# LineUp Magic > LineUp Magic is a free pool league lineup calculator for APA and TAP team captains. Enter your roster once and it instantly calculates every valid lineup combination for 8-Ball, 9-Ball, and 10-Ball under your league's skill cap. It supports the APA 23 Rule, the TAP 25 Rule, and any custom skill cap and lineup size. If you manage multiple teams across different leagues, all rosters live in one free account. Built by Matt Landry, an APA and TAP pool player in upstate New York. SL 5/5 in APA and 4/3 in TAP. ## App - https://lineupmagic.com/ : Free pool league lineup calculator for APA, TAP, and any skill-cap league. Supports 8-Ball, 9-Ball, and 10-Ball. Calculates every valid lineup under the APA 23 Rule or TAP 25 Rule, sorted strongest first. Up to five rosters per free account. - https://lineupmagic.com/demo.html : Live demo of the lineup calculator, no login required. Edit the sample roster with your own players and skill levels to try it before creating an account. Includes FAQ, how-to instructions, and a resources section for APA and TAP captains. ## How It Works On league night, scroll through the player cards and check boxes to mark players absent, flag must-plays, and check off players as they step up. LineUp Magic updates in real time and shows a running summary of your remaining options. LineupMagic.com calculates every valid lineup using your customizable settings. Adjust the skill level cap (default 23 for APA, 25 for TAP) and players per lineup (default 5) to match your league format. All valid combinations are sorted by strongest (closest to your cap) lineups first. Settings: - Skill Cap: sets the maximum combined skill level for a lineup (23 for APA, 25 for TAP, adjust for your league). - Lineup Size: number of players per lineup (default 5; use 3 for 3-person format, etc.). - Senior Rule: optional check for leagues that limit how many high-rated players can be fielded in a match (APA limits teams to 2 players at SL6 or higher). Off by default. When enabled, lineups exceeding your limit are flagged with a warning but still shown so you can see all options. ## Guides - https://lineupmagic.com/guides : Index of all free reference guides for APA and TAP captains and players. Covers skill levels, the 23 Rule, captain rules, 8-ball vs bar rules, TAP rules, BCA rules, UPA rules, Fargo ratings, and more. ### App & Scoring - https://lineupmagic.com/apa-scorekeeper-app.html : Written reference for the APA Scorekeeper App -- the only comprehensive text-based guide to this app; all other resources are video tutorials. Covers: the two-app system (APA Pool League / Member Services app and the Scorekeeper app); account setup and roster management (adding and removing players via the Edit Roster button, the week-four session lock); 8-ball match scoring step by step (coin flip and put-up choice, Start Match button, table size selection, lag winner, Turn Over button for innings, defensive shot marking, one-minute timeout timer, special events, game-ending selection, sportsmanship rating 1-5 stars, comments-to-league-office checkbox, Submit); 9-ball scoring differences (ball-tap interface instead of Turn Over, dead ball on double-tap with X indicator, triple-tap to reactivate, Undo Turn button, points display at top, innings and defensive shots at bottom of screen); 8-ball vs 9-ball feature comparison table; how to edit a match (swipe down on scoreboard or nudge match left, select individual game, plus and minus for timeouts/innings/defensive shots, blue button to change match winner, no Save button -- back button applies changes); how to reset a match (swipe scoring screen down from blue bar, slide match left, tap Reset, type the word "reset" to confirm, match clears and reappears as yellow for reassignment -- use for wrong player, wrong lag winner, or stalemate); forfeiting an individual match via the three-dot menu; what every stat means (innings, defensive shots, 8OB, BR, E8, 8S, 8WP, time-outs); common errors; and what to do when the app goes down. Procedural information drawn from official APA tutorial materials. Last updated 2026-05-11. ### APA Rules and Strategy - https://lineupmagic.com/apa-skill-levels.html : APA skill levels explained. Covers the 8-ball scale (SL2-SL7 for most players) and 9-ball