I love it when they get mad and whine, especially when it happen during cities. It gives you fodder for the whole summer
What's the best strategy for APA/CPA "points" 9-ball?
- Thread starter DAVE_M
- Start date
I play as a 9 in 9ball APA. Normally, I don't even look at the score. If I win, its by surprise that its over. I come for the fun. Since I normally am giving up a lot of weight, I like to know how conservatively to play. Playing safe very often is not as fun a game to me.
As a tip to explain to my teammates, I tell them my "5-points rule". If you are evenly rated, splitting the points 5 each keeps you in the running. So I tell my teammates to make at least 5 points a rack. For myself, I know the bigger the difference in rating, I have to add points to make it even. For example, I'm playing a 7 rated (55pts). Difference of 20pts. I have to make that up during the course of the match. Each game I would need 6pts to beat him (over approx 12-13 racks).
Another way to look at it is, once I meet his 20pts difference, I know I can play him 5-points a rack thereafter. And If I runout 2 racks, thats makes us all square.
Now, you dont actually have to runout the rack to do this. You can play safe and just finish the run after you get BIH back.
You probably won't need this yet as you'll be starting as a 4, but when you get to 7/8/9, it'll carry more meaning. If you're beating the ghostball, and you're matched against another 4, don't be surprised if you beat him 16-4 or better. Esp. if you play safe from time to time.
Good Luck tonight, and have fun!
BTW: If you're lower rated than your opponent, the 5-points rule also still works. If you split the points 5 each, you'll reach your goal score before he does. This is why I tell my teammates to make at least 5pts a rack.
As a tip to explain to my teammates, I tell them my "5-points rule". If you are evenly rated, splitting the points 5 each keeps you in the running. So I tell my teammates to make at least 5 points a rack. For myself, I know the bigger the difference in rating, I have to add points to make it even. For example, I'm playing a 7 rated (55pts). Difference of 20pts. I have to make that up during the course of the match. Each game I would need 6pts to beat him (over approx 12-13 racks).
Another way to look at it is, once I meet his 20pts difference, I know I can play him 5-points a rack thereafter. And If I runout 2 racks, thats makes us all square.
Now, you dont actually have to runout the rack to do this. You can play safe and just finish the run after you get BIH back.
You probably won't need this yet as you'll be starting as a 4, but when you get to 7/8/9, it'll carry more meaning. If you're beating the ghostball, and you're matched against another 4, don't be surprised if you beat him 16-4 or better. Esp. if you play safe from time to time.
Good Luck tonight, and have fun!
BTW: If you're lower rated than your opponent, the 5-points rule also still works. If you split the points 5 each, you'll reach your goal score before he does. This is why I tell my teammates to make at least 5pts a rack.
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I haven't read this thread so forgive me if this was already mentioned. Here is one example where APA strategy differs from normal 9ball rules. Your opponent scratches on the break leaving you the 1ball 9ball combo. Normally you should take that shot but in APA you would be better off trying to run the table. The 9ball is only worth 2 + the break. Running out could mean 10 points + the break.
Another place where strategy differs is looking at the runout. If you are looking at the table and you see you can run 1 through 5 but might be caught on the 6ball you are probably better off taking the 5 points and then ducking on the 6ball. Normal rules you might play a safety early on so to not clear the table of all the balls but in APA 9ball since you get credit for the points it is worth it.
APA 9-ball is way more fun than 8-ball. (Granted I enjoy 9-ball more anyway)
- Rack 1 -
Won the lag, broke well and parked the rock dead center. I had to bank the 3 to get shape. It rattled and the cue ball got hooked behind the point in the side pocket. He kicked and made the 3, but missed the 5. I ran out.
- Rack 2 -
Broke well again, parked the cue ball and ran out.
- Rack 3 -
I broke dry, he ran to the 4 and missed leaving me hooked. I kicked, hit, and got safe. He kicked and bumped the 4 into another ball, pissed in the 4, then missed the 5. I ran out.
- Rack 4 -
I broke and hooked myself on the head rail behind the 2/5/1 all frozen with the 1 sitting in the corner pocket. I tried to kick 2 rails and knicked the 5 first. He took BIH and ran a few and scratched. Then gave me BIH and I ran out.
- Rack 5 -
I broke dry, but had the CB hooked. He missed, gave me BIH and I shot the 1 & 2 to get to 31 points.
I won 31-10 which gave me an 18-2 win! I was 5/5 on banks and had 1 Break and Run.
- Rack 1 -
Won the lag, broke well and parked the rock dead center. I had to bank the 3 to get shape. It rattled and the cue ball got hooked behind the point in the side pocket. He kicked and made the 3, but missed the 5. I ran out.
- Rack 2 -
Broke well again, parked the cue ball and ran out.
- Rack 3 -
I broke dry, he ran to the 4 and missed leaving me hooked. I kicked, hit, and got safe. He kicked and bumped the 4 into another ball, pissed in the 4, then missed the 5. I ran out.
- Rack 4 -
I broke and hooked myself on the head rail behind the 2/5/1 all frozen with the 1 sitting in the corner pocket. I tried to kick 2 rails and knicked the 5 first. He took BIH and ran a few and scratched. Then gave me BIH and I ran out.
