Kudos to the APA 2 for playing their game, but please, don't bill this as David vs Goliath... it's literally not that when the match is handicapped.

with the amount of money APA brings in, $20k for 1st place WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP for the ENTIRE TEAM TO SPLIT, is a joke.

So this 2 is an absolutely perfect 2. Cant ask for better... this 9 though.... judging by this match alone... would get his clock cleaned nightly in central ny even up against our 6s...

I played APA for years in Spokane, Phoenix and Seattle and was lucky enough to play in the National Championship Team event in 2006. The problem I had with the league was the blatant favoritism by certain league operators who have the power to manipulate skills level at will prior to qualification events. When I went to Vegas it was a result of my team winning a city wide tournament. In the 10 years I played after that event it was always a popularity contest in which the league made it almost impossible through player ratings as well as other controversial calls during tournaments for any team other than the teams liked by the operators to advance to the championships. BCA with their rating/handicap system is far superior and much more fun for all players. .

I watch apa to feel good about my game.

I can totally relate to the feeling of playing a low rated player and some sort of fate/ sorcery with the ball rolls are just NOT on your side, being able to laugh at yourself and the circumstances thankfully has pulled me through, but man, it brought that smile in frustration, just knowing that feeling lol.

man, that guy's a 9? He played a reckless game. The lack of defense against a 2 was shocking. Great composure from Danielle. Congrats to the champions!

In the second rack when he broke, his cube ball was a whole ball over the line from the kitchen to the table. Somebody screwed up on that one.

Dear Apa, the amount of time its taking the ref to rack proves it doesn't take longer with a magic rack

Ummm so when did APA start letting people break ahead of the headstrong? Apparently the ref is a SL2 as well

He had so many defensive opportunities at the beginning that he didn’t take advantage of, obviously playing such a bad player makes the game weird, clearly made him play out of his comfort zone

"For the full-year 2022, APA reported net income of $3.67 billion" - The champions played for 20k split between 8 people and paid ~7K if they played 3 seasons in a year as a team. So 13K split between 8 people, but they also had to pay for hotel (150 per night), flight ($700 round trip), food ($100 day) , time off work (literally what you make a day) to play in this tournament over about a week, assume a safe conservative 2k each. The Champions won negative 3K. LMAO.

I don't normally watch league matches but this is a very interesting match due to the situation that it's the finals and it's an unusual match up. I wanted to make sure to avoid any spoilers and was very curious as to what would happen.

Man, I feel for the dude. Playing a 2 with this giant crowd. Tougher than it looks y'all. Much easier to smash 2's in the local room where you know everyone. Camera's and crowds are a huge game changer for somebody not used to it.

I'm a 9 and find myself in this situation all the time....when I play SL mismatches like this there's not a single person in the building rooting for me, lol

The 9 played like a 5. The 2 played like a 5. I expect the 9 to utilize safety play early on causing me to be slightly more critical of his play. The 2 was impressive

what is this point per ball system?

the ref was 25 when this game started

I played a 2 once many years ago as a 6 with only 1 point left to go when she needed 4 out of her 19. She hits the 7 wildly stands up and says "sh1t" which sends the 7 one rail into the 9 which makes the 9 hit the 8. The 8 banks crosspocket and the 7 then goes off of the 9 again sending the 7 and the 9 into opposite corner pockets to knock me out of the tournament in one shot. On a 9 footer. That was for the tournament win too... 2's are so unpredicatable.

We quit APA a while back, we had the best league operator in the world, Roger Schuett in the Houston area. We now leave about an hour away, we definitely miss the fun.

Great match

This is what made me leave APA. They put a 2 vs a 9 all the time, it takes away the fun factor of the game. If it was 10 ball, maybe the factor that slops wouldn’t count could help, but in 9 ball.. it is very annoying.

This was a great matc

The SL two is definitely keeping it together, but Eva is talking like there's no sandbaggets in this league. Everyone should know, and no one should ever forget, at this very tournament, this year, LAST years winner got DISQUALIFIED for sandbagging, and at least one of their players was banned.

wish i played 9s like this lmao glorified 7 at best

Brb, moving to the USA to make easy money on pool lol

This is BRUTAL. Every opportunity Clayton got was a crazy shot... also missed a couple but CREDIT to Danielle for taking advantage of every bit of it!!!!

That 9 was pissed....lol

I get that this is a good way to level the playing field, but it kind of defeats the purpose of the game of 9-ball. It’s a big part of that game that only the 9 counts, here that’s no longer the case. They’d be better off by playing straight pool with different score goals.

