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  About the APA

The APA is the world’s largest amateur pool league with more than 250,000 members competing in 8-Ball and 9-Ball Leagues throughout North America. Click here for more information about the history of the APA.

What is the APA?

The American Poolplayers Association is the world's largest amateur pool league, founded in 1979 by professional poolplayers Terry Bell and Larry Hubbart. The two realized the popularity of the sport and, with their leadership and guidance, the APA has grown to more than 250,000 members.

What can the APA offer you?

We have a handicap system called the Equalizer system. The system enables all players to have an equal chance, whether you are just beginning or you have played pool for years.

Our goal is to provide you with competition and awards, while keeping the game fun for everyone.

Gather your friends, family and co-workers to participate in the APA for an evening of fun and friendly competitive pool! It's a FUN experience for people of all playing abilities.

With our unique Equalizer Handicap System EVERYONE Can PLAY and ANYONE Can WIN!

 Why you should join the APA?

 $1 Million in guaranteed prize money for national events.

• You can choose your game and your night of play! Teams of 8-Ball (Open Division or Ladies only) and Teams of 9-Ball and singles competition in both 8-Ball and 9-Ball are available.

• The Equalizer® handicap system allows players of all abilities to compete on an equal level.

• Men and women are welcome at all levels of competition.

• APA membership makes a weekly fun night out for friends, families and coworkers.

• APA membership costs just $20 per year.

• You will receive The American Poolplayer, published three times yearly, the most widely read publication in the pocket billiards industry.

• You will receive the following membership materials: Official APA patch, 8-Ball and 9-Ball rules book, APA sticker, an APA membership card, discounts from local and national vendors, and much more.

The Equalizer® Handicap System

 The uniqueness of The Equalizer® Handicap System is that it brings out the best in both the novice/beginning player and the expert, should they compete in a match.

With The Equalizer® Handicap System, it’s feasible for a beginner to have a nearly equal chance in a match against a more highly skilled player. The Equalizer® Handicap System aids the lesser-skilled player by dictating mathematically that he or she needs to win fewer games or points than his or her opponent in order to win the match. (In golf and bowling, you give or get strokes or pins in a similar manner.)

In an APA League, you give or get games in the 8-Ball format and you give or get points in the 9-Ball format. How many games or points you give or get is determined by comparing your skill level to your opponent’s skill level. A higher skilled player must give games or points to a lower-skilled player, thus evening the match, so that EVERYONE can play and ANYONE can win!