The Equalizer® system lets players of any skill level compete against each other evenly.

 With The Equalizer®, it’s feasible for a beginner to have a nearly equal chance in a match against a more highly skilled player. The Equalizer® aids the lesser skilled player by dictating mathematically that he/she needs to win fewer games or points than his opponent to win the match. (In golf and bowling, you give or get strokes or pins.)
 

Everyone Can Play – Anyone Can Win!® – The Equalizer® is only available in the APA.

In an APA League, you give or get games in the 8-Ball format and you give or get points in the 9-Ball format. How many games or points you give or get is determined by comparing your skill level to your opponent’s skill level. A higher skilled player must give games or points to a lower-skilled player, thus evening the match. 
 
 
How Handicaps are Determined
Your Local League Office calculates and reports skill levels to the teams on a regular basis. Your skill level determines how many games you have to earn to win your match. Skill levels are maintained, calculated and updated by the Local League Office. The process includes a number of factors including the application of specific mathematical formulas to the data on the weekly scoresheets, win/loss records, Higher Level Tournament performance, qualitative judgment by Handicap Advisory Committees, and other considerations. You are asked to refrain from attempting to keep your own records as it is generally a disruptive practice. The APA appreciates your cooperation with this policy.
 

New Players  New players do not have a skill level established, so all new players will start as a skill level 3. A League Operator is authorized to assign special skill levels and lowest attainables to new players who are known to be highly skilled players or to players who have previously established a skill level in another format. As a result of your first match, a skill level is established and reported for you. It is against the rules for a player who has an established skill level to attempt to reestablish his skill level at a later time. For example, you can’t quit for awhile and then rejoin the League or transfer to another League area as a nonrated player. You are obligated to disclose the fact that you are a former or current member in another League area with an established skill level.

NOTE 1: Local League Management is authorized to assign a new player a higher starting skill level if they believe the higher skill level more accurately reflects the player's true pool playing ability.
 
NOTE 2: Players with an established skill level in the 8-Ball format will start play in 9-Ball with their 8-Ball skill level; players with an established skill level in the 9-Ball format will start play in 8-Ball with their 9-Ball skill level, unless they are a SL1, SL8 or SL9 in 9-Ball. A SL1 in 9-Ball will begin as a SL2 in 8-Ball; a SL8 or SL9 in 9-Ball will begin as a SL7 in 8-Ball. The skill level of new players may not immediately reflect their true ability since their ability is not yet known. It is not unusual for a new player's skill level to fluctuate during the first few weeks. A player’s skill level is not considered established until they have 10 actual match scores in that format on their record. Penalties may be assessed at the discretion of Local League Management for starting a player of known ability as a new player.

How the Equalizer Works in 8-Ball!

In 8-Ball, you are required to win a certain number of games. During regular weekly session play, simply refer to the "GAMES MUST WIN" chart shown to the right. This chart is also printed on the scoresheet for your convenience. To read the chart, find your skill level along the left side of the chart. Then find your opponent's skill level along the top of the chart. Now, track to the right from your skill level and down from your opponent's skill level until the two tracks meet. In that block, the first number is the number you race to, and the second is the number your opponent races to. The two numbers involved should have the same differential as your skill levels do. For example, a SL-6 playing a SL-4 tracks to the block with 5/3 (circled) in it. The SL-6 races to 5 while the SL 4 races to 3. 5 to 3 is a differential of 2, just as 6 to 4 is a differential of 2.

SKILL
LEVELS		YOUR OPPONENT
234567
Y
O
U		22/22/32/42/52/62/7
33/22/22/32/42/52/6
44/23/23/33/43/52/5
55/24/24/34/44/53/5
66/25/25/35/45/54/5
77/26/25/25/35/45/5
How the Equalizer Works in 9-Ball!

In 9-Ball, you are required to score a certain number of points. During regular weekly session play, simply refer to the "POINTS REQUIRED TO WIN" chart shown to the right. This chart is also printed on the scoresheet for your convenience. To read the chart, find your skill level along the left column. Then find your “Points Required to Win” in the right column. To determine how many points your opponent needs to win, follow the same procedure using his/her skill level. Every rack in APA 9-Ball is worth 10 points. Each ball in the rack counts 1 point except the 9-Ball which is worth 2 points. Once you have determined how many points are needed for you and your opponent, you race to pocket the balls and reach your required total. Because the higher ranked and more skilled players must make more balls, the playing field is leveled.

PLAYER'S
SKILL LEVEL		POINTS REQUIRED
TO WIN
114
219
325
431
538
646
755
865
975