DRAFT INFORMATION: SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT LEAGUE OPERATOR DISCRETION

Eastside Seattle APA 2027 Cash Cup

Applicable to Eastside Seattle APA Teams Only

Overview

The Cash Cup is a cash money tournament solely for Division winners from the Spring 2026 through Fall 2026 sessions, to be held towards the end of Jan, 2027. The tournament should have up to an anticipated 50 teams from combined 8-Ball and 9-Ball Divisions in ESAPA, with slight deviations as divisions may be added, split, or combined from session to session.  The total purse for the tournament will be a minimum of $10,000 (final amount TBD), distributed across the top 5 teams. Teams must be active in Eastside Seattle APA to be eligible to participate. Qualified teams will use their 2026 Fall Session ending roster of up to 8 players for this tournament.  Each tournament round, teams will select 3 players from their roster, up to a combined skill level limit of 15, to compete in 3 separate matches of a combination of 8 and 9 ball formats for a combined team score.  Skill Level 8 and 9 players will count as 7 towards the skill level limit in 9-Ball, but will play their match race as SL8 or 9.  More details will be released soon.

How to Qualify & Team Rosters For The Cash Cup

1. How To Become A Qualified Team: Teams qualify for the Cash Cup by ending the regular league session in 1st Place in their Division (8 Ball, 9 Ball or DJ) Standings in Spring 2026, Summer 2026, and Fall 2026 after tiebreaking.

2. Qualification Can Be Lost: Be familiar with all the rules in this sheet in order to avoid losing qualification.

3. Players Must Maintain Current Membership: If your membership is not current, you are not eligible to participate in the Cash Cup.

4. Qualified Teams Must Maintain Active Status: A team that qualified in the Spring Session must play during the following Summer, Fall and following Spring Sessions in ESAPA. 

5. 50% Rule For Qualified Teams: Qualified teams that do not finish in the top half of their division in the session(s) after they qualify are subject to loss of qualification, at the discretion of their League Operator.

6. Fall Rosters are Cash Cup Rosters: Your roster at the end of the Fall Session will be your team’s roster for the Cash Cup.  Players who were on the roster when the team qualified, but are not on the roster in the Fall Session leading into the Cash Cup, are not eligible because they are no longer considered part of the team.  THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE.  All roster changes for qualified teams must be made prior to the teams submitting their week four scoresheets during the Fall Session.  All qualified teams rosters are frozen at the conclusion of week four.  No one may be dropped or added.  THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE.

7. The Skill Level You Must Play With: Each player will start the Cash Cup at their Highest Skill Level as defined for the World Championships.

8. Number Of Scores Handicaps Must Be Based On: In order to participate in the Cash Cup, a player must have established their handicap before the end of the Fall Session leading into the Cash Cup, in the format in which they are advancing. An established handicap is one that is based on a minimum of 10 match scores over the past 2 years. Matches played during regular session play, Playoffs and Tri-Annuals count toward the minimum requirement. Match scores obtained through participation in other events, prior to having an established handicap, do not count towards the minimum requirement.

9. Adding A New Player To A Qualified Team In The Fall Session: Any player being added to a qualified team in the Fall Session should have a skill level based on at least 20 scores. If the player has fewer than 20 scores, that player must be approved by the League Operator prior to being added to the roster. The player’s skill level will be subject to heavy scrutiny.

10. Number of Times You Must Have Played With Your Team: Each player must have played at least four times with the team during the regular Fall Session (prior to Playoffs) leading into the Cash Cup.  Players who played less than four matches will be ineligible.

11. Skill Levels Updated: A player’s skill level may be adjusted during any stage of the Cash Cup, as a result of The Equalizer® or a Tournament Director.

12. Teams Must Retain Four Original Members: In order for a team to maintain its qualification, the team’s Cash Cup roster must include four original members.  Original members are those who were on a team when it gained qualification to a Cash Cup.

13. Team Skill Level Limit: Teams may play 3 players up to a combined total of 15 points.  Skill Level 8 and 9 players will count as 7 towards the skill level limit in 9-Ball.  They must still play at skill level 8 or 9 for their matches.

14. Time-Outs: Time-outs are limited to one per player, per rack, regardless of skill level.

15. Common Players At The Cash Cup: A common player is defined as a player on more than one team.  If teams with Common Player(s) meet up in the tournament, Common Player(s) must be the ones to decide to either sit out or declare a team.  The decision must be made prior to the start of the team match.  If Common Player(s) declare a team, they will be subject to the outcome of that team’s match.  They no longer remain eligible on the opposing team in subsequent matches.  If Common Player(s) sit out, they must remain match neutral.  They are not allowed to captain, coach, or participate in group consensus.  If they do any of these, they will be considered to have declared a team.

Tournament Rules

1. Practice Time: Practice is not allowed on any Tournament table, except during specified periods, and only with the permission of the Tournament Director. You are encouraged to practice on tables designated for that purpose, and are asked to share the practice tables with any other contestants who wish to use them. If there is a wait for the practice tables, we ask that you limit your practice time to between 10 and 15 minutes. Designated practice tables are reserved for those contestants who have not yet been eliminated from the Tournament. Practice is not allowed on Tournament tables during play, even when Tournament tables are not in use

2. No Gambling

3. Food and Beverages: Food and Beverages may not be brought to the tournament site.  Beverages are available for sale at the Tournament Site.

4. Forfeit Time: Forfeits will be declared 15 minutes after a match has been called.  If a team has registered for the Tournament, a Tournament Official will attempt to locate the team before a forfeit is declared.  However, Tournament Officials are not obligated to contact the team before a forfeit is declared.  It is the team’s responsibility to be present for their matches when they are called.  The Tournament Director determines when a match is officially forfeited.

5. Sudden Death Format: The tournament director may declare sudden death if the match is exceeding a specific time.  In addition, teams may be required to play 2 or 3 matches concurrently on multiple tables (split play).