Pool Handicap System

What is a pool handicap?

A pool handicap is a way to make a match fair when one player is a lot stronger than the other. It does not change the table or the rules. It changes how many games each player has to win. The stronger player has a longer way to go, and the newer player a shorter one.

It is the reason a beginner can walk into a pool night, play a regular and still have a real chance. That keeps new players coming back, and it stops the same two or three strong players from winning every week.

The simplest system: a handicap race

In a race to match, a player wins by reaching a set number of games first. With a handicap race, each player has their own number:

• Sam is a strong player and races to 6.
• Dave is newer and races to 4.
• Whoever reaches their own number first wins the match.

So Dave can win 4 to 5, because he only needed 4. Sam would have to win 6 games, while Dave stops at 4. The score is still easy to read and easy to run.

Step 1: Give every player a level

Use four plain levels. Keep the words friendly, because players read them too:

Set the level of each player on the first night. If you are unsure, ask the regulars, and put new players one level lower. You can adjust it later.

Step 2: Work out the race for each match

Each player races to the number for their own level, whoever they play. Some examples, using the table above:

• A vs D: A races to 6, D races to 3. A is the favourite but has to win twice as many games.
• B vs C: B races to 5, C races to 4.
• C vs C: both race to 4, so it is an even match.

Keep the gap small: about one game for each level step. If an A has to win 9 while a D needs 2, the strong player gives up before they begin. The best handicap makes both players feel they can win.

Step 3: Choose an event race that fits the time

The races above come from one number, the event race. Pick it by how long you have:

A longer race rewards the better player more, because luck evens out over many games. A short race is more of a coin toss. For a handicap night, race 4 or 5 is a good balance.

Step 4: Keep it fair over time

• Review levels now and then. Once or twice a season is enough. Changing every week confuses people.
• Move a player up after they win a few nights in a row, and down if they struggle all season.
• Tell players their race, never a rating. "You race to 4" is friendly. A number that ranks them is not.
• Be open about it. Put the levels on the TV or the wall so nobody wonders why they race to a different number.

Handicap or no handicap?

Use a handicap when the group has mixed skill, for example a social league, a charity night or an open bar night. Skip it when everyone is at a similar level, for a serious tournament with a prize pot where skill should decide, or when players do not agree to it. If you are not sure, run the first night with no handicap and add it when you see how uneven the matches are. For more event ideas, see pool tournament ideas for bars.

Run handicap races on PoolHost

A free pool tournament app like PoolHost does the sums, so you do not have to remember who races to what:

• Switch on Handicap, "By skill level" under Race to, and set a race for each level, A to D. The app starts them around your event race, and you can change any of them.
• Give each player a level on the player list. One tap moves them between A, B, C, D and no level, before and during the event.
• The match shows each player's own race, for example "Sam to 6" and "Dave to 4". The score counter stops at each player's number and the winner is entered for you.
• The bracket, the TV and each player's phone show the races, and late arrivals can be added with a level too.
• PoolHost never works out a rating. You set the levels, and the app only uses them for the race.

It works with the double elimination bracket, single elimination and round robin. Planning a season? See how to start a pool league.