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Player Frequently Asked Questions
THE LAG
RACKING
BREAKING
8-BALL RULES
9-BALL RULES
FOULS
23 RULE (19 RULE – LADIES)
KEEPING SCORE
GENERAL QUESTIONS
THE LAG
Do we have to lag at the same time?
Yes.
If I hit the side rail, do I lose the lag?
Yes.
If I pocket my ball, do I lose the lag?
Yes.
What happens if the balls hit each other during the lag?
Lag over.
RACKING
What is a legal rack in 8-Ball?
All balls should be frozen (touching) as tightly as possible. Balls are racked with the front ball on the foot spot and the 8-ball in the center of the triangle.
Does the one ball have to be in the front in 8-ball?
No.
What is a legal rack in 9-Ball?
Nine balls are used and are racked in a diamond shape with the 9-ball in the middle and the 1-ball at the front of the rack and on the foot spot. The rest of the object balls can be placed in any numerical order.
BREAKING
What is a legal break in 8-ball?
Players must break from behind the headstring, the head ball or second ball must be struck first and at least four object balls must be driven to the rails or a ball must be pocketed. The cue ball may not be shot into the rail before the rack.
What is a legal break in 9-ball?
Players must break from behind the headstring, the head ball must be struck first and at least four object balls must be driven to the rails or a ball must be pocketed. The cue ball may not be shot into the rail before the rack.
What if I do not drive four or more balls to a rail, or make a ball?
Your opponent re-racks and you break again.
What if I do not drive four or more balls to a rail, or make a ball, and I scratch?
You re-rack and your opponent breaks.
What if the cue ball does not strike the rack?
The rack must be struck before a foul can occur – in this instance you would attempt the break again.
Can I reach out and grab the cue ball before it hits the rack?
Be sure to get to it before it contacts the rack. Once it contacts the rack touching the cue ball would be a foul.
If I make a solid and stripe on the break is the table still open?
Yes, you could have made 3 solids and 1 stripe and the table would still be open. Until you legally pocket one category or the other the table would remain open.
8-BALL RULES
Does the 8-ball have to go in clean?
While the 8-ball has to be a separate shot it does not have to go in clean. You can carom it off another ball.
Can I make my ball by shooting the 8 into it?
The 8-ball is not neutral – the only way to do this would be contact your object ball first in turn contacting the 8-ball which could then pocket one of your object balls.
If I shoot the 8-ball in the pocket and the 8-ball hits the marker, is this a foul?
No.
The marker for the 8-ball falls off the table. The player shoots the 8-ball in, is this a foul?
No.
I knock the 8-ball onto the floor, do I lose?
Yes.
I move the 8-ball with my hand or cue stick by accident, is this a foul?
No, but you must return the 8-ball to its original position. Note: If you alter the course of the 8-Ball in a game losing situation it would be a loss.
My hand or cue stick accidentally knocks the eight ball into a pocket. Do I lose?
No, but you must put the 8-ball back where it was before you moved it.
My opponent breaks down his/her cue while I am shooting the 8, is this a foul?
No, but it may be addressed as unsportsmanlike conduct.
Is it a foul if a spectator reminds the shooter to mark the pocket?
No. Anyone may remind a player to place the pocket marker and it will not be considered coaching or a foul.
9-BALL RULES
In 9-Ball, is a foul on the break ball-in-hand behind the headstring?
No. In 9-Ball, a foul on the break is ball-in-hand anywhere on the table.
Does the pocket need to be marked when shooting the 9-Ball?
No. The 9-Ball does not have to be called and therefore, the pocket the 9-Ball is going to be pocketed in does not have to be marked.
If I shoot the 1-Ball into the 9-Ball, which then falls into the pocket, is this a legal shot?
Yes. Combination shots are extremely common in 9-Ball and any ball that sinks counts as long as the shooter hits the lowest numbered ball on the table first.
Are push-outs allowed in 9-Ball?
Push-outs are not allowed in the APA 9-Ball League, however, they are allowed in the APA Triple Play Masters League and the US Amateur event.
FOULS
I accidentally touch the cue ball. Is this a foul?
Yes. Causing the slightest movement or altering the course of the cue ball, even accidentally is a foul.
I accidentally move an object ball with my hand or cue stick. Is this a foul?
No, unless it comes in contact with the cue ball.
I shoot and the cue ball does not touch another ball, is this a foul?
Yes.
I hit my ball first but my opponent's ball was the only ball to hit a rail. Did I foul?
No. A sentence that should answer many questions is: ANY ball must go to a rail AFTER LEGAL contact.
I knock the cue ball off the table, is this a foul?
Yes.
The other team calls for too many time-outs, is this a foul?
No, the act of calling the time out does not create a foul.
The other team is coaching from the side, is this a foul?
Yes.
My opponent called my object ball frozen to the rail and I agreed. What must I do so that I do not foul?
Let’s say it is the 3 ball that is frozen, the 3 ball would have to be driven into another rail. The cue ball may strike the 3 ball and then any rail. Any ball is pocketed after contacting the 3 ball, hits a rail after contacting the 3 ball or you pocket the 3.
Is it a foul for the coach to touch the playing surface of the table?
No.
When placing the cue ball on the table, the cue ball touches another ball, is this a foul?
Yes. Exercise caution when picking up or placing the cue ball in ball-in-hand situations. The cue ball is always alive. If the cue ball, or the hand holding or moving it, touches another ball it is a cue ball foul.
I have ball-in-hand, can I move the cue ball around with the tip of my cue stick?
Yes. A foul may be called only if the player fouls the cue ball while actually stroking the cue ball.
