The "Fairplay" Handicap System, Format of Play and Scoring
"Fairplay" Handicap System:
We are the only league outside of the M-8 League (Minneapolis), to have exclusive use of this handicap system that has been in use in Minnesota for about 20 years.
Player Ratings:
Players ratings will range from 30 – 125. Each player will race to their rating number in a “1 on 1” match play format. Players of unknown ability will start the league by “racing to 50” for three weeks, and then will be given an official rating number by the Fairplay handicap system. The USAPL Manager will be able to assign temporary ratings for players of known ability. The same three week time frame will apply until they are an official rating number.
Game Scoring:
Players will get 1 point for each ball pocketed in their group and 7 points for the 8-ball. Consequently, the winner of the game gets 14 points, and the loser gets 1 point for each ball pocketed. Once a player gets within 14 points of their rating number, they are “on the hill” because winning one more game win will put them over their rating and win the match for them. Also, if both
players are on the hill, the winner of the last game is the winner of the match, regardless of which player goes over their rating further.
The M-8 League has approximately 2.4 million matches on file, with approximately 70% of the matches or sets, ending up in a
“Hill-Hill” conclusion.
LeagueSys Online League Tracking System (Available 24/7): www.leaguesys.net
This is a “real-time” state of the art pool league management system that is accessible 24/7. All USAPL players can view team standings, MVP point standings, schedules, rosters, every match score sheet from every match ever played, player histories and stats,…plus much more. LeagueSys is interfaced with the "Fairplay" handicap system. USAPL Managers are required to update each of their division results within 1-2 days of the night of play, thus allowing the players to track they and their team's progress and plan for the next week of play. Players ratings will be updated and changed as soon as that weeks score sheets are entered.
Flexible Team Formats:
Teams may have 3, 4, or 5 player teams on the local level. The nationals will be 5 player teams. You may have 10 players on a 5 player team roster, 8 on a 4, and 6 on a 3.
Three Team Divisions:
By offering three separate divisions, league managers can assure that players have the opportunity to compete in an environment that they are comfortable with. Open Division has a 300 team rating limit, Advanced is 400, and Master is 500. (Corresponding #’s for 3 and 4 player teams). Unlike some other pool leagues, the USAPL has incorporated a system that gives teams the flexibility to go over the team rating limit and still compete on a weekly or national basis, without having to forfeit matches or recruit new players during the season. There are penalty points involved to keep teams from “stacking” a team with highly skilled players with the hopes of player in a lower rated division and gaining an unfair advantage.
In 2011, the USAPL National 8-Ball Championships will offer an Advanced 400 Division. In future years we will offer all 3 divisions at the national championships.