Poolplayer Championships

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 tables designated for that purpose, and are asked to share the practice tables with any other contestants who wish to use them.  If there is a wait for the practice tables, we ask that you limit your practice time to between 10 and 15 minutes.  Designated practices tables are reserved for those contestants who have not yet been eliminated from the Tournament.  Practice is not allowed on Tournament tables during play, even when Tournament tables are not in use.

2. NO GAMBLING
Gambling on pool is not permitted at any APA function, including this Tournament. Therefore, you are prohibited from gambling on pool at the Tournament site, even after the Tournament has ended or you have been eliminated from the Tournament.  Any participant that gambles will face disqualification from the Tournament and/or forfeiture of all awards and prize money.

3. BEVERAGES
Hotel regulations prohibit coolers, glass beverage containers or outside beverages from being brought into the Tournament rooms or hotel ballrooms. Beverages are available for sale at the Tournament site.

4. FORFEIT TIME
Forfeits will be declared after 15 minutes has lapsed since a match has been called. If a player has registered for the Tournament, a Tournament Official will attempt to locate the player before a forfeit is declared.  However, it is the player’s responsibility to be present for their matches when they are called.  The Tournament Director determines when a match is officially forfeited.

5. COACHING
Coaching is not permitted. Violations of this rule could result in a foul being called.  You are advised not to confer about your match with anyone other than your opponent, a Referee, or the Tournament Director as doing so could be perceived as coaching.

6. SCOREKEEPING
Scoresheets, with innings recorded and Defensive Shots marked, must be kept by either both players or by an Official Scorekeeper. If it is determined a player is not marking Defensive Shots, then the APA Handicap Review Committee may consider that grounds to raise that player’s skill level.  Scoresheets must 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.  It is the responsibility of the winning player to make sure the Control Table receives proper scoresheets.

8-BALL:  Mark all Early 8s (E8), 8-ball Scratch (8S), 8 Wrong Pocket (8WP), 8-on-the-Break (8OB), and Break-and-Runs (BR) on your scoresheets.  Patches for 8-on-the-Break and Break-and-Runs are awarded.  Patches must be claimed by the player at the Control Table when the scoresheets are turned in for processing.

9-BALL: Mark all balls pocketed, dead balls, 9-on-the-Snaps (9OS) and Break-and-Runs (BR).  Patches for 9-on-the-Snaps and Break-and-Runs are awarded.  Patches must be claimed by the player at the Control Table when the scoresheets are turned in for processing.

NOTE:  Any player caught fraudulently keeping score by adding innings, altering scoresheets in any way, or marking scoresheets in a way that does not reflect the play that occurred on the table is subject to disqualification. 

7. DRESS CODE
Proper attire must be worn at all times in and around the tournament site. Refer to the Tournament Dress Code in the Event Program or on poolplayers.com for information on what is considered proper attire.  The Tournament Director shall determine whether your attire is proper, and is responsible for requiring players whose attire is not proper to change.  If the Tournament Director requires to you change your attire, compliance with the Tournament Director’s direction is not a just cause for delaying the progress of a match.  The dress code will be enforced.

8. NO EARPHONES
You are not permitted to wear earphones of any type during Tournament play. This includes ear buds, headphones, headsets, Bluetooth devices, etc.  Hearing aids and non-electronic earplugs are allowed.

9. CELL PHONE AND SMARTWATCH USE
Cell phone and smartwatch use is prohibited while a player is taking their turn at the table.

10. NO SMOKING
Due to Nevada state law, smoking is not permitted within the Tournament rooms. The use of electronic cigarettes/vaporizers is also not allowed in the Tournament rooms.

11. PLAYING IN OTHER TOURNAMENTS
Due to scheduling constraints, players who are participating in the 8-Ball Classic are not eligible for the 9-Ball Doubles Championship, the Jack & Jill Championship or the Wheelchair Championship.  Players who are participating in the 9-Ball Shootout are not eligible for the 8-Ball Doubles Championship.

12. MINIMUM SKILL LEVELS
Ladies may participate at their assigned skill level, even if that assigned skill level is lower than a skill level 3. All other players must participate at a skill level 3 or higher. To be eligible to participate at a skill level lower than a skill level 3, the player’s State/Province issued picture ID, Military ID or passport photo ID must identify her as female.

