9-Ball Cash Tournament

 
 
 
  • Individual Cash Tourney! 
  • 9-Ball
  • Must PRE-REGISTER ONLINE
  • Entry Fee: $10 if Pre-registered, $15 at the door.
  • Must be an ACTIVE Tampa Bay APA Member
  • $100 added for every 16 players!
  • Double Elimination- 2 Winners every time!
  • Race to 3 on Winners side, race to 2 on Loser Side
  • Will separate by upper and lower tiers

Rules for Participation for all Fun Tournaments:

 
  1. PRACTICE TIME – Practice is not allowed on any Tournament table, except during specified periods, and only with the permission of the Tournament Director. You are encouraged to practice on tables designated for that purpose, and are asked to share the practice tables with any other contestants who wish to use them.  If there is a wait for the practice tables, we ask that you limit your practice time to between 10 and 15 minutes.  Designated practices tables are reserved for those contestants who have not yet been eliminated from the Tournament.  Practice is not allowed on Tournament tables during play, even when Tournament tables are not in use.
  2. NO GAMBLING – Gambling on pool is not permitted at any APA function, including this Tournament. Therefore, you are prohibited from gambling on pool at the Tournament site, even after the Tournament has ended or you have been eliminated from the Tournament.  Any participant that gambles will face disqualification from the Tournament and/or forfeiture of all awards and prize money
  3. FORFEIT TIME – Forfeits will be declared after 15 minutes has lapsed since a match has been called. If a player has registered for the Tournament, a Tournament Official will attempt to locate the player before a forfeit is declared.  However, it is the player’s responsibility to be present for their matches when they are called.  The Tournament Director determines when a match is officially forfeited.
  4. COACHING – Coaching is not permitted. Violations of this rule could result in a foul being called.  You are advised not to confer about your match with anyone other than your opponent, a Referee, or the Tournament Director as doing so could be perceived as coaching.
  1. GAME RULES – APA game rules apply. The game rules are covered in the Official Team Manual and The Official APA/CPA 8-Ball & 9-Ball Game Rules Booklet.  You should ensure that you are familiar with these rules.  Any and all Local Bylaw(s) applicable to your Local League, or interpretation(s) of the APA game rules made by your Local League Management, which are not in full accord with the Tournament Rules established by the APA do not apply at this event.  It is your responsibility to know what is a Tournament Rule and what is a Local Bylaw. 
  2. PLAYING IN OTHER TOURNAMENTS – Players playing in multiple tournaments at the same venue will have 15 minutes to show once your match is called. If not available it will be a forfeit. 
  3. MALE SKILL LEVELS – Men will participate at a minimum skill level 2 in 9-Ball in and a minimum skill level 3 in 8-Ball.
  4. FOULS – You are encouraged to be familiar with the portions of the Official Team Manual that apply to the format you are playing in this Tournament, including, but not limited to, what constitutes a foul in that format. Each player is advised to make certain that they actually have ball-in-hand before taking ball-in-hand.  If you do not confirm ball-in-hand with your opponent, or with Tournament Officials, and there is a difference of opinion, then you run the risk of fouling the cue ball unintentionally.
  5. CUE BALL FOULS – As a reminder, do not touch the cue ball while it is still rolling. Doing so may result in a foul.
  6. CLOSE SHOTS – If a shot looks like it may result in a “bad hit,” stop the game and get a Tournament Official to observe the shot and make the call. Either player may stop the game to ask for a call.  The decision of the Tournament Official is final.  If a shot is close and a Tournament Official is not called, the ruling will most likely be in the shooter’s favor.
  7. MARKING THE POCKET (8-BALL ONLY) – A coaster, pocket marker, or any other reasonable marker must be placed next to the pocket the 8-ball is intended to enter. It is recommended that you do not use chalk as a pocket marker, as it can create confusion, but the use of chalk as a pocket marker is not prohibited.  If a player pockets the 8-ball without marking the intended pocket, and the opponent calls loss of game, it will result in a loss of game.  Both players may use the same marker.  Only one marker should be on the table at any time.  However, even if more than one marker is on the table, as long as you clearly mark the pocket where you intend to pocket the 8-ball you will be deemed to have properly marked the pocket.  If the marker is already at the intended pocket from a previous attempt or game, it is not necessary for the shooter to touch it, pick it up, or reposition it.  Anyone may remind a player to place the marker and it will not be considered coaching or a foul.
  NOTE:  Making contact with a marker is not a foul.  If a pocket marker is placed on the rail and accidentally interferes with the shot (either in a positive or negative way), the shot stands.  
  1. PROTESTS –- All protests must be made to the Tournament Director in a sportsmanlike manner. There is a $50.00 filing fee for any protest, which is refundable if the filing player wins the protest.  Any player disrupting the tournament, causing a scene, or causing other problems at or around the Tournament site will lose the right to protest.  The Tournament Director will resolve all issues on the spot.  APA, as Tournament Director, is the highest authority.  Any rulings made by APA are final.
  2. RULES OF CONDUCT – APA has established, and will strictly enforce, the following conduct rules for this Tournament and all Higher Level Tournament play:
  1. No loud, abusive or profane language will be tolerated. You are an APA member to have a good time and to enjoy some friendly competition. If you experience a problem, one of the Tournament Officials will address it.  Simply bring the matter to their attention. Remember that in nearly every ruling will be seen as favoring one side or the other.  Each team and player is required to accept official rulings without causing a scene.
  2. Unsportsmanlike conduct directed toward an opposing player, team or a Tournament Official will not be tolerated.
  3. Anyone involved in an incident that involves either physical abuse, violence, or the throwing of an item will be disqualified immediately, and immediately banned from the Tournament site.
  4. Anyone caught hitting a cue against a table, wall, floor, etc., or recklessly swinging a cue will be disqualified immediately and be banned from the Tournament site.
  5. Abusive behavior directed to the Tournament Director or any of their designees, including Tournament Officials, will not be tolerated.
  6. Excessive slow play will not be tolerated. If your excessive slow play becomes a problem you will be entitled to one warning before any penalty is issued.
The penalties for violating any of the Rules of Conduct detailed above are as follows: Except for incidents of slow play, a warning may or may not be given, and the Tournament Director can issue any of the four penalties below, regardless of whether any penalty has been previously issued, depending upon the severity of the situation.  
  1. Penalty Level 1 – Your opponent will be given ball‐in‐hand. If your opponent is still shooting, or already has ball‐in‐hand, then that player will be allowed to shoot until missing, and then be given ball‐in‐hand again.
  2. Penalty Level 2 – Your opponent will be granted the game. (In 9‐Ball, your opponent will be granted the game, along with points for all balls remaining on the table.)
  3. Penalty Level 3 – Your opponents will be granted the match.
  4. Penalty Level 4 – You will be ejected and/or disqualified.
  NOTE:  If the violation or disturbance that caused a prior penalty to be levied does not cease, the Tournament Director and/or their designated assistant has the right to go from one penalty level to the next penalty level immediately.  
  1. WARNINGS – If a warning is given in one match, that warning will follow you throughout the remainder of the Tournament. For example, if you are warned for sharking you opponent, and in a subsequent match you are warned for sharking that opponent, the result will be ball-in-hand for the opponent you are then playing.  All warnings will be noted by a Tournament Official on the scoresheets.
  2. SPORTSMANSHIP – The primary objective of APA has always been to provide players of all abilities with the opportunity to enjoy friendly competition. Every player hopes to do well, and it is expected that all players will do their best to win.  However, each player is also expected to accept defeat in a sportsmanlike manner.
  Two common examples of bad sportsmanship are: conceding an unfinished game; and breaking down a cue during play.  Both forms of conduct are frowned upon by professionals, and have no place in amateur play.  All players are asked to allow opponents to finish the game before racking the balls or breaking down cues.  No penalty will be assessed unless, in the determination of the Tournament Director, such sportsmanship violations by a player are deemed excessive. Fouls can also cause sportsmanship issues to arise.  A foul is a foul and should be observed as such regardless of whether the player believes that they will get caught failing to disclose a foul.  A professional player will call a foul on himself; likewise, good sportsmanship dictates that amateur players acknowledge when they commit a foul.  However, it is technically a player’s responsibility to protect the outcome of their match.  Therefore, all players are advised to pay attention to their games and be aware of when their opponent commits a foul. A Sportsmanship Award will be given at the end of this Tournament.  You may nominate players for this award by submitting a completed Sportsmanship Award Nomination form to the Control Table.  Nomination Forms can be found in the Event Program or obtained from the Control Table.  
  1. EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS – Laser devices, mechanical cues and training/practice aids may not be used in League play. Some specialty cues may be allowed on a limited basis.  Special equipment, such as bridges and cue extenders, are legal. Players are expected to use equipment consistent with its intended purpose.  Additional equipment guidelines applicable during APA League play are set forth below:
 
