Thanks guys - I crushed an 8 last night

I started as a SL4 in APA 9-ball. I ran two racks my first night and they moved me to a SL5. I don't know how the Equalizer system works, but I'm still a SL5. lol
 
We had a six start out as 4, and sure enough he dominated, like 80% win rate that season.
He was a 6 by the end of the session and now it's closer to 50%.

No idea how fast you're gonna go up.
Sometimes it's a rollercoaster.

They started me as a 7 in 9b, and I was stuck there for like 2 years.
Then one day they tell me I'm an 8. In only 2 weeks I'm a 9.
Then I'm an 8 again a few weeks later. But only for one week. Then I'm a 9 again.

I think they focus mostly on innings, not so much whether you win or lose.
It's possible my weird sudden changes happened because someone wrote me up
or the LO decided my win rate didn't line up with my high inning count, or something.

0 inning games are probably the express lane to getting moved up.
 
My apologies for the confusion guys -

The guy I played was a SL-8 in 9-ball and a SL-7 in 8-ball but my team captain was talking to me before the game and all I heard was 8 lol - was focusing on the match without it even starting =P

It was a race where I had to win 2 and he had to win 6.

Anyhow - in my area when you first join the APA league regardless of what you're actual skill level is you start out as a 3 and advance based on how you perform through the matches. So I'm not actually a 3 (most players have said I'm at least a 6 unless I get in my head while playing) so it's not uncommon for me to run racks.

You only win the match if you pocket the 8-ball legally but I ran out twice and he didn't get a shot in. I was a little upset because I wanted to keep playing =/

-Richard


LMAO the poor SL7 gave four games on the wire and then you break and run twice. Nice job with the B&R but why would you brag about winning this? The SL7 had no chance in the match.
 
LMAO the poor SL7 gave four games on the wire and then you break and run twice. Nice job with the B&R but why would you brag about winning this? The SL7 had no chance in the match.

Because it symbolized a huge step up for me in the following regards:
-Not feeling pressure from higher ranked opponent
-Playing great position without missing
-First 2-set break and run as well.

Before I almost always felt pressure from my opponent regardless of skill level and it got me to talk in my head - questioning my shots, and my confidence. I have none of that now.

Before, I had to rely on my ability to shoot a shot from almost anywhere on the table without regards to thinking about my next shot - and I no longer have that.

Before, I was only running like 3-4 balls per inning and this time I broke and ran two sets.

A few weeks ago this guy woulda beat me like a step-child but it's no longer the case anymore.
 
Before, I was only running like 3-4 balls per inning and this time I broke and ran two sets.

A few weeks ago this guy woulda beat me like a step-child but it's no longer the case anymore.

Believe it or not, there are some unscrupulous APA team captains that would have you sandbagging about now.
I know it's hard to believe, and I wouldn't do it, but every once in a while :smile: there is a little sandbagging in the APA
 
Because it symbolized a huge step up for me in the following regards:
-Not feeling pressure from higher ranked opponent
-Playing great position without missing
-First 2-set break and run as well.

Before I almost always felt pressure from my opponent regardless of skill level and it got me to talk in my head - questioning my shots, and my confidence. I have none of that now.

Before, I had to rely on my ability to shoot a shot from almost anywhere on the table without regards to thinking about my next shot - and I no longer have that.

Before, I was only running like 3-4 balls per inning and this time I broke and ran two sets.

A few weeks ago this guy woulda beat me like a step-child but it's no longer the case anymore.

Congrats on the runouts but don't get too ahead of yourself. This game has a way of humbling us all.

I can definitely relate to being totally comfortable at the table. It's something I'm constantly striving for but for me -- I've come to the conclusion that it's not simply a hurdle that you get over and you never have to face it again. Instead, it's a constant part of the game. Some days you show up and you don't have your A game and your opponent is playing lights out. Guess what happens? That nervous energy finds it way back into your game and it can really screw you up. You can lose your confidence. What you do in these situations speaks volumes.

