Preston and District Pool League – League Regulations – 2026 Summer League
Issue 1.
1. General
The league will only accept teams playing from venues with a PR Postcode within 10miles of Preston City Centre
a. Standards:
i. Balls - Aramith Pro Cup
ii. Spider/Rest
iii. Pool Table – Must be brushed as a minimum
iv. Where a wall or other fixed structure prevents the use of a full‑size cue, the home venue must provide a shorter cue to ensure fair play.
b. Matches
i. Start Times. Standard start time for League, Cup and Shield Matches on a designated pool night will be 20:00. Where there is an extended journey time of 30 minutes or more for the travelling team, the start time can be brought forward to 19:30. This must be agreed with the home captain and the Committee League Representative informed.
ii. Food. Home venues should provide food for both teams on League match nights. Food is not required for Cup or Shield matches, or on any other competition nights.
iii. Conduct. Team Captains are responsible for their team members conduct at all events.
iv. Referee. Home Captains should also ensure that the referee chosen is aware of the rules, concentrates on the match and maintains match order in a sportsmanship like manner. The referee is allowed to remind players of rules only and not advise on which shots to play.
v. Slow Player. If a player has made no attempt to take a shot after 2 minutes then at the refs’ discretion a gentle reminder. A 60 sec shot clock will be used*(see section 1 f i)
vi. Frames start promptly. Both Teams should arrive at the venue ready to start at 8pm. Captains must ensure that frames start as promptly as possible, and that as least time possible be wasted between frames to enable matches to be played within Licensing Hours.
vii. 11pm. Games starting after 11.00pm will do so at the discretion of the landlord/licensee.
viii. Minimum players. A team MUST have a minimum of two players at the start of a match. Matches are deemed void if a team plays the match with less than four registered players.
ix. Sets of Frames. Matches are played to 11 frames, split into two sets, 7 in the first set and 4 in the second, with each player allowed to play once in each set.
x. Lagging: Players must lag before every frame until the match is complete. At that point only two balls used for the lag are permitted on the table.
xi. Break. The winner of the lag chooses who breaks. The player breaking has the option to rack the match balls up or ask the referee to.
c. Claiming A Frame or Match
i. In the interests of sportsmanship only claim games or matches when all avenues to play have been exhausted, this is in the interests of the game and good sportsmanship.
ii. The first frame can be claimed if no player is available 15 minutes after the agreed match start time
iii. At the completion of each frame, each side must have a player available to play otherwise the waiting team may claim one frame once a further 15 minutes have elapsed.
iv. If no players at all are at a venue within 30 minutes of the original agreed start time the rules set out in Annex 2 – Failure to Attend a Match will apply
v. If the other Team fails to field a team of at least four players, the rules set out in Annex 2 – Failure to Attend a Match will apply
vi. Provided that all regulations have been followed the committee will not intervene in any matters of claimed games and will apply results in line with the circumstances provided.
vii. When claiming a Divisional League Match players who attended should be listed on the score card for the claiming team. Merit scores will be awarded to all players and win points to the claiming team in accordance with Annex 2 – Failure to Attend a Match
d. End of Season
i There will be no league matches played after the final game of the season unless sanctioned by the committee.
e. Player Eligibility.
i Team captains are responsible for ensuring that their players are eligible to play in the league and are registered and meet the eligibility requirements for each competition.
f. Shot Clock – Team and Competition Matches
i The use of the 30 second shot-clock is permitted from any time during a match providing that both team captains agree to its use.
Ii. Once a match passes 10.30pm, the use of the 30 second shot-clock is mandatory from the start of the next frame.
2. Discipline
a. Breaches of Rules or Regulations
i . Any person or team that breaches league rules will be subject to actions determined by the committee
ii. These actions may include but are not limited to; points deductions, match bans, or any other measures considered appropriate
iii. The process by which the committee reaches a decision will be minuted and made available with the judgement on the website. The details may be redacted in line with Section 2.c.iii
iv. The committee reserves the right to waive or adjust actions in exceptional circumstances where it is in the best interests of the league.
b. League Meetings
i. League meetings will be held monthly and will be minuted by the League Secretary.
ii. Minutes will be made available for all members via the League Website as soon as practicable following the meeting.
iii The committee may redact parts of the minutes as necessary in the interests of Data Protection or other reasons at the committee’s discretion.
c. Change of Venue
i. Teams who leave a venue to play elsewhere during the season must have the consent of both licensees and the League Secretary notified immediately.
d. Re-arranged Team Matches or a team failure to field a team.
i. Matches should not be cancelled except in special circumstances.
ii. Teams must notify both the League and the opposition as soon as they are aware a match may need to be rearranged or cancelled.
