INTRODUCTION
The APA (American Poolplayers Association) was founded in 1981, by two touring professionals, to allow amateur players of all abilities to compete in an organized fashion. The APA is the Governing Body of Amateur Pool and it's trademarked Equalizer handicap system enables all players to be competitive. The APA offers an 8-ball National Team Championship, a 9-ball National Team Championship, an 8-ball National Singles Championship and an 8-ball Scotch Doubles Championship each year. In 2001, a 9-ball National Singles Championship will also be offered. All events will be held in exciting Las Vegas!

THE LOCAL 8-BALL LEAGUE
Each team captain will receive an APA rule book and a copy of our local by-laws.

Teams consist of 5-8 players each (8 is recommended due to the handicap system). Teams play in divisions consisting of 5-16 teams each. When applicable, and preferred, divisions can be separated (West End vs. Southside, for example, or an in-house league) and by table size (7' & 8' vs 9' tables).

There are 3 sessions per league year (Summer, Fall and Spring) ranging from 12-16 weeks each.

Local playoffs are held at the end of each session.

Playoff winners advance to a Tri Cup Tournament held at the end of each session (3 Tri Cups per year).

The top finishing teams from each Tri Cup are then qualified for the City Tournament held at the end of each league year. You can only qualify for the City Tournament via the tri-cup.

The City Tournament winner(s) advance to the National Tournament in Las Vegas!

The number of teams advancing to Las Vegas is dependent upon the total team count of our local league. As we grow so does the number of teams to Las Vegas.

(** Various awards, cash, patches, trophies, are earned
throughout the league year **)

WEEKLY PLAY/TRI CUPS AND THE CITY TOURNAMENT

Each team selects a participating APA location to be their home base. Schedules tell you whether you will be home or away from week to week. Most schedules will have each team alternating from week to week with an even split between home and away matches. Five matches are played per night. Each match is a "game race" to some number of games (depending on your handicap). The player who wins each match will receive one team point. So, the most points a team could earn per match is 5 (a 5-0 win), although the majority of matches tend to result in a 3-2 win or loss.

At the end of each session, the top 3 overall points winners, and a wild card, from each division, will compete in local playoffs.

(** Note: The team winning total points can by-pass the playoffs and gain direct entry into the Tri Cup. So, in this instance, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and a wild card vs. 1st, 2nd, 3rd and a wild card would compete in the local playoffs.

There is no money earned during the regular session which includes the local playoffs. Teams are playing for the opportunity to compete in each Tri Cup where top teams receive money and hopes to place high enough to advance to the LI Cup.

HANDICAPS - (YOUR SKILL LEVEL (SL)
Players' SL's will range between a 2 and a 7 (7 being the
more highly skilled player) 5 of the 8 players per team will play each league night. Those 5 players' SL's cannot exceed 23 points.
EXAMPLE

:7------------------- 6

5--------------------6

5------------------- 6

3--------------------3

3--------------------3

23 Legal --------24 Illegal

This type of structure not only encourages, but actually requires beginners to play and be as important to the team as the more highly skilled players. Each match is a "race" to some number of games you must win. The score sheets contain a matrix to tell you that number.

EXAMPLES:
SL 2 vs SL 2 = A race to 2 games (whoever wins 2 first, wins)
SL 7 vs SL 3 = The 7 must win 6 games before the 2 wins 2
SL 5 vs SL 4 = The 5 must win 4 games before the 4 wins 3, etc.

New male players will start as a 4 SL. New female players will start as a 3 SL.
This SL is only in effect for your first match. Your SL for your second match will be a result of your play in your first match. SL's 2 and 3 will receive 2 time-outs per game (to receive coaching). SL's 4 and above will receive 1 time-out. SL's can change based upon many factors related to your weekly play. Players should concentrate on having a good time and shooting pool. The system will take care of the handicaps. It generally takes approximately 10 matches played for your SL to more adequately reflect your true shooting ability. Data from each league match is inputed (with SL's being updated) weekly, prior to each match.

DUES
To join the APA (American Poolplayers Association), each
person pays $20.00 per year plus tax where applicable. This $20.00 enables a player to participate in 8-ball and/or 9-ball on as many nights as he/she chooses. A membership card and kit will be mailed directly to each player from the APA headquarters.

The team fee is $35 per week.