UPA Membership / Points System

TheOne

TheOne

www.MetroPool.club
Silver Member
In response to a thread a while back I sent an email to the UPA regarding membership and their points system. I specifically asked how their points system worked and how I would be able to qualify for events such as the BCA open etc. I sent this email two weeks ago and unfortunately I have still not received a reply.

I consider this very poor customer service and it does seem to back up some of the claims about the UPA's poor member relations. However I don't want this thread to turn into another bash UPA thread. I would however like to know how the UPA points system works and hence what chance is there of moving up the rankings? For example, what are the points for each event, what points are carried over each year, is there a seeding system for ranking events, what events use the UPA system as a basis for invites etc...

Any help much appreciated
 
The UPA has a seeded points ranking (http://www.azbilliards.com/upa/seedpointslist.cfm) and a calendar points ranking (http://www.azbilliards.com/upa/calendarpointslist.cfm)

There are explanations as to how they are figured at both of those links.

As for which events use the UPA ratings for invites? The BCA Open does and the World Championships do. Mosconi Cup also.

Mike

TheOne said:
In response to a thread a while back I sent an email to the UPA regarding membership and their points system. I specifically asked how their points system worked and how I would be able to qualify for events such as the BCA open etc. I sent this email two weeks ago and unfortunately I have still not received a reply.

I consider this very poor customer service and it does seem to back up some of the claims about the UPA's poor member relations. However I don't want this thread to turn into another bash UPA thread. I would however like to know how the UPA points system works and hence what chance is there of moving up the rankings? For example, what are the points for each event, what points are carried over each year, is there a seeding system for ranking events, what events use the UPA system as a basis for invites etc...

Any help much appreciated
Click to expand...
 
Thanks Mike, that's helpful although it doesn't mention how many points are awarded for each tounry?

Anyone any ideas?
 
That sounds a little strange, and to be frank suspicous. For example if you look at the bpppa, one of the pro tours in the uk they clearly publish their points systme on their website:

http://www.bpppa.com/rankings/system_9ball.html

How can you run a tour when the points system isn't published for all to see?

OK, so I can see the points list and I know that the guys at the top have a couple of hundred points. But how do I put this into perspective if I don't know if you get 1 point for win or 200?

I couldn't find this info on the UPA site, and the links you have sent me are on az, surely the UPA must publish this type of info somewhere, especially since they don't respnd to emails?
 
Hi TheOne,

I read with interest your comments. I forwarded your questions to a UPA director. I asked him to join the thread with the information you requested. I'll keep watching. How is your trip to the USA going? Good luck.
 
AzHousePro said:
As for which events use the UPA ratings for invites? The BCA Open does and the World Championships do. Mosconi Cup also.
Click to expand...

If this is so, how does Earl Strickland get invited to the Mosconi Cup? He skips the UPA events.
 
TheOne said:
...I sent this email two weeks ago and unfortunately I have still not received a reply...
Click to expand...

*I don't know if this is the case with this specific organization or not*

You may not think it likely in this day, but some organizations do not have anyone working there who knows how to read email! I see this quite frequently with non-profit organizations and volunteer organizations.

(Or they did have someone there who could read email, but that person moved on and was replaced by someone who does not know how to turn on a computer, etc.)

May want to try calling on the phone or using snail mail in these cases...
 
sjm said:
If this is so, how does Earl Strickland get invited to the Mosconi Cup? He skips the UPA events.
Click to expand...

Hi sjm,

Earl is invited to play. The promoter of the Mosconi Cup and the driving force behind WPA can have whom ever he wants.

After all these years, I can't believe that an open hand to shake, for the benefit of the game of billiards, can not be arranged. Earl is a child at times. It appears that the leadership of the UPA is too. I, along with most other posters here, feel that Earl is way too important a player to keep him ostracized from the accepted professional playing / sanctioning body. Can't someone step forward and break this impass?
 
cardiac kid said:
After all these years, I can't believe that an open hand to shake, for the benefit of the game of billiards, can not be arranged. Earl is a child at times. It appears that the leadership of the UPA is too. I, along with most other posters here, feel that Earl is way too important a player to keep him ostracized from the accepted professional playing / sanctioning body. Can't someone step forward and break this impass?
Click to expand...

I know what you're saying, CK, and I couldn't agree more. Ealr is a perennial fan favorite, as evidenced by the fact that fans swarm to watch his matches at any tournament he plays in. He's also a favorite among his peers.

