(for Standard Weekly 8-Ball and 9-Ball Divisions) 

Even if your team didn’t finish at the top of division standings, every team still has a chance to make playoffs and be eligible for the wild card draw, as long as all league fees are paid and the team has no more than 5 individual forfeits in the session.

Playoff Structure
Each division has a 2-week playoff, with a structure based on the number of teams in the division.

The winning teams from the first round of playoffs play again in the final round (week 2). The team with the highest seed hosts each playoff match for each week of playoffs. Playoff champions will go to the Blast. Refer to the San Diego APA bylaws for all details regarding the playoffs.

Reduced Playoff Fees
Playoff fees are $40 instead of $50, regardless of how many individual matches are played. You will not be able to use the League app/Stripe to pay the reduced rate playoff fees.

Any shortages on fees will be applied to your team for the start of the next session. If you pay with the app, you will only be able to pay the full $50 weekly team fee, and you would then receive a $10 credit that will show on your next score sheet. To pay the reduced fee, use one of the following payment methods instead, and please remember to include TEAM # in the PAYMENT MEMO:

Playoff Scoring
Playoff matches are scored the same as regular League play, with the exception of forfeits.  The first team to reach a match point total that the opposing team cannot overcome is the winner. Therefore, Playoff matches can end before all individual matches are complete. Once a player has reached the number of racks or balls necessary to secure the win for their team, simply stop the match and write "DNF" (Did Not Finish) on the scoresheet.

In 8-Ball, teams can earn a maximum of 15 points, so any team that reaches 8 points has won the match. Teams can win with less than 8 points if the opponent cannot mathematically catch up with the remaining matches. For example, if a team is ahead 7 to 3 after 4 matches, there is no need to continue. In the event of a tie, the team that won 3 of the 5 matches will be the tiebreaker. For example, if Team A won 2-0, 2-0, 2-0 and Team B won 3-0, 3-0, the tie score of 6-6 goes to Team A. The team match can end without actually completing an individual match. If a player gets to the hill and earns a point for the team and that one point eliminates the other team from being able to win the match, there is no need to continue. The same thing can happen when one person wins a game, which prevents the other player from getting a 3-0 win. Individual forfeits in 8-ball are 3-0 (rather than 2-0 in regular session).

In 9-Ball, the team that reaches 51 points or more will win the match. In the event a match ends up as a 50-50 tie, the team that won 3 of the 5 matches wins. Once a team reaches 51 points, there is no need to continue. The same can be said for a team that reaches 50 points, and has won a minimum of 3 matches. The team match can end without actually completing an individual match. For example, your team has 47 points after 4 matches and you put up a skill level 4 in the 5^th match. Your team has won 3 of the first 4 matches, so you own the 50/50 tiebreaker, and therefore only need 3 more points to win the match. To determine how many points your skill level 4 needs get 3 match points, use the chart on the front side of the score sheet, and look at the number of points needed for he/she were to lose the match with a score of 17-3. In this case, a skill level 4 needs 12 points to earn 3 points for the team. Once the skill level 4 reaches 12 points, it is no longer necessary to continue the match. The key is to pretend that your player were to lose the match, as you always use the losing player’s score and skill level to determine how many points each team earned for a match. If you’re still confused about how this works, just play it through so you don’t risk not completing the match. Individual forfeits in 9-Ball during playoffs are 20-0 (rather than 15-0 during regular session).

Playoff Rules
All the rules governing regular session play still apply during Session Playoffs. This includes the Team Skill Level Limit Rule, where the sum of skill levels of the 5 individuals that play cannot exceed 23. Violating this “23 Rule” will result in a full team forfeit. If your roster allows you to meet the 23 rule, you must meet the 23 rule. No exceptions. The two senior skill level rule is also in effect for both 8- and 9-Ball during playoffs.

If the 5 lowest skilled eligible players on your printed roster do not add up to 23 or less, you may forego the 23 rule and play 4 players to 19. The 5^th match will be a forfeit. If you cannot meet the 23 rule with the 5 lowest skilled players on your printed roster, and you also cannot meet the 19 rule with the 4 lowest skilled eligible players on your roster, then you can play 3 players to 15. However, you will forfeit the last 2 matches. If you cannot meet the 23 rule, the 19 rule or the 15 rule, then it may be time to rebuild the team. Ineligible players’ skill levels may not be used to meet the 23 rule.

Coaching during the playoffs is the same as the regular session, 2 for SL 1-3’s and 1 for SL 4’s and above.

As is always the case, timely return of your score sheets during playoffs is a must. Office hours are extended during the playoffs. If you have a dispute during your match, please contact the league office at the time of the dispute.