What are the differences between TAP & APA leagues

[Kevin Lindstrom]

Can anyone explain the differences between these 2 leagues?

I am considering joining one of these leagues and would like to know the differences and also the pros and cons of each league.

I would think I will be rated as a higher number and don't want to be frustrated with sandbaggers or other handicap related issues.

Thanks

Kevin

 

[bdorman]

I'm makin' popcorn :grin:

 

[poolguy4u]

TAP League keeps score of every shot...every turn at the table.



Can't wait until York gets into TAP League!:thumbup:

 

[DAVE_M]

TAP League keeps score of every shot...every turn at the table.

TAP and APA are money leagues and your goal is to keep your handicap as low as possible and still win.

Depending what you want to do by shooting in a league will determine which league is best for you.

Can't wait until York gets into TAP League!:thumbup:

The APA is not a money league.

 

[BRussell]

Personally I'd go with who you know and like, and whether you can form a team with some friends, rather than the abstract nature of the leagues.

 

[poolguy4u]

The APA is not a money league.

:rotflmao1:



Oh...it's a money league. Lots of people making money off of APA!


It's not free to play every week and there is no banquet at the end of the season for all teams....:wink:


I went to Cobblestones in York PA to watch a APA Tricup tournament. The shooters were so bad, that I would feel embarrassed to even play in that league.

TAP League has some real good players and the competition is real tough. Three title holders a year, then the big tournament to win the trip to the Nationals. And now, there are at least three tournaments per year where you can put together a Dream team.

I only recommend TAP League.

TAP on....

 

[DAVE_M]

:rotflmao1:



Oh...it's a money league. Lots of people making money off of APA!


It's not free to play every week and there is no banquet at the end of the season for all teams....:wink:

We have differing opinions. I see a money league as a league that has a cash payout at the end of the session. You have to advance past the city cup tournament to even make some cash back with the APA.

I played in a local league, not sanctioned by the APA, BCA, or TAP. With 13 teams the cash payout was around $6500 for first, $3200 for second, and $1000 for third. We cashed around $650 for 5th.

 

[poolguy4u]

We have differing opinions. I see a money league as a league that has a cash payout at the end of the session. You have to advance past the city cup tournament to even make some cash back with the APA.

I played in a local league, not sanctioned by the APA, BCA, or TAP. With 13 teams the cash payout was around $6500 for first, $3200 for second, and $1000 for third. We cashed around $650 for 5th.

:smile:


I think splitting $10,000 between three shooters is pretty good money for an APA player.

And that's just in one tournament.


And now these same three APA players are playing TAP League. They wouldn't be playing if it wasn't for the money and compitition. You can all say it's not much money...but just check out the top money winners from the USA.

A TAP League player or APA player can make some money.:smile:


No...I'm not one of those players winning the money or the trip to the nationals.:frown:

 

[Celophanewrap]

Why not try them both?
I can only speak to APA. I have a great time with it, but to be honest let me say that it isn't for everyone. I have been with it for a pretty long time and it has had it's ups and downs but awhile back I finally learned to ignore the bullshit and ass holes and just play and it's been great ever since. I think the trick has been learning to accept the league for what it is. I see far too many people try to make the APA into what they think it should be, sort of self appointed league police and savior. The problem with that is that they don't all agree on what it should be, so there are a thousand or more clashing ideas about how to apply rules and fix the league, it reminds me of a bumper car ride at the amusement park. For me, I take care of me and my team and protect my corner. I use the league to benefit me and I have a great time with it. It's the best place for the application of the serenity prayer that I've ever come across: God, grant me the strength change the things I can change, the patience to live with what I cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Try them both, go with the one that suites you best

 

[ScottK]

Can anyone explain the differences between these 2 leagues?

I am considering joining one of these leagues and would like to know the differences and also the pros and cons of each league.

I would think I will be rated as a higher number and don't want to be frustrated with sandbaggers or other handicap related issues.

Thanks

Kevin

Short answer: Join TAP.

Longer answer:

In addition to the previously mentioned score keeping difference, where every ball and every shot are accounted for in TAP scoring, the main differences are these:

TAP is call shot while APA is slop.
TAP does not prohibit the use of a jump cue, nor any other cue which meets the World Standardized Rules as far as I'm aware.
TAP team handicap limit is 25 versus the "23-Rule" in APA.
TAP handicaps are also 2-7, but tend to run 1/2 to 1 lower than an APA handicap allowing the play of a much stronger 5 person line up.
TAP has an annual National Championship which takes place in a different city every year similar to the APA National Team Championships held annually in Las Vegas. However, if you do not qualify, you can assemble a Dream Team roster and attend to play in the Dream Team event. There is also a Dream Team event (8 ball and 9 ball) at the Super Billiards Expo every year. This is to say that twice a year you're eligible to attend a National level event in TAP. Singles competition in each handicap bracket is held as well.

