Amateur pool competitions in America are managed by the American Poolplayers Association. The organization runs leagues and tournaments for eight and nine-ball competitions and uses a standard set of rules. The APA also hosts a handicapped player championship. These tournaments provide a great way for pool players to get together and compete against each other.
APA's Standard Rules
The APA Standard Rules are a set of guidelines for pool tournaments that provide a wealth of information for players. These include an Official Team Manual, and a Rule Booklet. These rules include information about how to keep score, handicap information, and more. In addition, you can download these rules to a variety of devices. Many online videos can be accessed to help you learn the rules.
APA nine balls differ from Texas Express 9-ball rules in several ways. First, balls one to eight count as one points while the nine ball counts for two. Pockets made during the break are also counted as two points. Rules stipulate that object balls are treated as dead balls. The winner of a rack will be the one with the most points.
The handicapping system at APA
The APA's pool championship handicapping system relies on a formula to balance skill levels. To win a game, a player that plays 6 balls must hit 46 balls. A player who plays 9 balls must hit 19 balls. The formula relies on win/loss statistics that has been proven to be very accurate.
NAPA handicapping is different from national pool leagues. It assigns a skill-level to individual matches, and not a theoretical maximum. The highest-skilled players for 8-ball and 9-ball are rated at 115 or 149, respectively. Most players fall in the 30s and 70s.
APA's Sportsmanship Award
World Pool Championships recognizes the winners of APA's Sportsmanship Award in Pool Tournaments. Nominations are required to receive the award. To be considered for this award, you must be a player in pool. APA staff will submit nominations. The tournament will recognize the winners and publish their names in the program.
The host location of an APA tournament cannot switch leagues. The franchisee does not have the authority to do so. The League Operator was not authorized to establish an in house division. The APA then contacted a local competitive pool league to arrange an in-house division.
APA's Wheelchair Championships for players in wheelchairs
The APA Wheelchair Championship caters to those who have physical limitations. It offers five skill tiers. The Blue Tier can be used by players with SL2 or 3 abilities. The Yellow Tier can be used by players with SL4 or up. And the Red Tier will only work for players with SL5 abilities and above. To qualify players must be APA Members and have at most 10 League match scores in the last two year.
APA Junior Championships
The American Poolplayers Association (APA), hosts many important pool tournaments every year. The APA Junior Championships is a popular event for teens and juniors. It is open to all players and takes place in Lake St. Louis. The U.S. Amateur Championships and the Amateur Championships are held at the APA. Amateur Championships (in the late April/early could) and World Championshipss (in the late August). The APA's world championships have been certified as the world's largest pool tournament by Guinness World Records in 2010 and are ranked as the largest in the world. The APA's junior championships welcome young players. Each division has been divided into skill level categories.
Each year, there are two major competitions at the APA Junior Championships. The nine-ball World Championship attracts over 500 teams. The event attracts APA members of different countries. The APA has international affiliates, the Canadian Poolplayers Association and the Japanese Poolplayers Association. WPBA Tour: The most widely televised pool contest in North America, is supported by the APA.