APA and WPA Rules

SE7EN

SE7EN

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Why the need for local leagues to play under a different set of rules? Why not just follow WPA Rules that are available to everyone.

I learned from the WPA website and thought everyone followed that, until someone gave me a APA rule book. I have no problem with the WPA Rules.

What are the main differences?

Is a matter of Pro Tour vs Amateur League?

Is it to not penalize an amateur for accidental fouls?

Shouldn't we learn a set of rules that is widely accepted, therefor when an open tournament comes up, we are well aware of a general set of rules?
 
Some apa rules are designed to give lower level players a chance to be competitive and I see nothing wrong with that.

None of the other leagues follow wpa rules to the latter either so why single apa out?
 
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One difference I remember were rules to accommodate the realities of coin-op bar boxes. APA and VNEA leagues were initially targeted at bars.
 
Bar rules, APA rules, WPA rules, BCA rules...

I have been involved in a lot of sports and I don't recall ANY of them having as many rule variations as Pool. Yet one more aspect of this game and industry that creates a barrier to entry for new people.

And I love it when I'm half way through a game on the challenge table and I find out my opponent thought we were playing bar rules instead of BCA rules.
 
Many sports adapt their rules to their participants abilities.

Youth football has some different rules than high school who have some different rules than college who also use some different rules than the NFL. Basketball and hockey I believe have differences as well.

When I play golf with a new group the first thing I check is what rules they use because most don't follow the USGA to the letter.
 
ctyhntr said:
One difference I remember were rules to accommodate the realities of coin-op bar boxes. APA and VNEA leagues were initially targeted at bars.
Click to expand...

i read that one, something having to do if you illegally make the nine ball you can change it out for a 10 ball, if you paid to play but only used 9 balls makes sense.

but no push-out after the break in 9 ball? why should you be penalized if you make a ball then have no shot after the break..

i'm sure there's more but haven't really read through it all.

i see post on here about APA questions, anytime i have a question i just go to the WPA website and play by those rules. I've even printed the rules out when i first started learning for friends who play "Bar Rules"
 
one thing I would like to confirm is (a)
does "pocketing" mean 'attempting to pocket' or as 'the ball makes in into the pocket'
example: you are shooting the 8 and miss, and scratch, but the 8 stays on the table.
a loss?
or
ball in hand for opponent?
or
does it just mean
if you pocket the 8 and foul you lose.
another example: you are bridging to shoot the 8, when your cue disturbs a ball.
clearly a foul. usually a ball in hand foul. since you were "pocketing the 8" would it be a loss? I don't think so.

3.8 Losing the Rack
The shooter loses if he
(a) fouls when pocketing the eight ball;
(b) pockets the eight ball before his group is cleared;
(c) pockets the eight ball in an uncalled pocket; or
(d) drives the eight ball off the table.
These do not apply to the break shot. (See 3.3 Break Shot.)
 
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