- Rack 5 -
I broke dry, but had the CB hooked. He missed, gave me BIH and I shot the 1 & 2 to get to 31 points.
I won 31-10 which gave me an 18-2 win! I was 5/5 on banks and had 1 Break and Run.
And that's ok. He's obviously not a 4.
He'll be fine, wherever they land him (likely 8 or 9 at some point, by the description of his game, it that is consistent).
Nice start
APA 9-ball is way more fun than 8-ball. (Granted I enjoy 9-ball more anyway)
- Rack 1 -
Won the lag, broke well and parked the rock dead center. I had to bank the 3 to get shape. It rattled and the cue ball got hooked behind the point in the side pocket. He kicked and made the 3, but missed the 5. I ran out.
- Rack 2 -
Broke well again, parked the cue ball and ran out.
- Rack 3 -
I broke dry, he ran to the 4 and missed leaving me hooked. I kicked, hit, and got safe. He kicked and bumped the 4 into another ball, pissed in the 4, then missed the 5. I ran out.
- Rack 4 -
I broke and hooked myself on the head rail behind the 2/5/1 all frozen with the 1 sitting in the corner pocket. I tried to kick 2 rails and knicked the 5 first. He took BIH and ran a few and scratched. Then gave me BIH and I ran out.
- Rack 5 -
I broke dry, but had the CB hooked. He missed, gave me BIH and I shot the 1 & 2 to get to 31 points.
I won 31-10 which gave me an 18-2 win! I was 5/5 on banks and had 1 Break and Run.
you did not mention what skill level your opponent was but regardless.... nice shooting and glad you seem to be enjoying apa 9 ball so far.:thumbup:
And that's ok. He's obviously not a 4.
He'll be fine, wherever they land him (likely 8 or 9 at some point, by the description of his game, it that is consistent).
Nice start
Thanks! My new teammates were happy to see I played well! I'm going to enjoy the 9-ball league for sure!
Oh woops!
The guy I played was a SL4, the other team wanted to match it up with even SL's. They watched me run two racks of 9ball and go through a short rack of banks on the practice table, so they have no excuses to complain lol.
Well, you were 4/5 on banks, since you rattled that one 3-ball.
But, yes - you'll be at 6, at least, next week. You're rating can/will change every week for up to the frst 10-weeks until they figure your average SL.
Also, when you get to 7/8/9, don't be surprised that your win percentage goes down a little bit; if you play some "strong 4's", a dry break will kill you, as they are likely to run 4 or 5 balls; not leaving you the points available to stay ahead.
I once had to play 2 in cities, I'm a 7 (it was 55-19) race... that's a lot of weight to hand out. I *should* still have been the favorite, as long as I kept my head in the game, but I got a little overly aggressive and didn't keep them locked up as I should. It cost me the match by 2 points. I lost 53-19. Those 2s can be surprisingly dangerous if they have a lot of experience being a 2. Thankfully, it didn't cost the team the match, and we went on to Vegas that year. But, I now have the distinct honor of saying I lost to a 2. :/
But, yes - you'll be at 6, at least, next week. You're rating can/will change every week for up to the frst 10-weeks until they figure your average SL.
Also, when you get to 7/8/9, don't be surprised that your win percentage goes down a little bit; if you play some "strong 4's", a dry break will kill you, as they are likely to run 4 or 5 balls; not leaving you the points available to stay ahead.
I once had to play 2 in cities, I'm a 7 (it was 55-19) race... that's a lot of weight to hand out. I *should* still have been the favorite, as long as I kept my head in the game, but I got a little overly aggressive and didn't keep them locked up as I should. It cost me the match by 2 points. I lost 53-19. Those 2s can be surprisingly dangerous if they have a lot of experience being a 2. Thankfully, it didn't cost the team the match, and we went on to Vegas that year. But, I now have the distinct honor of saying I lost to a 2. :/
Thanks! My new teammates were happy to see I played well! I'm going to enjoy the 9-ball league for sure!
Oh woops!
The guy I played was a SL4, the other team wanted to match it up with even SL's. They watched me run two racks of 9ball and go through a short rack of banks on the practice table, so they have no excuses to complain lol.
I'm surprised they started you at a 4 - did anyone know of your ability? When I joined, I told the LO that it would be totally unfair to start me as a 4. He decided to start me as a 5, which was nearly as bad, and I got a skunk patch (9-ball) and a rackless (8-ball) in the first 2 weeks. lol
You're right about the 4/5 banks, my mistake. The 4 that I did make, I had to play to get shape :grin: Most of the 9ball players out there knew of me, but didn't know how I played. The other team's captain was pretty angry after watching me play, he told me I was sandbagging and started going off about how I am not a 4. I can't really argue with him, but I was only a 4 because it was my first night. I'm an SL5 in 8-ball (which I play horribly compared to 9ball and 10ball). Regardless of my skill level rank, I think 9ball will be way more fun!
