NATIONAL TOURNAMENT RULES

1.    PRACTICE TIME - There will be a separate room designated for practice only available to contestants 24 hours a day. Practice is also allowed on tournament room tables 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 tables with any other contestant who wishes to use them.  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.  These tables are provided on a “challenge” basis.  The winner of the game in progress must accept the challenge of any incoming player.

2.    BEVERAGES - Beer and other beverages are available on site.  Players cannot bring in coolers or outside beverages.  No glass containers will be allowed in the tournament room.

3.    FORFEIT TIMES - Forfeits will be determined 15 minutes after a match has been called. If a team has registered for the tournament, every effort will be made to locate the team before a forfeit is declared.  The Tournament Director determines when a match is officially forfeited.

4.    “SUDDEN DEATH” FORMAT IN 8-BALL - This format will be implemented 3 hours 45 minutes into the match. Each team match must be in the 5th individual match by the 3 hour 45 minute mark or all subsequent matches will be a one game race. When the “Sudden Death” format is used, all other League rules apply to player selection.  All players are asked to help keep to the schedule by being ready when their match is called, and by observing the “Match Time Guidelines” enclosed. Any player who has been involved in a Sudden Death match will be marked with a “#” by their name on the scoresheet. Subsequent matches for these teams will be closely monitored by a tournament official for any slow play. These matches will also be assigned a National Handicap Review Committee Observer who will scrutinize the skill levels of all players.

5.    “SUDDEN DEATH” FORMAT IN 9-BALL - This format will be used at the 3 hour mark in a match.  Each team match must be in the 5th individual match by the 3 hour mark or all subsequent matches will consist of all points earned being doubled.  Each object ball made will count as 2 points and the 9-ball will count as 4 points.  When the “Sudden Death” format is used, all other League rules apply to player selection. All players are asked to help keep to the schedule  by being ready when their match is called, and by observing the “Match Time Guidelines” enclosed.  Any player who has been involved in a Sudden Death match will be marked with a “#” by their name on the scoresheet.  Subsequent matches for these teams will be closely monitored by a tournament official for any slow play.  These matches will also be assigned a National Handicap Review Committee Observer who will scrutinize the skill levels of all players.

6.    DECLARING PLAYERS - Once a player has been declared by both teams in a match, the players cannot be changed unless a 23/19 Rule or Originality Rule is in jeopardy.

7.    COACHING - A player may only be coached once per game. If a coach suggests a timeout to the player, the timeout must be taken.  Mark all coaches (timeouts) with a “T” on your scoresheet.  Coaches may place the cue ball for a player in a ball-in-hand situation during a coaching timeout.  If the player, or coach fouls in the process of placing the cue ball, it will be ball-in-hand for the opponent.  Coaches may not mark the playing surface of the table, or guide the shooter’s cue.  The coach must leave the playing area before the shooter attempts the shot.

 8.   CHECKING PLAYER ID - All players will be required to present current certified positive picture I.D. in the form of a state I.D. from their state of residence, a passport or a Military I.D.  Prior to the lag at the beginning of each match both players in the match must place their I.D. on the table for their opponent’s review.  If the player does not have the I.D. at that time, the team will forfeit that individual match and the use of that player for the remainder of the match.  The opponent remains eligible to play in a later match; however, the team must show it can stay within the 23-Rule and Originality Rule by using a remaining player on the roster.  If a player(s) neglects to ask an opponent for proper identification prior to the lag at the beginning of their match, and the identity of the opponent becomes questionable after a game is in progress, the only option is to finish the game currently underway, then ask for a tournament official to verify the opponent’s identification before continuing the match.  The Tournament Director is the only person who can make a judgment on any form of I.D. in question and decide what course of action will be taken concerning the identity of the player in question.

9.    SCOREKEEPING - (8-Ball Only) Scoresheets with “innings” recorded and “defensive shots” marked must be kept by a member of both teams or by an official scorekeeper. Please make sure you mark Early 8s (E-8), 8-on-the-Breaks (8OB) and Break and Runs (BR) on your scoresheets.