13. CUE BALL FOULS
As a reminder, do not touch the cue ball while it is still rolling. Doing so may result in a foul.

14. CLOSE HITS
If a shot looks like it may result in a “bad hit,” stop the game and get a Tournament Official to observe the shot and 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 a Tournament Official is not called, the ruling will most likely be in the shooter’s favor.

15. MARKING THE POCKET (8-BALL ONLY)
A coaster, pocket marker, or any other reasonable marker must be placed next to the pocket the 8-ball is intended to enter. It is recommended that you do not use chalk as a pocket marker, as it can create confusion, but the use of chalk as a pocket marker is not prohibited.  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 at any time.  However, even 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 will be deemed to 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.

NOTE: Contacting a pocket marker with the 8-ball is not a foul and the shot stands.

16. EXCESSIVE SKILL LEVEL MOVEMENT
If Higher Level Tournament play is to be truly meaningful and rewarding, then those who play below their true ability must be penalized. Any evidence of a player playing at a skill level below their true ability should be reported immediately to a Tournament Official at the Control Table.  You must certify that your skill level, as shown on the scoresheet of each match you play, is your Highest Skill Level as that term is defined here: Highest Skill Level Definition. Players with excessive skill level movement could be disqualified from the tournament.

17. SPORTSMANSHIP
The primary objective of APA has always been to provide players of all abilities with the opportunity to enjoy friendly competition. Every player hopes to do well, and it is expected that all players will do their best to win.  However, each player is also expected to accept defeat in a sportsmanlike manner.

Two common examples of bad sportsmanship are: conceding an unfinished game; and breaking down a cue during play.  Both forms of conduct are frowned upon by professionals, and have no place in amateur play.  All players are asked to allow opponents to finish the game before racking the balls or breaking down cues.  No penalty will be assessed unless, in the determination of the Tournament Director, such sportsmanship violations by a player are deemed excessive.

Fouls can also cause sportsmanship issues to arise.  A foul is a foul and should be observed as such regardless of whether the player believes that they will get caught failing to disclose a foul.  A professional player will call a foul on himself; likewise, good sportsmanship dictates that amateur players acknowledge when they commit a foul.  However, it is technically a player’s responsibility to protect the outcome of their match.  Therefore, all players are advised to pay attention to their games and be aware of when their opponent commits a foul.

18. EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS
Laser devices, mechanical cues and training/practice aids may not be used in Tournament play. Some specialty cues may be allowed on a limited basis.  Special equipment, such as bridges and cue extenders, are legal. Players are expected to use equipment consistent with its intended purpose.  In addition, players must use the rack, cue ball and object balls provided at each table.  Additional equipment guidelines applicable during Tournament play are set forth below:

Jump Cues/Shafts/Tips: Are not allowed.

Break Cues/Shafts/Tips: Sometimes combined with jump cues to form a jump-break cue, these cues/shafts/tips are allowed in Tournament play for breaking. 

Regular Shooting Cues/Shafts/Tips: These cues/shafts/tips may be used to perform jump shots, massé shots and break shots in all APA League and Tournament play.  You may not “break down” your Regular Shooting Cue to perform a jump shot.

NOTE 1:  Using a regular shooting cue to break does not qualify it as a “break cue”.

NOTE 2:  Wheelchair players and players who are limited in their height are allowed to use a junior cue or “shortie” as a regular shooting cue.

NOTE 3:  You may only switch cues/shafts/tips between racks, immediately following your break shot, or in instances of cue/shaft/tip failure that prevent the cue/shaft/tip from performing. 

Any equipment bearing any message or image that is sexually explicit or political nature, or may be offensive due to the use of profanity or the promotion of violence, alcoholism or substance abuse, shall be prohibited from use in this Tournament.  The Tournament Director shall have the right to inspect a player’s cue(s) at any time during the Tournament without prior notice to the player, and if the cue(s) are found to be in violation of this rule, the player shall immediately cease using the objectionable cue during Tournament play, or face immediate disqualification and forfeiture of all prize money earned and/or entry fee paid.

Updated 10/14/2024: Rule #11