SDBSA Billiard League Rules 2017-2018 season
The Association shall be known as the Southampton and District Billiards and Snooker Association (SDBSA).
The Executive shall consist of one representative from each team in the Association who is eligible to vote, with the Executive Committee, comprising of the President, Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and Results Secretary, being elected at the Annual General Meeting.
The English Amateur Snooker and Billiards Association rules will apply.
All players are to be registered and handicapped for billiards. Clubs must inform the Association if any players they wish to register are either under 18 or female and must also ascertain from the host club whether they would be allowed to play.
Billiard league matches are to be played as follows:- 1 division, 5 players per team, games of 200 points-up with the order of play being drawn ‘out of the hat’, with the home captain deciding the order of play. All matches must commence by 7.30 pm with at least one game commencing at 7.30pm or 7.45pm at the latest. After 7.45pm two games must be playing. Unless there are extreme circumstances prevailing. All players must be ready to play by 8.45 pm.
Points shall be awarded for billiard league games as follows:- 6 points per match: 1 point per game and 1 'extra' point awarded for winning the team aggregate points total. Total team aggregate points total is based on the number of games actually played on the night.
Each individual player shall be given a points handicap. Maximum ceiling for a minus handicap is -250. Maximum ceiling for a plus handicap is +110. Individual billiards handicaps for all registered players shall be reviewed at the start of the season and then after each match played. If a player wins, he or she will lose -5 five points off of their handicap. If they lose, then they will gain +5 points, and so on throughout the season. A new member or player who has been absent from the league for more than 1 year, who is registered during the season shall be 'starred ***' and have their handicap reviewed after the completion of 3 league matches. This will apply to all league and cup matches. They will then be reviewed after each game as per standard
A super / premier league snooker player will have an initial handicap of +50. (Although the commitee will have the final decision if a player of a higher quality or lower quality plays in the league)
A first division league snooker player will have an initial handicap of +75. (Although the commitee will have the final decision if a player of a higher quality or lower quality plays in the league)
If a team does not have the required 5 players for a match, the captain must inform the opposing captain within 24 hours of the match start time. The match can be re-arranged by mutual consent if the notification is made within 24 hours. Results must be sent by email using the official website results uploader to the Results Secretary the following day after the match is played. In cases of dispute the Executive Committee’s decision shall be final.
If a match is played with a team playing with less than 5 players the offending team will be penalised 1 match point for each player short of the 5 required and any unfinished matches must be brought to the attention of the Executive Committee who will make a decision accordingly.
All clubs taking part in matches sanctioned by the Association must have the unrestricted use of 2 tables maintained in fit match condition with special attention being paid to the cloth, lights, height of the shades and the condition of the balls. The tables must be brushed, blocked and ironed before the actual match games are played.
All billiards matches are to be played with an official set of SPOTTED YELLOW CUE-BALL, SPOTTED WHITE CUE-BALL AND PLAIN RED OBJECT BALL match balls which must not be changed during the match, i.e. the set of balls used for the first game on table 1 must be used for the remaining games on that table. Similarly the balls used for the first game on table 2 must also be used for the remaining games on that table, unless both players agree to change the balls.
No 'snooker' balls are to be used for billiard matches. The home team shall always play with the spotted yellow cue-ball, with the away team using the spotted white cue-ball. The home team shall use the 'top / spot' marker of the tables scoreboard for ease of identification.
The two players will 'string' (playing up the table from the 'D' in hand, hitting the top cushion, to see which cue-ball lands nearest to the baulk cushion) for who has the choice to play first.
Marking shall be by mutual consent of the captains although the onus of providing markers rests with the home team. 2 tables shall be used concurrently. If there is one game to play at the end of the evening and a table is free, then that game must be started on the free table.
All matches to be played within the season except with the permission of the Executive Committee.
The annual entry fee for the billiards league shall be £50 per team.
Employees of clubs may play for that club.
Where a club has more than one team they are regarded as entirely separate and players are not interchangeable.
After the start of the season any new player must be a member of that club.
All players eligible to play at the start of the season shall be registered via email, text or writing to the Press Officer / Results Secretary or President / Treasurer. Teams may register as many players as they wish and a list of registered players and handicaps must be posted on the club Notice Board, signed by a Club Official.
Should a club have an objection to an opposing team's player they must lodge their complaint in writing to the President / Treasurer within 48 hours of the match and state on the result email “Protesting”. In cases of dispute the Executive Committee’s decision shall be final.
Billiards matches are to be played in accordance with the fixture list except when weather conditions prevent this. Any postponed matches are to be played within 4 weeks of the scheduled date. But all league matches are to be played before the date of the last league match. Failure to comply will result in the defaulting team losing all points.
An Annual General Meeting shall be held at the end of each season and each team is entitled to one vote.
CUP COMPETITIONS
ALL PLAYERS ENTERING INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM CUP COMPETITIONS MUST HAVE PLAYED AT LEAST 6 BILLIARD LEAGUE MATCHES, AT ANY TIME, IN ANY SEASON (amendment from 2014 AGM). UNLESS A NEW TEAM ENTERS WITH NEW PLAYERS
Usher Team Billiards Handicap Cup: Teams of 5, 200 points-up. Individual handicaps to apply and total aggregate wins.
