APA LEAGUE - Rules - Im Confused

[Ken_4fun]

All -

I am back playing in an APA league here. It is different because we play both 8 ball and 9 ball league in the same night so that makes for a long evening. Its been years since I have played league and I took a long time off to get my MBA, so I am still trying to get back to the speed I was before I took all the time off.

They have my handicap pretty high so I have make about a million balls in 9 ball before they make just a few.

Last night I was playing a guy that could make balls but was pretty weak on position play. He hooked himself, and called time out. His "coach" came over and looked the shot over and then layed a piece of chalk on the rail and told the player to hit the rail where he had layed the piece of chalk.

I balked and said you cant do that. I was a VNEA Certified Referee (YEARS AGO), and he said it was legal. I know years ago, this was a "no-no". Has the rules changed?

APA 9 ball is killer for me. Its tough, especially since you cant pushout after the break, and I have to give up so many points.

Ken

 

[lorider]

All -

I am back playing in an APA league here. It is different because we play both 8 ball and 9 ball league in the same night so that makes for a long evening. Its been years since I have played league and I took a long time off to get my MBA, so I am still trying to get back to the speed I was before I took all the time off.

They have my handicap pretty high so I have make about a million balls in 9 ball before they make just a few.

Last night I was playing a guy that could make balls but was pretty weak on position play. He hooked himself, and called time out. His "coach" came over and looked the shot over and then layed a piece of chalk on the rail and told the player to hit the rail where he had layed the piece of chalk.

I balked and said you cant do that. I was a VNEA Certified Referee (YEARS AGO), and he said it was legal. I know years ago, this was a "no-no". Has the rules changed?

APA 9 ball is killer for me. Its tough, especially since you cant pushout after the break, and I have to give up so many points.

Ken

Ooh....ooh....i know that one."hand raised":grin-square:

Yes it is legal....as long as the chalk is not touching the felt.it has to be entirely on the wood pert of the rail

What are you in 9 ball ...7? Good lu k playing spa....i recall your prior posts where you pretty much despised that league

 

[billiardthought]

My short answer: yeah it's legal

My long answer: this is an amateur pool league, but not only that, the opponent invoked a 'timeout'. Obviously the player needs a bone to be thrown, or else they would have continued shooting without coaching. I don't get what the big deal is. If you don't want that kind of amateur activity going on near you, go play at turning stone.

 

[sixwillwin]

legal, most all of these APA questions can easily be found right in the rule book. here is the copy and paste from it:

"9. Marking the Table - Marking refers to a physical
alteration in the appearance of the cloth on a pool table. No
one is allowed to mark the cloth. For example, using chalk
to draw a line, or wetting your finger to dampen the cloth,
is not allowed. It is permissible to set a piece of chalk on the
hard surface of the rail."

 

[Ken_4fun]

My short answer: yeah it's legal

My long answer: this is an amateur pool league, but not only that, the opponent invoked a 'timeout'. Obviously the player needs a bone to be thrown, or else they would have continued shooting without coaching. I don't get what the big deal is. If you don't want that kind of amateur activity going on near you, go play at turning stone.

I got the bone, he beat me.

At the end he needed 4 points and I needed 8. He ran the four balls.

I am not b$)%hing as much as I wanted clarification on the rules.

My biggest b)@#$ is not being able to pushout after the break. If you make a ball and hook yourself, you are giving up points. With the very few they need to make, its very tough for me. If I play a higher skill level, doesn't seem to matter. But those going to just 14 or 20 or whatever, and they can make a few balls before I make 78 or whatever it is, its tough. The best the opposite team can do is play a very low skill level player against me.

Its just balls and stick. Best of rolls to all, even Billiardthought.

Ken

 

[lorider]

My short answer: yeah it's legal

My long answer: this is an amateur pool league, but not only that, the opponent invoked a 'timeout'. Obviously the player needs a bone to be thrown, or else they would have continued shooting without coaching. I don't get what the big deal is. If you don't want that kind of amateur activity going on near you, go play at turning stone.

Damn....aint had your morning cup of coffee yet huh ?

 

[Ken_4fun]

legal, most all of these APA questions can easily be found right in the rule book. here is the copy and paste from it:

"9. Marking the Table - Marking refers to a physical
alteration in the appearance of the cloth on a pool table. No
one is allowed to mark the cloth. For example, using chalk
to draw a line, or wetting your finger to dampen the cloth,
is not allowed. It is permissible to set a piece of chalk on the
hard surface of the rail."