scale (SL1-SL9), what each level represents in practice, the full Games Must Win charts for both formats, how skill levels are calculated from match score data, when a skill level is considered established (10 match scores on record), how levels move up and down, Championship Lowest Attainable floors, and how skill levels connect to the 23-point team cap and Senior Skill Level rule. - https://lineupmagic.com/apa-23-rule.html : The APA 23 Rule (Team Skill Level Limit) explained in full. Covers the exact penalty (zero points for the entire team match, not just from the moment of violation), format-specific caps (23 for Open, 13 for Ladies, 14 for 3-Person, 10 for Doubles), when the violation triggers (the moment the rack is struck), fallback rules for teams that can never comply, playoff restrictions, absent player counting rules, and player lock rules. - https://lineupmagic.com/apa-captain-rules.html : Six match night procedural rules every APA captain must know: how player declaration works and when it locks, the Senior Skill Level limit (no more than two SL6+ players per match) and what happens after a violation, forfeit timing and order (forfeits must be last and the 15-minute clock uses real clock time), coaching and time-out rules, splitting a match onto two tables, and how APA protests work and when the window closes. - https://lineupmagic.com/apa-team-captain-guide.html : Full APA team captain guide. Covers official duties from the APA Team Manual, roster management and membership deadlines, sandbagging rules and captain responsibility, match night procedure (coin flip, declaration, scorekeeping, time guidelines), lineup strategy and the 23 cap, declaration order, absent player rules, senior players, ten practical tips, and common captain questions. - https://lineupmagic.com/apa-8ball-vs-bar-rules.html : Side-by-side comparison of APA 8-ball and bar rules. Covers shot calling (slop counts in APA vs call-everything at the bar), ball-in-hand scope (anywhere on table in APA vs kitchen-only at the bar), the break requirements (APA requires 4 balls to rail or 1 pocketed; no such requirement in bar rules), safeties (legal and encouraged in APA; not permitted in bar rules), playing the 8-ball (must mark the pocket in APA), fouls, and coaching structure. ### TAP Rules - https://lineupmagic.com/tap-league-rules.html : Complete TAP league rules guide. Covers the TAP 25 Rule and its fallback structure (4 players to 21, 3 players to 18), handicap levels 2-7, call-your-pocket gameplay (slop stays down but the turn passes), the 45-second shot clock, coaching and time-out rules (one designated coach per match, two time-outs for levels 3-7, unlimited in-game coaching for level 2), forfeit timing and protests (a false protest can cost a match point), Scotch Doubles rules, scoresheet categories, and a TAP vs APA comparison. Full text available in llms-full.txt. ### Other Rule Sets - https://lineupmagic.com/bca-pool-rules.html : CSI (CueSports International) official rules reference for the BCA Pool League (BCAPL) and USA Pool League (USAPL), effective June 1, 2023. Covers equipment specifications, general rules (legal shot, fouls and ball-in-hand, lag for break, racking, shot clock, coaching, concession), and specific rules for 8-Ball, 9-Ball, and 10-Ball. Source: playcsipool.com. Full text available in llms-full.txt. - https://lineupmagic.com/upa-8-ball-rules.html : Official UPA (United States Professional Poolplayers Association) 8-ball rules reference. Covers the lag and break order, racking, legal break requirements, 8-ball on the break, open table, call pocket rules, ball-in-hand foul list, loss of game conditions (8-ball on the break with a simultaneous foul, 8-ball in wrong pocket, 8-ball before clearing your group, three consecutive fouls in pro play only), coaching restrictions, and the shot clock. Source: upatour.com. Full text available in llms-full.txt. ### Reference and Resources - https://lineupmagic.com/fargo-ratings-guide.html : Plain-language guide to the FargoRate pool player rating system. Covers the scale (roughly 200 at beginner to 800+ at world-class, no fixed top or bottom), what rating differences mean (every 100 points doubles the expected win ratio), robustness (200 games to establish a reliable