League Format#

Effective from 19th May 2025

1. Overview#

a. All matches consist of 3 sets of 5 singles frame games (15 games in total).
b. Player substitutions are allowed before the start of the 2nd and 3rd sets (up to 15 different players can play in one match).
c. The same player can play in each of the 3 sets (maximum of 3 games).
d. The same player cannot play multiple times in the same set (e.g., a player cannot play all 3 games in Set 1 and then leave).

2. Points#

a. Each match win is worth 2 points.
b. In a match, every 3 frames won is worth 1 point.
c. The maximum number of points a team can earn from a single match is 7 points (2 for the win + 5 for winning all 15 frames).
d. The possible outcomes are:

  • 15–0: 7 points to the winner, 0 points to the loser
  • 14–1: 6 points to the winner, 0 points to the loser
  • 13–2: 6 points to the winner, 0 points to the loser
  • 12–3: 6 points to the winner, 1 point to the loser
  • 11–4: 5 points to the winner, 1 point to the loser
  • 10–5: 5 points to the winner, 1 point to the loser
  • 9–6: 5 points to the winner, 2 points to the loser
  • 8–7: 4 points to the winner, 2 points to the loser

3. Time Keeping#

a. Matches should start at 8:00 PM sharp.
b. Captains are responsible for ensuring matches start on time, maintaining the flow of play through each set, and finishing the match before 11:00 PM.
c. Captains should allow a maximum of 1 hour per set. If the 3rd set has not started by 10:00 PM, both captains must ensure play is speeded up.
d. Shot clocks are advised to be introduced at 10:30 PM if the 3rd game (in the 3rd set) has not yet started. The shot clock can be found here.

4. Completing the Score Sheet#

a. The home captain writes their players’ full names against numbers 1–5 (running order in the first set).
b. Fold the paper in half (to hide what has been written) and pass it to the away captain, who writes their players’ full names against 1–5 (their running order in the first set).
c. Mark an “X” next to the player who will break first.
d. The home team’s playing order remains the same for all sets.
e. The away team’s playing order changes each set so that opponents always differ, as shown below:

sets.png

f. Since substitutions are allowed in Sets 2 and 3, captains should not complete player names for the next set unless no substitutions are being made.
g. You do not need to write players’ full names for each set they play — initials are fine, provided they are unique within the team.
h. When introducing a substitute for the first time, write their full name.
i. After each game, record the result with W or L (you do not need to write 1–0).
j. Record each game that is won by a dish or reverse dish:

  • A dish is a clearance in one visit from the break.
  • A reverse dish occurs when your opponent fails to pot from the break (or foul breaks) and you clear up in one visit.

5. Substitutions#

a. Before the 2nd and 3rd sets begin, captains may substitute as many players as they wish.
b. Substitutes take the same position as the player they replace (e.g., if Player 1 is replaced in Set 3, the substitute plays second in that set).
c. A player may be substituted out in Set 2 and substituted back in for Set 3.
d. Substituted players must not have played in the previous set (to prevent simply changing the playing order).

6. Lagging#

a. Only Player 1 from each team lags — this determines the breaking order for the rest of the match.
b. Breaks alternate between teams: the team that breaks first gets 8 breaks, while their opponents get 7.

7. End of the Match#

a. Record the number of games each team has won at the bottom of the score sheet (the total should be 15).
b. The winning captain must take a clear photo of the completed sheet and either post it on Facebook or send it to the captains’ WhatsApp group before 10:00 AM the following day.

8. Additional Information for Teams Without 5 Players#

1) Team with Only 4 Players#

a. Enter BYE in position 5 on the score sheet.
b. Any player facing a BYE is automatically awarded the win.

2) Both Teams with Only 4 Players#

a. Both teams enter BYE in position 5 on the score sheet.
b. Any player facing a BYE is automatically awarded the win.
c. The team that wins the lag is awarded the win in Set 1 (5 vs 5).

3) Team with Only 3 Players#

a. Enter BYE in positions 4 and 5.
b. Any player facing a BYE is automatically awarded the win.

4) Team of 4 vs Team of 3#

a. The team of 3 enters BYE in positions 4 and 5.
b. The team of 4 enters BYE in position 5.
c. Any player facing a BYE is automatically awarded the win.
d. The team that wins the lag is awarded the win in Set 1 (5 vs 5).

5) Team of 3 vs Team of 3#

a. Both teams enter BYE in positions 4 and 5 on the score sheet.
b. Any player facing a BYE is automatically awarded the win.
c. The team that wins the lag is awarded:

  • The wins in Set 1 (5 vs 5) and (4 vs 4), and
  • The win in Set 3 (5 vs 4).
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