(9-Ball Only) - Scoresheets with “innings” recorded and “defensive shots” marked must be kept by a member of both teams or by an official scorekeeper.  Once one team has reached 51 points, the match is over. Do not finish out that individual match, simply mark on the scoresheet “Not Finished” (NF).  Please make sure you mark all balls pocketed, dead balls, Break-and-Runs (BR) and 9-on-the-Breaks (9OB).

(Both 8-Ball and 9-Ball) If it is determined that a team is not marking defensive shots, then the Tournament Director may arbitrarily raise some or all skill levels on that team.  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 team to make sure the control table receives proper scoresheets.

Important Note:  Any team caught fraudulently keeping score—adding innings, altering scoresheets in any manner, 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.  Any change of improper attire will not be just cause for delay in the progress of a team match.  Refer to the "Tournament Dress Code" to know what is considered proper attire.

11.   NO SMOKING - Smoking is not permitted at the pool table; however, ashtrays are provided on each player table. 

12.   GAME RULES - APA game rules apply.  Any and all local bylaws or interpretations which are not in full accord with the National rules established by the APA do not apply to your participation in the National event.  It is your responsibility to know what is a National Rule (or standard) and what is a Local Bylaw (or standard).

13.   SKILL LEVELS - 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 that he is not playing up to his true ability.

      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 and your teammates fully understand and conscientiously follow all of the rules and standards. If you feel you or one of your teammates is playing a level above the level he qualified with, it is your responsibility to discuss this with your League Operator prior to the event or with the Tournament Director at the event prior to the start of play to raise the player to his appropriate level.

14.   FOULS - Fouls may be called by the player or by his coach.  It should be kept in mind, since everybody on the team may communicate with the coach, that in effect, anyone on the team may call a foul, but only a call made by the coach or the player makes it official.

      Each player is advised when 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 will 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 a tournament official is not called, the ruling will have a tendency to be in the shooter’s favor.

17.   MARK THE 8-BALL (8-Ball Only) - A coaster, pocket marker or any other reasonable marker must be placed by the intended pocket.  If a player pockets the 8-ball without marking the intended pocket, it will result in a loss of game.  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 pocket marker and it will not be considered coaching or a foul.

18.   THE 23-RULE - The 23-Rule will be enforced. No team may play five players whose combined skill levels exceed 23.  In addition, a team must show that it could have fielded a legal team (meaning it could have fielded five players that did not exceed 23) if the match had gone the entire five individual matches.  If the total skill levels of the lowest five players listed on your roster are equal to or less than 23, then your team can meet the 23-Rule.  This means that a team may not lead off with three players whose skill levels add up to 19 unless there are two 2’s listed on the roster. A team may not try to win with its first three players and disregard the 23-Rule. All the above applies to the Ladies Division except that it concerns the 19-Rule instead of the 23-Rule.

WHAT HAPPENS IF A TEAM IS UNABLE TO COMPLY WITH THE 23-RULE?

      If the total skill levels of the lowest five players listed on the roster exceed 23, the team will have to play four players whose skill levels do not exceed 19 in the Open Division (16 in the Ladies Division) and forfeit the fifth match. If a team's skill levels elevate to the point where the skill levels of the lowest four players on the roster exceed 19, then they can play three players to 15 (13 in the Ladies Division) and forfeit the fourth and fifth matches.

19.   INELIGIBLE PLAYERS - Ineligible players are those players who, for whatever reason, are not eligible to play in any match during this tournament.  All ineligible players will be removed from the Higher Level Tournament roster and will not count for 23-Rule (19-Rule in the Ladies Division) purposes.

20.   SENIOR PLAYERS (9-Ball Only) - Only two senior skill level players may play in any given team match. Senior skill level players are those players who have a skill level of 6, 7, 8 or 9.

