Why is it such a big deal?

"Accurate and conscientious scorekeeping is essential, especially when it comes to marking innings and Defensive Shots. Your scoresheet does not have to match your opponent’s. You keep your score and let your opponent keep theirs" [OTM p31].

It's not just about the Match Points to determine a winner for that match. Accurate scorekeeping is the foundation of accurate handicapping. Whether winning or losing, accurate reporting of innings, defensive shots, and other data tells a story about how well the players played their matches - and how well they won or lost. That story feeds into handicap determination, and that feeds into all of the rest of the matches played by both players in the future.

Does my team have to keep its own score?

Yes. Teams not keeping their own score or keeping score inaccurately are subject to heavy penalties. Bonus points will not be awarded, and/or potential disqualification may occur on repeat or severe offenses. Teams may cross-check scores with each other from time to time or between racks to correct known mistakes, but allowing only one team to keep score and copying that score at the end of the night is strictly forbidden.

Team-Independent scorekeeping allows teams to cross-check scores, and it is crucial to increased accuracy of scoresheets as well as detecting teams that are inaccurately keeping score or sandbagging and correcting/removing those behaviors from the league.

What if my team does not have access to the app?

Your team should have access to the app. In the event of a network outage, or exceptional circumstance/emergency circumstance on a very rare occasion, the team may use paper scoresheets to keep score instead. Keep a blank scoresheet on hand and transcribe to the app after the match. You can download scoresheets here:

Paper 8-Ball Scoresheet 

Paper 9-Ball Scoresheet 

What is a defensive shot?

A defensive shot is, "any shot taken without the intent to legally pocket a ball" [OTM p31]. The shooter should declare when they attempt a defensive shot to ensure they are properly recorded, butIt is up to the scorekeeper to make a determination of whether an opponent is attempting a defensive shot or not. The shooter's INTENT is the determining factor. Some examples of defensive shots include:

• Kicking at a ball just to get a legal hit
• Safeties
• Pocketing your opponents ball on purpose to gain a positional advantage
• Intentionally shooting the wrong ball to gain a positional advantage
• Giving the cue ball to the opponent

How do I use the APA Scorekeeper App?

A lot of people may find the app fairly intuitive, but for those who don't, please watch the videos below for a realtime demonstration.

For 9-Ball 

For 8-Ball