APA Skill Levels Explained: How They Work and the 23 Rule
If you play in the APA (American Poolplayers Association), your skill level decides how many games you need to win and how your captain builds the lineup. Here is how it works, in plain English.
What a skill level is
A skill level is the APA's handicap. Better players get a higher number, and that means they have to win more to beat a lower-rated player. The idea is that any two players have a fair chance on any night.
- 8-Ball skill levels run from 2 to 7.
- 9-Ball skill levels run from 1 to 9.
New players start at a default level and move up or down as they play. Your 8-Ball and 9-Ball levels are separate.
How 8-Ball matches are scored
In APA 8-Ball, each player has a number of games to win, set by both skill levels. A higher-rated player must win more games than a lower-rated one. The race chart is printed in the APA rules and on the scoresheet.
How 9-Ball matches are scored
APA 9-Ball counts points, not games. Every ball you make is worth 1 point and the 9-ball is worth 2. Each skill level has a points target:
- SL1: 14 points, SL2: 19, SL3: 25
- SL4: 31, SL5: 38, SL6: 46
- SL7: 55, SL8: 65, SL9: 75
The first player to reach their own target wins the match.
The 23 rule
Each night, five players from a team play. The skill levels of the five players who play can't add up to more than 23. That's why a team can't just play its five best shooters, and why captains plan the order so carefully. The same 23 limit applies in 9-Ball.
How your skill level changes
The APA updates skill levels from your recent match results, looking mainly at how many innings you take and how much defense you play. The exact formula isn't public. Winning a lot, and winning in fewer innings, pushes your level up. You can't keep a low number by playing badly on purpose either: sandbagging can get a player's level raised or worse.
APA skill level vs. Fargo rating
A Fargo rating is a separate, open rating system used by many tournaments and other leagues. It's based on every game you win or lose against rated opponents and runs from about 200 to over 800. There's no official conversion between the two. See our Fargo ratings guide and the Fargo rating chart.
Tips to move up
- Practice runouts, not just shotmaking. Our 8-Ball patterns guide helps.
- Learn to play smart safeties: safety play.
- Play in local tournaments for match practice. Find one tonight.
Still deciding on a league? Read pool leagues explained. For practice at home, a copy of the official APA rule book answers most scoresheet arguments.