Worthing League Rules 2022 to 2023 season below.
WORTHING & DISTRICT BAR BILLIARDS LEAGUE - 01/08/23
Latest amendments in white type.
1. The League shall be called the WORTHING AND DISTRICT BAR BILLIARDS LEAGUE.
2. The League shall be affiliated to the Sussex County Bar BiIIiards Association.
3. The Object of the League is to organise competitive bar billiards in Worthing and surrounding district. District defined as being an 10 mile radius from The Tarring Club H.Q. Applications from teams outside this radius, to be considered at time of application at the A.G.M. by the current membership, or in the event of being received after A.G.M, to be considered by Executive Committee
4. Membership is open to all players (Male or Female), players under 14 years of age are acceptable, but can only play at the discretion of the venues landlord. This to be authorised prior to individual matches, by host landlord.
5. The League shall be operated by an Executive Committee consisting of President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and at least 2 Committee Members. All except for the President, may stand for re-election annually at the A.G.M. The President shall be elected for a period of 3 years after which time he/she may stand for re-election at the A.G.M.
6. Committee meetings will be the 1st Monday of every month unless otherwise informed. 5 members of the Executive Committee shall form a quorum. All Executive Committee members, as defined in Rule 5, present at the meeting shall have 1 vote. The Chairman shall have an original and casting vote.
7. Additional members may be co-opted to the Executive Committee to fill any office(s) which may become vacant.
8. The Annual General Meeting shall be held during July at which the Annual accounts will be presented.
9. Any proposals for alterations or additions to the rules must be submitted in writing to the Secretary at least 14 days before the Annual General Meeting.
10. An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called by the Executive Committee or by 3 league teams. In this event 14 days notice must be given.
11. The League's financial year shall be from 1st July to 30th June.
12. Bank accounts shall be maintained in the name the League at Nat West, Rustington and all cheques be authorised by the signatures of any two of the Chairman, Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer.
13. In the event of dissolution of the League all money and property of the League shall be distributed as directed by the Executive Committee.
14. Formation of the League to be left to the discretion of the Executive Committee.
15. All matches to be played according to Match and Playing Rules.
16. There will be a League and Competition Registration Fee which shall be decided at the A.G.M.
17. Transfers will be allowed up to mid-season on payment of a transfer fee, as decided at the A.G.M., to the League. Registered players who have not played in a League match to serve a qualifying period of 4 weeks from date of transfer. Those who have played, 6 weeks.
18. Registrations and transfers not accepted after mid-season.
19. Any points arising which are not covered by either Match or Playing Rules shall be decided by the Executive Committee.
MATCH RULES - GENERAL
G 1. The playing area of the table shall be not less than 54 1/2 inches or more than 56 1/2 inches in length, and not less than 32 inches in width, measured from the inside edge of the cushions.
G 2. The table shall be not less than 34 inches and not more than 36 1/2 inches in height from the floor to the top of the cushion.
G 3. Table must be level and in good condition.
G 4. Any table not conforming to recognised standards i.e. pockets tampered with, spots out of position or deliberately altered from manufacturers specification in any way, will not be eligible for League or Competition matches until rectified to the Executive Committee's satisfaction.
G 5. There shall be one black and two white pegs of equal size and weight. To a height of at least 2 inches above its base each peg should be cylindrical with a diameter between six and seven tenths inches. The black peg shall be placed on a spot the back edge of which will be a quarter of an inch from the front edge of the 200 hole. The white pegs shall be placed on spots level with and seven inches from the centre of the 100 hole.
G 6. A 'D' shall be firmly fixed to the table in the centre of the base of the playing area. This should be approximately one and nine sixteenth inches radius and the centre of the 'D' shall be clearly marked with a spot, to be known as the break spot.
G 7. Another spot shall be fixed in the centre of the table with its centre not less than six and three quarters inches and not more than seven and one sixteenth inches from the centre of the break spot on the 'D'. This shall be known as the red spot.
G 8. Baulk lines shall be clearly drawn on the table radiating from the centre of the base of the playing area to the side cushions so as to form an arc of not less than 150 degrees and not more than 160 degrees.
G 9. The table shall be adequately illuminated.
GI0. One red ball and seven white balls of equal size and weight shall be provided.
G11. There shall be a minimum playing time on a table of 15 minutes and maximum time of 20 minutes. If the bar drops before the minimum time, the scorer shall call short game and further coins shall be inserted immediately to enable the game to continue to a time of 18 minutes, when the scorer will call time and any further balls potted will be removed from the tray. If the bar has not dropped by the maximum time the scorer will again call time and any further balls potted will be removed from the tray.
