Co-Founders – Larry Hubbart and Terry Bell
In 1979, after several years on the professional circuit and with numerous titles under his belt, Terry “Texas Terry” Bell developed an idea for a centrally controlled nationwide amateur pool organization. He realized how popular billiards was becoming and knew that no organized system for recreational league play existed. So, amid much skepticism among professional players, Bell joined forces with Larry “The Iceman” Hubbart, who was also competing on the professional circuit. Together they founded the American Poolplayers Association, Inc. (APA) in 1981 to act as the sanctioning body of the League. Previously known as the American Pool League, Busch Pool League, Bud Light Pool League and the Camel Pool League, the APA now sanctions and oversees the APA 8-Ball League and APA 9-Ball League in the United States, the Canadian Poolplayers Association in Canada, Japanese Poolplayers Association in Japan and APA of Singapore in Singapore.
Based on their knowledge of the game, Bell and Hubbart developed a unique handicap system, The Equalizer®, to level the playing field in the League. The Equalizer® utilizes a formula that measures a scoring ability by counting the number of turns it takes a player to win a game. The result is a handicap that determines the number of games a player must win to capture a match. After the handicap system was developed, the APA was formed as the sanctioning body of the League. In October 2010, Bell and Hubbart were inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame for Meritorious Service!

The APA of Central Iowa
 The APA of Central Iowa is the #1 Amateur Pool League in the state of Iowa. We offer both amateur 8-Ball & 9-Ball Leagues using the APA's Equalizer Handicap System where everyone has an equal chance to win. Teams consist of 5-8 players with a low weekly fee of $41.25 per team ($82.50 for Double Jeopardy which is 8 & 9 ball played the same night using 2 tables) plus a $31.80 annual membership fee. These teams compete in local divisions where the APA Hosting Taverns are grouped geographically to minimize traveling distance when possible. The year is divided into 3 sessions, with each session running between 12 and 18 weeks. Teams may play any day, Sunday through Thursday, so it's easy to fit the APA into your schedule. The APA of Central Iowa offers a cash payback at tri-cup tournament and other tournaments. Tri-cup tournaments are held at the conclusion of every session. Teams compete for the right to represent Iowa in Las Vegas at the APA National Team Championships. We also offer player achievement patches and trophies to our members.