Senior Individual Billiards Championship: 2019-2020 NEW FORAMT TO BE ADVISED BY CHRIS BISHOP AND ANDY CARTER. (Existing format is – Rounds 300 up scratch. Semi-finals 2 x 3/4 hour. Final 2 x 1 hour. Semi-finals and final dates to be agreed during the season. All other rounds being played on a home or away basis.)
Stuart Hamper Individual Billiards Challenge Trophy: Individual handicaps (at the time of playing) to apply and all matches will be 200 points-up. Semi-finals and final to be played at a nuetral venue during the season on one evening TBA. Semi-finals to be drawn on the night. All other rounds being played on a home or away basis. If a player wins the Stuart Hamper Individual Billiards Challenge Trophy they will have their handicap reduced by 10 points.
Billiard Pairs Championship: 200 points-up. Average handicap calculated by adding both players handicaps together and dividing by two. Substitutes may be allowed in cases of illness, providing that player has not previously played. If the original player recovers and is then available for future rounds, then he or she may play again. Semi-finals and final to be played at a neutral venue during the season on one evening TBA. All other rounds being played on a home or away basis.
Individual Snooker Championship TO BE ARRANGED BY CHRIS CHRISTODOULOU AFTER THE END OF THE BILLIARDS LEAGUE SEASON: FORMAT TBA
All billiard team competitions are to be drawn ‘out of the hat’ but the order of play will be decided by the home team except for the finals where the referee will decide the order of play.
Unless otherwise stated by the President / Treasurer or agreed between the players, all cup competitions will start at 7.30 pm and failure to appear by 8.30 pm will forfeit the match. Failure to appear without prior notice at any individual or pairs cup match may result in the offending player(s) being banned from all of the following years competitions.
All players wishing to take part in the above competitions must be registered.
Late starting of billiards semi-finals and finals:-
Up to 15 mins - 50 points, 16 to 30 mins - 100 points, 31 mins and over - Match conceded.
Any unreasonable / ungentlemanly behaviour must be reported to the Executive Committee. In cases of dispute the Executive Committee’s decision shall be final. NO COACHING ALLOWED AT ANY TIME DURING A MATCH.
All billiards and snooker matches sanctioned by the Association will be played to their completion unless mutually agreed. Plaques / medals or trophies will be awarded according to the number of entries received.
SDBSA – AUGUST 2019
The Executive shall consist of one representative from each team in the Association who is eligible to vote, with the Executive Committee, comprising of the President, Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and Results Secretary, being elected at the Annual General Meeting.
The English Amateur Snooker and Billiards Association rules will apply.
All players are to be registered and handicapped for billiards. Clubs must inform the Association if any players they wish to register are either under 18 or female and must also ascertain from the host club whether they would be allowed to play.
Billiard league matches are to be played as follows:- 1 division, 5 players per team, games of 200 points-up with the order of play being drawn ‘out of the hat’, with the home captain deciding the order of play. All matches must commence by 7.30 pm with at least one game commencing at 7.30pm or 7.45pm at the latest. After 7.45pm two games must be playing. Unless there are extreme circumstances prevailing. All players must be ready to play by 8.45 pm.
Points shall be awarded for billiard league games as follows:- 6 points per match: 1 point per game and 1 'extra' point awarded for winning the team aggregate points total. Total team aggregate points total is based on the number of games actually played on the night.
Each individual player shall be given a points handicap. Maximum ceiling for a minus handicap is -250. Maximum ceiling for a plus handicap is +110. Individual billiards handicaps for all registered players shall be reviewed at the start of the season and then after each match played. If a player wins, he or she will lose -5 five points off of their handicap. If they lose, then they will gain +5 points, and so on throughout the season. A new member or player who has been absent from the league for more than 1 year, who is registered during the season shall be 'starred ***' and have their handicap reviewed after the completion of 3 league matches. This will apply to all league and cup matches. They will then be reviewed after each game as per standard
A super / premier league snooker player will have an initial handicap of +50. (Although the commitee will have the final decision if a player of a higher quality or lower quality plays in the league)
A first division league snooker player will have an initial handicap of +75. (Although the commitee will have the final decision if a player of a higher quality or lower quality plays in the league)
If a team does not have the required 5 players for a match, the captain must inform the opposing captain within 24 hours of the match start time. The match can be re-arranged by mutual consent if the notification is made within 24 hours. Results must be sent by email using the official website results uploader to the Results Secretary the following day after the match is played. In cases of dispute the Executive Committee’s decision shall be final.
If a match is played with a team playing with less than 5 players the offending team will be penalised 1 match point for each player short of the 5 required and any unfinished matches must be brought to the attention of the Executive Committee who will make a decision accordingly.
