches all against sl4's . My first 2 matches ended with me winning 13-7 and about 15-16 innings each. My 3rd match on the same table as the previous match I am put up first and I win in 5 innings 20-0 (my first skunk) ball count was 31-4.

So now my handicap has went up to a SL5 with only a month until my first singles regional. As a strong SL4 I might have a chance but as a very week SL5 I doubt I have anything but the prayer I will say before the match.

If you are running 31 balls in 5 innings, EVER, you are WAY under-handicapped. (Like...disgustingly under handicapped). I would be happy that you are only a 5!

KMRUNOUT
 
Good idea but my safety play sucks. Most times I try to play safe I roll out and sell out. So when both shot and safe are hard I always go for the shot. But you have given me a direction to go thank you.

Things to remember just give yourself the best opportunity to win. You are playing against a sl 4 your safety play doesnt have to be perfect. You just need to be smart. If you are not at least 90% for a given shot dont take it. You are playing 9 ball so his next shot is only one ball and that means you can either leave the cue ball hard or the object ball. Study the table and consider your options in a match like this if you play smart you can dominate. You are not playing a player who can likely kick or bank well enough to kick to make or kick for safe. You can out think him and dominate this match. I have seen a sl 5 in a tournament beat good players for large splits by knowing his abilities and only taking sure shots and leaving everything else hard.
good luck
 
If you are running 31 balls in 5 innings, EVER, you are WAY under-handicapped. (Like...disgustingly under handicapped). I would be happy that you are only a 5!

KMRUNOUT

He is not necessarily under ranked i have seen sl3 break and run and have a great night. It all depends on how often he can do that. I have in a match left my opponent to rack for me and only get one shot in a match as a 6. The key here is i cant do it a lot. I also went 4 -4 against what i call the pro ghost the other night. That is no ball in hand and a dry break is a loss but i cant do that often. That was done on the 9 ft. Olhausen with 4.5 inch pockets we use for league play.
 
He is not necessarily under ranked i have seen sl3 break and run and have a great night. It all depends on how often he can do that. I have in a match left my opponent to rack for me and only get one shot in a match as a 6. The key here is i cant do it a lot. I also went 4 -4 against what i call the pro ghost the other night. That is no ball in hand and a dry break is a loss but i cant do that often. That was done on the 9 ft. Olhausen with 4.5 inch pockets we use for league play.

That's why the skill levels are adjusted based on your best last 10 matches. Flattens out the curve fluctuations.
 
He is not necessarily under ranked i have seen sl3 break and run and have a great night. It all depends on how often he can do that. I have in a match left my opponent to rack for me and only get one shot in a match as a 6. The key here is i cant do it a lot. I also went 4 -4 against what i call the pro ghost the other night. That is no ball in hand and a dry break is a loss but i cant do that often. That was done on the 9 ft. Olhausen with 4.5 inch pockets we use for league play.

I have played in the APA for about 16 years. In that time, I have seen a 3 break and run ONCE. It was in 8 ball. He had a very strong break, and the layout was very easy. Also, he was a new player and immediately went up to a 4. Now in that 31 balls/5 innings match, maybe the guy ended up with ball in hand on every turn thanks to his opponent, and the layouts were roadmaps. Otherwise, a 4 should almost never turn in a score like that. Maybe you see that level of play a couple of times in 16 years...

The skill level of a player is an average for sure, but there should not be scores on there grossly out of the range of that average. League operators are given a "raise on" score suggestion in the computer. In other words, if this particular player shoots a score above X, raise him immediately. I believe it is only a suggestion. Typically that score is about 3 full skill levels above their average.

The point is, if that 4 turned in that score in Vegas, he would *definitely* be disqualified. Possibly his whole team too. Something to think about.

KMRUNOUT
 
I have played in the APA for about 16 years. In that time, I have seen a 3 break and run ONCE. It was in 8 ball. He had a very strong break, and the layout was very easy. Also, he was a new player and immediately went up to a 4. Now in that 31 balls/5 innings match, maybe the guy ended up with ball in hand on every turn thanks to his opponent, and the layouts were roadmaps. Otherwise, a 4 should almost never turn in a score like that. Maybe you see that level of play a couple of times in 16 years...

The skill level of a player is an average for sure, but there should not be scores on there grossly out of the range of that average. League operators are given a "raise on" score suggestion in the computer. In other words, if this particular player shoots a score above X, raise him immediately. I believe it is only a suggestion. Typically that score is about 3 full skill levels above their average.

The point is, if that 4 turned in that score in Vegas, he would *definitely* be disqualified. Possibly his whole team too. Something to think about.

KMRUNOUT

just one question how was he a 3 when new male players start as a 4. Yes you are right that is rare but as you yourself stated almost never turn in a score like that but almost isnt never. By your standards my 46 in one innning should have gotten me flagged but as i said that is not an every day occurance.
 
By your standards my 46 in one innning should have gotten me flagged but as i said that is not an every day occurance.

That's a hell of a score there. A SL6 running a 5-pack and out would definitely raise eyebrows here.
 
That's a hell of a score there. A SL6 running a 5-pack and out would definitely raise eyebrows here.

didnt put a 5 together had a 2 and a couple long runs with 3 late 9 combos split over my 2 turns i was the inning maker lost the lag and the ending player thus 1 inning
 
That's a hell of a score there. A SL6 running a 5-pack and out would definitely raise eyebrows here.

and we are in the same area looks like you shoot in atlanta as do i. I have to be honest though and say i also have night when i just cant put 4 ballss together and shoot like a 3 in fact 4s have taken me down.
 
