The American Poolplayers Association oversees all amateur pool competitions within the United States. The organization runs leagues and tournaments for eight and nine-ball competitions and uses a standard set of rules. The APA offers a wheelchair championship for handicapped players. These tournaments are a great way to meet other pool players and compete against the best.
APA's Standard Rules
The APA Standard Rules for pool tournaments include a number of helpful resources for players. These include an Official Team Manual (or Rule Booklet) and a Team Manual. These rules contain information on how to keep score as well as handicap information. These rules can also be downloaded to many devices. You can also find a number of videos online that will help you play the game.
APA nine balls differ from Texas Express 9-ball rules in several ways. First, balls one through eight count as one point while the nine ball counts as two points. Pockets made during the break are also counted as two points. Rules also stipulate that objects balls count as dead balls. After a rack is played, the player with the most points wins.
APA's handicapping system
The APA's handicapping algorithm for pool championships is based a formula which attempts to balance skill level. A player who plays six balls must shoot 46 balls in order to win a game. However, a player playing nine balls must shoot 19 balls to win. The formula, which is based on win/loss statistics, has been quite reliable.
Unlike national pool leagues, the NAPA handicapping system assigns a skill level to individual matches, rather than a theoretical cap. The highest-skill players of 8-ball or nine-ball are rated 115, 149, respectively. However, the vast majority of players are in the 30s to 70s.
APA's Sportsmanship Award
Winners of APA's Sportsmanship Award for Pool Tournaments are recognized at World Pool Championships. The nomination process is used to determine the winner. To be considered for the award, you must be a pool player. APA staff will make the nominations. The tournament honors its winners. Their names will be published in its program.
A tournament's host cannot change leagues. The franchisee doesn't have the authority. The League Operator was unable to grant the request of the host location. It was their business. The APA then contacted another local competitive pool league and arranged an in-house division.
APA's Wheelchair Championship is for players in wheelchairs
The APA Wheelchair Championship is a tournament that caters to players with physical limitations. There are five skill tiers. The Blue Tier caters to players with SL2/3 capabilities, the Yellow Tier for players with SL4+ and the Red Tier for players of SL5 and higher abilities. Players must be APA members with at least 10 League match score from the last two years to qualify.
APA's Junior Championships
Each year, the American Poolplayers Association (APA) hosts several major pool tournaments. The APA's Junior Championships serve as a major event both for teenagers and juniors. It is open to all players and takes place in Lake St. Louis. The U.S. Amateur Championships is another major event held by APA. Amateur Championships, in late April/early might, and the World Championships, late August. Guinness World Records has rated the APA's world championships as the world's biggest pool tournament in 2010. The APA's junior championships allow young players to participate. Each division is separated into different skill levels.
Each year, the APA's Junior Championships host two major competitions. More than 500 teams compete in the nine-ball World Championship. The event is attended by APA members from different countries. The APA has two international affiliates, Canadian Poolplayers Association as well as Japanese Poolplayers Association. WPBA Tour is North America's most popular televised pool competition. The APA is a sponsor of this event.