Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions we get in the League Office. This is the information most requested. If you have any suggestions for additions, just Contact Us and let us know!

Why should I become an APA member?
The APA Pool Leagues are fun, friendly, and relaxing. Everyone needs to get off of the couch once a week, go out, and socialize. APA Pool Leagues provide friendly competition and an activity you can share with your loved ones. The League also offers a chance to meet new people and play a great game. In short, you can Have Fun, Meet People, Play Pool.

How many people on a team?
You may have as few as five and as many as eight people on a team. We recommend at least six as there will always be a time when someone can't show up. Believe it or not, there is life outside of pool!

If only five matches are played a night, why should we carry eight people on our roster?
There is actually a strategic advantage to having a full roster. If a player is having a bad night, and we all have those, that person is not forced to play. Get to know your own teammates strengths and weaknesses. Knowing and observing your opponents can help too. By choosing the player that give you the best advantage, you stand a better chance of winning. By having a team of eight, you have more players to choose from.

What if I don't have a team, but still want to play?
Just contact the League Office and we will do our best to find a team for you to play on. If you are new in town, the APA is one of the best ways to meet new people and make new friends. It is best, however, if you can form a team of your own made up of your friends, family or cooworkers as most people have more fun playing with people they already know.

Where can I play?
You can play at any Location with a pool table. You can contact the League Office for a list of Host Locations actively seeking teams or, if you have a favorite place, let us know and we will be happy to get in contact with the management and make them a Host Location.

What rules do we play by?
We play by the APA Sanctioned Rules. If you would like to read the rules, just click here.

Why are the APA rules different then "bar" rules?
The APA is geared for amateur players. Our rules are written so that anyone, especially beginners, can enjoy the game of pool without having to be intimidated by it. Admittedly, some higher skilled players find some of our rules frustrating, but we say Everyone Can Play, Anyone Can Win and we mean it.

How does the Handicap work?
Our Equalizer Handicap system is the most accurate rating system in amateur League. Rather than being based strictly upon wins and losses, it is based upon performance during play. An average of your scores is taken to give an accurate picture of your true abilities.

Why does my Handicap keep going up and down?
It takes about ten match plays for a player to settle into their true handicap. During this time, players can bounce up and down, depending upon their performance. Your scores from the current week and previous weeks are averaged together. By averaging scores, we achieve a more stable rating but, when you don't have all of the scores required for a true average, you still see a lot of fluctuation.

How much does it cost?
There are many perks and advantages to playing in the APA including:
Play on as many teams as you like for one membership fee
National Merchant Discounts
Local Merchant Discounts - help support your local merchants and, in many cases, fellow APA members
Access to all aspects of the Website
Qualification to participate in APA Contests and Giveaways
Qualification to participate in any APA sanctioned event nationwide
Subscription to The American Poolplayer Magazine, published three times a year
The chance to go to the National Championship Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada - the largest Amateur Championship in the world!
You get all this and more included in your yearly membership dues of $20, and weekly team fees of $30 ($6 per person) for a Fun League or $40 ($8 per person) for a Plus League.
As you can see, APA Pool Leagues are a very affordable pastime.