Rules

Summary:

Played under APA 8-Ball rules with two-player teams using Scotch Doubles. Partners alternate every shot, maintaining rotation between racks. Teams must pocket all balls in their assigned group before legally pocketing the 8-ball in a marked pocket. Standard APA rules apply; shooting out of rotation is a foul.

Team Format and Shooting Order

• Each team consists of two players, tournament rules establish the maximum combined skill.
• Partners alternate every shot throughout the match.
• The first break establishes the shooting rotation.
• The lag does not count toward the shooting rotation.
• The shooting rotation continues even after a missed shot or foul.
• The rotation carries over between racks.

Example: Ashley breaks and pockets a solid. Kevin shoots next. If Kevin pockets another solid, Ashley shoots next. If Kevin misses, the opposing team shoots, but Ashley remains the next shooter for her team.

Breaking and Rotation

• Teams lag to determine the first break.
• The winner of each rack breaks the next rack.
• The partner of the player who pockets the winning 8-ball breaks the next rack.
• If a rack is conceded, the winning player's partner breaks the next rack.

Example: Ashley pockets the 8-ball to win the rack or a rack is conceded during her turn. Kevin breaks the next rack.

Shooting Out of Rotation

• Shooting out of rotation is a foul.
• The opposing team receives ball-in-hand if the foul is called before the next shot.
• If the 8-ball is pocketed on an out-of-rotation shot, the offending team loses the rack when the foul is called.
• If the opposing team does not call the foul before the next shot, ball-in-hand is forfeited.
• The incorrect shooting order becomes the new rotation for the remainder of the match, whether or not the foul was called.
• A player uncertain about the rotation may ask the opposing team before shooting. The opposing team must answer truthfully.

Coaching and Communication

• Each team receives one coaching time-out per rack.
• Partners may talk freely while neither partner is at the table shooting.
• Communication between partners during a shooting turn is considered a coaching time-out.
• A player may line up their upcoming shot without being charged a time-out.
• If the sitting partner suggests a time-out, it counts even if the shooter declines.
• If the shooter requests a time-out but the sitting partner declines, no time-out is charged.

Winning the Rack

• Teams must clear their assigned category of solids or stripes.
• The 8-ball must be pocketed on a separate shot after the assigned group is cleared.
• The intended pocket for the 8-ball must be properly marked.
• Pocketing the 8-ball early, in the wrong pocket, or fouling while pocketing the 8-ball results in loss of rack.

Standard APA 8-Ball rules apply unless otherwise stated.

See tournament details for race, matchups, skill-level limits, coaching permissions, and registration.

Summary:

Played under APA 9-Ball rules with two-player teams using Scotch Doubles. Partners alternate every shot, maintaining rotation between racks. Players must contact the lowest-numbered ball first. Balls 1–8 are worth one point each, and the 9-ball is worth two points. Standard APA rules apply unless otherwise specified below.

Team Format and Shooting Order

• Each team consists of two players.
• Partners alternate every shot throughout the match.
• The first break establishes the shooting rotation.
• The lag does not count toward the shooting rotation.
• Rotation continues following missed shots, fouls, and between racks.

Example: Ashley legally pockets the 1-ball. Kevin shoots next and must contact the lowest-numbered ball remaining on the table first.

Breaking and Rotation Between Racks

• Teams lag to determine the first break.
• The winner of each rack breaks the next rack.
• The partner of the player who legally pockets the 9-ball breaks the next rack.
• If a rack is conceded, the winning player's partner breaks the next rack.

Shooting and Ball Order

• The lowest-numbered ball on the table must be contacted first.
• Players may legally pocket other balls through combinations or caroms.
• Pockets do not need to be called.
• A legally pocketed ball allows the next partner to continue shooting.
• A legal shot that pockets the 9-ball ends the rack.

Example: Ashley contacts the 2-ball first and legally pockets the 6-ball. Kevin shoots next and must contact the 2-ball first.

Scoring

• Balls 1–8 are worth one point each.
• The 9-ball is worth two points.
• Each rack contains 10 available points.
• Legally pocketed balls earn points for the team. Illegally pocket balls stay down and are marked as dead balls.
• The first team to reach the designated points required to win wins the match.
• An object ball on the floor is immediately spotted.

Shooting Out of Rotation

• Shooting out of rotation is a foul.
• The opposing team receives ball-in-hand if the foul is called before the next shot.
• If the 9-ball is pocketed during an out-of-rotation shot, the 9-ball is spotted and the opposing team receives ball-in-hand when the foul is called.
• If the foul is not called before the next shot, ball-in-hand is forfeited.
• The incorrect shooting order becomes the new rotation for the remainder of the match, whether or not the foul was called.
• Players may ask the opposing team to confirm the correct shooting order before shooting.

