SECTION 2 – OFFICIAL LEAGUE RULES
(House Rules of the Frome & District Pool League)
The following rules govern all competitions organised by the Frome & District Pool League. These rules must be adhered to by all teams, players, venues, and officials.
2.1 Playing Rules
All matches shall be played to the current World Pool Players Blackball Association (WPPBA) Blackball Rules, except where specific local League variations are stated within this handbook.
No shot clock will be used.
The referee is the sole judge of fair and unfair play during a frame and is responsible for ensuring that the game is played in the true spirit of the sport.
2.2 Team & Venue Requirements
Match tables must:
• Be of standard size
• Be suitably maintained
• Be level and in good playing condition
• Have an acceptable playing environment and surrounding area
Where space is restricted, venues must provide small cues to allow players to take shots safely.
The League Organisers may carry out a table suitability review. Any table deemed below standard may be required to undergo improvements or may be prevented from hosting Cup matches.
Any changes to a table, table location, or new team entry must be approved by the League Organisers.
Players under the age of 18 must ensure they are legally permitted to play at the venue.
Home Team Responsibilities:
• Provide food for all League matches and home League Cup matches
• Pay for the match table on League and Cup nights (either by free play or by providing table money)
For Singles Cup and Doubles Cup matches, food provision is at the discretion of the venue.
2.3 Player Registration & Transfers
Each team may register a maximum of 15 players per season.
Initial team registrations must be completed at least one week before the first League or Cup match of the season.
Teams may register additional players during the season, provided the maximum number of 15 players has not been exceeded.
A player may be registered on the night of a match, provided a message is posted in the Captains WhatsApp Group before the match start time.
Players must have played in at least one League match for a team to be eligible to compete in the League Cup, Singles Cup, Doubles Cup, Captains Cup, or Captains Choice Cup. Players may not be added solely to participate in Cup competitions.
2.4 Player Transfers
A transfer window will operate between the Christmas and New Year break.
All transfers must be posted in the Captains WhatsApp Group.
If a team removes a player from their registration list, this must be posted in the Captains WhatsApp Group. That player may not re-register for the same team during the current season.
2.5 Registration of New Teams
Any new team wishing to join the League must receive approval from the League Organisers.
The League Organisers will visit the venue to ensure that the match table meets League standards.
Approval of new teams may be put to a captains’ vote.
All new teams must be located within a five-mile radius of the centre of Frome.
Landlords must agree to all League rules before the team is accepted into the League.
2.6 Match Night Rules
Matches must begin no later than 8:10pm.
If a match requires rearranging, at least 24 hours’ notice must be given. It is the responsibility of both captains to agree a suitable rearranged date.
Failure to provide adequate notice will result in a 9–0 win being awarded to the opposing team.
2.7 Match Format
Each League match consists of:
• 9 frames in total
• 6 Singles frames
• 3 Doubles frames
Each frame won counts as one point.
If a team wins 9–0, they will be awarded an additional bonus frame, resulting in a recorded score of 10–0.
2.8 Order of Play & Break Procedure
The Away Team selects their player first for each frame, followed by the Home Team.
The break is decided by a lag.
The winner of the lag chooses whether to break or not.
A maximum of 12 players may participate in a match:
• 6 players for Singles
• 6 players for Doubles
2.9 Insufficient Players
If a team has:
• 5 players – Captains must draw one name for an additional Singles and Doubles player. This cannot be the same player.
• 4 players – Captains must draw one name for an additional Singles player. One Singles frame and one Doubles frame will be forfeited.
• 3 players – The match will be forfeited.
2.10 Refereeing
The Home Team must provide a referee for each frame.
The Away Team should provide a player to observe the match.
The referee’s decision during a frame is final.
2.11 Scorecards & Results
Scorecards must:
• Be completed with full player names
• Be signed by both captains
• Record any 7-ball clearances
Both captains must nominate a Player of the Match from the opposing team.
Upon completion of the match, the Home Captain must photograph the scorecard and post it in the Captains WhatsApp Group.
Failure to submit the scorecard will result in no score being awarded to either team.
2.12 League Scoring & Table
The League table will be updated weekly and posted in the Captains WhatsApp Group and on the League Facebook page.
If a venue would like a copy for display, they may request one from the League Organisers.
League positions are determined by the number of frames won.
If teams are level on points, positions will be decided by the following criteria in order:
- Frame Difference
- Frames Won
- Frames Lost
- Games Won
- Games Lost
- Games Played
- Alphabetical Order
If teams cannot be separated at the end of the season, a playoff match will be arranged.
2.13 Individual Rankings
Individual rankings will be updated weekly and posted in the Captains WhatsApp Group and on the League Facebook page.