  • Jump Cues – Are not allowed.
  • Break Cues – Sometimes combined with jump cues to form a jump-break cue, these cues are allowed in Tournament play for breaking only.
  • Regular Shooting Cues – These cues may be used to perform jump shots, massé shots and break shots in all APA League and Tournament play. You may not “break down” your Regular Shooting Cue to perform a jump shot.
  NOTE 1:  Using a regular shooting cue to break does not qualify it as a “break cue”. NOTE 2:  Wheelchair players and players who are limited in their height are allowed to use a junior cue or “shortie” as a regular shooting cue.   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.  Any equipment bearing any message or image that is sexually explicit or political nature, or may be offensive due to the use of profanity or the promotion of violence, alcoholism or substance abuse, shall be prohibited from use in this Tournament.  The Tournament Director shall have the right to inspect a player’s cue(s) at any time during the Tournament without prior notice to the player, and if the cue(s) are found to be in violation of this rule, the player shall immediately cease using the objectionable cue during Tournament play, or face immediate disqualification and forfeiture of all prize money earned and/or entry fee paid. DISQUALIFICATION – The Tournament Director has the authority to disqualify any player from this Tournament and may exercise that authority in its sole judgment and discretion at any time – prior to, during, or after the Tournament. The following may constitute grounds for disqualification: (a) excessive skill level movement, (b) irregularities or falsification of any Tournament scoresheet or documents provided to the Tournament Director by your League Operator relating to your eligibility or qualification for this Tournament, (c) fraudulent actions or omissions of whatever nature, (d) sportsmanship violations or conduct deemed to discredit or affect the integrity of the Tournament, APA or the sport; or (e) any other behavior deemed deserving of disqualification by the Tournament Director.  Any disqualified player will be deemed to have forfeited all titles, awards, and prize money they would have otherwise been entitled to.  Each disqualified player is subject to a minimum two year suspension of their APA membership.