Rule of the Week - Marking the Pocket

December 13, 2023 1:59 AM

by San Diego APA

Rule of the Week - Marking the Pocket

December 13, 2023 1:59 AM

by San Diego APA


Situation: I marked my pocket and didn't realize the marker was slightly over the bumper. When I shot the 8ball it hit my marker and went in, what happens?

NOTE: Contacting a pocket marker with the 8-ball is not a foul and the shot stands.

However if the cue ball hits the marker if the 8ball is pocketed it is loss of game. If the 8-ball isn't pocketed then it is Ball in Hand.

See page 54 section 15h under Fouls: Altering the course of a moving cue ball, including a double-hit.

If your opponent tells you your pocket marker is over the rail you must adjust it before shooting to avoid a sportsmanship violation.

Addition details about marking your pocket.
Marking the pocket
a. A coaster or some other reasonable marker must be placed next to the shooter’s intended pocket.
b. Marking the pocket with chalk is not recommended.
c. Both players may use the same marker.
d. Only one marker should remain on the table at a time.
e. If the marker is already at the intended pocket from a previous attempt or game, it is not necessary to touch it, pick it up or reposition it.

Rule: Official Team Manual (OTM) page 55-56 section 16 “Marking the pocket”: https://media.poolplayers.com/TMRB/Team-Manual-English.pdf

You can submit a "Rule of the Week" to the league office:

  • Email to sandiego@apaleagues.com.
  • Email Subject Line must read “SDAPA Rule of the Week”
  • Clearly state the rule/situation and if you know where the answer is found please provide those details.


2025 Summer Tri-Annual (formally BLAST) Information
8/22/25 - 4:00 am
TRI-ANNUAL PLAYERS MEETING VIDEO (*Replacing the pre-Tr-Annual players meeting) TRI-ANNUAL DIGITAL GUIDE (As seen in the video above) TRI-ANNUAL SDAPA WEBPAGE (Eligibility, Rules, Brackets, Schedule and Roster Info) Other Key Links Summer Session Winners OTM Bylaws Event Tab *The player's meeting video includes example scenarios for illustrative purposes only. For official brackets, schedules, a
2025 Summer Lifetime Match Milestone Awards
9/9/25 - 12:59 am
Congratulations to the following players who have reached 500, 1000, 1500 (NEW THIS YEAR!), 2000, 2500 (NEW!) and NOW 3000 lifetime match milestones during the 2025 Summer Session! Players can pick up awards at the 2025 Summer Tri-Annuals (9-Ball on Sept 13-14, and 8-Ball on Sept 27-28, 2025 at Pockets), or email the league office at sandiego@apaleagues.com to coordinate a future event when you or
Adding a Player After the Start of League - Rule of the Week
9/8/25 - 5:00 pm
Situation: The team we are playing tonight just added a player to their roster using Scorekeeper, but we have already started the night. What if any options do we have? Players must be added to the roster no later than ten (10) minutes after the scheduled league start time. If you can’t get a player added due to a technical issue, just let your opponent know before the 10 min bylaw requirement. Ot