Im new to league and tbh its mind blowing the 2 even got to the championship. When you set up a ball in hand shot with 0 angle, already know you can’t play the game wel

I'm only two games in and I'm already routing for Danielle.

She's chewing that gum like it's a pot roast😂😂 tell me when you're at the blueberry pie on the gobstopper

That SL 9 barely acknowledged his opponent after the match. What a tool.

congratulations daniel...

I have been watching the match. I was very lucky that I have been able to play in Vegas it for sure not like it is at your home area. Be kind on your comments. I’m going back to watch the match.

Well this makes total sense

I noticed 3 things, I thought was not allowed in coaching, one the coach could not touch or p/u the chalk or que ball. Also he lingers and lines out shots during t/outs, even when she's getting to shoot,he lining her shots from outside the edges of table for her. Also no time limits on t/outs.

This guy is a 9?! 😮

I’d love if my 2 played like her… and for my 6 to play like Clayton

The whole point of equalizer is that there isn't really any "underdog" that they refer to around 19:30.

Could've titled this video, "Two friends playing a home game"

Playing a true 2, or lower handicaps in general is NOT as big a deal as ppl make it out to be, because as a 9, you just have to run out whether you're playing a 2 or another 9... makes absolutely no difference, you will lose if you don't do it. You cannot afford to play even. But if a lower SL has a really good night or plays a little above their handicap, it can be pretty discouraging, and always feels like some bull! lmao

I mean... The SL9 is the underdog, in my opinion.

Ava, I’m in the coastal Carolina league at shore thing billards

fun game

I played a 1 as a 4 in 9-ball, crushed the 1st rack, did well on the 2nd, then asked how many more I needed and my teammate was like, "well, she needs 3." "Doh!" I did not win the match.

Why is my mans bridge three feet long? Damn bro.

Much better players than I who I play with at the local pool hall seem extremely surprised when I tell them I'm only a TAP level 3 considering how I play in practice. Truth is that I seem to tighten up completely in competition. For all of you criticising Clayton, I'm pretty sure this is what happened here, along with a few unlucky rolls early on. The lights. The audience. The money. The fact that he's captain and put himself up. Congrats to Danielle.

People keep forgetting that the APA made it difficult for high level players like 9s to go down levels...he might not have shot great in this match but probably did in others...also needs 56 more points big handicap

Couple years ago a 2 played and beat a 7 for the championship 7 and a Timmmmay..won it all for our home bar

Some have said the $$$ is a joke but judging by the skill level they're playing at they should be playing for $100 pot

dude 2 vs 9 ive seen people on the verge of fighting when that happens even when there is no money on the line

I'm afraid Clayton needs a ranking re-eval. In our BCA singles league I have to play against players that I have to beat 8 - 3. It's tough against players that can't run out, but these was a coupious account of errors. Almost every single shot he was out of line. In our BCA league, guys at 500-550 are running 2 or 3 tracks of 8 ball per match. I can't make one mistake against a 600 or he'll run out on me everytime. How does the apartment rank work? Seems like his Fargo would be around 450 ish

“It’s in the way that you use it!!! Eric Clapton

I'm a 6. I once played a three in the tournament. I played alot of safes. I won the match. I saw her later on, and she said, "I can't believe you were playing safes on me." Watching this match, you can see why.

Man that was so painful to watch I had to stop after a few minutes lol can’t do this

I love their support for the players. But it's kind of like watching a seasoned fighter box Martha Stewart for the championship (but she still wins because of the handicap).

Rooting for the underdog. How much chalking does one need after each shot? Asking for me. (Edit)The play by play commentary was fantastic!

I payed 9 ball for many years and was Doncaster and district champion for three years running and have to say I’m thinking of coming out of retirement, the standard of play has definitely gone down in my opinion in my days if you didn’t clear up with two visits you got beat. I watched the first two games and had to switch off it was that bad now I understand why the prize money is so bad,if you really want to play at a high standard you have to play in the states on the camel tour and the money is much better.

Watched the first rack and I was like DANIELLE JUST CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHOT FOR ONCE PLEASE, NO DONT DO THAT!!!!!

Just curious , did Danielle play like an average 2? Ive never been in a league and wondering if she played worst than a 2 perhaps due to the crowd , or did she play better than an average 2 , or did she play just as one would expect a 2 to play?

Maybe the perspective is fooling me but it seems like he is breaking from the wrong side of the second diamond on the second break :)

10:37 cue ball past the head string.

