The American Poolplayers Association
The American Poolplayers Association is the governing body of amateur pool, consisting of more than 250,000 pool enthusiasts throughout the United States and Canada. Sometimes referred to as the Camel Pool League, Bud Light Pool League, Busch Pool League, or American Pool League, the APA sanctions league play in most American states. Membership is just $25.00 per year (plus sales tax if applicable) and is open to anyone 18 years of age or older.Players of all skill levels are welcome to join and everyone has an equal chance of winning under the APA's unique handicap system known as The Equalizer®, which allows players of different abilities to compete on an equal level.
The APA also conducts the U.S. Amateur Championship, the pool world's most prestigious amateur tournament, which is the only competition open to APA members and nonmembers alike. The tournament began in 1994 and has grown more than 35 percent during the past year, as players across North America battle for one of the 128 spots in the tournament.Joining the APA entitles you to numerous discounts and benefits, including a chance to win a share of the more than $1 million guaranteed cash and prizes paid out through its national tournaments.
To learn more about the APA, visit its Web site at poolplayers.com.
The APA of Pinellas County
Locally, the APA of South Pinellas county is run by league operators Mike and Carol Konak and consists of more than 600 members sponsored by 35+ participating host locations. Our pool league covers St. Petersburg, Florida and surrounding communities.Joining the APA is easy. You can join as an individual and let us find the right team for you, or you can create your own team of 5 – 8 friends, family, coworkers... anyone you'd like to hang out with on a weekly basis. Just choose a Team Captain, pick a host location and your team is ready. And if you have a favorite bar, tavern, billiard hall or lodge that's not on our list, no problem! We are always on the lookout for new places and new faces to bring into our league. You can play on as many teams in as many divisions as you'd like, but no more than one team per division.
Teams play once a week throughout each session. There are three sessions per year, each lasting 14 - 16 weeks. Every week, five players from your team will play five players from the opposing team. On average, league play takes three to four hours to complete.
Hundreds of players throughout southern Pinellas county participate weekly in 8-ball and 9-ball league play in the hopes of advancing to the Local Team Championship and ultimately the National Team Championship held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada. Players may also attempt to qualify throughout the year for regional and national Singles Championships. The APA also offers Scotch Doubles 8-Ball, Scotch Doubles 9-Ball and Three-Person tournaments at the National Level.
Currently the APA of Pinellas offers Open 9-Ball on Monday evenings and Sunday afternoons, and Open 8-Ball on Wednesday and Thursday evenings for both men and women. On Tuesday evenings we offer a Masters Division for those men and women who are brave enough to play a combination of 8-ball and 9-ball without a handicap; a Ladies 8-Ball Division, where "girls' night out" takes on a whole new meaning; and our newest division, the Artisans, which is a spin-off of the Masters division and consists of both 8-ball and 9-ball play in a handicapped format. All four nights are "travel" leagues, with weekly league play taking place at either your Home location or the Home location of your opponents.
Click here to view all of our divisions.
At the end of each session we hold a Scotch Doubles tournament open to all players.
We're glad you're considering playing in the World's Largest Amateur Pool League and we look forward to seeing you on the tables. There's so much fun waiting for you in the APA.
For more information, visit our FAQs page.
Watch "Understanding Defensive Shots" on YouTube
An informative video entitled 'Understanding Defensive Shots' is currently being displayed on YouTube.This video – featuring APA co-founder Terry Bell – is presented by the APA and illustrates how we can all better recognize defensive shots.
It's well worth the 16 minutes it takes to watch, so take a look!
APA Board of Governors
Members of the Board of Governors are selected from current APA members and may include both 8-ball and 9-ball players.
Currently the APA of Pinellas has nine BOG members. Their primary function is to assist the league office in settling protests, disputes, sportsmanship violations and other issues.
Read more about your local Board of Governors.
Currently the APA of Pinellas has nine BOG members. Their primary function is to assist the league office in settling protests, disputes, sportsmanship violations and other issues.
Read more about your local Board of Governors.
Minimum Age Requirement
Effective June 1, 2006, the minimum age to play in the APA was lowered to 18.
If you are 18-years old, you can now play in the APA, travel to Las Vegas with your winning team, and play in the National Team Championships!
If you are 18-years old, you can now play in the APA, travel to Las Vegas with your winning team, and play in the National Team Championships!