Snooker Rules

Malvern & District Snooker League -

Administrator - Graham Campbell | malvernsnooker@gmail.com | 07907 082495

League

Cups

Rules changes brought in at the 2023 AGM are in red

1. That the league to be called the Malvern and District Snooker League

2. That their management be the prerogative of an executive committee consisting of seven members or more, four to form a quorum, this committee may co-op a new member should a vacancy arise during the season.

3. That the chairman of the executive committee shall have the casting vote where necessary.

4. Those meetings of the executive committee shall be held when necessary.

5. That in all divisions of the league matches shall be played on a home and away basis with four players per team, one frame each. In the event of a championship tie the league position will be decided on the number of wins achieved. If the tied teams have the same amount of wins, the lowest numer of losses. If the teams have the same amount of wins and losses, the head to head results will determine the positions. If the teams are still tied, those concerned shall play off on a neutral table under the same rules as the Upton Cup matches.

6. That league matches start at 7:45pm. The match card is to be completely filled in by 8:00pm. Should a match not commence by 8:00pm either captain may claim the first frame against the defaulting team. After this any further frame delayed by 15 minutes may be claimed. Should any match not be played due to the error of either captain or team representative, the result will be given as a walkover. Examples of this would be failure to book a table when responsible to do so or getting the date wrong etc.

7. Submission of Results

a) League Matches and Team Competitions
That a result is to be sent in by the home team in the case of a league match, for all other competitions it is the responsibility of the winners to send the result in. In both cases the result must be delivered to the fixtures secretary electronically, either by e-mail or using the league website results submission form within 48 hours of the match completion. Individual scores must be provided for all team matches The team captain must retain the results cards for the duration of the season and produce any cards if called upon by the committee. In the event of any despute, failure to present the original card if requested is likely to adversely affect any evidence for the team responsible for submitting the result.

b) Individual and Doubles Competitions
That a result is to be sent in by the winner(s). The result must be delivered to the fixtures secretary either by e-mail, text or phone message within 48 hours of the match completion. Any breaks over 20 must be provided. The winning player must retain the results cards for the duration of the season and produce any cards if called upon by the committee. In the event of any despute, failure to present the original card if requested is likely to adversely affect any evidence for the player(s) responsible for submitting the result.

Only results submitted directly to the fixtures secretary will be accepted.

In the case of a late submission, a deduction of 3 league points or disqualification from the knockout competition will be imposed. A reminder will be given prior to this with a chance to submit the result by a given date. Any team/player who repeatedly misses the 48 hour submission period will, at the discretion of the committee receive notice that no more reminders will be sent and the penalty will be automatically applied for the duration of the season.

8. All players shall be registered with the league. Players joining a team during the season must have their application given in writing(message etc.) to the Teasurer and cannot play until fee payment can be confirmed. A further 2 days will allapse before being eligible to play in order allow for the Fixtures Secretary to be informed. No player to be registered or transfered with 6 or less league matches remaining to the end of the league season (not including any cup fixtures). Any team found playing an unregistered player shall forfeit the match and points to the opposing side.

9. That any registered member of the league must be a member of the club they represent. Unless under the age of 18. Should the league be advised in writing (either by hand or electronically) by a club official that a player is not a member of their club, that player's results will not be counted until such time that membership is confirmed. Frames will be scored as a non-appearance player.
A list of current players can be provided to the club upon request from a club official.

10. Postponing fixtures

10a) League Matches and Team Competitions
In the event that a team needs to postpone a fixture, the team captain must inform the opposing captain and the fixtures secretary no less than 7 days prior to the fixture date. At least two alternative dates suitable for the venue must be given at the same time to both the other team and the fixtures secretary. The two alternative dates must be no later than two weeks after the original fixture date. The opposing captain must then decide which (if any) of the alternative dates are suitable and let the other captain and fixtures secretary know no less than 3 days prior to revised date. If none of the alternative dates are suitable, the match must be played on the original date with as many players as are available. Once an alternative date has been agreed, the match must be played on that date with as many players from both teams as are available. Note rules 21 (Colwall Cup) and 22 (Ledbury Cup)
If 7 days notice of postponement cannot be given, the match must be played on the original date with as many players as are available. In the case of the Ledbury Cup, if less than 3 players are available, the match is forefitted. Note rule 24 (Jeff Allen Memorial Trophy)