iii. With regard to cancellations, awarding of points will be judged in line with Annex 2 – Failure to Attend a Match
iv. A Team may only rearrange one fixture per season unless further rearrangements are sanctioned by the committee.
v. The committee may permit rearrangements in exceptional cases (e.g., venue closures, special occasions). Captains must inform the league of known changes as early as possible.
e. Players bringing the League into Disrepute.
i. Any player who brings the Preston and District Pool League into disrepute will be immediately suspended. The committee will then convene and ask both team captains and those players involved to attend a meeting so they can explain their actions. At this point a decision will be made behind closed doors. Once the committee has reached a decision the captains will be informed. Subsequently the judgement and reasoning will be made available on the League Website. This may be redacted in line with section 2.c.iii
ii. In the event any player is verbally abusive or threatening towards another player or anyone within a venue – the team captain of any player misbehaving within their party must ask that person to stop immediately. The referee at this stage should suspend the frame until the player has calmed down. If the altercation continues, the match will be immediately suspended. The player or players will be classed as bringing the League into Disrepute and will be immediately suspended pending investigation.
iii. Should any type of physical violence occur during a match with a player or anyone within their party the Captains should ask their players and those in their party to stop. If the altercation continues, the match must be suspended immediately. The away team must leave the venue. The player or players or anyone within the party involved will be deemed to have brought the league into disrepute and immediately suspended pending investigation.
f. Reporting Incidents
i. Once an incident has occurred that is deemed to have brought the League into disrepute this should be reported immediately to the League Secretary, or any committee member available who must inform the League Secretary. The League Secretary will be responsible for organising and convening a disciplinary meeting with the committee.
3. Players
a. Minimum Age.
i The minimum age to play in this Pool League is 14 years. Teams can, on formal request in advance (2 weeks’ notice), request approval for players under this age.
ii. The committee will review, and rule based on the circumstances and if approved, there will be a mandatory requirement to be always accompanied by an adult for the duration of the match and with the full consent of the licensee.
iii. If, however, a venue has a ‘No under 18’ ruling please let the committee know. If teams have players under 18 years of age, they should contact the venue prior to travelling to ensure they will be allowed to play at that venue.
iv. The penalty for not requesting approval in advance will mean the player is treated as an unregistered player
b. Refusal of Entry to a Venue
i. Players who could be refused entry to a pool match must seek the permission of the licensee first. The committee cannot interfere with the rights of the licensee who refuses a player/team entry; the licensee is also in control of when a match is to be ended.
c. Registration of Players
i. A team may register players throughout the season by notifying the league by 3pm on Friday via email to prestonanddistrictpoolleague@gmail.com
Registration is charged at £2 per player.
ii. Players must be registered for their team and payment confirmed before they are eligible to play. If a player is not registered before the game, normal fines apply in line with Annex 2
ii. A player (including licensee) may only play for ONE TEAM during a season, and once they have played for a team they cannot transfer (unless under special circumstances sanctioned by the committee).
4. League Matches
i League matches are played to the best of 11 frames, with win points awarded to the first team to reach 6 frames.
ii. All frames of the match shall be played (See Reg 1.c - Claiming a frame and 4.vi - Unfinished Matches)
iii. League matches ending in a draw after 11 frames will stay a draw. No win points will be awarded. Neither side has won the match.
iv. Teams are awarded 1pt for each frame won in a league match. A further 2pts are awarded for a match win.
v. Team Resigning. In the event of a team resigning from the league the following will apply.
a. If the resignation occurs in the first half of the season all matches will be removed. The team will be replaced by BYE (unless a replacement team is available) and this will appear in the table and count as a team for the purposes of promotion/relegation
b. If the resignation occurs after the first half of the season is complete all matches from the first half will be retained. Matches from the second half will be removed. Should a team have an outstanding rearrangement with the resigning team, they will be awarded an average of their overall points (to the nearest whole point) scored at the time that the team resigned. The team will be replaced by BYE (unless a replacement team is available) and this will appear in the table and count as a team for the purposes of promotion/relegation.
vi. Unfinished matches must be reported to the League Secretary and the outstanding frames played within 7 days.
5. Cup and Shield Matches
i. League Cup & Shield matches will be played to the Best of 11 frames (7 Frames + 4 Frames)
ii. The first team to win six frames wins and the match is won.
iii. No match shall end in a draw and an extra frame should be played. A coin is flipped to decide who chooses their player first. Lag to decide who breaks.
iv. In the Final, the sides flip a coin to decide who picks their player first for the first frame first then both sides alternate picking their player first
v. Later Rounds Eligibility: All Players involved in the Quarter Finals, Semi-Finals and Finals of the League Cup and League Shield must have played in 3 league matches prior to the Scheduled Calendar Date of the Quarter Finals for the relevant competition.
vi. Matches played in previous rounds of the relevant competition can also count towards the allocation. For example, 2 league matches and 1 league cup match.
vii. The committee can bypass this requirement if there are exceptional circumstances or commitment to the league can be demonstrated in other ways.
viii. Any requests for ineligible players to be allowed should be made at least 7 days in advance of the scheduled fixture date. Full details of the reason must be provided which will only be for exceptional circumstances
ix. The committee will endeavour to attend and referee all finals but if this is not possible, the teams shall provide a referee, sharing duties between each side. The referee shall be provided by the side which names the player first in each frame.
