Amateur pool competitions in America are managed by the American Poolplayers Association. This organization organizes tournaments and leagues for nine- and eight-ball competitions. It follows a standard set rules. The APA also offers a wheel chair championship for handicapped players. These tournaments are a great way to meet other pool players and compete against the best.
APA's Standard Rules
There are many resources in the APA Standard Rules for Pool Tournaments. These include an Official Team Manual, and a Rule Booklet. These rules provide information on keeping score and handicap information. You can also download the rules to a variety devices. Many online videos can be accessed to help you learn the rules.
APA nine ball differs from Texas Express rules 9,-ball in many 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. Also, object balls must be counted as dead. The rack is finished and the player with most points wins.
The handicapping system by APA
The APA's handicapping system for pool championships is based on a formula that attempts to balance skill levels. To win a pool championship, a player with 6 balls must play 46 balls, while a player with 9 balls must play 19 balls. The formula uses win/loss statistics over time and has been proven fairly accurate.
Unlike national pool leagues, the NAPA handicapping system assigns a skill level to individual matches, rather than a theoretical cap. 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 pool tournament winners who have received the APA Sportsmanship Award. The award is awarded based on nominations. To be considered for the award, you must be a pool player. Nominations will be made by APA staff. The tournament will recognize the winners and publish their names in the program.
An APA tournament host cannot switch leagues. The franchisee does not have the authority to do so. The host location asked the League Operator to start an in-house division, but the League Operator denied the request because it was their business. The APA then contacted a nearby competitive pool league and arranged for an in-house section.
APA Wheelchair Championship for players with wheelchairs
The APA Wheelchair Championship is a tournament that caters to players with physical limitations. There are five skill levels. The Blue Tier allows players to play with SL2 and 3, while the Yellow Tier is only for players with SL4 abilities or higher. To qualify, players must be APA members and have at least 10 League match scores from the past two years.
APA Junior Championships
Each year, the American Poolplayers Association (APA) hosts several major pool tournaments. 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 APA also holds two major amateur competitions, the U.S. The APA also hosts two major amateur competitions, the U.S. Amateur Championships in late April/early May and the World Championships in late August. Guinness World Records ranked APA's World Championships as having the largest pool tournament in the world in 2010. APA's junior championships are open to young players, with each division divided into skill levels.
Each year, the APA's Junior Championships host two major competitions. The nine-ball World Championship attracts over 500 teams. The event sees APA members competing from many countries. The APA has two international affiliates, Canadian Poolplayers Association as well as Japanese Poolplayers Association. WPBA Tour, North America's most widely televised and televised pool tournament, is sponsored by the APA.