Amateur pool competitions in America are managed by the American Poolplayers Association. The organization has tournaments and leagues for 8 and 9-ball competitions. The APA offers a handicapped championship in a wheel chair. These tournaments are great for meeting other pool players and competing against the best.
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 the Official Team Manual and Rule Booklet. The rules also include information on how to keep score and handicap information. These rules can be downloaded to a variety od devices. There are many online videos that can help you with the game.
APA nineball is different than Texas Express rules 9 ball in many ways. First, balls 1-8 count for one point, while nine balls count for two. Pockets made on the break count for two points. The rules also require that object balls are counted as dead balls. The player who has the most points wins after a rack is played.
The handicapping system for APA
The APA's handicapping system to win pool championships is based a formula that attempts balancing 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 relies on win/loss statistics that has been proven to be very accurate.
NAPA handicapping does not have a cap. Instead, it assigns a level of skill to each match. The highest-skill 8-ball players and the best in nine-ball are rated respectively at 115 & 149. While the majority of players are between the 30s & 70s,
APA's Sportsmanship Award
World Pool Championships recognizes winners of the APA Sportsmanship Award for Pool Tournaments. Nominations are required to receive the award. The award is open to pool players only. Nominations will be made by APA staff. Winners are recognized at the tournament, and their name will be published in the tournament's program.
The host location of an APA tournament cannot switch leagues. The franchisee doesn't have the authority. 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's Wheelchair Championship: For players in wheelchairs
The APA Wheelchair Championship caters to those who have physical limitations. There are five skill tiers. The Blue Tier is for players with SL2 and 3 abilities, Yellow Tier is for players with SL4 and up, and the Red Tier is for players with SL5 or higher abilities. Players must be APA members with at least 10 League match score from the last two years to qualify.
APA 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. This event is open for all ages and takes place at Lake St. Louis in Missouri. The U.S. Amateur Championships and the Amateur Championships are held at the APA. 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 being the largest pool tournament worldwide in 2010. The APA junior championships are open for young players. Each division is broken down into skill levels.
Each year, the APA's Junior Championships host two major competitions. The nine ball World Championship attracts more 500 teams. The event sees APA members competing from many countries. The APA has international affiliates, the Canadian Poolplayers Association and the Japanese Poolplayers Association. WPBA Tour, North America's most widely televised and televised pool tournament, is sponsored by the APA.