Can the coach place the cue ball for a player in a ball-in-hand situation?
Yes. The player or his coach may place the cue ball in ball-in-hand situations.
23-RULE (19-RULE – LADIES)
I play 4 players that equal 20 and I have a 3 on my roster who is not present. Do I have to play my 4 or 5 who is present?
No, simply forfeit the last match. No team can force you to break the 23 rule.
When is the 23-Rule actually broken?
A violation officially occurred when the balls are broken in the individual match that causes the violation.
After we lag and before the rack is broken my opponent realizes they will break the 23-Rule. Can they stop and pick another player?
Yes, and of course you can also pick another player.
I play as a new player do I count towards the 23-Rule?
In 8-Ball Males count as 4’s and females count as 3’s.
In 9-Ball Males counts as 4’s and females count as 2’s.
The other team broke the 23-Rule what do we do?
Mark the violation on both score sheets and sign them.
How many points do we win for a 23-Rule violation?
IN 8-BALL: The team that violates the 23-Rule forfeits all the points it won during the team match and the opposing team will receive those points.
IN 9-BALL: The offending team would receive zero points for that League match and the non-offending team would receive all points they won plus 15 points for the match in which the 23-Rule was broken and any subsequent matches.
If 8-Ball has a team cap of 23 points and the highest skill level is 7 why isn't there a team cap of 24 or 25 in 9-Ball where the skill level goes to 9?
The use of the 23-rule in 9-Ball is in place for the same reason we utilize it in 8-ball with the additional requirement that only 2 senior skill level players may play in any given 9-ball team match. The 23-rule was adopted to encourage the beginning player and to discourage the stacked teams that might form or advance to the level where they might dominate a division every session. The fact that only 2 senior skill level players may play in a match in 9-Ball further compensates for the variance in skill levels between 8-Ball and 9-Ball.
KEEPING SCORE
What is an inning?
An inning consists of one turn for each player. An inning is not over and therefore not marked until the player who lost the lag misses or fouls.
Does the 2nd player ever change?
No, the 2nd player is always the player who lost the lag.
What is a defensive shot?
A defensive shot is a shot where the shooter deliberately misses so as to pass his turn at the table. A safety (see WHAT IS A SAFETY below) is a defensive shot because the shooter had no intention of making a ball of his category. Intention is the key word. Sometimes intent can be a matter of opinion and judgment, but the scorekeeper’s judgment must be accepted by the opposing player. Remember that defensive means deliberately missed. Players with integrity call all safeties and intentionally missed shots. Besides being good sportsmanship, there will be fewer differences on the two scoresheets. The failure to mark defensive shots allows players and teams to advance with inaccurate skill levels. Play Honest! Do not pad innings! If a player has a nearly impossible shot and does the best he can, but still fails to even hit his ball, it does not fall into the category of defensive shots as defined here. As long as he was doing the best he could to hit and make one of his balls, then the shot is not marked as a defensive shot on the scoresheet
Is it important to record defensive shots?
Very important! By not marking these shots you have allowed sandbagging.
Is a defensive shot figured into the handicap system?
Yes, this is a very important part of the formula.
What is a safety?
A defensive action taken when a player either has no “makeable” or “high percentage” shot or chooses to leave his opponent in a difficult situation. It is a legal shot and it is not considered to be dirty pool. A safety must still conform with the rule concerning hitting the correct ball first and striking a rail afterwards. If a correct ball is accidentally pocketed while playing safe, the shooter must continue to shoot. Players with integrity call their safeties.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
My opponent disrupts me while I am shooting, what do I do?
File a complaint with your Local League Office. Local League Management will investigate the complaint and take reasonable action, if necessary
How many time-outs do I get?
2 or 3 handicap player is allowed 2 per game. All other handicaps are allowed only 1 time-out per game. New female players get 2, new male players get 2 as well.
Can I talk to may teammates while my opponent is shooting?
Yes, but the moment he/she misses, you must walk away.
Are jump shots legal?
Jump shots are legal, when executed properly, but such shots must be attempted using your regular game cue. Those cues especially designed for jump shots MAY NOT be used in competition. Players are not allowed to break their cues down to attempt jump shots. Note: If the location has a sign that states no jump shots, then they are not allowed.
Are masse shots legal?
Yes, but they will not be allowed if the location has a sign that states no masse shots.
Is there a one foot on the floor rule?
Yes, but to be enforced, the location must have a bridge. There is no foul, simply stop the shooter and hand him the bridge. Exception: Players shooting from a wheelchair must remain seated in their wheelchair while shooting.
I moved a ball by accident before shooting, is the ball placed back to its original position?
Yes, prior to shooting.
I moved a ball by accident while shooting, is the ball placed back to its original position?
Yes, but after the cue ball stops.
I knock an object ball off the table, what do I do with it?
You spot it (on the foot spot) as soon as your present turn is over, or the ball is needed.
Do my scores at Higher Level Tournaments count towards my handicap?
Yes.
I have paid my membership and have not received my copy of the The American Poolplayer. What should I do?
You need to make sure your address information is correct and current by calling your Local League Operator or you can call or email the APA National Office. Also, please remember that The American Poolplayer is issued 3 times per year – Spring, Summer, and Fall
A player in my area played in a Professional Billiard Tournament, should he be allowed to play in the APA?
An individual will not be classified as a Professional by simply entering a Professional Tournament. The APA has a variety of criteria for determining professional status, and while entering a professional tournament is something the APA considers, it is not the only thing taken into consideration.
I played 3 years ago in another state or city, do I start over as a new player?
No. You must play at your last handicap leve
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