6. Individuals and Pairs.
a. Individuals
i. All early rounds will be the best of 5 frames.
ii. Quarter Finals will be the best of 7 frames
iii. Semi Finals will be the best of 9 frames.
iv. Finals will be the best of 11 frames.
v. Entry fees for Individuals will be charged per player.
vi. Individuals will initially be entered into a Premier Division or Rest of League Knockout Tournament.
vii. The Top Individuals from each tournament will then play off in an Inter Divisional Knockout Tournament. The committee will decide the balance of players from each tournament dependant on the number of players entering each tournament
b Pairs
i. Pairs will be the best of 9 frames in all rounds.
ii. Entry Fees for Pairs Tournaments will be charged per pairs team
iii. Tracey Hall Tournament consists of one Male and one Female player. At least one player must be a registered league player and play for a team.
iv. The Open Pairs Tournament is a pair of any sex. At least one player must be a registered league player and play for a team.
c. Individual and Pairs Tournaments Online requirements
i. Each team must register to play online: providing their email and a contact phone number
ii. Each league member should download the Rack’Em App.
iii. A player profile will be created for them, and they will then be invited to create a log in.
iv. Failure to supply a valid phone number may invalidate a team with no refunds given.
v. Each team is entered into a draw, and the results will be emailed to the players of the team
vi. Each team can view the contact information of their opponents under the Matches tab when signed in on the App. The use of the data is solely for the purpose to facilitate the arrangement of a match between the teams or Individuals.
d. Playing Matches
i. Matches must be played on the day specified in the League calendar.
ii. Should there be a valid reason to re-arrange the match both players/teams should agree a date and inform the Competitions Rep via the relevant WhatsApp group
iii. Teams must use the online match card to record their result as each frame is being played.
iv. Players must be at the venue at the agreed time. or the first frame can be claimed after 15 minutes of the original agreed start time. The match can be claimed after 30 minutes. (See section 1c; parts i - iv)
v. Please communicate this decision with the League.
vi. Failure to play a match before the next draw will result in both sides being removed from the competition.
vii. In all matches the players follow the lagging procedure for the first frame and then alternate breaks until the match finishes.
viii. Any player(s) who do not inform their opposition that they are not attending an Individuals or Pairs Match will not be allowed to enter the same competition in the following season, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
e. Substitution of player - Pairs
i. If one player from a Pairs team cannot continue in the competition, or for EXCEPTIONAL reasons (to be agreed with the committee), they can be removed and replaced. Once a player has been replaced, they will no longer be allowed play in that competition. Only one player may be substituted (replaced) and at least one original player from the pairs must remain. The replacement player MUST NOT have already played in the competition and will remain in the team for the remainder of the competition.
7. General Tournament competition rules.
i Any decisions/requests for progression of the competitions based on exceptional circumstances should be discussed and agreed with the committee prior to the scheduled competition date at least 7 days in advance
ii. The deadline for any proposals to alter the dates of finals is BEFORE the Scheduled Calendar Date of the Quarter Final stage. There MUST be EXCEPTIONAL circumstances.
iii. Semi-finals of all competitions will be played at the drawn home venue as per all other earlier rounds
iv. Venues for Finals, wherever possible, will be selected from a League members venue, and the tables and room must satisfy the requirements of the committee. In all cases the venue will be a neutral venue unless competition sponsors are involved in which these matches can be played at the sponsors' venues
v. Matches can finish once a result has been achieved although should there be a dispute the match must be completed (See Complaints Section).
8. Promotion / Relegation
i. Wherever possible 3 Teams will gain promotion, and 3 teams will be relegated at the end of each season, if gaps allow it, other teams could be promoted.
ii. There is no “opt-out” of being promoted to any division. All changes are at the discretion of the committee. New teams are entered at a level appropriate to their history. Teams cannot skip divisions by choice.
iii. In the event of teams having the same number of points at the end of the season, the team with the most wins will be favoured, followed by the highest number of actual games won, followed by the results against each other. If still can’t be separated, then a title play-off match will be arranged
9. Player Awards / Guidance
a. Player Merits
i. The Player(s) that have won the most merit games in each division will win the divisional Merit award.
ii. Player merits will be calculated using only their first frame played on a Monday night. The second match, if applicable, will only count towards the team’s match result.
iii. A trophy and/or prize money will be awarded to the merit winner(s)
b. Player Rankings
i. See hot shots on RackemApp
11. COMPLAINTS AND DISPUTES
i. For disputes that need urgent action please contact the League Secretary.
ii. To contact the League Secretary please Email: prestonanddistrictpoolleague@gmail.com inserting ‘Secretary’ and ‘Team Name’ into the subject line.
