APA 8-Ball Format

Official Team Manual (pdf)

Equalizer® Handicap System

A Typical League Night

• HANDICAP SYSTEM - Any skill level can compete on an equal playing field with the Equalizer® Handicap System.  The 8-Ball handicap system has Skill Levels ranging from 2 thru 7, 2 being the lowest Skill Level, and 7 being the highest. When a Skill Level 4 has to play a Skill Level 6, the 4 only has to win three games while the 6 has to win five games. Scroll down to view the yellow handicap chart below.
  Learn more about the Equalizer® Handicap System.
  
  
• 23-RULE - Ideally, a Team Captain should invite players of all Skill Levels to be on their team.  The 23-Rule prevents anyone from stacking their team with all 6's and 7's. A team cannot play five players in one night whose Skill Levels add to a total exceeding 23.  This means that all teams need lower level players to field a legal team.
  
  
• BALL IN HAND - Any foul results in ball in hand anywhere on the table for the opponent except a scratch on the break.  When a player scratches on the break, his/her opponent gets ball in hand behind the line.
  
  
• RAIL AFTER CONTACT - A player must either pocket a ball or hit a rail after contact with the object ball.  ANY BALL (including the cue ball, or one of the opponents balls) must hit a rail after legal contact with the object ball is made.  If a ball DOES NOT hit a rail AFTER contact with the object ball, it is considered a ball in hand foul for the opponent.
  
  
• THE APA 8-BALL FORMAT IS NOT A "CALL POCKET" FORMAT - The APA 8-Ball format is played just like the pro's play 9-Ball on TV.  As long as a player does not foul during their shot, and pockets one of their balls (even if it does not go in the intended pocket), they must continue shooting.  Even novice players are invited to play in the APA Pool League and this rule helps to level the playing field so that Everyone Can Play ... Anyone Can Win!
  
  
• "MARK YOUR POCKET" ON THE 8-BALL - The only shot that must be called is the 8-Ball.  A player must mark his/her pocket with any item except a piece of chalk. This rule eliminates any confusion or disputes as to which pocket is being called.  Since a piece of chalk is almost always on the table anyway it may not be a clear indicator of which is the intended pocket; therefore, most common pocket markers are a book of matches, lighter, cell phone, wallet, poker chip, patch, etc.  Many players/teams enjoy using a specially designated talisman as their pocket marker.
  
  
• ON THE BREAK - On the break, "you are what you sink".  If the player sinks only solids on the break, the player must continue to shoot solids (same rule applies if a player sinks only stripes on the break).  If both a solid and a stripe are pocketed on the break, the table is still open.  Mixed combos (a solid and a stripe) are allowed on an open table, however, the 8-Ball cannot be the first ball used in any combo.  When a player scratches on the break, his/her opponent gets ball in hand behind the line.