I seldom bring my computer to the poolroom.

Thanks for the clarification.

Ken

 

[Celophanewrap]

I remember a few years ago when that rule changed, I suspect that several others are different or new since you were last in The APA.
Like if you're a 6 or 7 playing a 2 or 3 in 8 ball you now must play opposite hand and you must wear tight uncomfortable shoes.
Page 69, look it up

 

[Chops02]

yeah...unfortunately that is legal. i will say, though, typically in the league i played in the lower handicap players have a tough time hitting that spot without putting some sort of english on the ball. just kinda one of those parts of apa you just have to shrug off.
i will say, though, in reference to your comments about the handicaps...yeah, it can be tough playing as a 7 against a 1-3, but it will make you better. i actually enjoyed the apa 9 ball system more than any other league i've played in (i've played apa, acs, and vnea 8 and 9 ball). i actually didn't mind playing against the lower rank players because i just had to bare down and play. plus, there's nothing better than a captain throwing a lower ranked player up against you (thinking they're gonna get a sure win) and then keeping that player in single digits. haha

 

[fastone371]

My short answer: yeah it's legal

My long answer: this is an amateur pool league, but not only that, the opponent invoked a 'timeout'. Obviously the player needs a bone to be thrown, or else they would have continued shooting without coaching. I don't get what the big deal is. If you don't want that kind of amateur activity going on near you, go play at turning stone.

It did not sound to me at all like the OP was complaining, merely asking for a rule clarification.
As far a player that needs a marker on where to aim I am all good with that. I have found the majority of the time that either they can not hit that spot or they unintentionally put spin on the cue ball, so mark away!!

 

[Skippy27]

My biggest b)@#$ is not being able to pushout after the break. If you make a ball and hook yourself, you are giving up points.

Ken

The pushout is for panzies anyway.

So you make a ball on the break and get hooked, accept it. How is that any different then shooting your 6th ball and hooking yourself, you want a push out there too? Can't say it is because on the break you don't have control of the cue ball, which if that is the case then there are other issues at hand.

 

[ctyhntr]

Since you're coming back to league, it maybe helpful to carry the rulesbook with you. One thing I learned about playing different leagues is to read the rules and don't take things for granted. Jumping is allowed in APA, but not jump cues.

Enjoy your time in the league and remember to have fun.

If you have a smartphone or tablet, here are some links you can keep as reference.
http://www.poolplayers.com/8-9-ball-Rules.pdf

The more comprehensive Team manual
http://media.poolplayers.com/TMRB/2014-Team-Manual.pdf

 

[jwhip]

Since you're coming back to league, it maybe helpful to carry the rulesbook with you. One thing I learned about playing different leagues is to read the rules and don't take things for granted. Jumping is allowed in APA, but not jump cues.

Enjoy your time in the league and remember to have fun.

If you have a smartphone or tablet, here are some links you can keep as reference.
http://www.poolplayers.com/8-9-ball-Rules.pdf

The more comprehensive Team manual
http://media.poolplayers.com/TMRB/2014-Team-Manual.pdf

To your jump remark in APA - I know they changed the rules where you can switch cues, but cannot break down a cue or use a jump cue, but can you use your break cue to jump?

 

[lorider]

To your jump remark in APA - I know they changed the rules where you can switch cues, but cannot break down a cue or use a jump cue, but can you use your break cue to jump?

Grey area there...well its not realm a grey area but interpretation I guess.


Rules state ...regular playing cue. A break cue is not a regular playing cue but I have played entire matches with a break cue.talking about a jump / break cue here.


Our lo allows you you to jump with a break cue....have no idea if other lo's allow I or what would be allowed at nationals

 

[Billiardsfan]

From page 43 of the manuel:

32. EQUIPMENT
In general, any piece of equipment designed specifically for pocket billiards,
with the exception of laser devices and mechanical cues, is acceptable in APA
League play. Some specialty cues (see SPECIALTY CUES described in
definitions) may be limited in use. Special equipment, such as bridges and cue
extenders, are legal. You may change cues and/or cue shafts during a game
provided the cues and/or shafts you are switching to do not violate any rules of
use, and you remain within the Time Guidelines (outlined on page 7).
Jump Cues – A specialty cue designed for attempting jump shots (see JUMP
SHOTS described in definitions). They may not be used to perform jump
shots or massé shots (see MASSÉ SHOTS described in definitions) in
standard APA League and tournament play.
Break Cues – A specialty cue designed for breaking (see BREAK SHOTS
described in definitions). Sometimes combined with jump cues to form a
jump-break cue, these cues are allowed in APA play for breaking. They may
not be used to perform jump shots or massé shots in standard APA League
and tournament play.
Regular Shooting Cues – Any cue designed to shoot the majority of shots in
a game of pool. These cues may also be used to perform jump shots, massé
shots and break shots in all APA League and tournament play.
APA will rule upon any piece of equipment in question that is not covered by
this rule.