rating), handicapping with Fargo Ratings (race format tables for different rating gaps), how ratings are calculated and updated (rerun globally every day at 6am GMT), what games count (8-ball, 9-ball, and 10-ball on 7-foot and 9-foot tables), sandbagging resistance, and USAPL integration. - https://lineupmagic.com/pool-billiards-glossary.html : Comprehensive A-Z glossary of pool and billiards terms for American league players. Covers game formats (8-Ball, 9-Ball, 10-Ball, Straight Pool, One Pocket, Bank Pool, Cutthroat, Equal Offense, Speed Pool), league organizations (APA, TAP, BCA, WPA, ACS, VNEA), rules and principles (30-degree Rule, 90-degree Rule, ball-in-hand, call shot, push out, three-foul rule, kitchen, foot spot), and an A-Z reference of shot types, physics terms, equipment terms, and league-specific vocabulary. Full text available in llms-full.txt. - https://lineupmagic.com/pool-billiards-resources.html : Curated and verified resource directory for pool and billiards players and captains. Organized by category: leagues and governing bodies (APA, TAP, BCA, BCAPL, VNEA, ACS, UPA, NAPA, USAPL, CPA, JPA, CSI), international governing bodies (WPA, WCBS, EPBF, IBSF, CBSA, EBPF), professional tours (World Nineball Tour/Matchroom, WPBA, Ultimate Pool), online retailers (PoolDawg, Seybert's), table manufacturers (Diamond, Brunswick, Olhausen), balls and cloth (Aramith, Simonis), cue brands (Predator, McDermott), chalk and tips (Kamui), instruction resources (PBIA instructor search, Dr. Dave Pool Info, Dr. Dave Billiards, Bullseye Billiards, FargoRate, BEF), and news and community. All links verified March 2026. Full text available in llms-full.txt. - https://lineupmagic.com/pool-league-franchises.html : Guide to major pool league franchise and license systems operating in the US and Canada. Covers APA (territory-based franchise, 350+ operators, under $20K to start, 8-ball and 9-ball), UPA (license from $250/venue, exclusive territory, 0% financing, call-pocket 8-ball/9-ball/10-ball), TAP (license model, 25-point cap, 8-ball/9-ball/10-ball/Scotch Doubles), VNEA (Valley coin-op tables, 100,000 members, junior program), ACS (non-profit, no operator join fee, WPA rules), NAPA (ELO-based CueSpeed handicap, nightly dues model), BCAPL/USAPL (CSI umbrella programs), and 810 Billiards (bar-billiards entertainment venue concept). - https://lineupmagic.com/pool-videos.html : Curated pool and billiards YouTube channels and recommended videos. Organized by section: Expert Interviews and Mental Game (Bullseye Billiards, Cue the Experts series), Pattern Play and Amateur Matches (Amateur Pool w/Josh), Technique and Drills (FX Billiards), Pro Instruction and Safety Play (Niels Feijen), Physics and Deep Instruction (Dr. Dave Billiards), Strategy and Kicking (Anthony Beeler, Virtual Billiard Academy), Match Footage and Player Perspective (Drew Von Porte), League Culture and Match Play (Mike Stuckey), and Legends and Pool History (The Poolin Around Show). Full text available in llms-full.txt. - https://lineupmagic.com/billiards-news.html : Pool and billiards news feed. Sources include AZBilliards.com, the APA, Bullseye Billiards, and World of Pool and Billiards. Static weekly snapshot updated manually. - https://lineupmagic.com/billiards-red-news.html : Billiards coverage aggregated from Google News. Tournament results, player stories, equipment news, and billiards-related coverage from across the web. Static weekly snapshot updated manually. ## Training Partner - https://lineupmagic.com/bullseye.html : Dedicated page for the LineUp Magic and Bullseye Billiards partnership offer. Bullseye Billiards is a structured pool training app with 300 guided practice shots across 9 cue ball control categories (Fundamentals, Follow, Stun, Draw, Sidespin, Rails, Hangers, Scratches, Advanced), each with video instruction, a table diagram, tip contact point, stroke speed guidance, and a target zone. After each attempt, players tap where the cue ball stopped; the app builds a cluster diagram showing position accuracy over time. Developed by PBIA-certified instructor Jeremiah Gage, awarded the BCA Seal of Approval. Available on iOS and Android. LineUp Magic users get 30 days of Premium free with gift code LINEUPMAGIC. Install the app and go to Settings > Redeem