Why TAP?? 

Great rules, State of the art technology, huge prize paybacks, and Low Prices just to name a few. We give players of all skill levels the opportunity to learn the game the way it was meant to be played.  We also have some great individuals playing in this league.  Here are the differences and the thoughts of some TAP Austin current players playing in the league about the league. 

The TAP Austin differences:

Great Rules
NO SLOP, Called pocket 8-Ball, Pro Style 9-Ball
25 point rule;
Beginners (Skill Level 2s) Unlimited assistance

State of the Art Technology- TAP matches are entired weekly into the State of the Art Web-based National Handicapping and Stat system called Pool-Net.  Pool-Net compares player match stats against all players across the country to determine handicaps. Each handicap is determined to .01 with over 240 mathmatical formulas. So a 4 is not just a 4, but a 4.57. Anti-sandbagging   features inside of Pool-Net also help ensure skill levels are accurate and manipulation by players has minimal impact.

Other leagues handicaps are determined at a local level and are not tied to a National Database.  Since there is no association of handicaps at a National level the end result is mismatches in handicaps across the Nation.  Example a 3 Handicap player in Austin, may not be a 3 handicap player in Florida.  A bias towards players handicaps exists between operator in Austin vs. the Florida operator. 
Stats-  TAP provides game/match wins and losses for all individuals on the team.  Additionally, TAP operators have access to indepth stat histories and handicap calculations.

HUGE PAYBACKS- 50% of the weekly team dues are paid out to the top winning teams each session in the for of cash and prizes!! In other leagues this can be as small as 10%!!! The payout and prize history section on this website.  Something no other league in town offers!!

Multiple National Level Tournaments 
Rally in the Valley in Valley Forge, PA is a national dream team event pitting the best players from across the country and Canada against each other. This tournament is open to all players of TAP and in held as part of Allen Hopkins' Super Billiards EXPO.

The TAP National Team and Singles Championships is held annually at various locations across the country. In 2006 TAP Nationals Tourney was in Louisville, KY, in 2007 it was in Myrtle Beach, SC, and in 2008 it was in Orlando, Florida. This gives teams/players the opportunity to visit other states and locations across the US. 

Player Testimonials:

TAP is for all levels of amateur players from the highly advanced to the beginner. It is the only league offering unlimited assistance to the lowest skill level player.

"I have played in numerous pool leagues for nearly a decade, from the East Coast to Texas, and TAP is truly the best league out there. TAP is a league that encourages new and inexperienced players to join and is the only league that allows newer players the advantage of unlimited assistance. It is a great place to meet new people from all walks of life and enjoy a fun filled night out." - Peter Artes, player number 45319.

TAP was brought to Austin in February 2006 by three pool players who wanted something different. 

"I saw a TAP commercial late one evening in December of 2005 on ESPN during a WPBA 9-Ball tournament. I told Mark and TJ about it and we decided to check it out. We instantly were hooked by the benefits and rules TAP had to offer." - Matt Urbanek, League Operator, TAP Austin.

TAP offers a more challenging set of rules, a different way to keep stats, and a more accurate ranking system than other leagues. 

"As a business analyst I frequently work with stats, and what I appreciate most about TAP is knowing that their handicaps are based on more than just a few factors such as number of innings, wins (losses), and safeties.  TAP handicaps also consider completed or missed called-pocket ("skill") shots, balls made on the break, and balls left on the table at game's end.  Obviously, a player who consistently loses a game with only 1 ball remaining is considerably better than a similarly ranked player who loses with 6 balls remaining.  Simply put, TAP handicaps are more representative of one's capabilities!" - Mark Weisman, player number 65606.

TAP offers the chance for players from different backgrounds and levels of experience to compete at a high level.

"I'm really enjoying my TAP pool teams this summer! I play in one division at Eric's on Wednesdays that is skill level handicapped. We have pool shooters of all skill levels and ages playing. Novices and veterans are mixing it up on the Grand's 9-foot tables each week. I especially like the enthusiasm and fun attitude of the UT Billiards Club players! The Wednesday division at the Grand's has some of the best pool shooters playing today in Austin. I'm challenged every week to play my best pool, and I'm learning more about good pool strategy from playing against these elite players! I'm looking forward to post-session tournaments and the fall session! Come on out and join in the fun with us!" - Fuzz Wingfield, player number 65587.

TAP's membership costs are quite a bit less than the other leagues in Austin.  Up to 40% Less in most cases!   Why?  Becuase we believe that players deserve to have fun without adding additional costs without justification.  We also know times are tough right now with the economy and want players to know that they could have a great time like they had in the past with other leagues, without ALL the additional costs you find in other leagues!

So what are you waiting for?? Join the hundreds of others and experience the difference. Join TAP today.