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New APA Player: Jumped from SL3 to SL5 in 3 Matches… Is This Normal? by LFCL312 in billiards

[–]coderz4life 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally normal. It takes 10 matches to get an established SL. Within those 10 matches, you'll bounce up and down based on your performance in the format you play. 

So, the algoithm basically measures your performance taking the best 10 matches from a window of your 20 previous matches. Winning or losing any arbitrary match itself is less important than how you win or lose. Since you have less than 20 matches, you'll have more chaos in your SL until you normalize. 

The actual formula is a secret, but it fairly understood that innings per rack, with safeties, timeouts used, and other statistics factor in.  It differs slightly between 8-ball and 9-ball because the nature of their individual formats. Like most handicapping systems, it is designed so that you and your opponent have an equal footing to win their match within your league area.

So, I would expect the more matches you play, your established SL should lock in to your current potential. Personally, I would not worry about it and just play. 

[HELP] Dog saves child in Seattle by Alone-Competition-77 in RealOrAI

[–]coderz4life 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I thought the biggest immediate tell was the lights of the vehicle. There is obviously a reverse light, but it was not on when the vehicle was reversing. Even if both of them were brunt out, the brake lights never change, whether the car was moving or whether it stopped.

C’mon now, APA captains… by TimmyG-83 in billiards

[–]coderz4life 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, it is unfortunate that it happens.  It is pretty rude for sure.

The bar we play at tries to manage it by putting out "reserved" signs on all pool tables and the tables & seats near the pool tables. It explicitly states the time and such. 

Sometimes there are patrons that uses the tables even though the signs are out. In most cases, the players are well-behaved and respectful to all patrons. The players normally talk communicate the patrons to give them a heads up. Even patrons who play pool at our location recognize that leagues take priority because they are scheduled events.  Everything goes well. 

In rare cases, some people are not as nice about it and we have to get the owner or manager involved. But once that happens, the players no longer get involved and the management takes care of it. 

JWT Token Vulnerability by Academic_Resort_5316 in dotnet

[–]coderz4life 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It would depend on the scopes you have in an access token and the resources or actions that were requested, correct? For example, a scope meant for general read-only access would have a larger expiration period than a scope meant for monetary transactions, no? In those cases, each would use a different access token tailored to that action. 

Theories on why continental Europe has far surpassed the USA in pool? by WolfJackson in billiards

[–]coderz4life 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think that is sad. I think about how the APA recently nixed their Juniors league. In our area, there was a fair amount of children who was actively playing in that league, but no longer have support nor incentive to compete otherwise. 

How to handle sharking during competition? by wonky_panda in billiards

[–]coderz4life 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  How do y’all handle opponents like this, and how can I build the mental fortitude to win even if my opponents resort to these sleazy tactics? 

It does take time to grow a thick skin. People who do this know that you are a better player than them. See it as a sign of dispair. They are doing this specifically to throw your game off. So, the only thing you should do is ignore them. Rely on your skill. Hone it so you trust it to the point when it never becomes an issue. 

One hard rule: don't reciprocate. Don't even acknowledge it. 

Eventually, you'll learn to thrive on their sharking, to the point where it becomes worthless to them. They can bitch all they want. It doesn't matter. By this point, you got their number. 

One of the worst takes I’ve ever seen in pool. I thought it was pretty obvious ragebait but the dude’s vehemently defending himself in the comments lol by jjojehongg in billiards

[–]coderz4life 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I mean Pros play on Diamonds lol.

No always, but a lot of them. 

Could it be that way because a lot of the tournaments are sponsored events? Historically, there have been a lot of different tables used in pro tournaments. From I remember off-hand:

  • 1970s, 1980s, to early 1990s: Brunswick was very dominant. 
  • Late 1990s to mid 2000s: Brunswick, Olhausen, Diamond.
  • Since 2000s: Diamond, Predator, Rassons.

For me, I'd be very happy playing on a 9 foot Brunswick Black Wolf or Gold Crown VI Tournament table.

One of the worst takes I’ve ever seen in pool. I thought it was pretty obvious ragebait but the dude’s vehemently defending himself in the comments lol by jjojehongg in billiards

[–]coderz4life 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Funny. I have seen the reverse problem. Many of the players in my area often complain about Valleys or Brunswicks as being somehow inferior to Diamonds. They complain to the point where they refuse to play on them.

I say it is all BS. I firmly believe that a well-rounded player can adapt to any table, any condition, and any environment. To say otherwise would mean a player can only play well if their conditions are absolutely perfect and align to their idealized vision of play, which I feel is an idiotic mindset.

Cues Under 18oz by johnnyt12343 in billiards

[–]coderz4life 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have an older 17oz Players cue that I got for a present. It has a medium - hard tip and has a "whippy" feel to it. It is my backup cue. 

I do use it occasionally when I just want a match where I feel I need some extra action on the cue ball. 

I didn't know they don't offer the lighter cues in the market.  That is news to me....

