What Is the APA 23 Rule?
The APA 23 Rule, officially titled the Team Skill Level Limit, states that the combined skill levels of the five players your team fields in a single team match cannot exceed 23. It applies to all APA formats except Masters.
A team playing fewer than five individual matches must still demonstrate that it would not have exceeded 23 if all five matches had been played. You cannot win three matches with high-skill players and then argue the rule doesn't apply because matches four and five were never played.
The Penalty: What Actually Happens
The non-offending team keeps all points they earned up to the point the violation occurred, plus receives additional forfeit points for the match in which the rule was broken and any subsequent matches:
| Format | Rule | Offending Team | Non-Offending Team Receives |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8-Ball Open | 23-Rule | 0 pts (entire match) | All points won + 2 pts per violated & subsequent match |
| 9-Ball Open | 23-Rule | 0 pts (entire match) | All points won + 15 pts per violated & subsequent match |
| Ladies 8-Ball & 9-Ball | 13-Rule | 0 pts (entire match) | All points won + 2 pts (8-Ball) or 15 pts (9-Ball) per affected match |
| 3-Person 8-Ball & 9-Ball | 14-Rule | 0 pts (entire match) | All points won + 2 pts (8-Ball) or 15 pts (9-Ball) per affected match |
| Doubles | 10-Rule | 0 pts (entire match) | Check Local League Bylaws |
Stop doing the math in your head on match night.
LineUp Magic shows every legal combination for your roster, instantly, for free.
Skill Level Caps by Format
Three Rules for Captains
Once both teams have declared a player for an individual match, the players cannot be changed, unless a change is necessary to avoid a Team Skill Level Limit violation or Limited Senior Skill Level violation.
It is permissible to count the skill level of an eligible rostered player who is not present at the match site toward your team total. This lets you legally field higher-skill players by showing you could have stayed under the cap, but you must forfeit that player's individual match.
During Playoffs, Tri-Annuals, World Qualifiers, and the World Pool Championships, an ineligible player's skill level cannot be used toward the Team Skill Level Limit. Only eligible rostered players (even if absent) may be counted.
What If Your Team Can Never Comply With the 23 Rule?
This happens when skill levels on a team have climbed across a session. The APA has a defined fallback structure for Open divisions:
Play four players whose combined skill levels do not exceed 19 and forfeit the fifth match.
If skill levels have increased to the point where the four-player fallback is impossible, play three players whose combined skill levels do not exceed 15 and forfeit both the fourth and fifth matches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 23 Rule apply during APA playoffs and national tournaments?
Yes. The rule is in force at all levels. However, at the tournament level, an ineligible player's skill level cannot be used toward the limit. An eligible player who is simply absent can still be counted.
My opponent just broke the 23 Rule - what do I do?
The violation officially occurs when the rack is struck in the violating match. If caught before the break, the lineup can be corrected. After the break, it results in zero points for the offending team.
Can I field the same player in two matches if a teammate doesn't show?
No. Each player plays only one individual match per team match night. If short on players, use the fallback rules and forfeit the remaining matches.
Check your local league by-laws for substitute or ghost player rules.
Disclaimer: LineUp Magic is an independent tool and is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by the American Poolplayers Association (APA), TAP, or any pool league organization. Rule information is based on the APA Official Team Manual and is provided for reference only. Always verify compliance with your league operator before match night.
