About the APA

A Typical Night in the APA
Equalizer® Handicap System
History of the APA
 
The APA is the world’s largest amateur pool league with more than 260,000 members competing in 8-Ball and 9-Ball Leagues throughout the US, Canada, and Japan. Teams compete locally in the Tucson APA for session ending payouts, trophies and a chance to win one of several PAID trips to Las Vegas.
 
  •  A team consists of 5 to 8 people.  Only 5 people play in one night, so each team is allowed to have 1-3 extra players that can play in case of illness or other obligation.

  • Men and women of all skill levels are invited to play - If you think you're not good enough to play in the APA, consider this ... 75% of APA players are beginner to intermediate players, meaning you don't have to be a "Pool Pro" to play.  With our Equalizer® Handicap System, Everyone Can Play ... Anyone Can Win!

  • The best thing about the APA that makes it fun for everyone is the 23-Rule*.  It means every team must have low level players in order to compete. So by all means, ask your friends to join, even if they just learned how to play.  League night is a great way to have fun with friends, family and co-workers.

  • Locally, fees are $7 per person on nights that they play plus one $25 annual membership fee,  no matter how many teams they play on.  Approximately 50% of our members play on more than one night a week, that's how much they enjoy their "League night out"!

  • You'll get the chance to play in local and national events.  Locally, the Tucson APA pays out approximately $70,000 in cash and $20,000 in prizes while the National APA pays out nearly $1.5 million in cash and prizes at their annual events in Las Vegas!

    * In 8-Ball skill levels range from 2-7.  The 23-Rule means that the 5 players fielded in a night must have a combined skill level of 23 or less.  You certainly won't see all 7's on one team, (5 players x 7 = 35. Way over 23) or all 6's or even all 5's (5 x 5 = 25, Still over 23!)

A successful team is usually composed of 1 or 2 high level players, a few mid level players, and a few low level players.  And when teams win those trips to Las Vegas, a 2 and a 3 help them do it!  In fact, when a team wins that $25,000 grand prize in Vegas, a 2 and a 3 are gonna help 'em do that too!

The 23-Rule applies in 9-Ball as well, where skill levels range from 1-9.