Someone please enlighten me........

[HarddTimezz]

Why do players handicaps get lowered? Were they good at one time and then all of a sudden forgot how to play? I just can't seem to grasp this concept. If you attained a certain level of play why don't you stay there? I guess I could understand if you lost a limb or eye you might have a justifiable reason to go down. Seriously, just because you lose a bunch of times why is that a reason to get lowered? I understand an unestablished or new player's handicap being able to fluctuate but when you've played 50+ matches I think the writing is on the wall and you are what you are. I just don't understand playing 5 years week in and week out and getting worse? Someone please shead some light on this topic. That is all for now.

[rosie d]

I cant enlighten you, but I can and do agree with you 100%. I have been in APA for 14 yrs so I know alot of players and players who have played as long or longer, and their handicaps (in my opinoin) do not reflect their true ability, if they get raised they loose so they can go down. No names but one in particular..has played for 5 years longer than me and is back to a two, come on in all that time their game has never changed?? I am just returning after back surgery and the couple of games i played are the same as before. It would be awesome if all players took being raised as a compliment instead of a insult...

[dltrunn]

They don't play as often as they use to. Most good players practice away from league. Myself as an example.... I use to play 4 to 5 times a week including league night, and I was a six. I wa spending way to much time at the bar. So, now I play on two teams, one 9-ball and one 8-ball team. My game has suffered as others have gotten better. I can see it in my game and I can see it in theirs. Truth is pool gets old, and sometimes you are in the wrong environment when you play. I think I am personally worn out on pool and the same thing happened to me in college when I worked in a pool hall and played every day. I have never played better than I did in college, and I don't play near as well now as I did 3 to 4 months ago when I played almost every day. I just don't play as much anymore. When you are a 3 or 4 missing here and there isn't that big of deal because your games go around 5 innings or more, but missing when you are a 5 or 6 or playing a 5 or 6 is a big deal because you only have about 2 or 3 innings to get out or you are going to lose.

Hopefully that makes sense to someone other than me. :)

[Jack]

I've been playig APA for almost ten years, and I can surely say that the level that people play at is soooo much higher than it used to be.

I know for a fact that my game has improved, but so has everyone else's, so it's kind of been offset. 4's are better than they used to be, etc.

[slanidrac16]

It makes sense to me. I can see 3's 4's fluctuating a bit but when you reached a 5 ,6, or 7 it should take nothing less than an act of God to drop you down a level.
It also would hinder the so called......I won't say the word, um handicap minipulators.

[Hairy_Helmet]

I think some players hit a wall in their learning of the game or just dont take winning and loosing that serious. Those players move down when level of play in your area gets better. In the area that I play, the level of play has noticeably increased as a whole, in my opinion. Leaving those players who dont try to learn from each game, and just try to win, behind. I think some players are borderline also. I've seen many 5/6's who fluctuate back and forth from session to session. Or maybe they just barely keep their chin over the sl6 line and loose a few more games than they normally would. I dont think its fair at all to say that players shouldnt move down in handicap. If you can move up so easily, it should go both ways.

[NO SKILLS]

It's amazing how a 2 can go to Vegas on not 1, but 2 teams along side a multi-year National Champion and manage to stay a 2. Congrats on mastering s@ndb@gging!!! I applaud you.

It's also amazing that this persons game still "sucks" on demand. This person has been on multiple teams throughout their 5 years in the APA with a National Champion. There's no excuse in the book that justifies this person is not getting any better. I find it hard to believe this person hasn't learned a single thing from a National Champion.

But then again, what about the National Champion? He's no better. What does that say about his morals?

I'm sorry, but watching and learning comes naturally and you can't hide it. Especially when you play on teams 4 nights a week.

[Thurman]

Why do players handicaps get lowered? Were they good at one time and then all of a sudden forgot how to play? I just can't seem to grasp this concept. If you attained a certain level of play why don't you stay there? I guess I could understand if you lost a limb or eye you might have a justifiable reason to go down. Seriously, just because you lose a bunch of times why is that a reason to get lowered? I understand an unestablished or new player's handicap being able to fluctuate but when you've played 50+ matches I think the writing is on the wall and you are what you are. I just don't understand playing 5 years week in and week out and getting worse? Someone please shead some light on this topic. That is all for now.

Yes thats true. This question forces me too sometimes to think that why a player unable to mantain the status of a winner.See may be the reason behind is lack of concentration all of a sudden.Hey buddy but remember one thing every day is not a Sunday .
You know shery one of my good friend was champion for 3 years but since last 2 months he hasnt won any of the game.
By the way how many times you have won the game.
We all have to go through this phase some where in the life. Dont lose your heart and keep trying. Keep walking on ground of reality. You will sure get all those answer.
Thanks anyway.

[Hairy_Helmet]

ummmmmm, what? lol

[Hairy_Helmet]

I dont think that it is right to talk about any one person specifically, especially in a public forum like this. Your complaint, im sure holds ground, but you should probably speak straight to a rep rather than gossip about someone who may or may not read these posts. Just my opinion.

[ZeroTolerance]

Sometimes players just aren't as good when they have to win that extra game. I know someone who is a great 4, but an awful 5. Personally, I did all right when i was raised to a 4, but have succeeded a lot more when I've been a 3.

[HarddTimezz]

Thanks for the responses! I see the point of competition in a certain area getting tougher and players skills within a certain number can be vast. What I will continue to struggle with is an extreme example that I will use to try and make my point. Say, you are a 3 who NEVER loses as a 3 and you are eventually raised to a 4. As a 4 you NEVER win. Under what circumstance should you be allowed to go back down to the level in which you NEVER lose? Isn't this crazy?

[slanidrac16]

I wish I knew the "secret " formula. I have a player that never played APA before. He played a lot at home growing up , but never in competition. We have never , nor will we ever play to inhance our playing levels. That being said, I'm afraid the current system is an invitation to "lay down".
My player started out as a 4 as per rules. Here's his results. I will also mention that his games were played in a fair amount of innings and safeties, without break and runs.
Week
1. vs 3.....won 3-1 level remained a 4
2. vs 2.....won 4-0 level went to a 5 ( already a bit strange to me)
3. vs 5.....won 4-2 level went to a 6 ( In just 3 weeks?)
4. vs 5.....won 5-0 level remained a 6
5. vs 3.....won 5-1 level remained a 6
6. vs 5.....lost 4-2 level remained a 6
7. vs 6.....won 5-3 level remained a 6
8. vs 4.....won 5-1 leveled went to a 7

I just don't know a new player can move to a 7 in just 8 weeks of play when 4 of his opponents were a level 4 or under. I know he has a high winning pct. but I thought our equalizer system was based on more than just that.
I would like to add that he is a good player and in the long run his higher level may be justified. But a level 7 should be for the elite players only. We all know who they are and I'm here to tell you there is no way in heck my player is on their level.
I have had MANY opponents tell me it would be in our best interest to lose some games. I'm begining to understand why they would say that.
I don't know what can or should be done but there has to be a way that doesn't reward players or entice to play poorly.