Snooker Rules

Bolton & District Snooker League -

Administrator - Graham Hardy | gbhardy@live.co.uk |

League

Cups

Grandmasters sponsored by Patricroft Cons | Jim Worsley Sponsored by Devils Snooker | League Individuals sponsored by Patricroft Cons | Pairs - Tom Ankers Cup - Sponsored by Victory Reform | Section Knockout - A Section sponsored by DEVILS SNOOKER CLUB | Section Knockout - B section sponsored by DEVILS SNOOKER CLUB | Three a Side Sponsored by Church Ward |

BOLTON AND DISTRICT SNOOKER LEAGUE - RULES

GENERAL

1.1 The League shall be named ‘The Bolton & District Snooker League.’
1.2 All Competitions will be governed by the General Committee consisting of: The Chairman, Match Secretary, General Secretary/Treasurer and Vice Chairman, together with ONE representative from each team.
1.3 The Committee will appoint an Executive Committee, who will deal with any special cases arising from time to time and resolve them as they determine.
1.4 Membership shall be open to clubs from the Bolton & District and outside the area on request, the officials shall have the power to refuse entry to either Clubs, Teams or Players.
1.5 The voting at all meetings either for the election of officials or on any other business shall be by a show of hands, as the majority may decide. One team-One vote at all AGM and monthly meetings, as voted for at the 2023 AGM.
1.6 Each team shall elect a Delegate who shall be their representative. A representative from each team is required to attend every league meeting without fail. Any absent teams will incur a five point deduction from their relevant league table.
1.7 The initial entrance fee for each team is Ł50, which will include the League programme, the Jim Worsley Memorial Trophy and Section Knockout competitions. The fee must be paid on or before the Annual General Meeting.. Any monies outstanding and that team’s entry form will be placed on hold. They will not be allowed to sign any other players and those players who have signed will not be refused permission to sign on for any other team.
Each team will consist of at least 6 players and shall play home and away matches. The registration fees are: Ł15 for the first 8 Players and just Ł5 for any extra players. The Ł5 will cease when the first match of the season commences. The registration fees must be paid in full no later than 7 days following the October Meeting. Registration of new players after the start of the season will be accepted at Ł12 up until the October Meeting and Ł10 thereafter. All Entry Fees must be paid into the Bolton Snooker League Bank Account, cash or cheques will no longer be accepted, please include your team name as the reference. Request for registration of new players at any other time will be dealt with by the League Officials. Representatives registering new players for their clubs must inform the League of the player’s ability, past record and a fair representation of the handicap that is requested.
All players must be a member of the club they are representing. No cancelling of matches unless permission has been given by the league. Games will only be allowed to be rearranged under extreme circumstances, teams rearranging games without league permission will be dealt with severely and possibly removed from the league. Less than 3 players turning up for a fixture will not constitute a match.
1.8 All players registered in the League will have their own individual handicap, which, depending on results could alter each month. The difference in the handicaps must be placed on the score board at the start of each frame. In a League Match, a player winning his frame will count one point. If the frame is drawn, the black ball will be re-spotted and the resulting 7 points added to the score. In the case of a Cup match, there will be No re-spotted black in a frame as it is an aggregate match. The black ball will only be re-spotted when the aggregate scores are level at the end.. the players contesting the final frame in play will contest the re-spotted Black.
1.9 Players who play on an incorrect (higher) handicap will forfeit their frame's and the frame score's will be altered to 75-0 in favour of their opponent.
1.10 Regarding the aggregate score in a League match, 2 points count for a home win and 3 points for an away win. In the case of a drawn aggregate.. 1 point for a home draw and 2 points for an away draw, all team scores and frames count.
1.11 All League matches shall be played on Thursdays unless permission has been obtained from the officials to re-arrange. Alternative night is Tuesdays only.
1.12 Visiting Clubs have free use of the tables for matches.
1.13 Fixture dates can only be changed with the prior consent of the Match Secretary who shall also have the power to make alterations if necessary. Club Administrators must give at least 2 weeks’ notice of cancelled matches once the Official's approval has been given. Clubs cancelling matches for their own AGM must play the match prior to the original date of the match.
1.14 With reference to the matches for the final stages of all the competitions, no cancellations or alterations will be accepted to the dates of the various fixtures as set and published by the League. These dates will be published as soon as possible and will not be set for Bank Holidays.
1.15 All tables will be reserved for the League match, no other persons allowed to play. Players will not be allowed to practice on other tables whilst the match is in progress, failure to comply with this rule will result in the player's concerned being disqualified from playing in the match when due to go on.
1.16 There will be an informal presentation of the trophy to the winners on finals night. The respective holders of Trophies will be responsible for returning them to each December Meeting in good condition.
1.17 Amendments to these Rules can be made by the committee as and when necessary, as voted on 18/12/23. The Executive Committee or the League Officials have the authorization to settle any matter not provided for in these rules.
1.18 Players who are younger than 16 years of age will be allowed to sign on to compete in the league. However.. it will be the captain of each young player that will be responsible for making sure that their young player can play at an away venue. There are certain clubs in the league that have a minimum age limit for entry and to be able to play on their tables. Turning up on the night with an under sixteen year old and asking the bar staff isn’t an option. The opposing captain and venues decision will be final.
1.19 Mobile phones are to be switched off by players during all matches.
1.20 Handicapping.. players will be handicapped by the Match Secretary and updated monthly on the Bolton Snooker League website. All New players registered Must have a handicap related to their ability, failure to do this will result in their handicap being reduced severely. The handicapping officials have the right to adjust and re-handicap at any time during the season, if and as required.
1.21 The league is trying to discourage players requesting to switch teams once the season has commenced, however if this can’t be avoided, then a transfer fee depending on the stage of the season will apply to each player.
1.22 A Weekly Draw consisting of 35 weeks will take place, each team is allocated a unique number and has the chance to win a first prize of Ł25 and a second prize Ł15. Winning monies will be paid out accordingly through the bank to the relevant delegate. The total prize fund for the 35 weeks is Ł1400.
1.23 There will be a free annual presentation evening, with dates and venues will be decided by the officials. Any trophies not collected by the winning teams at the end of season presentation will be recycled.