I'm learning how to deal with this nervous energy as opposed to focusing on eliminating it. I'm now beginning to play my best pool when I'm a bit anxious. It's certainly a fine line and I tend to get way more anxious while competing than other players. Not sure why that is. I think it's because I just love to play so much I can't help but get excited. But I'm trying to harness this energy instead of eliminate it. I've had mixed results so far so take this for what it's worth.
 
Basement - that's the same thing I was referring to - eliminating the distressful nervousness though and embracing the eustress. For me, there's a difference between being excited to shoot and being too nervous to play your best because your opponent has a higher SL =P

As a psych major I find it interesting to say the least ;)
 
Sets or games? Big difference.

Before, I was only running like 3-4 balls per inning and this time I broke and ran two sets.

A few weeks ago this guy woulda beat me like a step-child but it's no longer the case anymore.

By 2 Sets, do you mean 2 games? Or do you mean two "set's" which would be races to a certain number of games? Just asking because there is a big difference. I'm not familiar with the format which you are speaking of.
 
Congrats on the runouts but don't get too ahead of yourself. This game has a way of humbling us all.

I can definitely relate to being totally comfortable at the table. It's something I'm constantly striving for but for me -- I've come to the conclusion that it's not simply a hurdle that you get over and you never have to face it again. Instead, it's a constant part of the game. Some days you show up and you don't have your A game and your opponent is playing lights out. Guess what happens? That nervous energy finds it way back into your game and it can really screw you up. You can lose your confidence. What you do in these situations speaks volumes.

I'm learning how to deal with this nervous energy as opposed to focusing on eliminating it. I'm now beginning to play my best pool when I'm a bit anxious. It's certainly a fine line and I tend to get way more anxious while competing than other players. Not sure why that is. I think it's because I just love to play so much I can't help but get excited. But I'm trying to harness this energy instead of eliminate it. I've had mixed results so far so take this for what it's worth.

You nailed it with this post. It's not something that you are magically over, it's a process. The bad nights, the nervousness, the lack of confidence... These all slowly happen less frequently but they don't magically go away after running 2 racks IMHO.
 
I guess I am really confused

When you say you ran two sets, and each set you had four on the wire going to 6, you ran four tables? Seems a little hard to believe with your post from earlier where you say you don't know how to play position. Are just that lucky?

Now I have never played APA so maybe it is just me.

Sup everybody,

I was playing my friend's dad last night and he absolutely destroyed me - 6 matches all races to 5. I had a few break and runs, and he was unforgiving at my minor mistakes! But, he gave me the best critiques while playing so I could get proper shape on the next ball.

He told me I'm an excellent shot and far above an APA 6, and probably will be a lot higher when I learn to properly get shape on balls.

Anyway, my questions (some true or false):
1) Side spin does not affect CB direction after hitting the OB, right? but,
2) Reverse and running English does affect cue ball direction after contact with the OB, right?
3) How does reverse (bottom) and running (top) English affect side-spin kick off the rail? Like so:

dPnXdZh.png
[/IMG]

How would high-right, and low-right affect the CB direction after making contact with the OB?

Also, I know where I want to be on my next shot - I just don't have the CB control down enough to exactly get there. I'm a great shot but not a great position player because I just don't know how the ball is going to react with different kinds of English, or the affect that speed has on English.

4) How do you hit the ball faster, or fuller without hitting it harder? Is it a difference in stroke or what?

-Richard
 
Because it symbolized a huge step up for me in the following regards:
-Not feeling pressure from higher ranked opponent
-Playing great position without missing
-First 2-set break and run as well.

Before I almost always felt pressure from my opponent regardless of skill level and it got me to talk in my head - questioning my shots, and my confidence. I have none of that now.

Before, I had to rely on my ability to shoot a shot from almost anywhere on the table without regards to thinking about my next shot - and I no longer have that.

Before, I was only running like 3-4 balls per inning and this time I broke and ran two sets.

A few weeks ago this guy woulda beat me like a step-child but it's no longer the case anymore.

Wait until you have a established rating. You slaughtered the guy because you were rated a SL3. If you break and run two games maybe you should be rated a SL7. To put this in perspective I have never seen a SL3 perform a break and run. You did it twice.
 
