The American Poolplayers Association or APA is the largest pool league anywhere in the world. It has nearly 270,000 members in the United States, Canada, and Japan. Franchise Business Review has ranked them among the top small business opportunity.
APA is the sanctioning body for amateur pool competition in the United States and Canada. They organize several major pool tournaments each year, including the APA World Pool Championships. Guinness World Records proclaimed APA World Pool Championships 2010 as the "World's Largest Pool Tournament."
APA also organizes nine-ball and eight-ball tournaments. Each member of an APA APA team must hold a membership. You can also participate if you are a member of another pool association. To apply for membership in APA, please contact your local APA League Operator. The President of APA will then interview you.
APA has three additional annual championships. These include the APA Junior Championships which are open to teenagers and children aged 7-18 years.
The APA Poolplayer Championships are held in Las Vegas, Nevada. They usually take place in late April and early May. This tournament offers qualified players an opportunity to compete with poolplayers from all over the globe.
Several other international tournaments are conducted by APA, including the APA World Pool Championships in Singapore. These tournaments will be organized by APA League Operator franchisees. Qualifying tournaments are open to anyone who does not qualify for national competition. Some players refer to APA's handicapping system as the "Equalizer". APA's handicapping method is not based on A/D rankings, as in other tournaments. Instead, it uses a proprietary system which rates the 3 best scores. It is possible to get more than three ratings.
There are also some APA franchisees who have a conflict of interest. One franchisee, for instance, has been accused in some cases of sending players home. APA is allowed to make the decision. However, the franchisee posted in several ** groups and had recruited players to his place. The franchisee tried to claim that APA had thrown out a few players from his territory.
Numerous APA League Operators won the coveted APA League Operator of the Year award. Five of these operators were recognized during the APA Annual Convention in Las Vegas. One of them was also the only APA site to receive the award twice.
Another reason to consider joining APA are its franchise locations. APA has more than 270 League Operators throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, and other countries. Some of these areas offer in-house Divisions. APA is considered the largest pool league in the country, however, a local League Operator has no authority to change to another league.
APA is home to more than 270,000 active members. There are however more than 270 League Operators who organize pool tourneys. These locations are often affiliated with APA. Additional costs may apply. Depending upon the market, the fees for franchisees may include licensing fees, equipment, marketing expenses, and other costs.