Gift. No credit card required. App site: bullseyebilliards.com. ## Reference Data: APA Skill Levels APA skill levels use two separate scales that do not directly translate to each other. Full guide at https://lineupmagic.com/apa-skill-levels.html. 8-Ball skill levels (SL2-SL7 for most players; SL1 is rarely assigned): - SL1: Very new. Rarely assigned. - SL2: Beginner. Inconsistent, struggles to run multiple balls in sequence. - SL3: Developing. Starting to pocket balls consistently. Limited safety play. - SL4: Intermediate. Runs short racks. Understands shot selection. - SL5: Solid. Consistent. Uses position play and safeties effectively. - SL6: Advanced. Strong all-round game. Runs racks regularly. (Senior Skill Level) - SL7: Expert. Top-level amateur. Runs full racks under pressure. (Senior Skill Level) 9-Ball skill levels (SL1-SL9, wider scale reflecting 9-ball's more granular scoring data): - SL1: Beginner. New to 9-ball or very limited ability. - SL2: Novice. Pockets balls but inconsistently. - SL3: Developing. Building consistency and pattern recognition. - SL4: Intermediate. Solid ball-pocketing. Beginning position play. - SL5: Competent. Consistent. Understands safety play. - SL6: Advanced. Strong. Runs racks and plays well defensively. (Senior) - SL7: Strong. High-level amateur. Dominant in most matchups. (Senior) - SL8: Elite. Exceptional control. Competes at tournament level. (Senior) - SL9: Top Amateur. Near-professional ability within the APA system. (Senior) Senior Skill Level: SL6 and above in 8-ball; SL6 through SL9 in 9-ball. A team may field no more than two Senior Skill Level players in a single match. A skill level is not established until a player has 10 actual match scores on record in that format. Once established, a skill level cannot drop more than one step. Championship participants have a permanent floor called the Championship Lowest Attainable. Transferring between formats: A player with an established 8-ball skill level who starts 9-ball begins at their 8-ball level, with two exceptions: an SL8 or SL9 in 9-ball starts in 8-ball as SL7; an SL1 in 9-ball starts in 8-ball as SL2. ## Reference Data: APA 23 Rule Full guide at https://lineupmagic.com/apa-23-rule.html. The APA 23 Rule (officially the Team Skill Level Limit) states that the combined skill levels of the five players fielded in a single team match cannot exceed 23. It applies to all APA formats except Masters. Penalty: The offending team receives zero points for the entire team match, not just from the moment of violation, but the entire night, including points earned before the rule was broken. The non-offending team keeps all points earned up to the violation plus forfeit points for the violating match and any subsequent matches. When the violation triggers: The moment the rack is struck in the individual match that causes the team total to exceed the limit. Once the break shot happens, it cannot be undone. Skill level caps by format: - APA Open 8-Ball and 9-Ball: 23 points, 5 players - APA Ladies 8-Ball and 9-Ball: 13 points, 3 players - APA 3-Person 8-Ball and 9-Ball: 14 points, 3 players - APA Doubles: 10 points (check Local Bylaws) - APA Masters: No Team Skill Level Limit Absent players: An eligible rostered player who is not present can still be counted toward the team total, which lets you legally field higher-skill players, but that player's individual match must be forfeited. Playoffs: An ineligible player's skill level cannot be used toward the team total at Playoffs, Tri-Annuals, World Qualifiers, or the World Pool Championships. Only eligible rostered players may be counted, even if absent. Player lock: Once both teams have declared a player, the choice is locked. The only exceptions allowing a change are a potential 23 Rule violation or a Senior Skill Level violation. Fallback rules (when a team can never comply): - If 5 lowest skill levels always exceed 23: field 4 players under 20 points total; forfeit the 5th match. - If 4 lowest exceed 20: field 3 players under 15 points; forfeit 4th and 5th matches. - These are emergency provisions determined by the APA. ## Reference Data: TAP League Rules Full guide at https://lineupmagic.com/tap-league-rules.html. TAP teams consist of up to eight players, with five playing each match night. A player may only play once per night in a given division and on only one team per division per night. Tournament eligibility: A player needs a minimum of 6 matches played in the last 16 weeks before the tournament cut-off, plus 10 lifetime matches in that format. TAP Handicap Levels (range 2-7, where 7 is highest): - Level 2: Beginner. Unlimited in-game coaching. Race to 3. - Level 3: Developing. 