My question is why are you a 3 & not a 4? New APA players start as 4's, correct me if I'm wrong.
 
Rob -

By two sets - I meant two sets of balls (basically two racks). I ran two racks in a row.

Anyhow - the type of personality I have is that I very easily learn and apply skills, techniques, and knowledge when I'm interested in the subject. Such is the case, for me, in pool, psychology, and dating women to name a few. I learn very very fast.

So, I reviewed a bunch of pool videos, and English theory then applied it in practice to see how the cue ball reacts with English, etc.

My problem before was that I had the mental idea of what I wanted to happen by playing along natural lines and angles, but lacked the cue ball control to actually get to the next position. Instead of trying to be fancy (which is what I was doing before) I was actually playing the natural angles for position.

Nothing lucky about it - just simplifying my game down to fundamentals and natural angles instead of trying to be fancy and flashy.
 
Road - it is also my understanding that new APA members also start out as 4s but on our team roster it indeed has me down as a 3 - I may have been bumped because I lost my first game... (only played 4 matches so far).

In regards to actual skill level - I read that your actual rating is assigned after 10 matches. Until then I may be stuck as a 3 - I'll have to wait and see on Thursday.
 
Road - it is also my understanding that new APA members also start out as 4s but on our team roster it indeed has me down as a 3 - I may have been bumped because I lost my first game... (only played 4 matches so far).

In regards to actual skill level - I read that your actual rating is assigned after 10 matches. Until then I may be stuck as a 3 - I'll have to wait and see on Thursday.

That makes more sense. A new player, with a loss or two, often goes down to a 3.

Somehow I doubt you will stay there. :p

The only concern you may have is showing such a dramatic difference could lead the powers to be to think that you were sandbagging initially.
 
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Yea maybe I misunderstood & Zphiz stared at a 4 & never won a game & went down to a 3. And yea good luck explaining "I got my shit together & ran 2 racks" to the LO if he asks. Because I'll bet the guy you beat or his captain contacted the LO already crying.
 
Road - it is also my understanding that new APA members also start out as 4s but on our team roster it indeed has me down as a 3 - I may have been bumped because I lost my first game... (only played 4 matches so far).

In regards to actual skill level - I read that your actual rating is assigned after 10 matches. Until then I may be stuck as a 3 - I'll have to wait and see on Thursday.

If they still do it this way..

Your s/l is based on the best 10 of your last 20 matches. So, around 10 is where your rating will start to be a bit more constant. As somebody else said, men start as a 4. So, yeah, you went down to a 3 after losing. If you regularly finish out a rack on your first turn at the table, you'll probably be a 7. If it regularly takes you two turns, probably a 6 and so on, for the most part. Some games you'll have 5 innings, then a 1 inning game, etc. Feel free to join everybody in the "how are you doing in league?" thread. It's always fun to watch the progress of somebody that's just joined.
 
Wait until you have a established rating. You slaughtered the guy because you were rated a SL3. If you break and run two games maybe you should be rated a SL7. To put this in perspective I have never seen a SL3 perform a break and run. You did it twice.

my thoughts exactly...
 
I think your right on the money with the best 10 of you last 20. I'm not sure if I read it here or if someone brought the apa formula to leagues but that was a big part of it.

If they still do it this way..

Your s/l is based on the best 10 of your last 20 matches. So, around 10 is where your rating will start to be a bit more constant. As somebody else said, men start as a 4. So, yeah, you went down to a 3 after losing. If you regularly finish out a rack on your first turn at the table, you'll probably be a 7. If it regularly takes you two turns, probably a 6 and so on, for the most part. Some games you'll have 5 innings, then a 1 inning game, etc. Feel free to join everybody in the "how are you doing in league?" thread. It's always fun to watch the progress of somebody that's just joined.
 
I have, but they weren't a true three in the APA.

:D

Wait until you have a established rating. You slaughtered the guy because you were rated a SL3. If you break and run two games maybe you should be rated a SL7. To put this in perspective I have never seen a SL3 perform a break and run. You did it twice.
 
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