Preston and District Pool League – League Regulations – 50th Anniversary season Issue 1.
The league will only accept teams playing from venues with a PR Postcode within 10miles of Preston City Centre
a. Equipment:
i. Set of Aramith pro Cup Balls – must be used
ii. Spider/Rest – must be provided
iii. Pool Table – The table must be clean and free from obstructions.
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. League, Cup and Shield Matches are played Home & Away on a Monday night at 8pm
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 and concentrates on the match. And maintains match order in a sportsmanship like manner. The referee is allowed remind players of rules only and not advise on which shots to play. –
v. Slow Player for guidance if a player has made no attempt to take a shot after 2mins then at the refs’ discretion a gentle reminder. A 60 sec shot clock may be used*(see section 1g, part 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 ref to.
c. Rearranged matches see sect 2e
d. Claiming A Frame or Match
i. Please only claim a games or match when all else fails, this is in the interests of the game and good sportsmanship.
ii. If by 15mins elapses from the original start time of the match and one team has failed to field a player, the team ready to start can claim (1) frame
iii. At the completion of each frame, each side must have a player available to play otherwise the waiting team may claim (1) frame once a further 15 minutes have elapsed.
iv. If no players at all are at a venue within 30mins of the original agreed start time the match can be claimed
v. If the other Team fails to field a team of at least four players, the match is void and awarded to the other team.
vi. The committee will not get involved in any disputes on claimed games and matches if regulations are followed
vii. When claiming a Divisional League Match players who attended should be listed on the score card for the claiming team. This allows the merit scores to be awarded to all players and win points to the claiming team.
e. THERE WILL BE NO LEAGUE MATCHES PLAYED AFTER THE FINAL GAME OF THE SEASON UNLESS SANCTIONED BY THE COMMITTEE.
f. Player Eligibility. 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.
g. Shot Clock – Team and Competition Matches
i. The use of the 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 shot-clock is mandatory from the start of the next frame.
2.
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 points reductions, match bans, or other measures considered appropriate
iii. The committee reserves the right to waive or adjust actions in exceptional circumstances where it is in the best interests of the league.
b. Players
c. League Meetings
d. Change of Venue
i. Teams who leave a venue to play elsewhere during the season must have the consent of both licensee’s and the League Secretary notified immediately.
e. Re-arranged Team Games or a team failure to field a team.
i. Matches may 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 cancelled or rearranged. And no later than 45mins before the start of a scheduled a match.
iii. A Team may only rearrange one fixture per season unless further rearrangements are sanctioned by the committee.
iv. 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.
f. 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 and a decision will be made behind closed doors. Once the committee has reached a decision the captains will be informed.
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 cannot be sorted between the two captains in a sportsmanship like manner or the player does not listen, the match will be immediately suspended. Those player or players will be classed as bringing the league into Disrepute and will be suspended.
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 cannot be sorted out between the two captains, the match must be suspended immediately. The away team must leave the venue. The Player or players or anyone within the party will have deemed to have bought the league into disrepute and suspended immediately. Any player that is found to have been physically violent towards anyone will be banned from the league. If a player acts in self-defence this may be taken into consideration.
iv. Reporting Incidents
a. Once an incident has occurred that is deemed to have bought 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.
For further information on disciplinary action or fines, please refer to Annex 2: Guide to Fines and Action on Breaches to Rules at the end of this document.
3. Players
a. Minimum Age 14 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.
i. 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.
ii. Venue no under 18 Rules: 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.
iii. The penalty for not requesting approval in advance will mean the player is treated as an unregistered player
iv. Licensee has final say: 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.
v. Player Registration: A team may register players throughout the season by notifying the league by 3pm on Friday via email to registrations@prestonanddistrictpool.com Registration is charged at £2 per player.
vi. Players this includes any licensee must be registered for their team before they are eligible to play and payment confirmed before allowed to play. If a player is not registered before the game, normal fines apply (See Sect 2 d/ Annex 2) “Players”).
vii. 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 Regs 1d Claiming a frame or Match & 4f 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 home win. 3pts are awarded for an away win.
v. Team Resigning. In the event of a team resigning from the league 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
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 extra frame should be played. A coin is flipped to decide who chooses their player first. Lag to decide who breaks.
iv. In the semi-finals and finals, 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.
i. The committee can bypass this requirement if there are exceptional circumstances or commitment to the league can be demonstrated in other ways.
ii. 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
iii. 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 is signing the card first in each frame.
6. Individuals and Pairs.
a. A full list of Tournament rules will be listed online under each Tournament.
i Tournament format for each stage. - Pairs will be the best of 9 frames in all rounds.