G12. No instructions may be given, nor remarks made whilst games are in progress.
G13. Players must not shake or jar the table, nor may the hands of the clock mechanism be touched in any way after the start of the game.
G14. Any dispute regarding a match should be reported to the Secretary immediately by telephone and in writing within 3 days. If the dispute relates to the playing condition of a table, reference must be made before the start of the second game. If agreement cannot be made, the match will be abandoned and the facts reported to the Secretary immediately by telephone and in writing within 3 days.
PLAYING RULES
1. All shots must be played with the cue ball within the area of the 'D'.
2. The red ball should be placed by hand on the red spot and a white ball placed on the break spot, also by hand. The white ball is then played with a cue onto the red ball with the objective of potting one or both balls. This is known as playing from the break position.
3. If from the break position both balls are potted into any holes three times consecutively the player shall on his next shot be barred from potting more than one ball.
4. If no balls remain on the table at any time during the course of the game play will be continued from the break position.
5. From the break position the red ball should always be used on the red spot. At any other time use of the red ball as the cue ball is optional.
6. Other than from the break position and the last ball shot (see Rule 19) the cue ball may be placed anywhere on the 'D'.
7. A white ball potted into any hole shall score the value of that hole. The red ball when potted will score double the value of the hole.
8. A break will continue until such time as the player fails to pot a ball or plays a foul shot.
9. At the end of a break the score should be recorded progressively on the scoreboard.
10. If during a break a ball on the lip of a hole falls in without being struck by another ball, the ball shall count as if potted and the score will count.
11. If a player plays at a ball on the lip of a hole and the ball falls before the cue ball reaches it no penalty will be incurred, the score will count for both object and cue ball and the player will continue with his break, except for any penalty incurred before the cue ball reaches the position previously occupied by the object ball.
12. If a ball on the lip of a hole falls in at the end of a break this ball shall not count.
13. Should a ball knock a peg off it's spot but the peg does not fall over, the score shall count and the peg should be replaced in it's correct position before the next shot is played, unless prevented by a ball encroaching on the peg's correct position.
14. Should any ball be touching a peg causing it to lean or preventing it from being re-spotted this ball should be returned to the tray at the end of the break.
15. In the event of two balls being balanced over a pocket and one has to be returned as a cue ball, the other ball shall be placed in a position as near the pocket as possible.
16. Balls must not be returned via the pockets.
17. When no balls are left in the tray play continues by taking the ball furthest from the top (back) cushion. If two balls are equidistant from the top cushion the ball nearest the centre line of the table should be taken.
18. After the bar has dropped, play should continue until all the balls in the tray have been used.
19. If only one ball remains, either in the tray or on the table, the break score should be recorded before the last shot is played. The last ball must then be played from the centre of the 'D' into either the 100 or the 200 hole off one side cushion. This is known as the last ball shot. Before the last ball shot is played the white pegs should be placed in the 50 holes and the top holes guarded. If the ball strikes a peg in the 50 hole and then fails into the 100 or 200 hole the score will not count. Both players should continue to play the last ball shot alternately until the ball is potted or the black peg is knocked down.
20. Foul shots incurring loss of break score penalty
.01 Potting both balls from the break position four consecutive times (except as in Rule 26.05).
.02 Failing to hit another ball with the cue ball (except as in Rule 11).
.03 Any ball returning over or obstructing the baulk line. A ball shall be deemed to be obstructing the baulk line if when viewed from directly above it obscures any part of the line. The ball should be returned to the tray
.04 Any ball obstructing or hitting the 'D'. A ball shall be deemed to be obstructing the 'D' if when viewed from directly above it obscures any part of the 'D'. The ball should be returned to the tray
.05 Any ball mounting the cushion or leaving the table. The ball should be returned to the tray.
.06 Knocking down a white peg with a ball.
.07 Deliberately knocking down a white peg with the cue or hand while balls are in motion or before a ball has fallen completely down a hole
.08 Playing a shot while balls are still in motion or before a ball has fallen completely down a hole.
.09 Assisting the balls into the holes by any means.
.10 Knocking the cue ball off the 'D' with the cue. The cue ball will not be considered to be in play until it is completely clear of the 'D' and the baulk line as in-Rules 20.03 and 20.04.