10b) Individual and Doubles Competitions
In the event that a player(s) needs to postpone a fixture, they must inform the opposing player(s) and the fixtures secretary no less than 7 days prior to the fixture date. At least two alternative dates suitable for the venue must be given at the same time to both the other player(s) and the fixtures secretary. The two alternative dates must be no later than two weeks after the original fixture date. The opposing player(s) must then decide which (if any) of the alternative dates are suitable and let the other player(s) and fixtures secretary know no less than 7 days prior to revised date. If none of the alternative dates are suitable or 7 days notice cannot be given, the match will be forfeited by the players originally needing to postpone. Once an alternative date has been agreed, the match must be played on that date. Any player not attending the revised date will be eliminated from the competition.

In all cases, it is the responsibility of the captain/player(s) originally needing to postpone the fixture to ensure that the venue is available and booked.

If a fixture cannot be played due to exceptional circumstances out of the control of the teams involved (e.g. adverse weather, problems at the venue etc.) that affect a whole team, the fixture secretary must be informed immediately and the committee will consider the situation and if necessary give an alternative date/venue at their considered discretion.

11. Application for transfer between teams must be forwarded in writing to the league secretary, where upon transfer requests shall be considered on their merits.

12. That the billiards and snooker control council rules are displayed at all clubs, and that all games are played in accordance therewith.

13. That the home team appoint a referee.

14. That the home team be responsible for maintaining good order throughout the match.

15. That all trophies are league property and should be returned to the league secretary in a clean and undamaged condition one calendar month before the AGM. Trophies to be kept on winning clubs premises re-insurance purposes. Lost trophies are to be replaced at the cost of the individuals or team concerned.

16. That teams shall pay entrance fees each year and provide registration sheets as follows:
a) Team registration fee payable before or at the AGM.
b) Player registration sheet completion and fees payable by the date indicated on the player registration sheet for that year.
c) Knockout competition sheet completion and fees payable by the date indicated on the KO competition registration sheet for that year.
Failure to provide completed registration sheets and monies by the dates given will result in one point per player deduction from the league and/or competition disqualification.
Any player who's previous seasons �1 playing fees (prior to season 2023-24) total was not received by the league, will owe the outstanding amount as an individual.
e)Any player(see rule 16d) or team with outstanding fees owing to the league shall have no league points or competition wins awarded until such time that the outstanding amount is paid in full

17. All fees to be reviewed annually at the A.G.M.

18. Prior to the A.G.M. notice should be sent in writing to the secretary of teams withdrawing from the league and also any applications from teams desirous of entering the league. Any proposal must be submitted to the comittee in writing no less than 2 weeks before the AGM in order to be discussed at the meeting.

19. That the details of complaint, whatever their nature should be forwarded to the secretary in writing within 7days of the occurrence.

20. That the onus to resolve circumstances not provided for in these rules, rest with the executive committee.

21. COLWALL CUP � knockout competition for all league teams, decided on aggregate score over 4 frames including handicaps. Teams must first be written down independently with a folded card then combined on the card. All frames to be played off scratch scores, black to be potted, but foul on the last black ends the frame. Handicaps totalised at start of match and aggregate score kept as match proceeds. If resultant scores are level, the last two players re-spot the black. If a frame is conceded due to the non-appearance of a player the scores shall be recorded as 147-0. Semi-final to be played at neutral venues. Final to be played at Colwall R.B.L club.

22. MEMORIAL SHIELD (Formally the Ledbury Cup)- knockout competition for all league teams Five players all play off scratch in four frames. Three singles followed by one doubles. Teams must first be written down independently with a folded card then combined on the card. In unforeseen circumstances (e.g. illness), 3 or 4 players may be used. In the case of 4 players, the first frame must be conceded and in the case of 3 players, the doubles must be conceded. No player is to play in two frames, one point per player thus making five points. Semi-finals to be played at neutral venues. Final to be played at Newtown club. The names of prominent ex-commitee members who we have sadly lost to be engraved on the reverse or the trophy.

