American Pool Checkers Explained

American Pool Checkers, also called "American Pool", is a variant of draughts, mainly played in the mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States and in Puerto Rico.

Basic rules

As in the related game English draughts (also known as American checkers or straight checkers), the game is played on an 8x8 board with the double corner (corner without a checker) to each player's right.[1] The dark pieces player starts the game by making the first move. One difference from the rules of English checkers is that a piece may capture both forward and backward. A player must capture an opponent's checker when possible (both forward and backward), but if two possibilities exist, the player may choose the sequence (even if one sequence has more jumps). The pieces are not removed until all jumps are completed and the player's hand is removed from his piece. A player may not capture an opponent more than one time. A player may not capture his own pieces.

Another difference is that kings are flying kings, which means that a king can jump any number of squares forward and backward. A king can make right turns after a jump and continue along another path after successfully taking an opponent. A king must also make all the possible jumps during a sequence. If the condition arises that one player has three kings and the other has just one king, the player who has the three kings must win within thirteen moves (even if the fourteenth move is a capture).

Past champions of the American Pool Checker Association

Names of champions in the several divisions are listed with the APCA club that they represent.[2]

All Tournament Results 2005–2019

Championship Divisions
Year / Place Top Master Master Junior Master Gold Bar Blue Ribbon
2019 Memphis, TennesseeAl "Eastpoint" Alfred Barnett, Sparta, GeorgiaJames Lyles, GeorgiaAntony TanqwaGeorge Dozier, Memphis, TennesseeNolan McCaskill
2018 Baltimore, MarylandAl "Eastpoint" Alfred Barnett, Sparta, GeorgiaMichael Tramaine Adkins, Alapaha, GeorgiaGeneral Owens, Chicago, IllinoisCharles Smith, Bartlett, TennesseeRobbie Mason
2017 Chicago, IllinoisAl "Eastpoint" Alfred Barnett, Sparta, GeorgiaDerrick Williams, Memphis, TennesseeKemraj Rambarr, New JerseySonny Towns, Trotwood, OhioCharles Smith, Memphis, Tennessee
2016 Durham, North CarolinaAl "Eastpoint" Alfred Barnett, Sparta, GeorgiaCharlie Williams, KentuckyJoe Davis, Louisburg, North CarolinaBooker Neely, Mantee, MississippiJames McQuay, Jacksonville, Florida
2015 Albany, GeorgiaAl "Eastpoint" Alfred Barnett, Sparta, GeorgiaEugene "Sailorboy" McCloud, Moultrie, GeorgiaJames Lyles, GeorgiaRonald Jackson, Macon, GeorgiaStevie L. Scott, Lakeland Florida
2014 Memphis, TennesseeAl "Eastpoint" Alfred Barnett, Sparta, GeorgiaFreddie Welcher, Augusta, GeorgiaDerrick Williams, Memphis, TennesseeJoe Davis, Louisburg, North CarolinaKenneth Jones, Havana, Florida
2013 Columbia, South CarolinaCalvin Monroe, Atlanta, Georgia
Al "Eastpoint" Alfred Barnett, Sparta, Georgia
Carlye Lasane, Columbia, South CarolinaAlexander McNair, Durham, North CarolinaMichael Tramaine Adkins, Alapaha, GeorgiaCornelius McCleod, South Carolina
2012 Atlanta, GeorgiaAl "Eastpoint" Alfred Barnett, Sparta, GeorgiaMichael Weaver, Washington, D.C.Lynwood Tharrington, Durham, North Carolina
Alex Issac, Darlington, South CarolinaJames Lyles, Georgia
Derrick Williams, Memphis, TennesseeWalter A. Adams, Atlanta, Georgia
2011 Columbus, OhioCalvin Monroe, Atlanta, GeorgiaFred D. Shurn, Chicago, IllinoisMichael Weaver, Washington, D.C.Khemraj Rambarran, Washington, D.C.Robert Firstlist, St. Louis, Missouri
2010 Durham, North CarolinaAl "Eastpoint" Alfred Barnett, Atlanta, Georgia
Calvin Monroe, Atlanta, Georgia