APAs lack of promotion of professional pool is really disappointing. It would be great for pool all around if they worked with Professional on marketing. It would help grow their leagues as well as it would drive interested, kind of like Color of Money did in the 80s.

Not only, is it a massive handicap given, but you have to contend with the coaching every rack and fade the luck that comes with playing nine ball. Clearly this L9 did not play his best game, but I would imagine this L2 is not a top level L2. I can not even image what the score difference could have been if a really strong L2 played and not only played but played their best game. Seems to much to surmount.

What is skill levels?

Never played Apa, but you can coach at the table @45.49

his breaks hurt, i would l question the racking since he never made a wing ball

Always shake your opponents hand after match. 2 types of competitors; immediately go to your opponent shake hands or immediately run to your supporters.

I can only imagine his stress levels, even as a 6 I hate playing a 1 or a 2. It is almost like playing a blind squirrel. Especially guys, as they tend to just hit hard and complain about some strange outcome. At least with 6 and above any errors on their part tend to be predictable errors. My last trip to Vegas, I won every match above a 4, I lost every match against a 3 or lower.

How do you miss the shot at 13:53? These are people playing for a world championship?

Definitely should be higher winnings

hard to watch.. they have no Idea of this Game... damn

I play BCA in Williston ND APA looks fun but annoying

The first few minutes were hard to watch....ouch. How do I get my chance to play on this platform "No good" lol......

This was brutal to watch.

Why was this filmed

They should watch Effren Rayes .

You are playing a 2 as a 9.... You cannot risk giving up any chance for the 2 to score....

Way she goes

where I play he is more like a 5 lol

"An unforced error there." Dude missed the ball on purpose because he had no way to get on the 4.

If I heard correctly they put up the 2 first. Then the other teams captain, a 9, decided to put himself up? That is a terrible decision! You have to play safety after safety to keep control. Then run some racks. Can’t give any open shots and free balls.

His biggest mistake was he played his opponent when he should of played the table.

About 90% of APA players have bellies…..

I would have paid to go up against Clayton instead, going to 100 versus him going to 50.

Anyone notice on his break at 11mins he had the cue ball outside of the kitchen?

He certainly didn't play like a 9 in that match, more like a 4. How long does it take 2 guys to rack 9 balls?

I love that a lower ranked player might actually win......I wish her luck but more important...hope her nerves hold out...

Did I see that right? The level 9 snubbed her when she went to shake his hand ? 🤔. She was amazing. I don’t know much about pool. This was a suggestion video to watch. They both did awesome. If he snubbed her after she came to him he deserved to lose then. She was fantastic !

43:48 Why in the world would you put draw on this shot??! As a supposed "SL9", he should have been able to read the tangent line and known that not only was that hook possible with draw but very likely. With just plain stun, at worst he may have bumped the 7 a bit but wouldn't have gotten hooked and would have absolutely still had good angle on the 4.

Is that really a SL9? The 9’s in my area would clean up this guy, our 9’s don’t miss, and if they do they won’t leave you anything to shoot at

Just getting in to pool here, but these rules seem really dumb. “He’s better so he has to get 56 more points to win” imagine if the NFL adopted that kind of rule. Tom Brady would’ve been washed and the lions would have like 10+ super bowls 😂

Man…everyone’s gotta start somewhere, I got NO ISSUE with people being less skilled at pool. But if THIS is what APA produces for the FINALS? I DO realize APA is more geared towards folks who just want to get out and have fun being on a team, so there’s that factor... but to me the root problem is the handicap system which doesn’t provide much incentive for improvement other than getting new patches to sew onto your team shirt, AND the fact that they score 9 ball like straight pool and allow slop in 8 ball. That’s how you get players like this in the last game. Many of the players in my league (ACS, similar to BCA) would absolutely roast these players-I have had many, many nights where in five games, I have shot a total of three times-three dry breaks-and gone 0-5. They’d run out my dry breaks and break/run the other two. Again, I understand the APA’s appeal is geared toward folks who don’t necessarily play regularly and just want to get out and be a part of something. But as it is by far the largest pool league in the US, I think they really need to focus more on player development rather than spending so much effort on handicapping and strange rules to make matches “fair.” Just my opinion.

She looks relaxed. I'd be a wreck in her position.

This supposed "9" doesn't need a glove on his hand. Cover up that bald dome with something, instead.

Nice job to the winner, but she really needed to shake her opponents hand before she celebrated.

Wow… the lack of skill by both players is shocking!

If the 8 ball went in after she hit the 1 ball why would the opponent get ball in hand. What am I missing ..

30 commercials?!?!? Who’s getting paid for all those?