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just one question how was he a 3 when new male players start as a 4. Yes you are right that is rare but as you yourself stated almost never turn in a score like that but almost isnt never. By your standards my 46 in one innning should have gotten me flagged but as i said that is not an every day occurance.

The player in question was playing in his 2nd or 3rd match. He was "new" in that he did not yet have an established skill level by the APA standards.

I don't know what your skill level is, but if you ran 46 balls in one inning, you should immediately be raised to a 9. No other info is needed. The APA deals with averages. That score is so far out of the range of anything but a 9, there is absolutely no way to average it in. The max score you can possibly get is 10.0 balls per inning (in the computer). If this (you getting raise to a 9 or near to it) didn't happen, then you have a classic example of either 1) someone keeping score with MANY mistakes, or 2)human error entering the score into the computer, or 3) a LO who doesn't know what they are doing, or who willfully disregards the standards set forth by the APA. It is scores like this that explain why the LO's have the authority to override the computer system. It is nothing against you! Hell, GREAT shooting! You should be proud. But since the handicap is supposed to be the measure of the better end of your true ability, you should also be a 9.

KMRUNOUT
 
I will help you guys wanting to understand how the skill levels in 9-ball work. Those who want just the quick answer, the target is between 15 and 17 innings. Each skill level have a slightly different target.

I will discuss a couple equation and then you can do your own math for the rest.
The skill levels are indeed dependant on points scored (P), defense (D), and innings (I).

To calculate your average, its P/(I-D) = A
To calculate expected innings it is P/(SL*2)=I

Double your average and that is your skill level. (ie. a 9s average is 4.5, or higher, 8s are 4.0 - 4.49, etc). Yes that means a 1's average is less than 1 ball per inning!

so, to determin target innings for a 9,
75/9*2 = 16.67 innings.

A 7's target innings is 55/7*2 = 15.74

A 5's target is 38/5*2 = 15.2


This is why all skill levels are "supposed" to have equal chance for victory.

Applied scores are used if you win and exceed your average. The actual value of the applied number is determined by your lifetime winning percentage and your skill level. No APA skill level is dependant on your opponent OR the area. Accuracy of scoring is the most important reason for disparity.

Enjoy!

Ding Ding we have a winner in my opinion. Although technically your formula reads incorrectly:

To calculate expected innings it is P/(SL*2)=I

The correct formula would read

(P/SL)*2=I,

Also using the assumption of 0 defense and some basic algebra you can get

(I*SL)/2 –P=(A*I)-P

Which reduces to:

SL=2*A

Or as you elequntley stated double your average and that is your skill level.
 
The player in question was playing in his 2nd or 3rd match. He was "new" in that he did not yet have an established skill level by the APA standards.

I don't know what your skill level is, but if you ran 46 balls in one inning, you should immediately be raised to a 9. No other info is needed. The APA deals with averages. That score is so far out of the range of anything but a 9, there is absolutely no way to average it in. The max score you can possibly get is 10.0 balls per inning (in the computer). If this (you getting raise to a 9 or near to it) didn't happen, then you have a classic example of either 1) someone keeping score with MANY mistakes, or 2)human error entering the score into the computer, or 3) a LO who doesn't know what they are doing, or who willfully disregards the standards set forth by the APA. It is scores like this that explain why the LO's have the authority to override the computer system. It is nothing against you! Hell, GREAT shooting! You should be proud. But since the handicap is supposed to be the measure of the better end of your true ability, you should also be a 9.

KMRUNOUT

I am in no way a sl9 and did it in 2 turns at the table which cinstitutes 1 inning in that won the lag and therefore the inning maker only shot once and did have 29 before he got to the table but i do not normally shoot anywhere near that level although wish i did. The handicap system though is based on averages not single scores as in average of best 10 of last 20. I am sure that with that formula i am where i belong.
 
Do skill levels change much going from barbox to 8' or 9' tables? What effect on your average would be typical?
 
Do skill levels change much going from barbox to 8' or 9' tables? What effect on your average would be typical?

i think it would depend on each players ability to adapt to each size table, much like going from a valley to a diamond bar table. there is quite a bit of difference in the way those 2 tables play.

around here all leagues play on barboxes except for our apa sunday night double jeapordy division. its an in house league at a pool hall. that division has become so popular that we have more teams than tables avaliable.

the solution that came about was to have teams rotate between barboxes and 9' tables. about every 4 weeks it is your teams turn to play on 9's.

a lot of players did not like that idea at 1st but quickly approved of it when they found out the room owner was giving the 9's to the league for free. NOTHING BEATS FREE TABLE TIME TO A POOL PLAYER LOL.

we have been playing the way for 2 sessions so far and i have not seen any affect on any ones handicap so far. except for mine that is, i was just raised again 2 weeks ago:D.

when we 1st started playing on the 9's you could expect to be there about an hour longer than when you played on barboxes due to every one missing so much but over time as people have gotten used to playing on them the length of matches has grown shorter to about a half hour longer than when we play on barboxes.
 
If the handicap is 'even', wouldn't it will take the same number of innings to make your points for your level.

Meaning if a SL 4 need 10 innings to reach 31, then a SL 5 needs the same 10 to reach 38. The points can be use to fine tune the handicap. Isn't the point of the handicap to give each level a 50/50 chance of beating another level?

FWIW, the other generalize for APA 9-ball, handicap level was roughly how many balls you can run on average.

i don't think that's even possible. handicapped or not when someone gets to the point where they can get out in one inning then no matter what the handicap the innings are going to be fewer and fewer
 
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