You'll be frustrated with sandbaggers in either league, as you likely will in any handicapped format.
The only downside to TAP imho is the tedious nature of the score keeping.

That probably covers most of it, if I think of anything else, and no one covers it, I'll reply again later.

 

[voiceofreason]

Why do american pool leagues have handicaps?

Are you afraid of the best teams winning???

 

[kaznj]

8 ball
apa slop counts. You only have to call 8 ball.
tap: call all shots.Jump cues allowed.
Because of individual rating, the Tap league tends to have stronger players.
Apa is great for players who are just starting out. Very good for inexperienced players to learn the game.
Both have qualifiers to a national tournament. apa is always in vegas. tap moves around. I went to vegas with tap. Next year they went to Chicago, then Dallas.
Apa nationals is huge. Must be thousands of players. Lots of dealers selling stuff.
Tap nationals much smaller.
I like tap nationals. Not as hectic. Both were fun. A week in vegas with air fare and hotel covered.
Just about all leagues suffer from the same problem. Sandbagging. This appears to me to be prevalent in APA. They seem to move players up fast. With only 23 points allowed in apa it is very easy to find your team with too many players over the limit.
Lots of complaining in all leagues. I player loses and he claims he is overrated and his opponent is under rated.

 

[Banks]

Why do american pool leagues have handicaps?

Are you afraid of the best teams winning???

No, it's usually because the top players spend so much time playing pool, they all smell so horribly. In an effort to reduce offensive odors, they limit "skill level". It encourages more boobs on the team, which contributes to a better all-around smell(usually). :thumbup:

 

[jeffj2h]

I don't know about tap, but 9ball scoring in APA is a big pain. You need to be focused. Socializing while scoring APA 9ball is like counting cards in blackjack while ordering a drink and chatting up the pit boss. Doable, but takes practice.

 

[CBW]

TAP and APA are money leagues and your goal is to keep your handicap as low as possible and still win.

:[/nQUOTE]

That sums up why I gave up on leagues, the sandbagging is atrocious.

 

[RunOut Apps]

Call Pocket VS Slop

The most important shot in pool in the break. If you complete the break you should not be limited to what you can shoot at..after the break. In TAP there is an open break allowing you to shoot at any ball but the 8 after the break. In APA it is a closed break, and so if you make a ball of a particular suit (lets say solids), you must then shoot at only balls of the similar suit (solids).

Also TAP is call pocket and No slop. It has been scientifically proven that slop stunts the growth of your game. Its a fact(ha ha...joke). Don't do it. Friends don't let friends shoot slop. Also APA has scorekeeping that is similar to Egyptian Hieroglyphics. But in TAP we have Pool-net which is the most simple and most accurate scoring on the planet, and is integrated directly into the most advanced scoring app available today. http://vimeo.com/78388124

The choice has never been clearer than it is today. TAP. :thumbup:

 

[Banks]

It has been scientifically proven that slop stunts the growth of your game. Its a fact.

Que dice?

 

[hang-the-9]

Can anyone explain the differences between these 2 leagues?

I am considering joining one of these leagues and would like to know the differences and also the pros and cons of each league.

I would think I will be rated as a higher number and don't want to be frustrated with sandbaggers or other handicap related issues.

Thanks

Kevin

TAP has only one A, APA has no Ts. Aside from that they are pretty close, 2/3 the same from what I can see.

If you don't want to be frustrated, don't play in a handicapped league LOL. I would think you've read enough posts on here to know that

 

[dr9ball]

I would think I will be rated as a higher number and don't want to be frustrated with sandbaggers or other handicap related issues.

Thanks

Kevin

Then my suggestion to you is to avoid any handicapped league. Play heads up pool. You might enjoy APA masters, no handicaps there. Better yet play in a local scratch league.

 

[trob]

The thing that will bug you kevin is the handicap if your playing 9 ball not so much if your playing 8 ball. The fact that your highest can be a 9 in 9 ball and a 7 in 8 ball but your handicap total is still 23. Makes it tough to keep teams together. But then thats there business model to grow the league.

Around here (can't speak for the whole country) Apa is all about vegas. I wish they had regional events Like tap has at the super billiards expo. Everything doesn't have to be about going to vegas. Sometimes people just want to pay an entry fee and play in a cash tournament with a chance to compete against people different area's. That's just not offered in apa... Any regional event are all about paying to play in mini tournaments to win one and then get to go play for a chance to goto vegas. Its always about vegas. Lol

This is my last apa session. Everyone is tired of it... and I'm trying to get Tap league down in york but all the apa teams that our interested in giving it a try get a phone call from the apa operators threatening them that they can't play in apa if they play tap.