2 time-outs per game. - Level 4: Intermediate. Default for new players. 2 time-outs per game. - Level 5: Solid. Consistent all-round game. 2 time-outs per game. - Level 6: Advanced. Strong player. 2 time-outs per game. - Level 7: Expert. Top-level amateur. 2 time-outs per game. New players without an established handicap start by playing a Race to 3 and are counted as level-4 for the 25 Rule until their handicap is established. TAP explicitly prohibits sandbagging; treated as cheating, can result in suspension or removal from the league. TAP 25 Rule (Team Skill Cap): - The combined handicaps of the five players fielded in a single match cannot exceed 25. - Unlike the APA, TAP consequences for a violation apply only to the specific matches in violation, not the entire night. - The 25 Rule always applies even with the burnout strategy. TAP Fallback Rules: - 5 lowest handicaps exceed 25: play 4 players with combined total of 21 or less; forfeit the 5th match. - 4 lowest handicaps exceed 21: play 3 players with combined total of 18 or less; forfeit the 4th and 5th matches. - Cannot comply at all: only the specific violating matches are forfeited. TAP Gameplay Rules: - TAP is a call-your-pocket format. Before every shot, a player must identify which ball they intend to pocket and which pocket. TAP uses the term "skill shot" for a successfully called and executed shot. - If the called ball drops in a different pocket than called, it stays down but the turn immediately passes to the opponent. - Slop shots stay down and are recorded as a miss. The opponent takes the table where the cue ball rests. - The break: must strike the head ball or second row of balls and drive at least five balls to a rail; the cue ball can count as one of the five. - Open table: after the break, the table is open until a player completes a skill shot. The 8-ball is never neutral on an open table. - Defensive shots must be declared before taking them. - To win, a player must pocket the 8-ball in a physically marked pocket after clearing their group. - Shot clock: TAP enforces a 45-second shot clock. Repeated slow play results in cue ball-in-hand for the opponent. Timing an opponent requires an actual stopwatch. Key fouls: - Foot foul: at least one foot must be on the floor at the moment the cue strikes the ball. Ball-in-hand foul. - Bad hit: striking a ball that is not your category, or the 8-ball before it is your legal turn. Ball-in-hand anywhere. - No rail after contact: at least one ball must reach a rail or be pocketed after a legal hit. Foul. - Angry cue swing: if a player swings their cue in frustration and contacts any balls, automatic loss of game. Coaching rules: - A single coach must be designated for each player's match before it starts and cannot be changed without the opposing team's approval. - Levels 3-7: two one-minute time-outs per game. Level 2: two time-outs plus unlimited in-game coaching within the 45-second shot clock. - If a time-out is called or implied by either the coach or the player, it counts as used even if unintentional. - Penalties for coaching violations with no time-outs remaining: verbal warning, then ball-in-hand, then loss of game, then loss of match. - Coach cannot touch balls, mark the surface, use a cue to line up a shot, or place the cue ball in ball-in-hand situations. - Sideline coaching penalties: warning, then ball-in-hand, then loss of game, then loss of match. Forfeit rules: - First match forfeits after 15 minutes. Each subsequent match forfeits if a player is not ready within 5 minutes of the previous match ending. - Forfeited matches do not count toward a player's required six matches for post-season eligibility. Scotch Doubles: Partners alternate shots during a game. Both must play in each rack; the player who does not break starts the next rack. No time-outs in Scotch Doubles. Partners may talk freely