2. MATCHES AND COMPETITIONS

2.1 All matches with One Table start at 7pm prompt and 7.30pm with Two Tables. After 15 minutes (7.45pm) if no player is in attendance.. ONE frame and 75 points will be forfeited, after a further 15 minutes (8pm) if no player is in attendance, a further frame and 75 points can be claimed and so on every 15 minutes. This applies to both 1 and 2 tabled clubs. In the case of TWO tabled Clubs, the match will not be deemed as stopped if a frame is being played - No claim to be made. NOTE - Once a match has started no waiting time is given.
2.2 Where clubs have TWO tables, 3 frames are played on each table.
2.3 Home team to break. The Home captains must place their players on the match card first and indicate to the opposing captain on request which tables their players are to play. Home team Captain will appoint markers for each table in both league and cup matches.
Every match: Team Matches, Individuals, Grandmasters, Pairs, 3aside, will need to complete a match card, with each captain or individual responsible for filling in their own side of the card. It’s something we can refer back to in case of any future disputes. It will be each players own responsibility to ensure you are playing off the correct handicap for the current month, not your opponents. If you are found to have played and won off the wrong handicap to your advantage.. you will be removed from the competition and your opponents reinstated.
Match cards can easily be downloaded from the Documents folder on the B&DSL website.
On completion of the match, the card must be forwarded to the relevant Section Delegate if it’s a league match or to Match Secretary if it’s a knockout comp.
2.4 Individual and Grandmasters Competitions will be contested annually. Players must beat at least 50 years old to enter the Grandmasters prior to the commencement of the tournament. Newly signed on players who enter these competitions MUST have played a minimum of four league matches prior to the quarter finals or they will be removed from the competition. Entrance fee is Ł5 per player, matches are best of three frames and league handicaps apply. The format of the closing stages will be finalised by the League Officials.
2.5 The 3-a-Side Ł15 per team and Snooker Pairs Ł10 per pair competitions, will be contested annually. Newly signed on players who enter the 3-a-Side or Snooker Pairs MUST have played a minimum of four league matches prior to the quarter finals or they will be removed from the competition and all players must use their allotted handicap on the website.. First drawn team has home advantage. Matches will consist of a choice of three players per team with each player playing two frames. The result of the match will be determined by the total aggregate of 6 frames. A Section teams give 20 start to B Section teams. The home captain will select his first player on (lines 1&2) and second player on (lines 3&4) and matched up by the away captain. Following the first four frames, the home captain selects his final player (lines 5&6) followed by the away captain's selection. Each player will break once and each team will be responsible for refereeing three frames each with the exception of the 3-a-Side Final, where referees should be in attendance. In the event of a tied aggregate, the final two players will contest a re-spotted black to determine the result.

