9-Ball Format

Played with a cue ball and nine object balls numbered 1 through 9. 9-Ball is a rotation game, meaning the balls are shot in numerical order. The shooter must strike the lowest numbered ball on the table first. The game is over when the 9-ball is pocketed. A player retains his turn at the table as long as he strikes the lowest numbered ball first and legally pockets a ball. He need not pocket the lowest numbered ball to continue shooting. He may, for example, shoot the 1-ball into the 4-ball thus pocketing the 4. He would continue shooting and must, once again, strike the 1-ball first. If the shooter shoots the 1-ball into the 9-ball and the 9-ball is pocketed, the game is over.

 

APA "Amateur" 9-Ball is played like Professional 9-Ball...but scored like Straight Pool. In APA 9-Ball all balls have a point value.  The balls numbered 1-8 are worth one point each... the 9-ball is worth two. This makes each rack worth a total of 10 points.  Players compete not to win games but rather to score the most points from each rack.

 

Under The Equalizer® Handicap System in 9-Ball, players are assigned a certain number of points (balls) to make. A lower ranked player, would need to pocket fewer balls than a more skilled opponent. Because every ball counts, the more skilled player cannot simply win by pocketing the 9-ball, they must be aware of all the balls on the table and make every shot count.

 

APA 9-Ball leagues use a wider range of Skill Levels.  Players are ranked from S/L-1 to S/L-9. This wider range allows for greater accuracy when determining a player's ability, and creates a more competitive environment where all players have an equal chance of winning.

 

Five matches are played in one night and 20 points are "up for grabs" per match for a total of 100 points in a night.  The players in each match compete to earn as many of those 20 points as possible. Even in a loss, a player may earns points for their team. The more balls a player makes, the more of the 20 points they earn. This keeps the match competitive. 

 

The team(s) in each division with the most points at the end of the session will participate in a playoff match, and winners will advance to the Tri-Cup event (held 3 times per year at the end of each session).