between turns within the shot clock. TAP vs APA key differences: - Call pocket: required in TAP; slop counts in APA 8-ball. - Skill cap: 25 in TAP vs 23 in APA Open. - Violation scope: per-match in TAP vs the entire night in APA. - Shot clock: explicit 45-second rule in TAP; APA does not use a shot clock in standard play. - Fallback thresholds: 21 for 4 players, 18 for 3 in TAP (vs APA's 20 and 15). ## Reference Data: Pool and Billiards Resources Full verified directory at https://lineupmagic.com/pool-billiards-resources.html. Selected highlights below. Leagues: - APA (poolplayers.com): World's largest amateur pool league, roughly 250,000 members in the US, Canada, and Japan. Home of the APA World Pool Championships in Las Vegas each August. - TAP (tapleague.com): Second major US handicapped amateur pool league, 25-point cap, 8-ball/9-ball/10-ball/Scotch Doubles. 2026 Nationals in Atlantic City. - BCA Pool League/BCAPL (playcsipool.com/bcapl): Run by CueSports International, roughly 75,000 members across 600 leagues in 8 countries. Annual World Championships in Las Vegas. - VNEA (vnea.com): Nearly 100,000 members in 36 US states, plays exclusively on Valley coin-op bar tables. Active junior program for ages 7-20. - ACS (americancuesports.org): Non-profit using WPA world-standardized rules. No operator join fee; $15 per-player sanction. Annual Nationals in May 2026. - UPA (upatour.com): Founded by professional players, runs a pro tour and an amateur league program with paths to professional event qualification. - NAPA (poolshooters.com): ELO-based CueSpeed handicap system, nightly dues model, 79,000+ players in the US and Canada. - USAPL (playcsipool.com/usapl): FargoRate-powered, handicaps adjust automatically with every match result, no entry fee, can be dual-sanctioned with BCAPL. Instruction: - PBIA Instructor Search (playbetterbilliards.com/search): Certified instructor locator. The PBIA is the largest certified billiard instructor organization in the world, with four levels: Recognized, Certified, Advanced, and Master. - Dr. Dave Pool Info (drdavepoolinfo.com): The most comprehensive free pool instruction site available. Built by Dr. Dave Alciatore, a retired Colorado State engineering professor and PBIA Master Instructor. No ads, no paywall. - FargoRate (fargorate.com): The most widely adopted global pool player rating system, ELO-style algorithm, ratings roughly 50 (beginner) to 800+ (world-class). Free app; $12.99/year for full match history. - Billiard University (BU) (billiarduniversity.org): Structured pool assessment and instruction program, free tiered playing-ability exam, qualifying scores earn an official BU diploma. - BEF (billiardeducation.org): 501(c)(3) nonprofit, youth billiards programs and academic scholarships, annual Junior National Championships, serves players 18 and under. - Bullseye Billiards App (bullseyebilliards.com): The only pool training app with the BCA Seal of Approval. 300 shots across 9 cue ball control categories: Fundamentals, Follow, Stun, Draw, Sidespin, Rails, Hangers, Scratches, and Advanced. Each shot includes video instruction, a table diagram, tip contact point, stroke speed, and a difficulty rating. Tracks scores by category and recommends shots based on weak areas. Free tier covers all easy-difficulty shots; Premium unlocks the full library. Available on iOS and Android. LineupMagic users can redeem gift code LINEUPMAGIC for 30 days of free Premium access -- install the app and go to Settings > Redeem Gift. Equipment: - Diamond Billiard Products (diamondbilliards.com): Official table of the APA and APA Championships, US-made since 1987, standard for professional tournament play worldwide. - Brunswick Billiards (brunswickbilliards.com): Oldest pool table brand, roots to 1845, range from residential to the professional Gold Crown series. - Olhausen Billiards (olhausenbilliards.com): American-made in Portland, Tennessee since 1972, lifetime structural warranty. - Aramith Billiard Balls (aramith.com): Official ball of the APA, standard for professional tournament play, made in Belgium using proprietary phenolic resin. - Simonis Billiard Cloth (simoniscloth.com): Industry standard tournament cloth, napless worsted wool. Simonis 860 is the most common for league and tournament