handicap

[paul180]

how is my handicap calcuated if i,ve never played in a tournament before?by the way my highest break is 50 and had quite a lot of thirties,p.s playing in a tourny on saturday.

[nrage]

As handicaps are relative - there is no fixed handicap value for any given high break or other measure of skill. So, when I was running the comp at the Epsom club, and new players turned up, I had to do a bit of a balancing act with them and the regulars.

We have a few cases where guys would come in, lie about their ability, win the comp and walk off with the winnings never to return. So, there was a feeling among the regulars to say new players could not win, or to give an unfair handicap for the first comp and adjust, but new players would not agree to either of those (they would rather not enter at all - even tho it was only a £5) so we went with an unfair handicap for the first frame, then adjust for the 2nd and adjust once more for the 3rd (if necessary). As it was best of 3 in the first round, even if they were lying they would be 1 frame down at the very least and if they then played better for the 2nd, we could adjust them yet again to suit.

Initial handicap and adjustments were all done by best guess, I would try to keep an eye out while I was playing my own match, and also ask for scores and breaks and so on. Some guys were still a bit antsy about having an unfair handicap while others were happy to work with the system and be graded fairly. The former were obviously more insecure and/or focused on the money while the latter were just looking for a good game of snooker.

Thankfully most of the new guys were not like the few that were just there to rip us off and many did return, in their 2nd comp we might continue to adjust somewhat - but generally not by much.

If there was more time, ideally the comp organiser would play a frames or more/less with each new player and get a feel for their ability, compare them to other known players and assign a handicap from that. Some adjustment might still be required but the more experienced the organiser the more accurate they're likely to be.

So.. hopefully that gives you some insight into the problems handicap comp organisers face, trying to keep everyone happy.

[Neil Taperell]

Nice reply . Not easy to get Handicaps right , but as you rightly say , when you are a regular it gets easier to handicap the tournaments .

[CoachGavin]

Is it my tournament your playing in? I have one at Barratts Snooker Club Northampton on Saturday. At a rough guess with a high break of 50 and regular 30's I would put you on +35 or +42. True beginners are usually about +63 or +70. Any regular century break makers and professionals are placed on -42 or -35. As has been explained it is very difficult for organisers and they are always moaned at! Its a hard life.

[paul180]

it is coach gavin,what time does it approx end??

[CoachGavin]

Final was finished by 7pm. Starting earlier this time so may be before. Depends on closeness of matches

[paul180]

cheers mate