Equalizer® Handicap System
The uniqueness of The Equalizer®
handicap system is that it brings out the best in both the novice or
beginning player and the expert should they meet in a match. With The
Equalizer®, it is feasible for a beginner to have a nearly equal chance in a
match with a more highly skilled player. The Equalizer® aids the lesser
player by dictating mathematically that he needs to win fewer games than his
more highly skilled opponent to win a match. In golf and bowling you give or
get strokes or pins. In this League, you give or get games. How many games
you give or get is determined by comparing your skill level to the skill
level of your opponent. Higher skill level players give lower skill level
players a number of games, thus evening the match.
How Handicaps Are Determined
Your Local League Office
calculates and reports player skill levels to the teams on a regular
basis. Your skill level determines how many games you have to play to win
your match. Skill levels are maintained, calculated and updated by the
Local League Office. The process includes a number of factors including
the application of specific mathematical formulas to the data on the
weekly scoresheets, win/loss records, Higher Level Tournament performance,
qualitative judgment by Handicap Advisory Committees, and other
considerations. You are asked to refrain from attempting to keep your own
records as it is a generally disruptive practice. The APA appreciates your
cooperation with this policy.
How to Get Started
Obviously, new players do not have a skill level
established, so a standard starting method has been devised for new
players. Gentlemen will play their first match as a SL4;ladies will play
their first match as a SL3. A League Operator is authorized to assign
special skill levels and lowest attainables to new players who are known
highly skilled players or to players who have previously established skill
levels in another format.
As a result of your first match, a skill level is
established and reported for you. It is against the rules for a player who
has an established skill level to attempt to reestablish his skill level
at a later time. In other words, you cannot quit for a while and then
rejoin the League or transfer to another League area as a nonrated player.
You are obligated to disclose the fact that you are a former member or a
current member in another League area and already have an established
skill level.
Once Skill Levels are Established
Now it is time to take a look at how your skill level
and the skill levels of the other players interact to create the highly
competitive atmosphere that has made this League so successful. Remember
you are going to give or get games. During regular weekly session play,
simply refer to the "GAMES MUST WIN" chart shown below. This chart is also
printed on the scoresheet for your convenience.
"GAMES MUST WIN" Chart
Y
O
U
|
OPPONENT |
| S/L |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
| 2 |
2/2 |
2/3 |
2/4 |
2/5 |
2/6 |
2/7 |
| 3 |
3/2 |
2/2 |
2/3 |
2/4 |
2/5 |
2/6 |
| 4 |
4/2 |
3/2 |
3/3 |
3/4 |
3/5 |
2/5 |
| 5 |
5/2 |
4/2 |
4/3 |
4/4 |
4/5 |
3/5 |
| 6 |
6/2 |
5/2 |
5/3 |
5/4 |
5/5 |
4/5 |
| 7 |
7/2 |
6/2 |
5/2 |
5/3 |
5/4 |
5/5 |
How to Use
the Chart
To read the chart, find your skill level along the left
side of the chart. Then find your opponent's skill level along the top of
the chart. Now, track to the right from your skill level and down from
your opponent's skill level until the two tracks meet. In that block, the
first number is the number you race to, and the second is the number your
opponent races to. The two numbers involved should have the same
differential as your skill levels do. For example, a SL6 playing a SL4
tracks to the block with 5/3 (circled) in it. The SL6 races to 5 while the
SL4 races to 3. 5 to 3 is a differential of 2, just as 6 to 4 is a
differential of 2.
Example 1:
On this particular League evening, Bill is scheduled to play Frank. Frank
is a SL5. Bill just joined the League and is a nonrated player, meaning
that he does not have a skill level yet. Therefore, Bill plays as a SL4
and Frank plays at his skill level 5. Referring to the "GAMES MUST WIN"
chart, you can see that a match between a SL5 and a SL4 has the SL5 player
racing to 4 and the nonrated player racing to 3. That is a difference of 1
game which is the difference in the skill levels. Frank is going to have
to win 4 games of 8-Ball before Bill wins 3. That is Bill's advantage or
equalizer.
Example 2:
In the fifth week of play, John, who is a SL6, and Mary, who is a SL3, are
scheduled to play each other. Referring to the "GAMES MUST WIN" chart, you
can see that a match between a SL6 and a SL3 has the SL6 player racing to
5 and the SL3 player racing to 2. That is a difference of 3 games, which
is the difference in their skill levels. John is going to have to win 5
games of 8-Ball before Mary wins 2. That is Mary's advantage or equalizer.
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