The dry breaks sucked, but I was soft breaking with my player. Similar to the old cut breaks. It would send the 1 ball up table and the wing balls usually go in the lower 2. Every rack the balls laid the same, so I was happy about that. Once I get my break cue back, I'll start crushing them again :grin:
I'm going to try and tape next match for sure!
Banks
Banned
I knew somebody that made 5/8 for a while. I gave him the 5-3 spot in 8b and beat him handily. He shot great 9b, though.. wish I knew what the secret was! I think he settled back down to a 7, but a spread like that isn't completely unheard of. You'll probably be a 6 or 7 next week if you're finishing matches in 6 innings. Probably a 7 if you got marked down for a D or two for your kicks.
cluelesscuer
New member
I thought you are suppose to start at your 8 ball sl if you are new to 9?
Some people asked me that, but idk for sure. Our team captain is the division rep and he said I start as a 4. I only had 9 weeks of 8 ball and after my 9th match, I was moved to a SL5. I think I need 10 matches to be locked in as something, right?
My 10th lifetime 8ball match was tuesday and I lost 5-0 as a SL5 to an SL6.
cluelesscuer
New member
Yea...that might be it. You have to have an "established" sl which happens about 10 matches I think.
Over the 10 8-ball matches I played:
1. SL4 *New Player*
2. SL3
3. SL3 *Moved up to a SL5 after*
4. SL4
5. SL4
6. SL4
7. SL4
8. SL4
9. SL4 *Moved up to a SL5 after*
10. SL5
39/10 = 3.9, so I could see them leaving me as a 4.
From what I read, skill level is just half the story. Supposedly on the operator side, the skill level is calculated to tenth decimal, and the number of innings is taken into account to figure out your skill level.
In Match #2 and #3, beating a SL 3.9 (strong SL3), 4 games zip in 5 innings could move you up faster than beating a SL 3.1 (weak SL 3)on the hill with 50 innings.
In the beginning there will be wide swings. I remembered I lost my first match, and was dropped down to a SL3. I won my second, third and was dropped again to SL 2!
In Match #2 and #3, beating a SL 3.9 (strong SL3), 4 games zip in 5 innings could move you up faster than beating a SL 3.1 (weak SL 3)on the hill with 50 innings.
In the beginning there will be wide swings. I remembered I lost my first match, and was dropped down to a SL3. I won my second, third and was dropped again to SL 2!
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I'm an 8 in APA 9 ball. Have been for a few years now. For me it's inexpensive social fun. I play on 2 teams, one with family members, and the other with a bunch of folks I like. I do take the singles competition kinda serious, but the team thing ... not worth it. I read a lot of good advice here, especially learning safe play, and some info on skill levels. I have to add though the importance of innings, and marking the opponents safes.
As far as I can tell, 23 is the magic number for innings to keep your current SL. Whatever your skill level. If you begin to consistently finish with fewer innings, you can expect to see your SL go up, even if you lose some matches, getting close to your ball count in the appropriate number of innings makes all the difference. Conversely if your match innings are rising, you may experience a fall in your SL. The 10 game rule is to get a 10 match average to better pinpoint your SL.
Safe plays aren't counted against you, that is, if you win your match in 32 innings, but you played safe 10 times, your actual ball count (that is what the computer will use to get your SL) would be 22. Keeping you at your current SL.
Don't allow the computer to assign incorrect SL's, mark the safes especially your opponent"s. Your safe count and their's do not have to match. If the LO's notice that a team consistently has less safes than their opponents, they SHOUOLD be looking at that team closely for sandbagging.
Other than that.. just have fun with it, if your team does well and goes somewhere with it, ride the wave. If not don't sweat it, drink a beer, and give the opposing 7 the evil eye. :grin:
As far as I can tell, 23 is the magic number for innings to keep your current SL. Whatever your skill level. If you begin to consistently finish with fewer innings, you can expect to see your SL go up, even if you lose some matches, getting close to your ball count in the appropriate number of innings makes all the difference. Conversely if your match innings are rising, you may experience a fall in your SL. The 10 game rule is to get a 10 match average to better pinpoint your SL.
Safe plays aren't counted against you, that is, if you win your match in 32 innings, but you played safe 10 times, your actual ball count (that is what the computer will use to get your SL) would be 22. Keeping you at your current SL.
Don't allow the computer to assign incorrect SL's, mark the safes especially your opponent"s. Your safe count and their's do not have to match. If the LO's notice that a team consistently has less safes than their opponents, they SHOUOLD be looking at that team closely for sandbagging.
Other than that.. just have fun with it, if your team does well and goes somewhere with it, ride the wave. If not don't sweat it, drink a beer, and give the opposing 7 the evil eye. :grin:
If you're an SL-4/5 in 8-ball, just shoot and make balls.
If you're an SL-6 and above, I do believe that strategy in APA 9-ball is important because you'd actually have the skill necessary to implement them.
I made the mistake of just playing my "I'm better so I'll just slam away until I win" mentality. Then I realized that the handicap forced me to actually play my best game. And when I switched mentality, I was almost (one frickin' loss in two years) was undefeated. And I suck.
Freddie <~~~ third worst SL-9 in the country