23. UPTON CUP � Knockout competition for the top 4 teams played under normal league rules with the exception that in the event of a draw, the frame scores are to be taken into account. The Semi-final draw format will be 1st v 4th and 2nd v 3rd. Any frames conceeded due to the non appearance of player(s) shall have a frame score of 147-0.

24. JEFF ALLEN MEMORIAL TROPHY - Knockout competition for all league teams using a minimum of four players who may play in any order but no player can feature in more than 1 singles frame. Matches will consist of 4 singles frames and 1 doubles frame using all coloured balls and 6 red balls, 1 point per frame making 5 points total. Should a team only have 3 players available, the first singles frame is conceeded. With only 2 players, the first two singles frames are conceeded. If less than 2 players are available, the match will be forefitted. All frames will start from scratch. Semi-final and Final to be played at Cradley RBL Club. Individual scores and breaks 20 plus. to be recorded on league score cards and submitted electronically to the results sec. Normal rules regarding cancellations and re-arrangements apply. There will be a highest break prize to the player achieving the highest break through the competition. Breaks in this competition are included in the league season high break award

25. VETERANS KNOCKOUT SINGLES COMPETITION - open to league players aged 50 and over on 30th September, knockout with current league handicaps. First drawn to play at home, Quarter final Semi-final and Final best of 3 frames. Semi-final and Final to be played at a neutral venue.

26. SCRATCH, HANDICAP SINGLES & HANDICAP DOUBLES - will be played in accordance with rule 12. First drawn to play at home in these 3 competitions. Semi-finals and Finals to be played at a neutral venue.
The number of frames played shall be as follows;
Scratch Singles - All matches to be best of 3 frames with the final best of 5.
Handicap Singles - All early matches a single frame, the Quarter-final, Semi-final best of 3 frames and Final best of 5 frames.
Handicap Doubles - All early matches a single frame, the Quarter-final, Semi-final and Final best of 3 frames. Doubles handicap calculated by halving combined singles handicaps then rounded up to the nearest whole number.

26a. REG BAYLIS SALVER - A handicapped singles knockout competition held at the start of each season between the previous seasons 16 highest ranked players who have registered for the coming season. New seasons handicaps are applied. There is a �5 entry fee and the proceeds to be given to Cancer Research. Participation is not compulsory. Qualifying players not wishing to take part will count as a bye in the first round. The round matches follow a pre determined seeded format (1st v 16th, 2nd v 15th etc.).All rounds best of 3 frames with the final being best of 5 frames. Early rounds played on a neutral table, Semi-finals and final to be played at Wells club

27. That in the event of a team or player(s) failing to turn up for any game having not followed the procedure in Rule 10, the match will be forfeit.

28. The miss rule. Although it is understood that the official rules require that the missed rule be applied the Malvern and District Snooker League request �the miss rule� will not be called.

29. Clarification of handicaps:- New players with no historical handicap on the league system will receive a 20 handicap. Handicaps will be adjusted at the start and half way through the season, calculated by the difference between the number of league wins and losses per player at that point in time. Each new seasons handicaps will be calculated from the starting handicap of the previous season and the toal wins and loses over the course of that whole season. New players who started the current league season on the default 20 handicap are adjusted 2 points for each frame difference over their first season in order to accelerate movement to a representative handicap. Players who play 5 or less league games over the course of any season will have their handicaped individual and doubles results (where entered) taken into account at the end of season adjustment. For each league or knockout competition match the current handicap is to be used. Doubles handicaps are to be calculated by halving the combined singles handicaps then rounding up to the nearest whole number. The maximum handicap a player can receive is 40 the minimum handicap is 0.

30 - NLA, see rule 27.

31. The best player in each division is determined by the number of wins, in the event of a draw then the lowest number of losses followed by the highest aggregate score will determine the winner.

32. The highest break is determined by the highest break in any competition, in the event of a draw then each of the players with the highest break shall receive a high break prize.

33. Any club overpaying team registrations in one season will be allowed to claim credit against registration fees for the following season.