Coaching and Communication

• Each team receives one coaching time-out per rack.
• Partners may converse freely when neither is at the table shooting.
• Communication during a shooting turn counts as a coaching time-out.
• A player may line up their upcoming shot without using a time-out.
• Coaching permissions may be modified by the published tournament rules.

Standard APA 9-Ball rules apply unless otherwise stated.

See tournament details for points required to win, matchups, skill-level limits, coaching permissions, and registration.

Summary:

Fast 8 is a shortened version of APA 8-Ball played with four solids, four stripes, and the 8-ball. Players clear their assigned group in any order before legally pocketing the 8-ball in a marked pocket. An 8-ball pocketed on the break is a win unless otherwise specified in the Tournament Details. Standard APA 8-Ball rules apply except for the published Fast 8 modifications.

Game Format

• Fast 8 is played with nine object balls and a cue ball.
• The rack consists of four solids, four stripes, and the 8-ball. Any combination of balls may be used.
• The balls are arranged in a diamond, with the 8-ball in the center and alternating wing balls.
• Players are assigned solids or stripes.
• Players may pocket balls from their assigned category in any order.

Breaking

• Players lag to determine the first break.
• The winner of each rack breaks the next rack.
• Standard APA 8-Ball breaking requirements apply.
• A legally pocketed 8-ball on the break is a win.
• An 8-ball pocketed on the break with a cue-ball scratch is an automatic loss.
• Scratch on the break is ball-in-hand behind the head string

Fouls and Ball-in-Hand

• Standard APA 8-Ball fouls apply.
• Scratching or failing to legally contact the correct object ball is a foul.
• A normal-play foul gives the opponent ball-in-hand anywhere on the table.

Winning the Rack

• A team/player must legally pocket all four balls in their assigned category.
• The 8-ball must be pocketed in a properly marked pocket on a separate shot.
• Pocketing the 8-ball before clearing the assigned group results in loss of rack.
• Pocketing the 8-ball in the wrong pocket or fouling while pocketing it results in loss of rack.

Standard APA 8-Ball rules apply unless modified by the selected Fast 8 rules.

See tournament details for race, matchups, skill-level limits, and registration.

Summary:

Fast Saratoga is a shortened 8-Ball variation using solids 1–4, stripes 9–12, and the 8-ball. Players are assigned solids or stripes and must contact the lowest-numbered remaining ball in their group first. Once their group is cleared, they must legally pocket the 8-ball in a marked pocket. Modified APA rules apply.

Game Format

• Fast Saratoga is played with nine object balls and a cue ball.
• The rack contains solids 1, 2, 3, and 4; stripes 9, 10, 11, and 12; and the 8-ball.
• The balls are arranged in a diamond with the 8-ball in the center and 1 ball in front.
• Players are assigned solids or stripes based on normal APA rules.
• Unlike regular 8-Ball, players must contact the lowest-numbered remaining ball in their assigned group first.

Breaking

• Players lag to determine the first break.
• The winner of each rack breaks the next rack.
• An 8-ball pocketed on the break is counted as a win unless otherwise described in Tournament Details.
• A Scratch on a legal break gives the opponent ball-in-hand anywhere on the table, no kitchen.

Establishing Groups

• Players are assigned solids or stripes using the selected APA 8-Ball group-assignment rules.
• While the table remains open, the lowest-numbered eligible solid or stripe must be contacted first.
• After groups are established, a player must contact the lowest-numbered remaining ball in their assigned group first.
• Balls may be pocketed through legal combinations or caroms.
• The lowest-numbered ball does not necessarily have to be pocketed for the shot to be legal.

Example: A player assigned solids has balls 1, 3, and 4 remaining. The cue ball must contact the 1-ball first. If the player legally pockets the 3-ball through a combination, the 1-ball remains the required first-contact ball on the next shot.

Fouls and Ball-in-Hand

• Failing to contact the lowest-numbered eligible ball first is a foul.
• Standard APA ball-in-hand foul rules apply.
• After a foul is confirmed, the opponent receives ball-in-hand anywhere on the table.
• Illegally pocketed balls stay down, the opponent received ball-in-hand.

Winning the Rack

• A player must legally pocket all four balls in their assigned category.
• The 8-ball must be pocketed in a properly marked pocket on a separate shot.
• Pocketing the 8-ball before clearing the assigned category results in loss of rack.
• Pocketing the 8-ball in the wrong pocket or fouling while pocketing it results in loss of rack.

Modified APA rules apply unless otherwise stated.

See tournament details for race, matchups, skill-level limits, and registration.