LAKE SAINT LOUIS, MO (September 10, 2013) — The world’s largest pool tournament returned to Las Vegas in mid-August as thousands of amateur poolplayers competed for more than $1 Million in prize money! More than 2,100 8-Ball, 9-Ball, Doubles and Masters teams made their way to Sin City to compete, Aug. 15-24.
In the 8-Ball Open Division, the Gators of Shreveport, La., defeated We Keeps It Real of Trenton, N.J., 3-0 in the finals to take home $25,000 in cash and the championship title. As Runners-Up, We Keeps It Real received $15,000 in prize money.
In the finals of the Ladies 8-Ball Division, it was Boobie Trap of Gambrills, Md., defeating St. Kitt’s Chicks of Burlington, Ont., 3-1 to win $10,000 in 1st Place prize money. As Runners-Up, St. Kitts Chicks received $5,000 in cash.
All teams in the 8-Ball Championships squared-off in a modified single-elimination format that ensured each team played at least twice before elimination. All 8-Ball Open Division teams automatically received $350 in national qualifier money, and the top 8 teams won at least $5,000. In the 8-Ball Ladies Division, all teams automatically earned $350 national qualifier money, with the top 8 teams winning at least $1,000. The Open Division began play on Aug. 18 and concluded on Aug. 24. The Ladies Division of the tournament started on Aug. 15 and concluded on Aug. 18.
In 9-Ball Open National Championship action, it was Pool Mafia of Lake Worth, Fla., beating Gilbert’s Bar & Grill of Louisville, Ky., 63-37 in the finals. Pool Mafia took home $15,000 in 1st Place prize money. As Runners-Up, Gilbert’s Bar & Grill received $7,000 in cash.
The 9-Ball Open National Championship was held Aug. 15-19, with each team competing in a modified single-elimination format that ensured each team played at least twice before elimination. All national qualifiers received a minimum of $350, with the top 8 teams winning at least $2,000.
After winning their divisions in weekly APA 8-Ball and 9-Ball League play and then placing in Local Team Championships throughout the United States, Canada and Japan, 713 Open 8-Ball, 438 Open 9-Ball, and 62 Ladies 8-Ball teams, all consisting of five to eight players, qualified to compete in the 2013 National Team Championships.
In the Open 8-Ball Doubles Championship, it was Sharpshooters of St. Martinsville, La., winning $6,500 in the finals with a victory over The Incredibles of Falls Church, Va. The Incredibles received $4,000 as Runner-Up in the 384-team event.
The finals of the Masters Championship event featured Wolf Pack of Hatboro, Pa., defeating EZ Pass of Humble, Texas. Wolf Pack took home $10,000 in 1st Place prize money, while EZ Pass received $5,000 as Runner-Up in the 250-team event.
In the Open 9-Ball Doubles Championship, Fobia of Minneapolis, Minn., defeated Come Get Some of North Wales, Pa. Fobia took home a 1st Place prize of $5,000 and the championship trophy, while Come Get Some walked away with $3,000 in prize money.
In addition, the APA conducted nearly round-the-clock MiniMania tournaments, which took place daily and were open to all APA members. The MiniMania tournaments offered multiple formats with 100% prize money payback that awarded nearly $250,000.
The APA, based in Lake Saint Louis, Mo., sanctions the world’s largest amateur pool league, with leagues throughout the United States, Canada and Japan. Nearly 270,000 members compete in weekly 8-Ball and 9‑Ball League play. The APA is generally recognized as the Governing Body of Amateur Pool, having established the official rules, championships, formats and handicap systems for the sport of amateur billiards.
The APA produces three major tournaments each year—the APA National Team Championships, the APA National Singles Championships and the U.S. Amateur Championship—that, together, pay out more than $1.5 Million in cash and prizes annually!
The APA and its championships are sponsored by Aramith, Action Cues and PoolDawg.
For more information on the National Team Championships, visit the official APA website at www.poolplayers.com.