Neutral Venue’s The two captains shall place names on the card alternately. The toss of a coin the winning captain has the choice to either place the first name on the card twice or ask the opposing captain to place the first name on (lines 1&2). The opposing captain then selects a player (lines 1&2) which matches and then chooses another player (lines 3&4), before the first captain matches it (lines 3&4). On the conclusion of the first four frames, the first nominated captain then selects his final player (lines 5&6) and is then matched by the opponent (5&6).
2.6 Last 6 competition - A competition will be held on the result of the last 3 home and last 3 away fixtures on the fixture list. The champions and runners up of each section will be excluded from winning this competition. Winner of each section will be published on the Web Site or at a league meeting as appropriate.
2.7 Champion of Champions competition. The end of season tournament will consist of the Two League Champions, Two Section Knockout Winners, Jim Worsley Winners and Runners Up, plus the Last Six winners from both Sections. To be eligible to play in this competition all players must have played on 1 previous occasion for the teams qualifying competition, except for teams qualifying as League Champions when the player must have played at least four league matches for the team concerned. 2.7(1) If teams are tied at the end of the season the Championship or the last 6 will be decided by the result against each other, (i.e.) Head to Head if they are still tied, the two totals of the aggregate will suffice.
2.8 All matches will be played with snooker balls approved by the EASB .
2.9 All matches will be played under the rules approved by the EASB.
2.10 Any club with more than one team: The players can generally only play for the team they are registered with, they are separate units.. In extenuating circumstances and only with prior permission from the Match Secretary can this be altered.
2.11 Jim Worsley, Section Knockout and Champion of Champions matches played at a neutral venue. Newly signed on players MUST have played a minimum of four league matches prior to the quarter finals. The two captains shall place names on the card alternately. Following the flip of a coin, the winning captain has the choice to either place the first name on the card or ask the opposing captain to place the first name. The Captain to nominate second would then put two names on the card before the winning Captain nominates his second player. This would be repeated for the 3 pairs of frames with the first person to nominate putting the first name down every time. If the match is being played on two tables, whichever captain nominates first has the choice of which of his players will play on which table. The first team to nominate a player will also break and mark for three frames on their chosen table. A Section teams give 20 start to B Section teams.
2.12 In the event that a team has only 5 players present at a particular match, this Must be confirmed to the opposing captain prior to the nomination of the players for the last two frames, the players must be nominated and play in sequence.
2.13 DRESS CODE - For matches with referees in attendance: ALL players will wear standard trousers (No Jeans) and shoes standard shirt with collar or smart collared polo shirt (No Logos). The Referee or Official will have the final decision in any cases of doubt at the beginning of the matches.

Other neutral matches/venues. The wearing of DECENT casual clothing (Jeans) WILL be allowed. Shorts, tracksuits, jeans with holes in and work clothing will NOT be permitted. A reasonable turn out is all that is asked.

3. DISCIPLINARY MATTERS.

3.1 The Captain of a team will be held responsible for the conduct of his players throughout the season.
3.2 Other players, spectators or markers are not permitted to coach or interfere with any player during an official match.
3.3 All disputes in matches must be referred in writing to the Executive Committee whose decision is final. Any complaints must be made in writing via the team representative to the committee, who will in turn, address the issue at the next available meeting.
3.4 Any club failing to turn up for a League match or fulfil a fixture: The captain of that side will be required to attend a meeting of the Executive Committee, who will then hear the team’s reasoning and decide on possible sanctions. The defaulting team could be subject to a fine of up to Ł50. This applies to League matches only, failing to turn up to a cup match and that team will be eliminated from the competition. Any team refusing to play or fails to turn up at an arranged neutral venue on a set date may be refused entry into that competition the following season.
3.5 Any Team who fail to complete their League Fixtures will be barred including all registered players for 5 (five) seasons. Appeals from individual players may be heard by the Executive Committee.
3.6 Any Team who turn up late for a match and leave without playing the match because their opponents have claimed a frame or frames as permitted under the rules, will be expelled from the League from that date and all players involved barred for three years.
3.7 Foul and abusive language aimed at league referees will not be tolerated. Should this happen, then that frame will be instantly called to a halt and the remaining points left on the table added to the non-verbal team, with a minimum of 75-0.

4 THE MISS RULE.
A Miss shall be called if a player fails to hit a ball, when they can see at least half of the ball on, the cue ball will then be replaced in its original position along with any other balls moved on the previous shot with the agreement of the player who is the non-offender. It is hoped that all players and teams use discretion regarding the situation of the balls on the table. The previous no reach rule has been eradicated, however a reasonable attempt must be made.
The Miss Rule 14C (ii) (3 fouls and forfeit the frame) will not be implemented in the Bolton & District Snooker League.
The Miss Rule must be used in Jim Worsley and A section matches.
B Section matches, the Miss Rule must be played.. unless it has been mutually agreed not to, by both Captains before the match commences..
The Referee’s Decision is Final.
Please use common sense and respect the spirit of the game.

Updated 14th October 2024