Tournament format for each stage. - INDIVIDUALS is as follows
1. Please follow the competition match format that relates to your Tournament
a. All early rounds will be the best of 5 frames.
b. Quarter Finals will be the best of 7 frames
c. Semi Finals will be the best of 9 frames.
d. Finals will be the best of 11 frames.
b. Individuals
i. Entry fees for Individuals will be charged per player
ii. Individuals will initially be entered into a Divisional Knock out Tournament.
iii. The Top Individuals will then play off in an inter Divisional Knockout Tournament.
c. Pairs
i. Entry Fees for Pairs Tournaments will be charged per pairs team
ii. Tracey Hall Tournament consists of one Male and one female player. At least one player must be a registered league player and plays for a team.
iii. The Open Pairs Tournament is pair of any sex. At least one player must be a registered league player and plays for a team.
d. Individual and Pairs Tournaments Online requirement.
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 – 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 on under the Matches tab in 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.
e. Playing Matches
i. Matches must be played before the next draw.
ii. Player/Teams are responsible for making the arrangements to play their matches before the next draw.
iii. Both teams should inform the league of the date they have agreed to play.
iv. Teams must use the online match card to record their result as each frame is being played.
v. 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 1d; parts i - iv)
vi. Please communicate this decision with the League.
vii. Any team that fails to turn up at the agreed time will be disqualified
viii. Failure to play a match before the next draw will result in both sides being removed from the competition.
ix. In all matches the players follow the lagging procedure for the first frame and then alternate breaks until the match finishes.
f. Substitution of player - Pairs
i. If one player from a Pairs team cannot continue in the competition, or VERY 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 maybe 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. – (under Review)
a. 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
b. 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.
c. Semi-finals of the Scotch Pairs, League Shield and League Cup will be played at the drawn home venue as per all other earlier rounds
d. 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
e. Matches can finish once a result has been achieved although should there be a dispute the match must be completed (See Complaints Section).
f. 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.
8. Promotion / Relegation
a. 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.
b. 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.
c. 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, if joint followed by the highest number of actual games won, if joint followed by the results against each other. If still joint, then a title play-off match will be arranged
9. PLAYER AWARDS / GUIDANCE
a. Player Merits
1. The Player(s) that have won the most games in each division will win the divisional Merit award.
2. 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.
3. Each league division will carry a ‘fund’ for the winning merit player(s) in each division. This may be used to pay for a trophy and/or a prize.
4. If there are multiple winners in a division, this fund may be shared. The value of the ‘prize fund’ will be set by the committee at the start of the season and will be based on league fund availability but will not exceed the funds available.
b. Player Rankings
i. See hot shots on the online app.
10. Presentation nights and Trophies - This section is under review to ensure presentation night continues to be a highlight of the season. Our aim is to provide trophies that truly reflect achievement while making sure finances are handled responsibly and for the benefit of all
11. COMPLAINTS AND DISPUTES
a. For Disputes that need urgent please contact the Chairman.
b. For any complaints please Email: chairman@prestonanddistrictpool.com
12. GENERAL INFORMATION
a. The committee have full authorisation to deal with any matters not covered by these regulations.
2. ANNEX 2: Guide to Fines and Action on Breaches to Rules
The Committee has full authority to take any steps they believe are necessary for the good of the League. Penalties such as point deductions or other punishments will only be used when all other options have been tried and failed. The goal is to encourage players and teams to show good sportsmanship and make the right choices.
a. Breaches of Rules or Regulations
b. Players
i. If a team plays a non-registered player (See 3c) the team can be fined 5 points 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 (See 7c) will automatically be disqualified with the opposition team progressing to the next round
c. 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 a 3pt fine ordinary meetings but failure to attend the AGM or EGM will result in a 7pt fine. One person CANNOT represent more than 1 team
d. Change of Venue
i. Where the registration fee was paid by a venue it is expected that the team moving reimburse the venue.
e. 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 fine. -match awarded to opposition.
iv. Where both teams are deemed equally responsible Failure to play a game within the allotted time - 3pt fine both teams. And disqualification if in a competition.
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, committee may ask a team if they would rearrange but can NOT enforce it if the opposing team refuses to rearrange.
f. Failure to turn up for a match
i. If a team has no intention of turning up for a league or cup game, they should inform the League and ring the opposition at least 45mins prior to the start of the scheduled match..
a. Failure to do so can result in point league fine. of upto 7points.
b. Normal points for void league games are awarded to the other team.
ii. Any team or Individual that does 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.
iii. 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.
g. 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 will have no choice but 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.
h. Miscellaneous
i. This list is not exhaustive list.
ii. The committee may waive fines if there is good reason and approved by the committee for emergency situations such as venue closures, emergencies, etc