Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Should Lower Ranked Players Play Among Themselves?

September 8 (Part II), 2009

I was looking forward to play in a local 8 ball tournament which is starting on September 27, 2009.

Unfornately the guy who is running the tournament decides to allow all players to play, including open and A players.

Last spring, he started this 8 ball tournament limiting the players to C and D players only. So I started playing this tournament because it was less intimidating and the chances of coming last place are slim.

Now the guy wants $15.00 as an entry fee (instead of the $10.00) and letting all types of player play. I doubt I'll be playing in this tournament because there is absolutely no incentive.

Why are people greedy?

If you think about it, letting the C and D players play by themselves allow them to improve and gain more confidence both in the game and playing in tournaments. It also is for the good of pool itself because it does not discourage the lower players and instead entices them to play in bigger tournaments down the road.

What do you think? Am I wrong to segregate C and D players?

Quilt & Bitch

10 comments:

p00lriah said...

interesting question. i think you probably should. those that get better in the C/D tournaments can venture to the tougher ones, while the remaining players can shoot without fear of being run over. if u got a strong competitive streak u won't play in the C/D tourneys anyway.

this kinda reminds me of the japanese style of structure, where players only practice/play with others of the same rank (B with other B's & so on). not sure if they still do this though.

Quilt+Bitch said...

Thanks for your input p00lriah. The guy running the tournament got upset that I was upset. I think I'll just go to the first one and scope out the field of players and decide at the last minute whether to play or not.

It's not my pool hall, so I can't demand something that I am not entitled to.

But if they stick me as an E player, a race to 2 while other players are racing to 4, 5, or 6, maybe it'll be fun.

p00lriah said...

???

why would the TD get upset? C/D tournaments are common everyday things in any pool hall.

of course if they rank u as an E then everyone + their grannies will b~* about it. like u don't know that already. :-P

one time i was in a tournament many many years ago. the TD didn't know me so he asked one of the tourney players to rank me! gee, i wonder why i was ranked close to an A when i was nowhere near that speed. i played anyway just for the heck of it.

Quilt+Bitch said...

The TD knows me personally, and because I was upset, it made him upset to see me upset.

I hear you with the pool player's grannies bitchin' about the handicap if I play as a 2.

But I think I'll probably be a 2 in an 8 ball tournament and a 3 in a 9 ball tournament. It definitely puts a lot of pressure on the higher ranked player's. It's great to see them sweat a little. :)

redeeming myself said...

Hi! I've just begun to read your blog (came across it from OMGWTF). Your quilts are beautiful!!!

As for this post - I can understand your frustration. I recently just played in an open player tournament with much higher players. Knowing I wouldn't do well (even with weight) it did leave me with a drive to want to be better.

Also, some of the other tournaments around my town that allow "A" players - charge and extra $5 or $10 for them to enter and it's still handicapped. Not sure if thats an option at your place.

I think you should play! You'll never know how you'll do or if you'll like it unless you try! GOOD LUCK - no matter what you decide.

P.S. I'd love to add you to my blog list if that's okay with you!

p00lriah said...

Q+B:

reading your replies has me thinking about a few things, and i may end up doing a post. i would like to include your comments in my post, if you're okay with it. if not that's fine too. please reply & lemme know either way.

also, i'd like to add your blog to my links, again if you're fine with it. if not that's okay too.

Quilt+Bitch said...

redeeming myself:

Thank you for your comments. Isn't OMGWTF a riot?

The $5 or $10 option for "Open" or "A" players will probably not work at this pool hall. This particular pool hall averages 3 - 5 "A" and "Open" players in their 9 ball tournament, so raising the price will cause hell to break loose. I doubt the TD will want to upset these players because it is still revenue coming into the pool hall, even though it is only a few dollars from each player.

Don't get me wrong, I do want to get better, but having only played pool for a year and a half, I find pool to be an enjoyment and a hobby rather than a a trip to the doctor for a Pap Smear (ok, ok, too much information, but you get what I mean).

Q&B

ps. of course you can add me to your blog list. :)

Quilt+Bitch said...

p00lriah:

of course you can do a post on this subject. Go wild with it. Would love to see and hear what your reader's would say about this.

And you may add my blog to your list of links, but be forewarned, that my posts are mainly about quilts and food, and only a little about pool.

Take care,
Q&B

redeeming myself said...

Yes - OMGWTF never fails to entertain!

LMAO!!! I know what you mean. I was the same, just liked pool cause it was fun for enjoyment. I'm not sure what happened, but sooner than later I found myself really wanting to play. Not just because - but REALLY wanting to play.....more and more! Let us know if you end up playing in the tourney! ;)

Blog added!

p00lriah said...

*sigh* food is good . . . me hungry again . . .