During the WPC last month, when each member of the field was asked to name their favorite player, our esteemed froum member RecoveryJones posted:

recoveryjones said:
Hi there fellow pool junkies. I just ran a count of the 128 pool players entered in this years World Pool Championship.Each player lists ... who his favorite player is.I only did one count and here's the results:

FAVOURITE PLAYER

Reyes 75
Strickland 13
Bustamante 12
Archer 6
Varner 5
Ortman 5

It's no surprise, Reyes kick's aS$ here.Earl finishing 2nd might surprise some and not because of his talent. Steve Davis lists Earl as on of his favourites...
Click to expand...

The fans want him around, and he is named as favorite player by more of his peers than any regular tour member of the UPA.

The fans are the big losers here. Other than Efren, Earl is the biggest draw in pool, even if his behavior is occasionally over the top. If the UPA has to swallow a little pride here in the name of promoting the sport, I think they should.

In my opinion, anyone who thinks the UPA tour is better off without Earl needs to think it through again.
 
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cardiac kid said:
Hi TheOne,

I read with interest your comments. I forwarded your questions to a UPA director. I asked him to join the thread with the information you requested. I'll keep watching. How is your trip to the USA going? Good luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks ck, I look forward to their reply. I will be leaving Oz in a few months and spending a few months playing in Asia before going to the states. I can't wait though! :-)
 
sqeeky wheels get the grease

perhaps you should try their number. I don't know that the upa has ever responded on a forum. I find that calling them is best. I sent a few emails and i'm sure they get a lot to answer.
 
Hey cardiac

cardiac kid said:
sjm,

tap, tap, tap!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

you should know better. are you coming to the OPEN this year. Earl will never shake CW's hand unless CW apologizes. And you know CW is not about to do that. Earl feels that CW did him wrong on kicking him out of the upa and sending out a press release stating that earl resigned just because he tore their badge off his shirt and threw it in the trash can. If CW had paid him like he promised at the Hampton tournament and not made him wait around promising to pay him then telling him he will have to send him a check, Earl would still be a member. That is the story and reason given me by Earl at the OPEN 2 years ago when i asked him what happened.. But we can all hope that they get things resolved and everybody can be friends. it will only make our sport get better and stronger. :D I have an idea. Let lock them in a room together and see what happens. tell them to leave their ego's at the door and do what is right for the sport :D ....another dream i guess............................mike
 
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cueball1950 said:
Earl will never shake CW's hand unless CW apologizes.
Click to expand...

Sad to say, Cueball1950, don't think a handshake will heal all wounds.

The next UPA tournament, limted to UPA members only, will occur in Grand Central Station, NYC, less than 2 months away. A quick visit to the UPA web site provides all of the exciting details.

Relating to the U.S. Open, it is in my opinion the most prestigious pool tournament in the U.S., open to pool players from around the world, and the winner receives a lifelong title recognized ad infinitum.

It is ironic that the UPA ranking system, in combination with previous U.S. Open title holders, was used as the seeding system last year, considering the low percentage of UPA members in the mix. :rolleyes:

It isn't a perfect pool world, Cueball1950, but the U.S. Open welcomes aspiring pool players worldwide. Two weeks from today, there will be a new champion. See you there!
 
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Mike,

I know almost all the gruesome details of the split as well. I spent hours talking with Diana about it.

Thirty years ago, Richard Nixon went to China. His and our most dispised enemy. He outstreched his hand and we now have some relations with the Chinese people. It only takes one brave person to end this tragedy.

Charlie is not running the UPA on a daily basis anymore. Perhaps there is that one brave person there. If a vote was taken by the paid membership of the UPA (of which I am one), I'm sure Earl would be re-instated. Like it or not, in the United States, he is the game of pool personified.
 
TheOne said:
How can you run a tour when the points system isn't published for all to see?
Click to expand...

Hip, hip, hooray. Therein lies a major problem, TheOne, one of communication with its membership as well as the public.

The topic has been discussed on this forum previously. There are strong views pro and con UPA. The proof is in the pudding if the UPA can deliver its mission to promote men's pool and create a men's tour. To date, I am not impressed. That is not to say the best is yet to come, but only time will tell. :confused:
 
Yo manly

Do i understand you right in that you are coming to the OPEN. Yes i will be there again. this is my 15th year. the 1st one i went to was held at the Lake Wright hotel on US 13. That was many years ago. look me up. i will be signed in at dr d's booth at the open. the billiards workbook both. she has offered us a sign up board so we (CCB) knows who is there and we can leave messages for each other. see you there.......................................mike
 
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