CueSports International manages the BCA Pool League. It was initially operated by The Billiard Congress of America. The BCA Pool League, an umbrella membership organization that supports pool leagues all over the world, is operated by CueSports International. The association has over 50,000 members. It also has over 500 leagues located in eight countries.
The BCA Pool League was founded in 1897 and is the oldest sanctioning pool league organization in the entire world. The original organization was operated by the BCA. It was sold to CueSports International, in 2004. The organization is active in Canada and has over 450 leagues in eight different countries.
BCA Pool League rules allow for team play. Teams have a maximum of eight players. Each player may only play one or more games per round. All players must be members. All players must sign an official Code of Conduct and Ethics agreement. A Hall of Fame has been established to recognize great players.
The BCA Pool League was formed in 1978 to unify the independent leagues all over the world. It was created to bring pool leagues together with economies of size. With more than 450 leagues in eight countries, the organization has become a powerful force in pool. It is also a major sponsor for the WPBA Tour which is the most prestigious pool tournament in North America.
The BCA Pool League rules were designed to allow for fair play and to promote good sportsmanship. Terry Bell founded the league with Larry Hubbart. They were all professional pool players. In 1981, they founded the American Poolplayers Association (APA). It has two international associates, the World Pool-Billiard Association WPBA or the Japanese Poolplayers Association JPA.
The BCA Pool League is a nine-ball and eight ball league that plays on 9-foot tables. Points are the basis of nine-ball matches. To win, the player must score 2 or more points. In the eight-ball, players must play at a skill level of three or higher. Eight points are awarded to the player who wins more games in a round. If the match is postponed, the match must be played within three weeks. The match is forfeited if the player cannot play within the three-week deadline.
Players must register and pay dues to the BCA Pool League. Score sheets must clearly indicate all dues paid. If a player does not pay all dues, his or her scores will not be counted.
BCA Pool League rules also incorporate "Applied Rulings", which are large-scale tournament administration. These rules include the "lag timing rule", which stipulates that the ball must not be fired until the opponent's ball touches the foot cushion.
The league director has the right to make placement decisions. The league director is responsible for ensuring that all divisions are competitive. The league director is responsible for making sure that all players are treated equally, and that no one team is preferred over the other.
BCA Pool League rules also contain an APA handicapping method known as the "Equalizer". This system gives each player an equal chance of winning.