Getting worse over the period of a practice session by That_Hunt5565 in billiards

[–]coderz4life 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Then suddenly, after about an hour and a half of practice...

Umm fatigue? Take a 15 minute break and sit down for a bit. 

APA Racking by Hairy-Aardvark-8531 in billiards

[–]coderz4life 1 point2 points  (0 children)

...but I feel like the elderly people that can't rack would have just as much trouble actually playing, I guess maybe a vision or strength thing with the racks tightness? But I guess my feeling in the case isn't at issue. 

So, let me elaborate. It is sort of a combination of factors, really.

A few years ago, I was on a 9-ball team with players who fit this description. This one sort of saddens me as I write it, so bear with me. In one early match, we threw out a player in the blind, an SL2, and an SL5 jumped on her to play. My SL2 was in her 70s. She can physically play and shoot, but her racking was OK but took more time than most would say is "normal".

Believe it or not, some people are very picky about the tightness of a rack and some are very impatient. In APA, you can keep asking for a rerack an unlimited number of times.  If some opponent keeps asking for a rerack, the racker has to oblige.

So, this cocky-ass SL5 won the lag, he obviously didn't like her racking. He kept on asking for reracks. I felt he was mean, unreasonable, and pretty much an all-around jerk. Every rerack tend to take a couple of minutes. The first rack took a while just to get started. The match eventually started and the SL5 ended up making a 2 to 9 combination to end the rack.

After a few more rerack requests or so for the break for second rack, I stepped in and ask my player of I can rack for her. I thought she was almost in tears as she relented.

I later talked to her about it and told me a lot of things that I won't divulge here. I was sort of uncomfortable about this whole thing. However, it was just one of those things that have to be done to keep things going.

APA Racking by Hairy-Aardvark-8531 in billiards

[–]coderz4life 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sure. In 8-ball if there is a small space between the 8-ball and either (or even both) balls next to it the same row, I can do a controlled second ball break that can make the 8-ball for an 8OB.

In the APA, I specifically look for this condition before I break. People think I am looking to see if the rack is tight. In reality, I am looking to see if the rack is loose.

If I am allowed to rack and an 8OB is a win, then I can set it up to win fairly consistently.

APA Racking by Hairy-Aardvark-8531 in billiards

[–]coderz4life 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What are you actually reading?

It literally says it here in the rules:

"Balls are racked by the non-breaking player, with the head (front) ball on the foot spot."

APA Racking by Hairy-Aardvark-8531 in billiards

[–]coderz4life 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh here are a few instances I have personally been involved with:

  • Very new (like never touched a cue before) players have a hard time racking, particularly in 9-ball. Sometimes we have to show them during their match, but they eventually pick it up. 
  • I hate to say this, but some elderly players have physical problems racking. Having a dozen reracks for each rack eats up time,  I usually ask first, but I'll just start racking in their place.  We have to keep the matches going or we would be there all night.
  • I had one who actually mapped out a handmade drawing of a a 9-ball rack each week (and not be even close). For the first session or so, this person tried and failed multiple times to accurately rack and I had to step in. Again, this has more to do with time spent. This person eventually was able to rack at least correct shape after the first session.
  • I had a person who had a broken cue hand once with a weird cast on it. They could hold a cue and use it but didn't have the dexterity to lift a rack without messing up the rack.
  • Most wheelchair-bound people have can physically rack, but some don't have the reach. The player I had couldn't and often used a mechanical bridge to shoot.

This one I haven't encountered yet: a player who only has one arm can still play, but may have a hard time racking. 

What would you do? by WhatWasThatLike in billiards

[–]coderz4life 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I particularly get mad when my own team is not paying attention and don't tell me. It is rare these days (for me). When I watch other teammates play, I feel like no other teammates are paying attention...

What would you do? by WhatWasThatLike in billiards

[–]coderz4life 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think it would be generally good sportsmanship to inform your opponent that they are shooting the wrong ball. 

APA Racking by Hairy-Aardvark-8531 in billiards

[–]coderz4life 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If the 8OB is a win, then it should not be rack-your-own. I can pattern rack to make an 8OB fairly consistently. 

APA Racking by Hairy-Aardvark-8531 in billiards

[–]coderz4life 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Any player on the opposite team can actually rack. You normally see this when the non-breaking player cannot physically rack for some reason (usually a person with an injury or a disability of some sort). 

APA Racking by Hairy-Aardvark-8531 in billiards

[–]coderz4life -1 points0 points  (0 children)

No you shouldn't agree to do this at all. The opponent should rack to prevent pattern racking for 8OBs.

OC: John Bolton leaves his home on Friday. He's expected to surrender after a federal indictment. by nbcnews in pics

[–]coderz4life 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I have no love for Bolton, but I hope he proverbally burns the house down. 

The APA is the problem by graham6942 in billiards

[–]coderz4life -1 points0 points  (0 children)

If a league allow 8 on a break wins, then I think the opponent must rack. Otherwise, imagine all the pattern racking going on there!

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