Tim Moore, Durham, North CarolinaToney Simuel, Washington, D.C.Michael Weaver, Washington, D.C.William Wilkerson, Durham, NC
2009 Washington, D.C.Calvin Monroe, Atlanta, GeorgiaKim Williams, Washington, D.C.Thomas Fletcher, Washington, D.C.Toney Simuel, Washington, D.C.William Ham Apex, North Carolina
2008 Chicago, IllinoisCalvin Monroe, Atlanta, GeorgiaArthur McCarr, Tampa, FloridaKim Williams, Washington, D.C.General Owens, Chicago, IllinoisJoe Davis, Louisburg, NC
2007 ChicagoAl Lambert, Chicago, IllinoisClinton Thang & David Jackson Macon, GAGregory Green, Macon, GeorgiaKim Williams, Virginia Beach, Va.Derrick Williams, Memphis, Tennessee
2006 Columbus, OhioCalvin Monroe, Atlanta, GeorgiaJohn Williams, Washington, D.C.Larry Lindsay, PiedmontTommie Ferrell, Athens, GeorgiaKeith Brown, St. Louis, Missouri
2005 Atlanta, GeorgiaAl "Eastpoint" Alfred Barnett, Sparta, Georgia
Calvin Monroe, Atlanta, Georgia
Willie Robinson, Atlanta, GeorgiaHammond Clark, Atlanta, GeorgiaReggie King, Miami, FloridaToney Simuel, Atlanta, Georgia
2004 Memphis, TennesseeCalvin Monroe, Atlanta, GeorgiaEdward Danzy, Detroit, MichiganJessie Sherfield, Memphis, TennesseeFreddie Lambert, Durham, NCRobert Hunt, Miami, Florida
2003 Atlanta, GeorgiaAl "Eastpoint" Alfred Barnett, Sparta, GeorgiaHomer King, MaconEdward Danzy, Detroit, MichiganAlexander McNair, PiedmontAlexander Eley, Atlanta, Georgia
2002 Washington, D.C.Calvin Monroe Georgia
Charlie Brown, Baltimore
Alexander Katz, New York
Albert Harrison, North Carolina
Joe Wilson, Memphis, Tennessee
John Williams, Washington, D.C.Robert N. Johnson, PiedmontMichael Weaver, Washington, D.C.
2000 Columbus, OhioIon Dosca, MoldovaClorius Lay, GaryArthur McCarr, TampaKeith Goodman, Atlanta, GeorgiaLynwood Tharrington, Piedmont
1999 Memphis, TennesseeAl "Eastpoint" Alfred Barnett, Sparta, GeorgiaFrank Cox, BahamasDonald Jackson, MaconEmmett Smith, GeorgiaJames Lanier, Piedmont
1998 Atlanta, GeorgiaAl "Eastpoint" Alfred Barnett, Sparta, GeorgiaLouis Rufus, St. LouisDavid Jackson, MaconTimothy Moore, PiedmontVilner Philippe, Bahamas
Emanuel Rogers, St. Louis
1997 Flint, MichiganAl "Eastpoint" Alfred Barnett, Sparta, GeorgiaAlex Golodets, Memphis, TennesseeJoseph Wilson, Memphis, TennesseeWillie Robinson, Midwest, OhioElliott Eley, St. Louis
1996 Houston, TexasAl "Eastpoint" Alfred Barnett, Sparta, GeorgiaAnatoliy Grupin, Los Angeles, California
Anthony Simmons, Georgia
Servin Hanna, BahamasChauncey Smith, St. LouisTimothy Moore, Piedmont
1995 Augusta, GeorgiaAl "Eastpoint" Alfred Barnett, Sparta, Georgia
Elton Williams, Flint
Vincent 'Dino' Dean, BahamasFreddie Welcher, AugustaGary Watson, FloridaEugene Davis, Georgia
1994 Winston-Salem, North CarolinaCalvin Monroe, GeorgiaTimothy Irving, Houston, TexasFred Shurn, Chicago, IllinoisRodger Knowles, BahamasWilliam Byrant, Piedmont
1993 Petal, MississippiElton Williams, FlintOrlando Williams, Chicago, IllinoisAnatoliy Grupin, Los Angeles, CaliforniaWayne Lockheart, Toledo, OhioClinton Murphy, Georgia
1992 Nassau, BahamasCarl Smith, Chicago, Illinois
Andrew Frazier, Bahamas
Charles Hudson, Detroit, MichiganMichael Williams, BahamasLeonard Bains, BahamasGeneral Owens, Chicago, Illinois
1991 Los Angeles, CaliforniaCarl Smith, Chicago, IllinoisMelvin Martin, NAFrank Cox, BahamasTherman Earnest, Chicago, IllinoisJoe Bailey, LA
1990 Atlanta, GeorgiaIser Kuperman, Midwest, OhioSimon Levine, NAWillie Robinson, GeorgiaObie Rufus, Memphis, TennesseeLeonard Bain, Bahamas
1989 Columbus, OhioIser Kuperman, NAValentine Cox, BahamasNelson Moore, St. LouisClifford Johnson, Chicago, IllinoisCrover Kennedy, LA
Christopher Stinson, LA
1988 Detroit, MichiganIser Kuperman, NASylvester Wilson, NA
Al Lambert, Chicago, Illinois
Orlando Williams, Chicago, IllinoisFred Shurn, Chicago, IllinoisJoseph Capers, Detroit, Michigan
