The American Poolplayers Association (APA) is a governing body for amateur pool (pocket billiards) competition in the United States.
The APA conducts pool leagues and tournaments in the disciplines of eight-ball and nine-ball with a unified ruleset.
The APA bills itself as the largest pool league in the world with a membership of more than 250,000 players in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Singapore.
Children and teenagers ages 7–18 may compete in the APA Junior Championships, held in St. Louis each summer.
In APA eight-ball, two players compete until one person wins the number of games determined by their respective skill level.
In APA nine-ball, two players compete until one person reaches a score determined by their respective skill level.
In higher-level tournament play (except the Junior Championship), male pool players must compete at a skill level of 3 or higher.
The match ends when either player earns the needed points to win regardless of the number of balls remaining on the table.
The APA World Pool Championships in August showcases team (5-8 members), doubles, and Masters (three-player non-handicapped) play.
In the week leading up to the Riviera's closure, the APA held its annual league operators' convention in conjunction with the 2015 National Singles Championship.
Intended for the highest-skilled pool players, this non-handicapped tournament is open to APA members and non-members alike.