Joliet Resident Wins National Pool Championship in Las Vegas: He's $10,000 Richer Now

(The following press release is from Jason Bowman of the American Poolplayers Association.)

LAS VEGAS — A Joliet resident is $10,000 richer after a recent visit to Sin City. But his good fortune didn’t happen in the casino.

Lopez-Hernandez was among nearly 6,000 pool players throughout North America who attempted to qualify for the American Poolplayers Association’s (APA) 9-Ball Shootout. He was one of only 625 that advanced to the national finals at the Westgate Las Vegas.

Lopez-Hernandez competed in the Black Tier of the 9-Ball Shootout and received a cash and prize package worth $10,000 and ultimate bragging rights upon returning home to his local poolroom. The 9-Ball Shootout featured four individual tiers, all based on skill level.

The finals match was live-streamed and can be viewed here: 2026 APA 9-Ball Shootout - Black Tier (SL 8-9) Final.

Lopez-Hernandez is a member of the local APA League in Joliet where he plays pool regularly.

The 9-Ball Shootout, held April 30-May 2, was part of the APA’s Poolplayer Championships, which featured 15 divisions of competition, more than 6,000 total players, and nearly $1 million in prize money.

The APA, based in Lake Saint Louis, Mo., sanctions the world’s largest amateur pool league, known as the APA Pool League throughout the United States, and as the Canadian Pool League in Canada. More than 275,000 members compete in weekly 8-Ball and 9‑Ball League play. The APA is generally recognized as the governing body of amateur pool, having established the official rules, championships, formats and handicap systems for the sport of amateur billiards.

The APA produces three major tournaments—the APA World Pool Championships, the APA Poolplayer Championships and the U.S. Amateur Championship—that, together, pay out nearly $2 Million in cash and prizes annually.

The APA and its championships are sponsored by Aramith, Action Cues, Diamond Billiard Products, Kamui Tips and PoolDawg.com.

For more information on the American Poolplayers Association, visit poolplayers.com.