.11 Double hitting the cue ball after it has left the 'D'.
.12 Not using the red ball, when available, from the red ball spot at the break shot
21. Foul shots incurring loss of entire score penalty
.01 Knocking down the black peg with a ball.
.02 Deliberately knocking down the black peg with the cue or hand while balls are in motion or before a ball has completely fallen down a hole.
22. Should both a white and a black peg be knocked down, the first peg to fall will determine the foul incurred.
23. If a player is nudged or jolted while in the act of playing a shot, causing him to play a foul shot, no penalty will be incurred. The scorer should replace the balls in what he considers to be their original positions and the player should then replay his shot.
24. If the balls are disturbed in any way other than in the normal course of play then the scorer should replace the balls in what he considers to be their original positions and play should continue.
25. If, after the bar has dropped, a player in the opinion of the scorer deliberately plays a ball directly into a hole without touching another ball, then the ball should be retrieved and the other player allowed to play it. Any additional coins required to do so should be provided by the player deemed to have played the foul.
26. Scorer and Marker
.01 A competent scorer should be appointed.
.02 The scorer will act as referee and will be the sole arbiter on matters of fact and interpretation of the rules during the course of the game.
.03 The scorer will call out progressively the score after each shot.
.04 Progressive thousands must be recorded by placing in clear view coins or other suitable markers.
.05 After a player has potted both balls three times consecutively from the break position the scorer must clearly warn the player to leave one ball up. Should he fail to do so the player will not be penalised under Rule 20.01.
.06 If during the course of play a ball remains on the lip of a hole the scorer shall decide when to call end of break in accordance with Rule 12.
07 The scorer will record the progressive scores on the scoreboard at the end of each break.
.08 A checker should be appointed to check the score as it is called out and recorded on the scoreboard by the scorer and should draw his attention to any discrepancy at the earliest convenient time.
.09 No person other than the scorer should remove a ball from the table or touch the scoreboard during the course of the game.
LEAGUE MATCHES
L 1. The playing format of the league season shall be determined by the Executive Committee.
L 2. 2 points will be awarded for a win and 1 point for a draw. League positions will be determined by points won. If more than one team has the same number of points, teams will be positioned according to number of games won. If any teams in Championship, promotion or relegation positions finish the season level on points and games won, the deciding factors will be the results between the teams involved as follows: the number of points won between the teams involved, for the total number of league matches played against each other during the same season will determine position. If still level, the number of individual league games won between the teams involved during the same season will decide final position. If there is still not a difference then there will be a play off between the teams concerned at a neutral venue. The match will be played according to Match Rules C8 with a toss of coin to determine home and away teams.
L 3. League matches will take place on Thursdays and to commence by 8.15p.m.
L 4. When a league match concerns two teams from the same division ie, Premier v Premier, Division 1 v Division 1 or Division 2 v Division 2 etc., captains shall select a player in attendance from their team, prior to each game, with the Home team having the break in games 1 & 4, and the Away team breaks in games 2, 3 & 5. The home team captain to nominate first in all games.
L 5. When any team from a Higher Division plays a team from a lower division the team from the lower division will have the break in all 5 games, Home and Away. The home team captain to nominate first in all games.
L 6. The away team shall be given the top line of the scoring indicator and it shall be suitably marked.
L 7. A competent scorer shall be provided by the home team and a checker by the away team.
L 8. Any further coins required if a scorer calls short game to be provided by the home team.
L 9. Any team that has only four players in attendance on any league evening will be allowed to use one of their team in attendance to play the fifth game, the opposing captain to draw that player at random. That player will be against the break, regardless of whether they had the break earlier in the evening. A random draw shall take place after game four by the opposing captain. Any registered player who turns up before the start of game five must play. Once a player has been used to play the four player rule they may not be entered into the draw until all players from that team have been used, if all players present at the match have been used for the four player rule then all players present can be entered in the draw. (In the event of both teams having 4 players, when a team from the premier division plays a team from the 1st division the team from the 1st division shall have the break. When two teams from the same division both have 4 players then the player from the away team shall have the break).
L 10. The captain of each team shall be responsible for posting or submitting a completed result card of his team's home matches the day after the match has been played. Result cards may be posted, emailed or on the forum. Emails must be a scan or jpeg of the result card with the signatures of both captains on the card. 1 point maybe deducted from the points total of any team deemed, by the executive committee, to have submitted a late card. For a high score or break to be counted this must be verified and submitted at the time the break or score was recorded.
