I play n a APA league. We won or division and are eligible to go to Vegas for the championships. My operator however tells us that in order to get the registrations sent by him, we have to sign up for the next session. Is this something that anyone else has experience with this? I think if we them team and players have paid the dues, won the playoffs and qualified for the tournament; we should'nt have to play the next session if we don't want to. To me its like buying a beer and telling I can't drink until I buy the next one first.
What you probably did was to qualify for the "Vegas Qualifier", or "World Qualifier" which happens once each year prior to the Team Championships each August in Las Vegas. You probably won the Tri-Cup, or Tri-annual, whatever it's called in your area. And just as you, and the other players on your team, had to achieve a specific number of matches to be eligible for playoffs, including the Tri-Cup, and including the Vegas Qualifier, you need to be on an active roster to qualify for play in any tournaments based upon league play.
First of all, nobody, anywhere, is qualified for the 2026 World Pool Championships in Vegas. I suggest you read about World Qualifiers and qualified teams in the Official Team Manual and your area's local bylaws, both available from your Pool League app. There are also ways to lose qualification - remember, forewarned is forearmed.
Except a beer doesn't have a skill level. Qualified teams are required to remain active so your League Operator can keep an eye on your skill levels. Otherwise, you could all quit playing in the league, take lessons for five months, and show up at the World Qualifier with skill levels that are way too low. Again, I suggest reading all about it in the Official Team Manual and your area's local bylaws.
Please read, and re-read the above. It's on you, and/or your team captain, to be aware of the rules, and abide by them. This includes whatever local by-laws exist for your league. These rules and by-laws are available to you, and your team members, so read and understand them. Game rules are detailed, but most end up earning about a rule after being burned by it. The Team Manual is available here:
Get familiar with the sections preceding the game rules too. It'll only help you.
When I'm asked for the logic behind some rules or requirements, this is my standard answer. It's the same for all the other leagues to one extent or another. The business model is genius when you view it from that perspective, and they truly do enforce the rules at the higher level competitions, even if your local league matches don't. The benefit of qualifying for the higher level, or advanced tournaments, along with the things that go along with those qualifications, also require your continued participation. They are not "open" tournaments.