Points are awarded as follows:
• 4 points for a Singles win
• 2 points for a Doubles win
• -2 points for a Singles loss
• -1 point for a Doubles loss
• 3 points for a 7 Ball
If players are level on points, positions will be decided by:
- Win Percentage
- Most Singles Won
- Most Doubles Won
- Least Singles Lost
- Least Doubles Lost
- Most 7 Balls
- Games Played
- Alphabetical Order
2.14 7 Ball Rankings
The 7 Ball table will be updated weekly and posted in the Captains WhatsApp Group and on the League Facebook page.
Points are awarded as follows:
• 2 points per 7 Ball
If players are level on points, they will be ranked by:
- Games Played
- Alphabetical Order
2.15 Cup Competitions – General Rules
All Cup competitions are organised and administered by the League Organisers.
Draws will be conducted and filmed by the League Organisers. Dates and locations of draws will be published at the start of the season for those wishing to attend.
All draws are final.
Where applicable, early rounds may be played at designated venues with a live draw conducted on the night.
Unless otherwise stated:
• Matches will be Best of 3
• Standard League scorecard procedures apply
• The Away player or team will be drawn first
Players must be eligible under League registration rules to compete in any Cup competition.
Any player who is on Pub Watch or banned from a specific venue is not permitted to play at that venue. If a player is drawn to play at a venue where they are not permitted to enter:
• They will not be permitted to transfer to another venue
• Entry fees will still be payable
Finals Night venue arrangements will be confirmed by the League Organisers prior to the event.
2.16 League Cup
The League Cup consists of:
• 6 Singles frames
• 3 Doubles frames
The first team to 5 frames wins the match.
It is at the discretion of both captains whether remaining frames are played once the result has been decided.
The final will be played at a venue determined by draw.
2.17 Singles Cup & Doubles Cup
Entry fees must be paid at the first round of matches and will be collected by the League Organisers.
Early rounds may be split across multiple venues depending on entry numbers.
The final will be played on Finals Night at the Vine Tree Pub
2.18 Captains Cup & Captains Choice Cup
Captains Cup – Only the team Captain or Vice-Captain may enter.
Captains Choice Cup – The Captain selects one player from their team to represent the team.
All matches will be Best of 3 until two players remain.
The number of frames to be played in the final will be confirmed by the League Organisers prior to Finals Night.
2.19 Fees & Subscriptions
The League fees for the current season are as follows:
Team Fees
Team Registration: £30 per team
League Cup Entry: £10 per team
Match Fees
Match Subs: £6 per home League match or can pay upfront at start of season
Individual Competition Fees
Singles Cup Entry: £3 per player
Doubles Cup Entry: £3 per pair
Captains Cup Entry: £3 per player
Captains Choice Cup Entry: £3 per player
Payment Terms
All Team Registration fees must be paid in full before the season commences.
Match Subs must be paid no later than two weeks after the match.
Failure to pay Match Subs may result in a point deduction. Continued failure to pay may result in removal from the League.
All fees may be paid in cash at the Vine Tree Pub or by bank transfer. Bank details can be requested from the League Organisers.
A financial statement can be made available upon request.
2.20 Prize Money
Each team competing in the League may receive prize money depending on their final League position.
The total prize fund will be confirmed once the final number of teams and competition entries is known. The amount available may vary depending on League expenses, including trophies, stationery, and presentation costs.
League Cup prize money may be awarded subject to available funds.
Singles Cup and Doubles Cup prize money will depend on the number of entries received for each competition.
Any team or player with outstanding fees or subscriptions will not be eligible to receive prize money.
2.21 Outstanding Debts
Any player who has previously played for a team that owes money to the League will not be permitted to register for any team in future seasons until the outstanding amount has been paid.
If a team withdraws from the League, all remaining fees for the season remain payable.
2.22 Communication & WhatsApp Groups
The League operates official WhatsApp groups to ensure clear and consistent communication.
The following groups will be maintained:
Captains Group
This group is for team Captains and Vice-Captains only. It is used for:
• Posting results
• Player registrations and transfers
• Rearranging fixtures
• League announcements
• Official League communication
Venue Group
This group is for venue owners and landlords. It is used for:
• Venue-related communication
• Fixture confirmations
• League updates relevant to venues
All official League communication will be made through these groups and, where applicable, the League Facebook page.
Captains are responsible for ensuring that relevant information is passed on to their players.
2.23 Trophies
All trophies remain the property of the League.
Teams and players awarded trophies are responsible for their safekeeping and must return them when requested by the League Organisers.
If a trophy is lost or damaged while in the possession of a team or individual, they may be responsible for the cost of repair or replacement.