L11. Matches cannot be postponed, except for extenuating circumstances, as decided by The Secretary and two Executive Officers or Committee Members unless involved or in a position to benefit from the decision. The match to be played on or before the next free available date.
COMPETITION MATCHES
C 1. The first named player will be responsible for contacting their opponent within 7 days of the publication of the competition draw. Should contact not be made, the second named player should attempt to make contact. Players unable to make contact by 14 days before the closing date of the competition must contact the Secretary. Failure to do so, both players will be eliminated from the competition. All players who fail to play their matches by the closing date of a competition or post or submit their results to the Secretary by the Monday following the closing date will be eliminated from that competition. Extensions to closing dates will not be allowed except for extenuating circumstances as decided by the Secretary.
C 2. If for any reason an individual competition match has to be postponed the player must contact their opponent as soon as possible and re-arrange the fixture within the period allowed for that found, or one week, whichever is the greater.
C 3. Players who are drawn to play on a specified table in any competition of the League i.e. Individual or Team, shall not play any game on that table on the same day as the competition match, until after the competition match has been played.
C 4. All individual competition matches to commence by 8.15p.m. unless mutual agreement has been reached between the players. All team competition matches to commence by 8.15p.m.
C 5. Players may be allowed 30 minutes grace once an individual competition match has been arranged, after which time the match may be claimed by the opponent subject to the Secretary being informed in writing.
C 6. Individual competitions will be the best of 3 games, with a toss of coin for choice of first or second break. In the event of a third game, both entrants will have the break with the player taking the break in the first game having the choice of breaks. If, when the bar falls at the end of the third game, the second break player is still on their opening break, they shall be entitled to insert other coins in an attempt to equal or exceed the first player's opening break. The match shall end when (a) they exceed the first player's break, or (b) they miss, or (c) the extra game ends. If the first break player is still on the table when the bar drops or has played the table out during the opening break, the second break player shall be entitled to insert other coins as above. In the third game of a doubles match, the first player only of each pair will have the break shot. The committee shall have the power to decide due to the number of entries to hold a round robin competition and decide the format that should be applied but competitions can only go ahead if there is a minimum of 4 entries.
C 7. In the Men's Doubles, Lower Division Doubles and Ladies Doubles Competition the sequence will be 1, 2, 3, 4. The second game will be 4, 3, 2 and 1. The break in the deciding
game, if necessary, shall be taken by the players not having taken the opening break in their break game.
C 8. In the Mixed Doubles competition the sequence of play will be 1.2.3.4 in the first game and 4,3,2,1 in the 2nd game, the break in the deciding game, if necessary, shall be taken by the players not having taken the opening break in the previous break games. The order of play to be determined by the players themselves.
C 9. In the event of a tied match, one extra game of even breaks to be played immediately with a toss of coin for choice of first or second break.
C.10. Chairman's Challenge Cup and Nobby Clark Memorial Trophy Competitions to be played five-aside on neutral tables (Nobby Clark Competition to be played on existing Worthing District League tables only), with a draw made to decide order of play. The 'away' team i.e. second named team, to have breaks 1 and 3 and the 'home' team breaks 2 and 4. The last game to be of even breaks with a toss of coin for choice of first or second break. If; when the bar falls at the end of the 5th game, the second break player is still on their opening break, they shall be entitled to insert other coins in an attempt to equal or exceed the first player's opening break. The match shall end when (a) they exceed the first player's break, or (b) they miss, or (c) the extra game ends. If the first break player is still on the table when the bar drops or has played the table out during the opening break, the second break player shall be entitled to insert other coins as above. Should a match finish in a tie the players responsible for the tie situation shall replay immediately, each player to have the break (to be played same rule as 5th game) with a toss of coin to decide who breaks first. The captain of the winning team shall be responsible for posting or submitting a completed result card the day after the match has been played.
Any team not fulfilling any fixture in the Chairman’s Cup or Nobby Clark preliminary or 1st round will be eliminated from that season’s plate competition.
C 11. Any further coins required if a scorer calls short game to be equally provided by the players concerned.
C 12. Team matches cannot be postponed, except for extenuating circumstances, as decided by the Executive Committee.
C13. All highest break and score awards can only be won, in Worthing League games. Exception, Ladies only, previous ruling to apply re: County. Interleague competitions, but the assistant secretary will need verification for ladies breaks recorded outside of Worthing League or Cup games as soon as the break has been achieved.
Updated 18th September 2023.