The BCA Pool League Player Rating Categories

It is less than 6 months before thousands of pool players from around the world compete in the 35th Annual BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships in Las Vegas (May 11-22, 2011), widely recognized as “The Greatest Pool Tournament in the World!” 

In the summer of 2010, the BCA Pool League expanded and publicized their player rating categories to include Open, Advanced, Master and Grand Master levels. For the player's convenience, a page is posted on the BCAPL website where all Advanced, Master and Grand Master players are listed. To view the lists visit:

http://playbca.com/Leagues/AdvancedandMasterList.aspx.

   1. First select Men, Women or both.
   2. Next select Masters, Grand Masters, Advanced or any combination.
   3. Then click Go

Additionally, at the bottom of each list is a copy of the BCAPL rating criteria.

The past two years CueSports International (CSI) analyzed the growth of players' skill levels at the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships and decided to create a new rating classification: the Advanced Division.

­The Advanced Division was created to add a level of play that falls between the Open Division and the Masters Division.  Most of the players who have been moved into the Advanced Division were moved from the Masters Division down to the Advanced.  The goal is to allow more players to participate and to further competitive opportunity.

CSI also reclassified all active Player Members to be included in the other singles divisions (based on their individual ability).

The following new Advancement Criteria became effective June 1, 2010 and is retroactive to all players who have cashed in the singles divisions of the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships since 2005.

­New Advancement Criteria                               Old Policy  New Policy

Top 8 from Men's Open Singles                              Master                   Master
Top 4 from Women's Open Singles                         Master                   Master        
9th-48th from Men's Open Singles                           Master                   Advanced
5th-12th from Women's Open Singles                      Master                   Advanced
Top 8 from Men's Player Member Singles                Master                   Advanced
Top 2 from Women's Player Member Singles           Master                   Advanced
Top 6 from Men's Senior Singles                            Master                   Advanced
Top 3 from Women's Senior Singles                       Master                   Advanced

Team Masters:

Going into 2011, all Team Masters are now on the Advanced or Open player lists based on singles performance and known ability. The Team Master category is based on an individual's participation on a team's finish at the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships.        

State Masters:

Players who are currently listed in their state as a Master player (but who have not participated in the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships) may remain as a Master or be moved down to the Advanced Division based on known ability and state and regional tournament results from 2005 – 2010.

Player Members:

All new Player Members, beginning June 1, 2010 will be required to enter the Advanced or higher Singles Divisions, ranked based on known ability. New and established Player Members (who have not cashed) may request consideration to enter the Open Division, but will be assessed individually.

Players on the Advanced list may petition the BCAPL to be removed. The Advanced category is based on individual play. If we have a tournament history of that player in singles that indicates that they are not an Advanced level player, they may be removed from the list and put back into the Open division.

Petition Procedure

To petition the BCA Pool League in order to be removed from the Advanced, Master, Grand Master or Team Master list, email Bill Stock at bill@playcsipool.com or mail the request. Telephone requests will not be accepted. All requests must be in writing.

Bill Stock
Director of Referees
Rules Administrator
CueSports International
2041 Pabco Rd
Henderson, NV, 89011
bill@playcsipool.com

For those planning to play in the 35th BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships, the Riviera has lowered their room rates for 2011. To receive these great new rates, you must book through the BCAPL online Riviera booking link or call the Riviera toll-free number (800) 634-6753 Group Code BCAPCPP. Go to: BOOK MY ROOM AT THE RIV

Starting in early 2011, CSI will be able to accept online registration for all CSI independent events including the “Swanee”, U.S. Bar Table Championships, the U.S. Open 10-Ball Championship, and the 12th U.S. One Pocket Championship.