National Tournament Rules

1. PRACTICE TIME - Practice is not allowed on any tournament table, except during specified periods, and only with the permission of the Tournament Director. You are encouraged to practice on all tables designated for that purpose, and are asked to share the practice tables with any other contestants who wish to use them. Generally speaking, a 10 or 15 minute time limit is advised for any one or two individuals using the practice table, if other contestants are waiting. Any table designated as a practice table during the event should be reserved for those contestants who have not yet been eliminated from the tournament. Practice is not allowed on tournament tables during play, even though a table may not be in use during short periods.
2. NO GAMBLING - Gambling is not permitted and will not be allowed at any League function. Therefore, League members are not permitted to gamble at the tournament site, even following elimination from the tournament. Any contestant involved with gambling risks disqualification from the tournament and forfeiture of all awards and prize money.
3. BEVERAGES - Hotel regulations prohibit coolers or outside beverages in hotel ballrooms. Beer and other beverages are available. Please do not bring in coolers or outside beverages. Glass beverage containers are prohibited in Tournament rooms.
4. FORFEIT TIME - Forfeits will be determined 15 minutes after a match has been called. If a player has registered for the tournament, every effort will be made to locate the player before a forfeit is declared. The Tournament Director determines when a match is officially forfeited.
5. WARM UP TIME - If time permits, players will be allowed to run one rack of balls (four minute limit) in order to prepare for their match. Any player who exceeds four minutes will be asked to leave the table or begin the lag.
6. COACHING - Coaching is not permitted. Violations could result in a foul being called for illegal aid. Do not confer with anyone other than your opponent, referee or the Tournament Director; it could be misunderstood as coaching.
7. CHECKING PLAYER ID - A current picture I.D. is required! All tournament participants must present a current, certified, positive picture I.D. in the form of a state I.D. from their state of residence, a military I.D. or a passport, prior to competing in the event. Your I.D. must be available for review prior to competing in each match. If you do not have a proper picture I.D., you will not be allowed to play. In all Higher Level Tournament events it would be considered standard procedure for good sportsmanship if, at the beginning of each match, contestants provided proper identification to their opponents before shaking hands. Each player in a match at a Higher Level Tournament event should be satisfied with the identity of their opponent in the match. The Tournament Director is the only person who can make a judgment on any form of I.D. in question and will decide what course of action will be taken concerning the identity of the player in question.
8. FRAUDULENT CIRCUMSTANCES - Any player entering or participating under fraudulent circumstances will be disqualified.
9. SCOREKEEPING - Scoresheets with “innings” recorded and “defensive shots” marked must be kept by either players or an official scorekeeper. If it is determined that a player is not marking defensive shots, then the Tournament Director may arbitrarily raise that player’s skill level. In 8-Ball, mark Early 8’s (E8), 8-ball Scratches (8S), 8-on-the-Breaks (8OB), and Break and Runs (BR) on your scoresheets. In 9-Ball, mark all balls pocketed, dead balls, Break-and Runs (BR) and 9-on-the-Breaks (9OB). Scoresheetsmust be signed and turned in to the control table to receive credit for match wins. Refusal to sign a scoresheet does not affect any match protest. Anyone caught fraudulently keeping score—adding innings, altering scoresheets in any way, etc.—will be subject to disqualification.
10. DRESS CODE - Proper attire must be worn at all times in and around the tournament site. The Tournament Director shall determine what is proper attire, and is responsible for requiring the change of improper attire on the part of any contestant. The dress code will be enforced.
11. NO SMOKING - Smoking is not allowed in the Tournament rooms per the state of Nevada.
12. GAME RULES - APA game rules apply. Any and all local bylaw(s) or interpretation(s) which are not in full accord with the National Rules established by the APA do not apply to your participation in an APA Regional or National Event. It is your responsibility to know what is a National Rule (or standard) and what is a local bylaw (or standard). The game rules that will be used during your event are covered in the Official Team Manual. You should be familiar with these rules.
13. SKILL LEVEL - It is especially important that the skill level at which you participate in this event reflects your true ability according to National rules and standards. This is your responsibility. You are advised by the APA to make certain that you fully understand and conscientiously follow all of the National rules and standards. If you determine your skill level is not accurate, then you must notify the APA prior to entering and playing in an APA Regional or National event. Doing so will not necessarily prevent your disqualification; it will, however, help in determining your eligibility status.
14. FOULS - Each player is advised before taking ball-in-hand, to make certain you actually have ball-in-hand. If you do not confirm ball-in-hand with your opponent, or with tournament officials, and there is a difference of opinion, then you subject yourself to the potential costly mistake of fouling the cue ball unknowingly.
15. CUE BALL FOULS – The cue ball is always alive. Do not touch the cue ball while it is still rolling. Doing so may result in a foul.
16. CLOSE SHOTS - If a shot looks like it may result in a “bad hit”, stop the game and get a tournament official to make the call. Either player may stop the game to ask for a call. The decision of the tournament official is final. If a shot is close and an official is not called, the ruling will have a tendency to be in the shooter’s favor.