12. GENERAL INFORMATION
i. The committee has full authorisation to deal with any matters not covered by these regulations.
ANNEX 2: Guide to Fines and Action on Breaches to Rules
The Committee believes that the league's ethos should be based around fairness, sportsmanship and enjoyment of the game. We hold full authority to take any steps we believe are necessary for the good of the League. Any disciplinary issues will be decided using the below as guidance but any decision made within or without said guidance will be minuted and made available via the League Website.
1. Breaches of Rules or Regulations
a. Players
i. If a team plays a non-registered player the team can be fined 5 points for each player.
ii. Where an unregistered player has won the point for that frame will be reversed and awarded to the opposing team and the player listed.
iii. Where this was the first frame that the opposition player had played during a league match, they will also be awarded the Merit score.
Iv. The Match result will also be amended accordingly.
v. Teams playing a non-registered or ineligible player in the Cup/Shield will automatically be disqualified with the opposition team progressing to the next round
b. League Meetings
i. Where the league deems a meeting important for all teams to be represented Team Captains MUST attend the whole meeting or send a representative otherwise the team will incur a 3pt fine for ordinary meetings, but failure to attend an AGM or EGM will result in a 7pt fine. One person CANNOT represent more than 1 team
c. Change of Venue
i. Where the registration fee was paid by a venue it is expected that the team moving reimburse the venue.
d. Re-arranged Team Games or Failing to Field a Team
i. Failure to notify the league or opposition team – up to a 3pt fine
ii. Match date imposed by league officials.
iii. Failure to play a game because of team being obstructive - up to a 3pt deduction with the match awarded to the opposition.
Iv. Where both teams are deemed equally responsible for failure to play a game within the allotted time - 3pt deduction for both teams. If a competition match disqualification will also be incurred.
v. Teams who exceed the season allowance for rearranged games may be fined up to 3pts. Where possible the committee should encourage all matches to be played and flexibility is encouraged. However, the committee may ask a team if they would rearrange but CANNOT enforce it if the opposing team refuses to rearrange.
2. Failure to attend a match
i. If a team has a valid reason which means they are unable to attend a league or cup game, they should inform the League and ring the opposition, as soon as they become aware but at least 2 hours prior to the start of the scheduled match. All rearrangements are to be made between the captains involved and the league informed of the new date.
ii. Failure to comply with point (i) may result in points league fine of up to 7 points.
iii. In the case of a failure to attend a match the following will apply
a. If more than 1 days’ notice was given the match will be re-arranged with no penalty
b. If notice was given prior to the 2 hour cut off but less than one day, the match will be re-arranged with the team that would have attended being handed a one frame start (non-attending team will register ‘no player’ for the first frame).
Note: Frame will not count towards merit award
c. If less than 2 hours’ notice was given the team that would have attended will have the following options
1. Claim the win – Team will be awarded 6 points or their average Frame wins up to that point of the season (whichever is greater) plus the two point win bonus
2. Re-arrange the match – Team will start the re-arranged match with a two frame start (non-attending team will register ‘no player’ for the first two frames)
Note: Frame will not count towards merit award
The committee must be informed of the choice by the captain within 3 days of the originally scheduled match
iv. Any team that fails to field a team on more than one occasion without good reason may also be removed from the league and all points etc nulled.
v. Competitions - Any team or Individual that does not notify the opposition and fails to turn up at the venue on the arranged time and date or will be disqualified from the Tournament or competition. No refunds will be given.
3. Players bringing the League into Disrepute.
The aim is to prevent a player or players from bringing the Preston and District Pool League into Disrepute. Please see section 3 for guidance. However, if the team captain of the offending player or players have not acted in the appropriate manner to prevent a player or players from misbehaving then the committee reserves the right to take the appropriate action against the team.
i. Where a player is deemed to have bought the league in disrepute by their actions the committee may fine a team as follows
a. 5 points for verbally offensive language deemed to be inappropriate. And suspension
b. 15 points for Threatening language and suspension.
c. 25 points for physical violence and an immediate ban.
4. Miscellaneous
i. This Annexe will not cover all situations and circumstances. The committee will act in line with the ethos it set out at the beginning of this Annexe.
ii. All decisions will be made publicly available on the League Website. They may be redacted in line with section 2.c.iii
iii. The committee may waive fines/deductions if there is good reason and approved by the committee for emergency situations such as venue closures, emergencies, etc