All clubs taking part in matches sanctioned by the Association must have the unrestricted use of 2 tables maintained in fit match condition with special attention being paid to the cloth, lights, height of the shades and the condition of the balls. The tables must be brushed, blocked and ironed before the actual match games are played.
All billiards matches are to be played with an official set of SPOTTED YELLOW CUE-BALL, SPOTTED WHITE CUE-BALL AND PLAIN RED OBJECT BALL match balls which must not be changed during the match, i.e. the set of balls used for the first game on table 1 must be used for the remaining games on that table. Similarly the balls used for the first game on table 2 must also be used for the remaining games on that table, unless both players agree to change the balls.
No 'snooker' balls are to be used for billiard matches. The home team shall always play with the spotted yellow cue-ball, with the away team using the spotted white cue-ball. The home team shall use the 'top / spot' marker of the tables scoreboard for ease of identification.
The two players will 'string' (playing up the table from the 'D' in hand, hitting the top cushion, to see which cue-ball lands nearest to the baulk cushion) for who has the choice to play first.
Marking shall be by mutual consent of the captains although the onus of providing markers rests with the home team. 2 tables shall be used concurrently. If there is one game to play at the end of the evening and a table is free, then that game must be started on the free table.
All matches to be played within the season except with the permission of the Executive Committee.
The annual entry fee for the billiards league shall be £50 per team.
Employees of clubs may play for that club.
Where a club has more than one team they are regarded as entirely separate and players are not interchangeable.
After the start of the season any new player must be a member of that club.
All players eligible to play at the start of the season shall be registered via email, text or writing to the Press Officer / Results Secretary or President / Treasurer. Teams may register as many players as they wish and a list of registered players and handicaps must be posted on the club Notice Board, signed by a Club Official.
Should a club have an objection to an opposing team's player they must lodge their complaint in writing to the President / Treasurer within 48 hours of the match and state on the result email “Protesting”. In cases of dispute the Executive Committee’s decision shall be final.
Billiards matches are to be played in accordance with the fixture list except when weather conditions prevent this. Any postponed matches are to be played within 4 weeks of the scheduled date. But all league matches are to be played before the date of the last league match. Failure to comply will result in the defaulting team losing all points.
An Annual General Meeting shall be held at the end of each season and each team is entitled to one vote.
CUP COMPETITIONS
ALL PLAYERS ENTERING INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM CUP COMPETITIONS MUST HAVE PLAYED AT LEAST 6 BILLIARD LEAGUE MATCHES, AT ANY TIME, IN ANY SEASON (amendment from 2014 AGM). UNLESS A NEW TEAM ENTERS WITH NEW PLAYERS
Usher Team Billiards Handicap Cup: Teams of 5, 200 points-up. Individual handicaps to apply and total aggregate wins.
Senior Individual Billiards Championship: 2019-2020 NEW FORAMT TO BE ADVISED BY CHRIS BISHOP AND ANDY CARTER. (Existing format is – Rounds 300 up scratch. Semi-finals 2 x 3/4 hour. Final 2 x 1 hour. Semi-finals and final dates to be agreed during the season. All other rounds being played on a home or away basis.)
Stuart Hamper Individual Billiards Challenge Trophy: Individual handicaps (at the time of playing) to apply and all matches will be 200 points-up. Semi-finals and final to be played at a nuetral venue during the season on one evening TBA. Semi-finals to be drawn on the night. All other rounds being played on a home or away basis. If a player wins the Stuart Hamper Individual Billiards Challenge Trophy they will have their handicap reduced by 10 points.
Billiard Pairs Championship: 200 points-up. Average handicap calculated by adding both players handicaps together and dividing by two. Substitutes may be allowed in cases of illness, providing that player has not previously played. If the original player recovers and is then available for future rounds, then he or she may play again. Semi-finals and final to be played at a neutral venue during the season on one evening TBA. All other rounds being played on a home or away basis.
Individual Snooker Championship TO BE ARRANGED BY CHRIS CHRISTODOULOU AFTER THE END OF THE BILLIARDS LEAGUE SEASON: FORMAT TBA
All billiard team competitions are to be drawn ‘out of the hat’ but the order of play will be decided by the home team except for the finals where the referee will decide the order of play.
Unless otherwise stated by the President / Treasurer or agreed between the players, all cup competitions will start at 7.30 pm and failure to appear by 8.30 pm will forfeit the match. Failure to appear without prior notice at any individual or pairs cup match may result in the offending player(s) being banned from all of the following years competitions.
All players wishing to take part in the above competitions must be registered.
Late starting of billiards semi-finals and finals:-
Up to 15 mins - 50 points, 16 to 30 mins - 100 points, 31 mins and over - Match conceded.
Any unreasonable / ungentlemanly behaviour must be reported to the Executive Committee. In cases of dispute the Executive Committee’s decision shall be final. NO COACHING ALLOWED AT ANY TIME DURING A MATCH.
All billiards and snooker matches sanctioned by the Association will be played to their completion unless mutually agreed. Plaques / medals or trophies will be awarded according to the number of entries received.
SDBSA – AUGUST 2019