Chard & District Pool League Rules 2026

League Rules

1. The League will play by the rules known as “International Rules” as per the EPA.

Rules of the Game (epa.org.uk) 

2. The league will affiliate with the Somerset County Pool Association.
3. Each team may enter up to 12 players. Individual players may only represent 1 team at a time. Captains must provide a team name, venue & venue contact details. Team names will be approved at the discretion of the committee.
4. The radius for team entry into the league will be 15 miles from The Guildhall, Fore Street, Chard
5. All teams will be required to pay an entry fee of £55. This can be paid via cash or bank transfer to the league bank account:
   Chard and District Pool League
   Account number: 30678660
   Sort code: 30-99-50
6. All matches to consist of 15 frames. One point will be awarded for each frame won.
7. Match-winning teams will get 3 extra ‘win’ points.
8. Teams need 5 players per match to fulfil all frames. If a team cannot get 5 players to play a fixture, then they are expected to turn up with at least 3 to play the match. Failing to field 5 players will result in a forfeit of frames.
9. Players can play a maximum of 3 games per match and cannot play the same person twice.
10. County Players or above. Teams can sign any County player. However, from the 2025 season, teams can only play a maximum of 3 County players per match. This rule does not include the County Ladies, or County Youth (under 18s). This does include County Men's, Seniors and Under 23’s. This rule applies to county players of both the International Ruleset and Blackball Ruleset.
11. Captains cannot put a player’s name down for 2 consecutive frames. For extreme circumstances where a player will need to ‘play off’, it will be down to the discretion of the 2 captains.
12. Coaching is not allowed. Any coaching will constitute a foul.
13. The referee can advise a player on the rules, or the state of play is requested by the player but cannot advise of any infringements they make in the future.
14. Matches to be scheduled on Sunday evenings. Some later rounds of cup matches may require players to play on an alternative night, which will be shown on the fixture list.
15. Matches to start at 7.45 pm.
16. All players must be at the venue by 9 pm. The only exception to this rule is for players who are playing in an International Rules County Fixture only; however, lateness must be agreed between both captains within reason. Anyone arriving after this time is barred from competing on the night. This rule does not include singles, doubles, 3-a-side & and 4-a-side competitions.
17. Failure to attend on time will result in an automatic loss of the first frame. Following the automatic loss of the first frame, the 2^nd frame must start by 8 pm. Following the 2^nd automatic loss of frame, the third frame must start by 8.15 pm. Should the team fail to arrive by 8.30, then all frames will be automatically claimed, including the win bonus points.
18. If a team ‘no shows’ on 2 or more occasions, the league reserves the right to expel the offending team/players from the league and all associated competitions for the rest of the season.
19. The home team/venue will pay the table costs.
20. Home teams will provide a referee for all matches.
21. League fixtures, results, and live scoring will take place on “RackEmApp”. Captains will use this to replace scorecards. All players are allowed access to the RackEmApp system. Any disputes can be made on the app, which will go directly to the appropriate Committee members. Players can contact Committee members directly for any immediate disputes that are affecting a present game.
22. The home captain will fill in the playing order first. Names can be entered one or as many at a time as the captain wishes. Once the 10^th frame is played, the home captain must fill in the remaining 5 names. The away team can enter them as they wish.
23. Players will ‘lag’ to decide who breaks on each frame. Players must, at the same time, play the object ball from the break area onto the bottom cushion and back up the table. The player with the object ball closest to the top cushion wins the right to break. A player must only hit the bottom and top cushions for a valid lag; if this is not achieved, then that player will lose the lag.
24. The home team will provide the food for league matches only. If this is not possible, the Chairman or League secretary should be informed before the start of the season or at the earliest time possible.
25. Should 2 teams end the season in either a winning/runners-up position or a relegation position and be on the same total points, then the 2 teams will play off. The playoff will be played on a night decided by the 2 captains and will be played on a neutral table.
26. Any team that fails to turn up without prior notice will be liable for any reasonable costs incurred by the team present. Ie food.
27. Any outside accidental interference whilst playing a shot during the frame, the referee will replace the balls as near as humanly possible to the original position, with both players agreeing on the position. No penalty shall be imposed on the player in play. The player then continues the frame.
28. Any damage to a pool table exterior, ripped cloth or damage to cushions should be reported to the away team as soon as possible. If an immediate repair is not possible, the away team will make the decision on whether to play on the table that night. This does NOT apply to any roll or obstacles that are in the playing area, as this constitutes a home advantage.
29. No tables will be moved to suit other teams.
30. The committee have the right to alter any rules of the league at any time and will give detailed changes to all players via the Facebook page.
31. All teams must fulfil their fixtures. Any team that does not complete its fixtures will lose all points. Any team that has played against the offending team will also lose any points gained against them.
32. Shark Rack. Should a home team wish to play using a ‘Shark Rack’, then they are obliged to do so. The Home Team Captain must notify the Away Team Captain of this before the first frame has been played.

Any concerns to be directed to the league email address: chardpoolleague@gmail.com