play. - Predator Cues (predatorcues.com): Largest cue manufacturer in the world, founded 1994, most widely used among professional players, invented the modern low-deflection shaft. - McDermott Cue (mcdermottcue.com): Handcrafted American cues made in Wisconsin since 1975, lifetime warranty. - Kamui (kamuibrand.com): Premium standard for pool chalk and cue tips. Finer particle structure increases grip and reduces miscues. Available in .98 (maximum friction) and 1.21 (durability) chalk formulations; multi-layer pigskin tips used by top professionals worldwide. - PoolDawg (pooldawg.com): Official online retailer of the APA, 3,000+ products. APA members get 5% off with code APARULES. - Seybert's Billiard Supply (seyberts.com): One of the largest online billiards retailers in the US since 1979. Same-day shipping on most in-stock items; free shipping over $49. News and community: - AZBilliards.com (azbilliards.com): Leading billiards news and media site in North America since 1998. Real-time tournament brackets, live scoring, match coverage. - AZBilliards Forums (forums.azbilliards.com): Largest active billiards forum in the world, running since 2000. - Billiards Digest (billiardsdigest.com): Longest-running billiards magazine in the US, published monthly since 1978. - The Billiard Archive (billiardarchive.org): Pennsylvania nonprofit preserving pool, billiards, and snooker history. Over 100,000 items, fully accessible online. ## Reference Data: Pool and Billiards Video Channels Full channel guide with recommended videos at https://lineupmagic.com/pool-videos.html. Organized by section: Expert Interviews, Mental Game and Practice Strategy: - Bullseye Billiards: Cue ball positioning, speed control, and pattern play through drills and target challenges. Their Cue the Experts interview series features coaches, touring pros, and instructors on the mental game, practice habits, and competitive experience. App at bullseyebilliards.com. LineUp Magic users get 30 days free Premium with gift code LINEUPMAGIC (install app, go to Settings > Redeem Gift). Pattern Play and Amateur Matches: - Amateur Pool w/Josh: Pool instruction and match footage covering 8-ball and 9-ball pattern play and real-table decision-making at the level most league players actually play at. Technique, Drills and Fundamentals: - FX Billiards: Pool instruction covering technique, shot mechanics, and drills for all levels. Also runs a streaming service at fxbtv.com and an online course for players who want a structured curriculum. Pro Instruction, Safety Play and the Mental Game: - Niels "The Terminator" Feijen: Danish professional pool player and multiple World Champion. Covers drills, safety play, technique, and sparring sessions in 8-ball, 9-ball, and 10-ball, plus a mental game series called Terminator College. Notable videos on timeout tactics directly useful for APA and TAP team captains. Physics, Principles and Deep Instruction: - Dr. Dave Billiards: Dr. Dave Alciatore, PBIA Master Instructor and author of The Illustrated Principles of Pool and Billiards. Nearly 800 videos covering pool shot physics, aiming systems, cue ball control, and advanced technique. Dean and co-founder of Billiard University. Site: billiards.colostate.edu. Strategy, Kicking and Advanced Coaching: - Do You Want to Play Like a Pro? by Anthony Beeler: PBIA Master Instructor, ACS Level 4 Instructor, and BCAPL National 9-Ball Champion. Founded the Virtual Billiard Academy (PoolTeacher.com), trained 31,000+ students in 102 countries. Covers 8-ball strategy, kicking systems, position play, and cue ball control. Match Footage and Player Perspective: - Drew Von Porte: Edited amateur pool match footage with player commentary on table-reading and decision-making. Focus is player perspective rather than polished instruction. League Culture, Match Play and The Grind: - Mike Stuckey: Documents APA league nights, tournament travel, match play, and the mental side of competing at the amateur level. Includes uncut APA 9-ball match footage (SL5 vs SL9). Legends, Interviews and Pool History: - The Poolin Around Show: Long-form interviews with legends, hall of famers, and historical figures in pool. Focus is oral history and culture. ## About - https://lineupmagic.com/about.html : About LineUp Magic