Thirty-One Tips: 26. Know the Rules

Posted on 26. Jan, 2011 by Mike Fieldhammer.

0

Know the rules.

Well worth the time to know which rules rule.

Many players in the United States enjoy participating in pool leagues. We’ve got many choices including BCAPL, APA, VNEA, ACS, UPL, TAP, and countless other regional or local acronyms to pick. Trouble for an active pool player is to know which set of rules is being used at various tournaments as well as casual play in a pool room or tavern. The official global federation that has a very complete list of rules is the World Pool-Billiard Association known as WPA. I think they have a pretty good rules committee and revise the rulebook every few years. It seems that every league organization customizes the WPA rule set to best suit league and tournament play for their customers. You must be familiar with each set so you can take advantage of fouls by your opponent, avoid making fouls, and so that you aren’t taken advantage of by being ignorant to the prevailing rules.

Some examples of league specific rules:

BCAPL: In 8-Ball, a scratch on the break shot is now ball in hand anywhere on the table not just behind the head-string.
VNEA: In 8-Ball, if the table is open(if no player has stripes/solids as their group of legal object balls yet) you may call safe and establish your group by legally pocketing an object ball.
APA: In any game, jump cues are not allowed.
WPA: In any game, the table or rail cannot be marked with anything.
VNEA: In 8-Ball, the eight ball is neutral after the opening break shot and may be used as the first ball contacted in a combination shot to establish stripes or solids.
BCAPL: In all games, phenolic(Non-Leather) tips are forbidden on break cues. Phenolic and some other man-made materials can be used on jump cues.
APA: In 9-Ball, calling a push out after the opening break shot is not allowed.
APA: In 8-Ball, Stripes or Solids is determined on the break shot if there is no foul and only one suit is pocketed. The table is still open if nothing drops or one or more of each suit is pocketed.

These are just highlights of a few rules that differ depending on which set of rules is in play. Do your homework and know the rules so you don’t make any silly mistakes.

Continue Reading

PoolSynergy 2011: Team Intangibles

Posted on 15. Jan, 2011 by Mike Fieldhammer.

2

Team Intangibles

The intangible rewards of being on a proper team.

If you’ve never been on a proper team, here are things you are missing out on.

Each thinks of the greater good for the team and puts team needs before individual needs.
Complete trust in one another.
Know there is an understanding between all that needs not to be uttered.
Never question another’s intentions or desire.
Belief that each is there to lift up and push each other ahead.
In spirit, we’re connected.
A smile, nod, or pat on the back means much more than others can fathom.
Recognition that each one brings unique gifts and talents and shares them freely.

These things and others that can’t be put into words bond us into what is truly a team. Greater than the sum of its parts, an entity that is an honor to be a part of.

A recap of our team winning the BCAPL Team Championships I wrote for a prior PoolSynergy column is here.

To see all of the PoolSynergy TEAM’s columns, visit Gary’s summary page HERE.

Continue Reading

Team Support

Posted on 15. Aug, 2010 by Mike Fieldhammer.

3

Team Support. The sum can be greater than its parts.

My most recent memorable experience is winning the BCAPL National Team tournament in Las Vegas in May. The five man squad sardonically named “Who Needs a Billiard Coach?!” fought through a field of 674 teams to take the top prize of $11,000. The whole event was an exhilarating ride for me, propelled by the support of my team: Brian Haffner, Jared Bailey, Dustin Morris, and Jesse Engel.

A photo collage I framed and presented to each teammate. Click for larger view.

Team chemistry is a phrase that is tossed around, but is just one piece of having a successful team. Chemistry implies that there may be many elements blended into a concoction of a cohesive team. Perhaps one of the most important elements is the support of one’s teammates.

Our team was successful l in believing in each other and affirming each action our teammates made. Examples of this blind trust are as follows. For example, if Dustin played an unsuccessful combination shot in an effort to continue his run instead of shooting a solo ball in a different pocket, Jesse said, “Good try, you’ll get another shot this game. Your opponent isn’t getting out here.” We never took issue with a shot or a decision made by a teammate. Or if Brian missed a jump shot instead of kicking the ball which would have been my choice, I didn’t say “Why didn’t you kick at it?” Placing a seed of doubt in his head or shaking his confidence could be the beginnings of a skid in his and the team’s performance.