1987 Memphis, TennesseeIser Kuperman, BahamasHenry Stokes, Memphis, TennesseeAlbert Harrison, Winston-SalemJessie Sheffield, Memphis, TennesseeFred Shurn, Chicago, Illinois
1986 St. Louis, MissouriIser Kuperman, BahamasHenry Miller, Georgia
Andrew Frazier, Bahamas
Valentine Cox, BahamasFrank Cox, BahamasGarland Kilpatrick, LA
1985 Dayton, OhioIser Kuperman, BahamasJames Garrett, Winston-SalemAndrew Frazier, BahamasRobert Butler, BahamasEddie Smith, Chicago, Illinois
1984 Nassau, BahamasIser Kuperman, BahamasNeil Wright, NAJames Chambers, BahamasAndrew Frazier, BahamasRoger Knowles, NA
1983 Chicago, IllinoisCarl Smith, Chicago, IllinoisGeorge Briscoe, Berston/FlintAl Lambert, Chicago, IllinoisLouis Rufus, St. LouisWayne Lockheart, Toledo, Ohio
1982 Akron, OhioCarl Smith, Chicago, IllinoisJames Shell, GeorgiaEugene Hampton, Berston/FlintValentine Cox, BahamasSylvester Wilson, Berston/Flint
1981 Memphis, TennesseeMomodou Fall, GeorgiaJames Stone, GeorgiaHomer King, GeorgiaMcBee Smith, Cleveland, OhioRobert Johnson, Chicago, Illinois
1980 Washington, D.C.Momodou Faal, GeorgiaRembert Ford, Detroit
Parmalee McClammey, Brooklyn
Bobby Hodo, Chicago, IllinoisDan Flowers, Detroit, MichiganPrince Garland, Washington
1979 Winston-Salem, North CarolinaMomodou Faal, Georgia
Vladimir Kaplan, N.Y. Dream
Elton Williams, Berston/Flint
Larry Stepter, Memphis, TennesseeParmalee McClammey, BrooklynBobby Hodo, Chicago, IllinoisEmory Myrick, Brooklyn
1978 Detroit, MichiganVladimir Kaplan, N.Y. DreamJesse Hurst, Memphis, TennesseeCharles Hudson, Detroit, MichiganBen Rice, Detroit, MichiganJohnny Jamerson, Piedmont
1977 Atlanta, GeorgiaVladimir Kaplan, N.Y. DreamJoel Marshall, GeorgiaC.P. Rudy, N.Y. DreamParmalee McClammey, BrooklynBobby Hodo, Detroit, Michigan
1976 Memphis, TennesseeCarl Smith, Chicago, IllinoisRaleigh Taylor, BrooklynJames Sharp, Chicago, IllinoisLuther Murray, Detroit, MichiganJesse Sheffield, Memphis, Tennessee
1975 Chicago, IllinoisCarl Smith, Chicago, IllinoisOhio Mitchell, Chicago, IllinoisLarry Stepter, Memphis, TennesseeStephen Trader, Harlem Pk.S. Saneigeyman, Cleveland, Ohio
1974 St. Louis, MissouriCarl Smith, Chicago, IllinoisCharles McDuffie, St. LouisAlex Femandez, BrooklynJesse Galloway, N.Y. DreamLeroy Thomas, Chicago, Illinois
1973 New York, New YorkCarl Smith, Chicago, IllinoisElton Williams, Berston/FlintJasper Grayson, NAAlex Femandez, BrooklynStephen Trader, Harlem Pk.
1972 Detroit, MichiganCarl Smith, Chicago, IllinoisSee Top MastersElton Williams, Berston/FlintCharles Florene, Chicago, IllinoisRay Lawrence, N.Y. Dream
1971 Flint, MichiganVictor Krafft, Chicago, Illinois
Ollie Howard, N.Y. Dream
See Top MastersJoel Marshall, GeorgiaElton Williams, Berston/FlintEddie Reynolds, Cleveland, Ohio
1970 Cleveland, OhioCarl Smith, Chicago, IllinoisCarl Smith, Chicago, IllinoisWood Williamson, Detroit, MichiganRudy Slade, N.Y. DreamElton Williams, Berston/Flint
1969 Atlanta, GeorgiaWilliam Langley, Detroit, MichiganCarl Smith, Chicago, IllinoisFrank Mitchell, GeorgiaJames Turner, Detroit, MichiganArchie Hinton, Georgia
1968 Detroit, MichiganCharlie Carter, GeorgiaCarl Smith, Chicago, IllinoisBen White, Detroit, MichiganPierce Towns, GeorgiaWalter Hall, Berston/Flint
1967 Detroit, MichiganCarl Smith, Chicago, IllinoisGeorge Lyons, ClevelandJames Shell, GeorgiaHoward Jackson, GeorgiaMichael Jordan, Georgia
1966 Detroit, MichiganGeorge Sykes, Detroit, MichiganGeorge Sykes, Detroit, MichiganRembert Ford, Detroit, MichiganHoward Jackson, GeorgiaMichael Jordan, Georgia

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://americanpoolcheckers.us/index.php/history/apca-tournament-rules-of-play The APCA Playing Rules
  2. This list of winners is taken from All Tournament Results 1966–2019, compiled and published by the American Pool Checker Association.