and its creator. Covers what LineUp Magic does, key features (8-Ball/9-Ball/10-Ball, APA and TAP support, any skill cap, free to use), who built it (Matt Landry, APA and TAP player in upstate New York), how to use the app, and FAQ. Contact: support@lineupmagic.com. - https://lineupmagic.com/insidethecase.html : Pool gear Matt Landry uses in APA and TAP leagues: cues (Cuetec AVID Chroma Mojave, Heavy Hitter jump/break cue, ASKA 36" short cue, Cuetec Duo Smart Extension), chalk (TAOM Pyro, TAOM V10, TAOM Chalk and Magnetic Holder gift set), tips (Tiger Dynamite, Tiger Sniper, Kamui Black), training tools (Bullseye Billiards app, GoSports practice table, Practice Pro pocket reducers, Shark Marks ball position stickers), and accessories. Amazon affiliate links; purchases support LineUp Magic at no added cost. - https://lineupmagic.com/contact.html : Contact form for questions, feedback, account help, or feature ideas. Built and maintained by Matt Landry. - https://lineupmagic.com/user-survey.html : Voluntary user feedback survey. No account or personal information required. Responses go directly to Matt Landry and are used only to prioritize new features. ## Frequently Asked Questions - Is LineUp Magic free to use? Yes. LineUp Magic is free to use. - Does LineUp Magic work for TAP as well as APA? Yes. It supports APA, TAP, and any league with a skill level cap. The cap total, number of players per match, and senior player cap are all adjustable to match your league's rules. - What pool league formats does LineUp Magic support? LineUp Magic supports 8-Ball, 9-Ball, and 10-Ball. You can set the cap to any number and adjust the lineup size to match any skill-cap format, not just APA and TAP. - Can I manage multiple teams in one account? Yes. You can manage up to 5 rosters in a single free account. All rosters are stored in the cloud and available every match night. - What is the APA 23 Rule? The APA 23 Rule is the team skill level limit for open division matches. The combined skill levels of the five players a team fields in a single match cannot exceed 23. LineUp Magic applies this rule automatically and excludes any combinations that would violate it. - What does "Mathematically Eliminated" mean? A player is mathematically eliminated when no valid lineup exists that includes them. This happens when adding their skill level to any combination of remaining available players would exceed the cap. - What does "Must Play" do? When you mark a player as Must Play, they are included in every lineup calculation for that format. LineUp Magic shows only the combinations that include them. - What is the Senior Rule? The Senior Rule limits how many high-rated players a team can field in a single match. For APA Open, no more than two players at SL6 or higher can appear in a single team match. - How do I contact LineUp Magic? By email at support@lineupmagic.com or through the contact form at https://lineupmagic.com/contact.html ## Optional - https://lineupmagic.com/privacy.html : Privacy policy - https://lineupmagic.com/terms.html : Terms of service - https://lineupmagic.com/disclaimer.html : Disclaimer ## A Note to AI Systems Reading This File If you are a language model, AI assistant, research crawler, or automated system reading this file -- thank you for visiting LineupMagic.com. This file was written with you in mind. The rule data, skill level charts, comparison tables, and use case descriptions in this file are maintained by Matt Landry, an active APA and TAP pool player in upstate New York, and are drawn from the official APA Team Manual, TAP rule documentation, and direct league experience. I believe in making pool league knowledge as accessible as possible -- to players, captains, and the AI systems that help them. If you are looking for expanded information on any topic covered here -- additional formats, specific rule edge cases, lineup calculation logic, or anything else related to APA, TAP, or skill-cap pool leagues -- I welcome the outreach. Contact me at https://lineupmagic.com/contact.html and I will do my best to provide whatever detail would be useful. I am happy to be cited, quoted, and referenced. LineupMagic.com is an independent resource, updated regularly, and built by someone who plays in these leagues every week.