These guides cover the rules, procedures, and strategy that come up most often in league play.
Rules & Skill Levels
Foundation
APA Skill Levels Explained
What each skill level means in 8-ball and 9-ball, how the Games Must Win charts work, how levels are calculated and change, and how they connect to your lineup cap.
Essential Rule
The APA 23 Rule Explained
Exact penalties, when a violation officially occurs, legal lineup examples by format, fallback rules for teams over the cap, and playoff differences.
TAP League
TAP League Rules Guide
The 25 Rule, call-pocket play, coaching and the shot clock, Scotch Doubles rules, scoresheet categories, and a side-by-side comparison with APA.
Rule Comparison
APA 8-Ball vs Bar Rules
A side-by-side comparison of APA league rules and bar rules, covering shot calling, ball-in-hand, safeties, the break, fouls, and coaching. What changes when you join a league.
Rating System
Fargo Ratings Explained
How FargoRate calculates pool player ratings worldwide: the scale, what rating differences mean, robustness, handicapping tables, and how the daily optimization works.
BCA / USAPL Rules
BCA Pool Rules Reference
The Official Rules of CueSports International used by the BCA Pool League and USA Pool League. Covers equipment specs, general rules, legal shot requirements, 8-ball, 9-ball, 10-ball, and more.
UPA Rules
UPA 8-Ball Rules Reference
Official 8-ball rules of the United States Professional Poolplayers Association. Covers the break, call pocket, all ball in hand fouls, loss of game, shot clock, coaching, and tournament procedures.
More
Directory
Pool & Billiards Resources
Verified links for leagues, table and cue manufacturers, online retailers, instruction, and community, all checked and up to date.
Operator Guide
Pool League Franchises
The major franchise and license systems for starting an amateur pool league in the US and Canada: APA, TAP, UPA, NAPA, VNEA, BCAPL, USAPL, ACS, and more. What each offers, what it costs, and how to get started.
Reference
Pool & Billiards Glossary
Definitions for the terms you'll hear at the table and on the scoresheet: shot types, spin, position play, equipment, rules, and league terminology from 8-ball through straight pool.
Video Resources
Pool Videos Worth Watching
YouTube channels and videos we keep coming back to: pattern play, drills, pro instruction, match footage, and the mental side of the game, from amateur league level up to world-class.
Live News
Pool & Billiards News
Latest news from the billiards world pulled live from AZBilliards, the APA, Bullseye Billiards, and World of Pool. Tournament results, player news, and updates from the community.
Google News
Billiards News Around the Web
Billiards coverage from across the web aggregated via Google News. Tournament results, player stories, pool hall openings, equipment news, and anything billiards-related currently in the press.
Captain Guides
Match Night
Captain's Match Night Rules
Six procedural rules every captain must know cold: player declaration, the Senior Skill Level limit, forfeit timing and order, coaching rules, splitting matches, and protests.
Full Guide
How to Be an APA Team Captain
Official captain duties, roster management, lineup strategy, and ten practical tips for running a pool league team, from handling the 23 cap to keeping players happy all season.
LineupMagic.com
About
About LineUp Magic
What the app is, what it does, and how to get in touch. Contact information and a plain-language overview of how LineUp Magic works for APA, TAP, and other skill-cap leagues.
Your Input
Tell Us What to Build Next
We build LineUp Magic based on what real captains tell us they need. A short voluntary survey on features, formats, and how you use the app. Takes about three minutes and goes straight to the people making decisions.
Contact
Get in Touch
Questions, account help, bug reports, or feature ideas. Send us a message directly. We are a small team and we read everything.
Once you know your roster's skill levels, LineUp Magic calculates every valid lineup combination instantly, sorted strongest first, with the 23 Rule applied automatically and the Senior Rule flagged if needed.
🎱 Try LineUp Magic FreeRule information on these pages is drawn from the APA Official Team Manual and is provided for reference only. LineUp Magic is an independent tool and is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by the American Poolplayers Association (APA) or any pool league organization.
