WESTERN NEW YORK APA Pool League

Frequently Asked Questions

 
Please read below for the most frequently asked questions from our potential Western New York APA members. See what other future pool players are asking us and get the answers you need! 

What’s this pool league all about?
The purpose of playing in the Western New York APA pool league is to get out and have a great time. You’ll meet all sorts of great people and have fun! This is a great way to network and play pool at the same time! You can expect excellent sportsmanship from both your own teammates and your opponents.  
 

I play pool every now and then, but I’m not an advanced player. Can I still play? Do I have a chance to win?

Yes! One of the best things about the APA is the fact that everyone can play, and anyone can win! The league operates using the Equalizer Handicap System (much like golf or bowling leagues use a handicap system). This means that all players – even beginners – can compete and win. This is what makes league play so much fun! The Equalizer system makes it so beginners and intermediate players can play right alongside the best players on an equal playing field!

 What kind of people play in this pool league?

People from all different backgrounds play in Western New York APA. Our members include clerks, secretaries, lawyers, chiropractors, carpenters, business owners, doctors, waitresses, truck drivers, bank tellers, schoolteachers, and much more! Although you can play APA at the age of 18, some establishments require players to be 21 - that is dependent on the location.  We have players of all different age groups, ranging from 18 to 80. Both men and women play in the APA; about 30% of our players are women. Some teams are all men; some teams are all women; most teams consist of both men and women. 

Where does league play take place? 

We have league play throughout Erie and Cattaraugus County! Each team has a home location. This is where your team will play most often. You rotate play between your own home location and other teams’ home locations each week. We also have in-house leagues in the pool halls.  

My team is interested in playing in a bar/pool hall that currently does not have APA league play. Is this, okay?

ABSOLUTELY! There is no fee to bars for Western New York APA league play, so most host locations are more than happy to have weekly league play in their establishments. Contact us @ 716-545-0505 with your preferred location and we can work with that bar/pool hall to see if league play is a possibility. We’re always open to adding new host locations!

When does the league start?

We have sessions running all year long! There are 3 sessions – summer, fall and spring. Contact us @ 716-545-0505 to get exact start dates for the next sessions. Also, keep in mind that we can add teams to sessions anytime within the first 4 weeks of a session, so it’s never too late to get started.

What days and times does league play take place?

League play takes place Monday-Friday and Sundays with new days being added as people want to play. APA League Play can happen 7 days a week!  Click on "Schedules" in the left margin to see exact days for each division currently playing. 

What are the rules for 8-Ball and 9-Ball in the APA?

The rules are simple to learn. Remember, more than anything, this league is about getting out and having a good time. With that said, of course, there are rules for both 8-Ball and 9-Ball. These rules are followed by all APA players throughout the nation and outlined in the Official Team Manual (Available to you (. You can also visit poolplayers.com and read Players Frequently Asked Questions.  

What kinds of prizes are teams and individuals playing for?
 
Throughout the session, teams compete for division championship and playoff titles. Through weekly league play and tournament opportunities, teams and individual players win trophies, patches, plaques, apparel, bragging rights, and much more! Western New York APA will send teams to LAS VEGAS to compete in the largest and most exciting amateur Tournament in North America.  Every year thousands of APA members visit and compete in these tournaments. The APA awards over $1.4 Million in guaranteed prize money every year during National Tournaments in Las Vegas!
 
Is there a membership fee?

Yes. Players pay a one-time-annual membership fee of $30.00. This membership fee allows you to play in all APA formats throughout the year. As a member, you are entitled to various discounts. If you take advantage of these discounts, the membership fee will pay for itself!  

How much do I pay for weekly league play?

Playing in Western New York APA is one of the most affordable forms of entertainment available! Your league fees will cost you less than going to a movie or just about anything else you can find to entertain yourself! $10/week gets you your night of play with table time included! 

How do I get started?

There are two ways you can get started. The most popular way to get started is to form your own team. Teams consist of 5-8 players. Consider inviting friends, family, neighbors and coworkers to be on your team. Player of all skill levels are welcome – beginners included! We offer incentives for players who start their own teams. Once you have your team put together, contact us at 716-545-0505. We’ll set up a time and place at your convenience to meet with you and your team to go over everything you need to know.   If you don’t know enough people to form your own team, we can also place you on an already-existing team. contact us at 716-545-0505 or via e-mail at wny@apaleagues.com for more information.