17. MARK THE 8-BALL - The pocket the 8-ball is intended to enter must be marked with a coaster, pocket marker or any other reasonable marker. To avoid confusion, marking the pocket with chalk is not recommended. If a player pockets the 8-ball without marking the intended pocket, and the opponent calls loss of game, it will result in a loss of game. Both players may use the same marker. Only one marker should be on the table. However, if more than one marker is on the table, as long as you clearly mark the pocket where you intend to pocket the 8-ball, you have properly marked the pocket. If the marker is already at the intended pocket from a previous attempt or game, it is not necessary for the shooter to touch it, pick it up, or reposition it. Anyone may remind a player to place the marker and it will not be considered coaching or a foul.
18. DISQUALIFICATION DUE TO SKILL LEVEL INCREASE - If Higher Level Tournament play is to be truly meaningful and rewarding, then those who play at a skill level below their true ability must be penalized. Complaints of unsportsmanlike conduct, or any evidence of a player playing at a skill level below his/her true ability, should be reported immediately to the Tournament Director. In order to conduct a fair and equal tournament for all APA players, APA must ensure that all participants are playing at skill levels that are not below their true ability. Handicap manipulation compromises the fairness and integrity of tournament play and cannot be tolerated. Accordingly, APA may disqualify any player if, in APA’s sole judgment and absolute discretion, the player is deemed by APA to be playing at a skill level below his/her true ability. The determination of whether a player is playing at a skill level below his/her true ability is necessarily subjective; APA is the sole judge of a player’s ability and may make such a determination in its absolute judgment and discretion. A National Handicap Review Committee, consisting of APA National staff members and APA National Tournament Directors has been formed to review the performance of each player after every round of play and make skill level adjustments as necessary. They will also investigate complaints and review elevated skill levels to determine the eligibility status of the players. Players may be disqualified at any time during or after tournament play if the committee concludes the player has,without justification, played at a skill level below their true ability. It is up to the disqualified player to provide an explanation or justification for the elevated skill level. The APA is the sole judge of a player’s ability and may, at any time, raise a player’s skill level if the APA believes he/she is not playing up to his/her true ability. It is the APA National Tournament Director’s responsibility to investigate and review elevated skill levels to determine the eligibility status of the player(s) involved.
19. PROTESTS - All protests must be made to the Tournament Director in a sportsmanlike manner. Any player disrupting the tournament, causing a scene, or causing other problems at or around the tournament site will lose the right to protest. The Tournament Director will resolve all issues on the spot. The APA is the highest authority in the League. Any rulings made by the APA are final.
20. RULES OF CONDUCT - Read the Rules of Conduct and make sure you understand the penalty level system. It is designed to stop a problem while it is still a small problem. The Rules of Conduct may be used by the Tournament Director or designated tournament official at this event for any form of misconduct.
21. WARNINGS - If a warning is given to a player during a match, that warning will follow that player throughout the event. For example; if a player is warned for sharking their opponent and in a subsequent match again sharks an opponent, the result will be ball-in-hand for the opponent. Such warnings will be noted by a tournament official on the scoresheet.
22. SPORTSMANSHIP - The primary objective of the League has always been to provide players of all abilities with the fun and enjoyment of friendly competition. Naturally, it is expected each player arrived hoping to do well, and it is expected all players will be doing their best to win. Each player is also expected to accept defeat in a sportsmanlike manner. Two common violations of good sportsmanship are conceding an unfinished game, and undoing a cue during play. Both forms of conduct are frowned upon by professionals, and should be eliminated from amateur play. All players are asked to allow opponents to finish the game before racking the balls or undoing cues. No penalty will be assessed unless, in the opinion of the Tournament Director, a repeated violation of this conduct rule occurs. Another area of good sportsmanship concerns fouls. A foul is a foul and should be observed as such. Occasionally, a player feels that a foul is a foul only if they get caught. Generally speaking, a professional player will call a foul on themselves. Likewise, good sportsmanship in the amateur ranks requires a player to admit a mistake, and live with the consequences. However, it is technically each player’s responsibility to protect themselves. Pay attention to your game.
23. EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS – In general, any piece of equipment designed specifically for pocket billiards—with the exception of jump cues and laser devices—is acceptable in APA League play. Special equipment, such as bridges and cue extenders, are legal. Jump shots are legal, when executed properly, but such shots must be attempted using your regular game cue. Those cues especially designed for jump shots MAY NOT be used in competition. Players are not allowed to break their cues down to attempt jump shots. Any equipment bearing any message or image of a sexually explicit or political nature, or a message or image which may be offensive due to the use of profanity or by virtue of its promotion of violence, alcoholism or substance abuse, shall be prohibited from use in all APA events. The Tournament Director shall be the enforcing authority of this regulation. The Tournament Director shall have the right to inspect a player’s cue(s) at any time during a tournament without prior notice to the player, and if the cue(s) is found to be in violation of this regulation, the player shall immediately cease using the objectionable cue(s) during tournament play, or face immediate disqualification and forfeiture of all prize money earned and/or entry fee. Any piece of equipment not covered by this rule and in question will be ruled upon by APA. Cues with movable parts will generally NOT be allowed.

