POCKET MARKERS - What's Allowed (and Not Allowed)?

September 24, 2025 4:33 PM

by San Diego APA

POCKET MARKERS - What's Allowed (and Not Allowed)?

September 24, 2025 4:33 PM

by San Diego APA

General guidelines regarding pocket markers during 8-ball

  • Weapons are not allowed and will result in suspension
    • BOG will determine if a pocket marker is deemed a weapon and requires a suspension
  • Money and chalk are allowed (not recommended but allowed, see below)
  • Inappropriate and offensive pocket markers should NOT be used
  • Common sense should come into play when picking a pocket marker
  • Teams or players that repeatedly try to use inappropriate, offensive or impractical pocket markers will trigger the "Sportsmanship Violations" bylaw 

OTM References to Pocket Markers and Rules

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. 

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

OTM Page 55 "Marking the pocket": https://media.poolplayers.com/TMRB/Team-Manual-English.pdf 

Lagging - Rule of the Week
3/30/26 - 5:00 pm
Situation: Both players don't lag at the approx same time, is this a re-lag? No, only the following conditions will result in a re-lag: If the lagged balls make contact with each other, both players fail to strike the foot rail during the lag, or a ball stops in the jaw of a pocket, re-lag. Rule: Official Team Manual (OTM) page 44 section 1 “Lagging”: https://media.poolplayers.com/TMRB/Team-Manual
Eligibility: Playoffs, Tri-Annuals and World Qualifiers
3/25/26 - 7:00 am
Match Requirements for Eligibility Related to Playoffs, Tri-Annuals, and World Qualifiers 4 Matches on that team by the end of the regular session (associated with the Tri-Annuals being run) → Eligible for Playoffs for that team. 6 Matches Lifetime in that format by the end of the session (associated with the Tri-Annuals being run; playoff matches in that session count toward the 6) → Eli
SDAPA Sending SIX (6) 8-Ball Teams to WPC
3/24/26 - 6:53 pm
More Vegas-bound teams to represent San Diego at the 2026 APA World Pool Championships! SDAPA earns SIX (6) 8-Ball WPC Slots For the first time since 2012, San Diego APA (SDAPA) will be sending six (6) 8-ball teams to Vegas for the 8-Ball World Pool Championships (WPC). In 2025, SDAPA sent five (5) 8-ball teams to compete with the 793 teams that participated in 8-Ball. This year we are adding to t