21.   ORIGINAL PLAYERS - The first three individual matches of every team match in Higher Level Tournaments must be played by an "original" player or that individual match will be forfeited.  If a team plays a non-original player in one of the first three individual matches, it is the opponent’s responsibility to bring this to the attention of the other team. At that point the match that was played by the non-original player will be forfeited.  However, the opposing team’s player remains eligible to play again as the forfeit did not count as a match played.  The opposing team must also then be able to show at the end of the match that they could meet the 23-Rule (19-Rule in the Ladies Division) with a remaining original member had the third match been played.  Once the scoresheets have been signed, the opposing team may not go back and call this violation.

      If your team cannot meet the 23-Rule using the available original members, but could by using the skill level of a non-available original member who is listed on the roster, then the third match would be forfeited.  Any eligible player listed on the roster may play in the 4th and 5th matches of each team match.

22.   WHAT HAPPENS IF A TEAM MATCH ENDS

2-2? (8-Ball) - If it is time for the fifth match and neither team has an eligible player present to play, the match is decided by the performance of the two teams in the first three matches.  The team that won two out of the first three matches is determined the winner and advances to the next round of the tournament.

      WHAT HAPPENS IF A TEAM MATCH ENDS 50-50? (9-Ball) - Championship matches will be scored the same as weekly play, with one exception - an individual forfeit is worth 20 points.  The first team to reach 51 points is the winner.  In case of a tie at the end of the match of 50 to 50 match points, the tie would be broken by the number of individual matches won by each team.

23.   TEAM DISQUALIFICATION PROCEDURE - If Higher Level Tournament play is to be truly meaningful and rewarding, then those who play below their true ability must be penalized.

      A National Handicap Review Committee consisting of APA National staff members and the APA National Tournament Directors has been formed to review the performance of each team 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 team(s) involved. 

      Teams may be disqualified at any time during or after tournament play if the committee concludes the team members have, without justification, played below their true ability. It is up to the disqualified team to provide an explanation or justification for elevated skill levels.

      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, the APA may disqualify any team if, in APA’s sole judgment and absolute discretion, one or more of its players are deemed by APA to be playing at a skill level below their true ability. The determination of whether a player is playing at a skill level below his or 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. Disqualification will mean forfeiture of all titles, awards, prize money, and a minimum two-year suspension from the League.

24.   PROTESTS - All protests must be made to the Tournament Director in a sportsmanlike manner by the Team Captain.  There is a $50 filing fee for any protest which is refundable if the team filing wins the protest.  Any team 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. Any rulings made by the APA will be final.

25.   RULES OF CONDUCT - Read the enclosed “Rules of Conduct.”  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 APA Tournament Director or designated tournament official at this event for any form of misconduct.

26.   WARNINGS - If a warning is given in an individual match, that warning will follow the team throughout the remainder of that team match.  For example, if a player is warned for sharking his opponent, and in the next match a player from that same team is warned for sharking his opponent, the result will be ball-in-hand.  Such warnings will be noted by a tournament official on the scoresheets.

27.   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 that each player arrived hoping to do well, and it is expected that each player will be doing his best to win.  On the other hand, 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 your cue.  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 he gets caught.  Generally speaking, a professional player will call a foul on himself.  Likewise, good sportsmanship in the amateur ranks requires a player to admit a mistake and live with the consequences.  On the other hand, it is technically each player’s responsibility to protect himself. Pay attention to your game.

28.   EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS - Jump sticks are NOT allowed in APA Higher Level Tournament events. The cue you bring to the table is the cue you must use during your entire match; however, you may use a separate break stick while breaking.  Players are only allowed to attempt a jump shot with the cue they are using to shoot their entire match, unbroken.  Players are not allowed to break their cue sticks down and use just the shaft to attempt jump shots.  Special equipment, such as bridges and cue extenders, are legal.

      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 or cues at any time during a tournament without prior notice to the player.  If the cue or cues are found to be in violation of this regulation, 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.