APA has the absolute and final authority to make all rulings affecting participation in the APA Singles Championship programs including player ability (i.e. correction of skill levels) and disqualification. Disqualification from this event for any reason will mean forfeiture of all titles, awards, prize money, and minimum two year suspension from the League. Disqualification can occur prior to, during, or after the event.

RULES OF CONDUCT

The APA has established and will strictly enforce the following conduct rules for Higher Level Tournament play.

1. No loud, abusive or profane language will be tolerated at this tournament. You are in the League to have a good time and to enjoy some friendly competition. If you experience a problem, one of our tournament officials will address it; simply bring the matter to our attention. Remember that in each situation the ruling will favor one side against the other side, and it is required that each player accept official rulings without causing a scene.
2. Unsportsmanlike conduct directed to the opposing player or tournament official is not allowed.
3. Anyone involved in an incident that includes either physical abuse or the throwing of an item will be disqualified immediately, and required to leave the tournament premises.
4. Anyone caught hitting a cue against the table, wall, floor, etc., or recklessly swinging a cue will be disqualified immediately and required to leave the tournament premises.
5. Abusive behavior towards the Tournament Director or any of his/her designates will not be tolerated.
6. Excessively slow play will not be tolerated. You will be warned before any penalty occurs.

The penalties for violating any of the six categories detailed above are as follows: A warning may or may not be given, depending upon the severity of the situation.

• Penalty Level 1 – Your opponent will be given ball-in-hand. If the player is still shooting, or already has ball-in-hand, then that player will be allowed to shoot until missing, and then be given ball-in-hand again.
• Penalty Level 2 – Your opponent will be granted the game. (In 9-Ball, your opponent will be granted the game, along with points for all balls remaining on the table.)
• Penalty Level 3 – Your opponent will be granted the match.
• Penalty Level 4 – Disqualification. APA has the absolute and final authority to make all rulings affecting participation in the APA National Singles Championship programs including player ability (i.e., correction of skill levels) and disqualification. Disqualification from this event for any reason will mean forfeiture of all titles, awards, prize money, and minimum two year suspension from the League. Disqualification can occur prior to, during, or after the event. Note: If the violation or disturbance that caused the initial penalty level to be levied does not cease, the Tournament Director and/or designated assistant has the right to go from one penalty level to the next penalty level immediately.

MATCH TIME GUIDELINES

The APA has established guidelines to limit match play time in an effort to produce a tournament that adheres to a schedule that is productive and enjoyable for all the participants. We have a full schedule of rounds that must be completed in a timely m a n n e r .

We strive to offer the best environment and playing conditions for our participants, while fulfilling our obligations to the tournament facility. The guidelines we have set are more than adequate for tournament status play; in most cases actual match play will take less than the time allotted. Please be courteous; long matches are exhausting to all the players. We ask for good sportsmanship in keeping to the schedule.

Your cooperation will help make this tournament fun and exciting for everyone.

TIME GUIDELINES FOR INDIVIDUAL MATCHES 8-BALL

TIME GUIDELINES FOR 9-BALL MATCHES
Match Time
40 – 60 minutes

TIME GUIDELINES FOR DOUBLES MATCHES

If a player with a “Games Must Win” of 5 is matched with a player with a “Games Must Win” of 4, the total of their “Games Must Win” is 9; so their match should last no longer than 60 minutes.

ADDITIONAL TIME GUIDELINES
Each Practice Period 4 - Minute Time Limit
Average Shot - 20 Seconds
Special Shooting Situation - 45 Seconds (max.)