APA 9-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 9-Ball handicap system has Skill Levels ranging from 1 thru 9, 1 being the lowest Skill Level, and 9 being the highest.  Players earn a point for each ball they sink and 2 points for the 9-Ball.  The chart below shows how many points each Skill Level must earn in order to win their match. For example, if a person with an average Skill Level of 4 has to play an above average player with a Skill Level of 8, the 4 has to earn 31 points, while the 8 has to earn 65 points to claim victory.  Learn How Your Handicap is Calculated.
  
  

  Players Skill Level	Points Required to Win
  1	14
  2	19
  3	25
  4	31
  5	38
  6	46
  7	55
  8	65
  9	75

  
  
  
• 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 8's and 9's. A team cannot play five players in one night whose Skill Levels add to a total exceeding 23.  Exercise caution when forming your 9-Ball team, only 2 senior Skill Level players may play per night. Senior Skill Level players are considered to be S/L 6, 7, 8, and 9. (Keep in mind that any Skill Level has an equal chance of winning with the handicapped system.)
  
  
• BALL IN HAND - Any foul results in ball in hand for the opponent EVEN IF A SCRATCH ON THE BREAK OCCURS.  When a player scratches on the break, his/her opponent receives ball in hand ANYWHERE ON THE TABLE.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 9-BALL IS NOT A "CALL POCKET" GAME - The APA 9-Ball format is played just like the pro's play 9-Ball on TV.  As long as the player does not foul during their shot, and pockets a ball (even if it does not go in the intended pocket), he/she must continue shooting.  IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO MARK YOUR POCKET WHEN SHOOTING THE 9-BALL.
  
  

How To Play 9-Ball

 

If you've watched the pros play on TV, chances are they were playing 9-Ball.

The game of 9-Ball is a game where position and strategy mean everything.  It is considered a fast paced game developed for Television format.

In 9-Ball, the balls are racked in a diamond, with the one ball at the front apex. The 9-ball goes in the center.  Placement of the rest of the balls do not matter.  The balls are broken by striking the 1-ball, and attempting to pocket a ball.  The lowest numbered ball on the table must be struck first in order for the shot to be legal, and from there a ball must be pocketed or driven to a rail.

The object of the game is simple: Run the balls out and pocket the nine ball, or shoot a combo that legally pockets the nine ball.  Do this before your opponent and you win the game.