IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

New National 2025 Singles Boards Guidelines

Effective January 1, 2025, APA National has increased the cost of Singles Boards to $200, marking their first increase in over a decade. Additionally, the “winner-pays” board style is no longer a preferred option. In response, we are revamping the APA Austin Singles Boards structure to ensure affordability and accessibility for our players.

New Board Structure & Pricing – APA Austin

With the updated National pricing, a standard 8-player board would cost $25 per person. However, APA Austin will continue to subsidize a portion of the cost. Here's the new structure:

• Cost per Player: $20 (for a standard 8-player board)
• Total Board Cost: $160 (vs.the new $200 National cost)
• Smaller Boards: If there are fewer than 8 players, the $160 board cost will be split evenly among the participants.

Additional Changes:

• The $5 fee previously collected for the Division Representative (DR) or players that run boards, will no longer apply since unlimited “winner-pays” boards are being eliminated.

We understand that these changes may raise questions, but we’re committed to creating affordable opportunities for players to participate. Consider this:

• Cost Comparison: While paying $20 per board may seem like more upfront, qualifying on your first attempt saves you $76 compared to the old method. Even if it takes 5 attempts to qualify, you’re effectively breaking even.

Our new program will roll out shortly after we return from the holiday break, and the updated Singles Boards will be distributed to the division representatives and any of our players who run boards.

APA National Announcement Highlights

Below is an excerpt from APA National explaining the reasons behind the pricing update and the benefits offered:

Why This Change Is Necessary

The additional funds will allow us to make key investments in:

• Expanding Tournament Opportunities: Adding more Regional Qualifier locations and increasing the Poolplayer Championships footprint in Las Vegas, giving more players opportunities to compete.
• Enhancing Technology: Upgrading systems to streamline operations and improve participant experiences.
• Managing Rising Costs: Covering increased venue and accommodation expenses to continue hosting high-quality tournaments in premium locations.

Unmatched Benefits for Players

At just $25 per player, the LQB Program delivers exceptional value, offering opportunities to advance to the Championship Level with:

• Free Lodging: Three nights at the host hotel for all participants.
• Travel Assistance: Financial support for travel expenses.
• Skill-Level Matched Competition: Compete in your skill tier at the Poolplayer Championships, with substantial cash and prizes.
• APA 8-Ball Classic: Five skill-level tiers, with champions in each tier receiving $15,000 in cash and prizes. Total purse over $439,000.
• APA 9-Ball Shootout: Four skill-level tiers, with champions in each tier receiving $10,000 in cash and prizes. Total purse over $288,000.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, don’t hesitate to reach out. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to another great season!