Rule of the Week - Stalemates

November 24, 2024 11:05 PM

by San Diego APA

Rule of the Week - Stalemates

November 24, 2024 11:05 PM

by San Diego APA

Situation: During our match we get to a point were neither myself nor my opponent is attempting to make a legal hit. Is this a stalemate? 

No, not until both players no longer make use of ball in hand does the rack become a stalemate. Meaning if at least one player is hitting the cue ball into another ball on the table even if it is not a legal hit, then the game continues. Your opponent maybe gradually moving balls into position to eventually take a legal shot therefore the game is still in progress.

In the unlikely event that a game should become stalemated, meaning that neither player can, or wants to, make use of ball-in-hand, the balls are reracked and the player that had the break at the start of the stalemated game breaks again.

There is no minimum number of turns that must occur before a game is stalemated.

Rule: Official Team Manual (OTM) page 51 “Stalemates”: https://media.poolplayers.com/TMRB/Team-Manual-English.pdf

This section also covers:
  • Scoring a 8 or 9ball game once a stalemate is determined.

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.

Summer Session 2026 is Around the Corner
4/8/26 - 5:00 pm
Be(e) On The Lookout Summer Session is Starting April 29th Sunday–Thursday divisions will be released twice before the session begins. First, we will do an early release for preview, followed by the official start-of-session release. The purpose of posting early divisions is to give teams a chance to review and request any needed changes before the official Summer Session schedules are released.
Electronic Scorekeeping at the San Diego APA Tri-Annuals!
4/13/26 - 7:21 pm
San Diego APA Selected for Electronic Scorekeeping Pilot Based on the overwhelming feedback and requests from our players, we are thrilled to announce that our area has been selected as an early adopter for the APA Electronic Scorekeeping tournament pilot. This is a privilege and an honor for San Diego APA, and we are excited to finally bring this technology into the Tri-Annual environment, with a
Changing Who You Post - Rule of the Week
4/13/26 - 5:00 pm
Situation: We posted a player and then our opponent posted. They then decided to change that post, can they do this? No, Once both teams have declared a player, the players cannot be changed unless the team's choice of player will violate the Team Skill Level Limit rule or the Limited Senior Skill Level rule. While teams are not required to notify their opponent that they are about to break the