Players on our team tried to sweat other teammates matches whenever possible. Caring enough to watch and root them on is an obvious sign of support. Even during a team match, I could hear Jared’s voice say, “Good shot Fieldhammer!” and it would further my resolve to win that game knowing he was spurring me on. Players on our winning team are selfless. We cared about our own performance only as it related to the team goal of winning matches. Never was heard, “Well, I got mine” when a player came to sit down after winning a game.

At its best, unconditional support for one’s teammates can be a catalyst to launching the team to heights unattainable by the five as individuals. Each of the five players on the team made sacrifices for the sake of the team. The team goal that we all had in mind became a truly satisfying achievement that became much sweeter because we shared it with teammates who gave and received support.

See all the PoolSynergy crew’s Support Articles here:

http://forumghost516.wordpress.com/2010/08/15/pool-synergy-volume-10-support/

Continue Reading

A step in the wrong direction by the BCAPL and CSI?

Posted on 23. Jun, 2010 by Mike Fieldhammer.

0

Just one week after my diatribe about what’s wrong with pool and how to fix it, I’m shocked by today’s CSI press release. They are adding an ADVANCED DIVISION. This will fall between the Open and Masters divisions. Grand Masters is still there at the top.

I haven’t fully digested the news and impact it may have, but something in my gut just screams that more divisions equals more sandbagging, difficulty placing players accurately in divisions, and less money paid out to the winners. The money just gets spread out and it may not entice players to come to the tournament and take a shot at the big prize. I’ll write more about this development very soon.

Here’s the entire press release from the BCAPL/CSI group:

CSI Expands BCA Pool League Player Rating Categories; Adds New Division

The past two years CueSports International (CSI) analyzed the growth of player’s skill levels at the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships and decided to create a new rating classification: the Advanced Division.

CSI has also reclassified all active Player Members to be included in the other singles divisions (based on their individual ability).
The Advanced Division was created to add a level of play that falls between the Open Division and the Master Division. The goal is to allow more players to participate and to further competitive opportunity.

The following new Advancement Criteria is effective June 1, 2010 and is retroactive to all players who have cashed in the singles divisions of the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships since 2005 and all recognized BCAPL state and regional rankings.

New Advancement Criteria Old Policy New Policy
Top 8 from Men’s Open Master Master
Top 4 from Women’s Open Singles Master Master
9th-48th from Men’s Open Singles Master Advanced
5th-12th from Women’s Open Singles Master Advanced
Top 8 from Men’s Player Member Singles Master Advanced
Top 2 from Women’s Player Member Singles Master Advanced
Top 6 from Men’s Senior Singles Master Advanced
Top 3 from Women’s Senior Singles Master Advanced

Team Masters:
All Team Masters will be placed on the Advanced player list. The Team Master category is based on an individual’s participation on a team’s finish at the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships.

State Masters:
Players who are currently listed in their state as a Master player (but who have not participated in the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships) may remain as a Master or be moved down to the Advanced Division based on known ability and state and regional tournament results from 2005 – 2010.

Player Members:
All new Player Members, beginning June 1, 2010 will be required to enter the Advanced or higher Singles Divisions, ranked based on known ability. New and established Player Members (who have not cashed) may request consideration to enter the Open Division, but will be assessed individually.

Players on the Advanced list may petition the BCAPL to be removed. The Advanced category is based on individual play. If we have a tournament history of that player in singles that indicates that they are not an Advanced level player, they may be removed from the list and put back into the Open division.

Petition Procedure:

All requested to be removed from the either the Advanced, Master, Grand Master or Team Master list must be in writing. Telephone requests will not be accepted. Either email or mail your requests to:

Bill Stock
Director of Referees
Rules Administrator
CueSports International
2041 Pabco Rd
Henderson, NV, 89011

By Press Release – 2010-06-23