Why have combo doubles?

[SweetH2O]

So in the "Do you prefer to be the weaker partner or the stronger partner?" thread, the popular choice was that doubles is best when everyone is close to the same level. So why are the combo doubles leagues so popular?

It seems like it's same-sex mixed doubles when they have X.5 combo leagues where teammates almost have to be different ratings. Do those of you that play these combo leagues enjoy it as much as regular mens or womens doubles?

[kylebarendrick]

To some degree, I see combo as practice time. In a league where I am the weaker player I get experience playing against people that are stronger. In the leagues where I am the stronger player, I get experience trying to control the match and exert my will on the other team.

I'm convinced both types of experience help me improve overall.

[goran_ace]

Originally Posted by SweetH2O

doubles is best when everyone is close to the same level. So why are the combo doubles leagues so popular?

that's a big part of it. when you have a 4.0 mixed team, there's normally going to be an imbalance as the 4.0 males are probably going to be stronger players than the 4.0 females. on a 7.5 combo team you can pair a 3.5 male with a 4.0 woman and have a pretty balanced team. sure you see the opposite too where there's a 4.0 male playing with a 3.5 female but that gets to the other point. sometimes you want to play with someone for reasons other than putting together the best team possible - your wife, sister, maybe just a friend or neighbor you play with out of convenience because your schedules are simliar, maybe you just can't find a female partner of your same rating - so combo allows you some flexibilty in that regard.

[goran_ace]

oh I see what you mean - you are referring to same-sex combo, not mixed combo. I know these exist but I don't think it's very popular in my area as most people are probably ok with playing up. I know a bunch of guys who are rated 4.0 who play on both a 4.0 team and a 4.5 team. combo mixed leagues seem to be extremely popular though.

[SweetH2O]

I was mostly talking about men's or women's combo, not mixed. But I see your point about sometimes wanting to play with a person even though rated differently. I usually just leave that for the social matches.

I have yet to play in a combo league. I'm trying to have people tell me the pluses and minuses of the format while I consider jumping in. Right now I'm not sold on the idea since there are enough other playing opportunities for me. I've recently tried mixed and didn't care for it all that much, although I don't mind playing mixed in a social setting.

[FloridaAG]

Also maybe that is what its for, playing opportunities and letting people bumped up etc. play with their old teammates

[SweetH2O]

Or maybe I don't understand why the mixed combos are X.0 (6.0, 7.0, 8.0) while the same-sex combo is X.5. It seems to make more sense to switch that. That way mixed can have ladies rated 0.5 higher than the guys to even out the playing levels.

[SweetH2O]

Originally Posted by FloridaAG

Also maybe that is what its for, playing opportunities and letting people bumped up etc. play with their old teammates

Another good point I hadn't considered. Thanks.

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by SweetH2O

Or maybe I don't understand why the mixed combos are X.0 (6.0, 7.0, 8.0) while the same-sex combo is X.5. It seems to make more sense to switch that. That way mixed can have ladies rated 0.5 higher than the guys to even out the playing levels.

We have mixed at both x.0 and x.5...same sex too.

[OrangePower]

Originally Posted by FloridaAG

Also maybe that is what its for, playing opportunities and letting people bumped up etc. play with their old teammates

This.

To me, combo is somewhere in between real league and social dubs.

Pros: More playing opportunities, and ability to hang out with friends.
Cons: Quality of play not as high, and not as competitive.

Also, combo does not count towards NTRP rating (can be either pro or con I guess depending on your perspective).

[Z-Man]

Combo is great when you have a group of friends who are two different levels. Maybe you have a great 4.0 team and half of you get bumped. How can you still play together? 8.5 combo!

I won state at 8.5 combo last year. There wasn't a big difference between the players, so it wasn't like mixed doubles. That's the kind of thing where you don't put a team together unless it's pretty good. I have also played some small town local league combo and tri-level. That can be tough because, for instance, there is a big difference between a weak 4.0 and a good 4.5. Combo is really best when the level of play is close and the ratings are more a product of where people are in their league tennis careers.