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 hosts a handicapped player championship. 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 an Official Team Manual and Rule Booklet. These rules contain information on how to keep score as well as handicap information. You can also download the rules to a variety devices. There are many online videos that can help you with the game.
APA nine-ball is different from Texas Express 9-ball in several aspects. First, balls 1 through 8 count as one point; nine balls count as two points. The break also counts pocket money as two points. Rules stipulate that object balls are treated as dead balls. The rack is finished and the player with most points wins.
APA's handicapping system
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 uses win/loss statistics over time and has been proven fairly accurate.
The NAPA handicapping system, unlike national pool leagues assigns a skill level for individual matches and not a theoretical limit. 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 Sportsmanship Award
World Pool Championships recognizes the winners of APA's Sportsmanship Award in Pool Tournaments. The award is based on a nomination process. You must be a pool player to be eligible for this award. 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 is not authorized to change leagues. 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. The tournament offers five skill levels. 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. You must be a member of APA and have attained at least 10 League score points in the past two years in order to qualify.
APA's Junior Championships
Each year, the American Poolplayers Association (APA) hosts several major pool tournaments. APA's Junior Championships are a major event for juniors, as well as teenagers. The event is held in Lake St. Louis, Missouri, and is open to players of all ages. The APA also holds two major amateur competitions, the U.S. Amateur Championships are held in late April/early mai and the World Championships take place in late august. Guinness World Records ranked APA’s world championships as being the largest pool tournament worldwide in 2010. The APA's junior championships open to all players. Each division is divided into skill levels.
The APA's Junior Championships have two major competitions each year. The nine-ball World Championship attracts more than 500 teams. The event is attended by APA members from different countries. International affiliates of the APA include the Canadian Poolplayers Association (CAPA) and the Japanese Poolplayers Association (JPA). The APA is also an active sponsor of the WPBA Tour, the most widely televised pool competition in North America.