GAME RULES

• Are the local league rules exactly the same as those in the team manual?

  • Yes, for the most part. There are a few differences, all of which are outlined in the Local Bylaws. These rules however, only apply to regular league and not Higher Level Tournaments and/or Local Team Championships which revert to National League Rules exclusively.

• Are masse shots or jump shots allowed in the APA?

  • Yes, both masse and jump shots are allowed. However, during weekly league play, the host location of the match may or may not have their own rules regarding these shots. The league does have to honor house rules in these instances.

• Balls off the table surface, is this a foul?

  • Unless it's the 8 ball, it is not a foul. The off surface ball is spotted up and the game resumes. The 8 ball getting knocked of the table results in a loss of game.

• What is considered a legal break and is there a re-break limit.

  • Requirements for a legal break is when 4 or more balls (other than the cue ball) is driven to a rail or a ball is pocketed. There are no limits on how many times a player can attempt to execute a legal break.

• I think my opponent may foul on his/her next shot, what should I do?

  • First action should be to verbally ask the shooting player to stop or ask what their intentions are. If they are planning on taking the questionable shot, inform them that you want to have someone watch the hit. If there is a league representative or referee available, have them come over to watch. If there is no one from the league present, solicit a neutral higher skill level player but be sure to get your opponent to agree to accept whatever official's decision may be.

• In 9 Ball, if I run a few balls then combo the 9, is that a break and run?

  • No, a break and run is defined as pocketing a complete rack of 9 balls.

• Are jump cues allowed in the APA?

  • Specifically designed jump cues (3/4 length or shorts) are not allowed. They fall under the  "specialized equipment" category. It is however, legal to jump with a full length playing cue. A jump shot must be a legal jump shot and not a scoop shot (the cue ball must be driven into the table surface.)

SKILL LEVELS AND HANDICAPS

• How is my skill level calculated?

  • Skill levels are calculated based on a number of factors. Wins and loses, innings, and defensive shots are a few things the software looks at. Your skill level is based more on how you perform as opposed to straight wins or losses. It is very possible to lose and go up in skill level or win and go down. Best course of action as a league player is to not worry about your skill level movements. Keep score accurately, play your game and your established skill level will be in the ball park. We have a pretty savvy computer. Skill levels are not considered established until the 20 game mark.

• Why are players over or under rated?

  • There are a number of reasons why a player is not playing at their accurate rating. Scoring errors is the most common one. Other than that, lack of game data (non-established players) and deliberate sandbagging would lead to erroneous skill levels. Ultimately, the only way players beat the system is through inaccurate score keeping. As long as games are properly scored, sandbagging is almost impossible.

• Can my skill level be locked for some reason?

  • Yes, skill levels can be locked by the national office as a result of national level tournament play or can be locked by your league operator based on known level or play or recommendations from HRC (Handicap Review Committee.)

• Will my scores at special events or tournaments effect my local skill level?

  • It is possible for your skill level to be adjusted based on how you perform at a given tournament. Some events, especially national events will score match data and then upload to your file.

PROCEDURES

• What the heck do all these acronyms mean?

  • HLT (Higher Level Tournament), LTC (Local Team Championships), HRC (Handicap Review Committee), NHRC (National Handicap Review Committee), SL (Skill Level), LO (League Operator), LR (League Representative), BR (Break and Run), OTB (On The Break), LY (League Year), NTC (National Team Championships), NSC (National Singles Championships)

• How do bonus points work?

  • Bonus points are awarded to teams that turn their score sheet in on time and for properly completing their score sheet. 1 point is awarded per week in 8 ball and 15 is awarded per week in 9 ball.

• What are the procedures on recycling players?

  • Recycling players should only come into play during special circumstances or situations where players are unable to be present due to medical emergencies or injuries. Opposing teams must approve this action and has the option of which player is recycled. This allowance is not permitted during playoffs or during HLT matches.

• How many games do I need to be eligible for playoffs, HLT, ect.?

  • A general minimum amount of games you must have to be eligible is 10 games in a 2 year period. This applies to most APA sanctioned tournaments. The local playoff requirement is 4 games within the current session.

• Do I have to pay league fees if there is a match or a game forfeit?

  • Yes, league fees are considered team fees and not broken down to individual players. League fees are due regardless of whether matches are played or not.

• Why doesn't the home team get home court advantage in the finals?

  • Playoff locations are determined by table allocations and centrality. Typically, it is where there is the largest amount of tables with average or above average playability.

• When exactly does a 23 violation occur and how should it be handled?

  • A 23 violation occurs when the rack is struck initiating the game that would take a team over the 23 cap. This is often the 5th and final match but could occur in an early match as well. For example if a player breaks in the 4th match with current points totaling 21 and his or her team does not have a 2 on the roster to make 23, that would be the moment of violation. Upon this violation, inform the opposing team and note it on the score sheet and stop the match at that point. A 23 rule violation is an automatic loss of all games played. Matches are scored but wins by the violating team are not counted. If the score sheet is signed and no notation is made, the match will be scored normally. Please note that the 23 rule is enforced by the league office in playoff matches and in HLT matches.

• Can I add or drop players from my team?

  • During the 1st 4 weeks of the session, teams are allowed to make changes to their roster. From the 5th week on, any changes must be approved by the league operator.

• What happens if a team no longer decides to play during a session?

  • A Team dropping at any point in the session is very disruptive to the league. When this occurs, the league office will initially make an attempt to salvage the team with new players. If this is unsuccessful, the team slot would be designated as a forfeit for the remainder of the session. All members on the team will inherit a debt based on the league fees prorated for all remaining weeks of the session. Players are not permitted to play in any APA sanctioned formats until their individual debt is paid off.

• How do I mark forfeits on my score sheet?

  • Forfeits should be marked with the word "forfeit" along with the available player on the team receiving the forfeit. This player will not get credit for the win but the league office does need to see that a player was available for the match.

• What should I do if I know someone is dumping a match?

  • Play the match out and do not make an issue of it. On the score sheet or on a separate paper, write a detailed note on the incident and submit that with your score sheet. The league office will investigate and decide on an appropriate course of action.

• How does the league deal with problematic teams or players?

  • Problematic players or teams are dealt with through an incident based process. A written complaint must be made to the league office prior to any warning letter being issued. A warning letter is followed by period suspension then possibly a permanent barring from the APA.

TOURNAMENTS

• What tournaments are available to me as an APA member?

  • Locally, special event tournaments are scheduled periodically. Regionally, there are a number of events including the South West Challenges, Chinook Winds, Windy City Open, Orlando, etc. Nationally, there are the singles format program, US Amateurs, Team Championships, Jack and Jill, Open 8 Ball Doubles, Open 9 Ball Doubles, Masters, Wheelchair, and much more.

• How do I find out about upcoming tournaments, events, and qualifiers?

  • Best resources are the local league website or the national APA website. Also, you can subscribe to local and national mailing lists for newsletters that will contain information on upcoming events and tournaments.

MEMBERSHIP

• When is my membership fee due?

  • Membership fees are due in January of every calendar year. If you are new to the APA, your fees are due prior to playing your first match. If you get on at the beginning of the session and do not play a match in the 1st 3 weeks, your membership fee is due on week 4. If you join a team after the 4th week of play, your membership fee is due immediately.