 

[erhino41]

The pushout is for panzies anyway.

So you make a ball on the break and get hooked, accept it. How is that any different then shooting your 6th ball and hooking yourself, you want a push out there too? Can't say it is because on the break you don't have control of the cue ball, which if that is the case then there are other issues at hand.

Lets just take all strategy out of the game all together. Getting hooked on the break doesn't necessarily mean you lost whitey, it could mean you lose one of the other nine. Even Chuck Norris can't control all ten balls on the table during the break. I've seen the very best in the world push out gazillions of times, but they're just of bunch of pansies!

As for marking the contact point, i would never use chalk on the rail as I feel that should be illegal. Most tables I've played on in apa are usually marked up in some way. If i could use some mark that was already there as reference, i would. Sometimes I would look at the line from the cue ball like I was addressing the shot and then look at a reference point away from the table directly in that line, one time I used a beer bottle sitting on a table. I'll be dammed if it didn't like up exactly in line for the kick. After a little instruction on speed and spin my teammate (an apa three) lined up at the bottle and nailed the kick. Creativity use of the rules is never illegal.

 

[ctyhntr]

AFAIK, all jumps have to be with your regular playing cue. For the first two years of APA, I kept running into people who assumed because jump cues were not allowed, so was jumping. Never hurts to read the rules.

To your jump remark in APA - I know they changed the rules where you can switch cues, but cannot break down a cue or use a jump cue, but can you use your break cue to jump?

 

[ctyhntr]

Glad your local league operator allows this variance. I'm pretty sure any local league exceptions won't apply at APA Nationals.

Grey area there...well its not realm a grey area but interpretation I guess.


Rules state ...regular playing cue. A break cue is not a regular playing cue but I have played entire matches with a break cue.talking about a jump / break cue here.


Our lo allows you you to jump with a break cue....have no idea if other lo's allow I or what would be allowed at nationals

 

[erhino41]

Lets just take all strategy out of the game all together. Getting hooked on the break doesn't necessarily mean you lost whitey, it could mean you lose one of the other nine. Even Chuck Norris can't control all ten balls on the table during the break. I've seen the very best in the world push out gazillions of times, but they're just of bunch of pansies!

As for marking the contact point, i would never use chalk on the rail as I feel that should be illegal. Most tables I've played on in apa are usually marked up in some way. If i could use some mark that was already there as reference, i would. Sometimes I would look at the line from the cue ball like I was addressing the shot and then look at a reference point away from the table directly in that line, one time I used a beer bottle sitting on a table. I'll be dammed if it didn't like up exactly in line for the kick. After a little instruction on speed and spin my teammate (an apa three) lined up at the bottle and nailed the kick. Creativity use of the rules is never illegal.

I just realize the duality of that statement

 

[lorider]

AFAIK, all jumps have to be with your regular playing cue. For the first two years of APA, I kept running into people who assumed because jump cues were not allowed, so was jumping. Never hurts to read the rules.

You are absolutely correct.

Funny story about jumping

I had a team mate that played with me for a year then quit and formed his own team with him being captain. I was kinda upset with him for quitting after we had just got back from Vegas cause I thought we had a good team

The 1st time we played his team I was bound and determined for our team to beat his.

I was playing 9 ball...broke and made the 1 but had absolutely no shot at the 2. Although I consider myself a pretty good kicker I saw no way to get to the 2.

I was bound and determined not to give bih so I grabbed my jump break and lined up a jump shot. No one said a word during this time. After I not only made a successful jump I pocketed the 2 and had an easy shot at the 3.

Now the captain"my former teammate decides to jump up and yell...hey ..you can't do that. I replied...if you are going to be a captain you better learn the rules. He takes of across the room to see the lo. He comes back and sits down and says nothing.


Later on when the matches are over my lo comes up to me and says....i didn't know you could jump. I replied..neither did I. I said that's the 1st time I ever tried. We both started laughing