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These questions are some of the most common that the American Poolplayers Association and Local League Operators hear from the APA members from around the country. Although the process of calculating your handicap is explained in your APA Team Manual, we have addressed some of the effects of routine weekly handicap calculation below.

Your handicap is based on your performance in each match you play. Your score is calculated from the previous information recorded on your weekly scoresheet. When that score is averaged in with your previous scores, some surprising effects can occur. Here are some possibilities:

• You could shoot a very good score but not increase your skill level.
• Losing a match, which usually results in a poor score, probably won't lower your skill level because handicaps are calculated by counting your best scores first.
• In a very close match where each player plays very well, it is possible for you to lose the match but still receive a good score for the week. This score, if it is among your best, could possibly raise your handicap even though you lost.

Now that you understand what can affect your handicap, you might be wondering if this is the best method to use. Remember, The Equalizer® scoring and handicap system was developed over a period of years by a committee of professionals with extensive league and tournament experience. Consider the following:

• Using several good scores when calculating your handicap lends stability. The alternative would result in your handicap constantly changing, which would cause problems with the "23-Rule." An unstable handicap is technically inaccurate, when you consider that your handicap is a reflection of your true ability.
• Using your best scores eliminates the matches where playing conditions were bad, you weren't feeling well or you just had a bad night. Only the matches where you play your best should determine your handicap. Other sports' handicap systems leave out scores for the same purpose, and all effective handicap systems attempt to stabilize handicap ratings at or near a player's true ability.

The Equalizer® scoring and handicap system works perfectly when players concentrate on the game and let the system take care of itself. In fact, BOTH players in a given match must break the rules before the system will fail. One player must deliberately miss shots resulting in more turns (innings), and his opponent must fail to mark the deliberate misses on the scoresheet as defensive shots. If you mark deliberate misses as "defensive shots," they don't count. For more information about defensive shots, consult your Team Manual or ask your APA Team Captain, Division Representative or League Operator for more details.

As you can see, The Equalizer® scoring and handicap system really does work! It effectively equalizes the difference in player abilities, which creates a more exciting and competitive match. However, it is dependent on a player's willingness to follow the system. There has never been an 8-Ball or 9-Ball team handicap system as accurate as ours. All that's required is a positive team spirit in order to achieve its full potential. The rest is up to you!

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Over the years, there have been many questions and misinterpretations concerning the Defensive Shots block on the Scoresheet. Marking Defensive Shots both consistently and correctly ensures the effectiveness of The Equalizer® scoring and handicap system, so it's very important! The failure to correctly mark Defensive Shots when scoring matches is an irregularity. Penalties may be imposed by Local Management, Handicap Advisory Committees, and/or the American Poolplayers Association (APA), on teams or players who are not conscientious of this issue.

Some players do not have a clear understanding of what constitutes a Defensive Shot. A Defensive Shot (also called a Safety) is a shot where there is no INTENT to pocket a ball. INTENT is the key word and certainly leaves room for judgment. This is why both teams have a scoresheet. It isn't necessary for both scoresheets to agree on the number of Defensive Shots. If your player did not intend to pocket a ball, mark a Defensive Shot. Note: Innings are marked for every turn, even if it's a Defensive Shot.

Here are some typical situations that are considered Defensive Shots:

• A player does not have what he feels is a makeable shot and decides to leave his opponent in a difficult situation rather than attempt a bad shot.
• A player shoots one of his object balls softly up near a corner to block his opponent, therefore not intending to make the ball.
• A player is well ahead in a game or match and decides to purposely miss a few shots. This is unethical and is a form of cheating, called sandbagging, which could disqualify a player or team. The way to prevent sandbagging is to mark these Defensive Shots. If every member did so, no one would bother to sandbag. It would be pointless.

Here are some examples that are NOT Defensive Shots:

• A beginner/weak player misses shots while trying to make them.
• A player is left with a virtually impossible shot but does the best he can to try to make it anyway.
• A player is left "hooked" (or "snookered"), hidden in such a manner that he is unable to shoot directly at one of his object balls. He "kicks" as best he can, but doesn't make contact with one of his balls. The scorekeeper must then decide the player's INTENT. Did he shoot hard enough to make the ball if he had made contact, (which could not be considered a Defensive Shot) or did he shoot just hard enough to get the ball to go to a rail to avoid giving up ball-in-hand (which IS a Defensive Shot)? This is a judgment call.

Whether or not the object ball goes in the pocket should not be the deciding factor. Whether or not the player INTENDED to pass his turn to the other player on purpose is the deciding factor. Missing on purpose can be ethical or unethical, but that is not the issue. IF, IN THE SCOREKEEPER'S OPINION, A PLAYER DID NOT INTEND TO POCKET A BALL, MARK IT AS A DEFENSIVE SHOT.

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