Rules

The organisation shall be known as the Lincoln & District Billiards & Snooker Association (LDBSA).

The objectives of the Association are to promote, organise and manage amateur billiards and snooker leagues and competitions within Lincoln and the surrounding area, and to encourage fair play, sportsmanship, participation and the continued development of both sports.

1. The affairs of the Association shall be managed by the LDBSA Executive Committee, elected at the Annual General Meeting.
2. The committee will consist of the President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Match Secretary, Championship Secretary, Social Media Secretary and Committee Members as agreed at the AGM.
3. If any position becomes vacant during the year, the Executive Committee may appoint a replacement who will serve until the next Annual General Meeting.
4. The Executive Committee will make all decisions concerning the running of the Association, leagues and competitions.
5. The Executive Committee’s decisions are final on all matters not specifically covered by these rules, acting fairly and in the best interests of the Association and its members.

1. An Annual General Meeting will be held before the beginning of each season, either in person or online as determined by the Executive Committee.
2. Each affiliated club may appoint one voting representative.
3. At least 14 days’ notice of the AGM and its agenda must be given.
4. Proposed rule changes must be submitted to the Secretary at least 21 days before the AGM.
5. The Treasurer will present a summary of the Association’s accounts.
6. Committee positions will be elected at the AGM.
7. Each affiliated club and each serving Executive Committee member will have one vote. The Chairman will have a casting vote when votes are tied.

1. Executive Committee meetings will be held as required and may take place in person or online.
2. Decisions will be made by majority vote. The Chairman will have a casting vote when votes are tied.
3. Brief minutes will be recorded by the Secretary or another nominated committee member.

1. All Association funds must be held in an official LDBSA bank account.
2. Payments and bank transfers must be authorised by any two of the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.
3. The Association’s financial year will end on 30 April.
4. The Treasurer will prepare and present a summary of the Association’s accounts at the Annual General Meeting.
5. The Executive Committee will determine team registration fees, championship entry fees, fines and other charges.
6. Unless a different amount is published before the season begins, the league registration fee will be £40 per team.
7. Registration fees must be submitted with the team’s entry form using the payment method specified by the Executive Committee.
8. Team captains are responsible for collecting and paying fees or fines relating to their teams.
9. All invoices must be paid by the stated deadline. Continued non-payment may result in suspension or expulsion from the Association.
10. Fees, payment deadlines and instructions will be communicated through the official LDBSA website, social media pages and notices supplied to affiliated clubs.
11. Where a competition is sponsored, its sponsor may be invited to select the semi-final or final venue, subject to the Executive Committee confirming that the venue and tables are suitable.
12. Individual sponsors will not be named permanently within these rules because sponsorship arrangements may change between seasons.

1. Any recognised club in Lincoln or the surrounding area may apply to join the Association.
2. Membership applications are subject to Executive Committee approval.
3. Each club must provide a suitable venue with a full-size table and comply with these rules and all published fees.
4. The Executive Committee may refuse, suspend or terminate membership, subject to the Association’s disciplinary and appeals procedures.

1. The Association may operate one or more divisions according to the number of entries received.
2. Snooker and billiards leagues will use handicaps set or approved by the Executive Committee.
3. Before each season, the Executive Committee will publish the divisions, teams, match format, league points system and any promotion or relegation arrangements.
4. The team finishing first in the Snooker League will be the League Champions. Teams finishing second to fifth will qualify for the end-of-season playoffs.
5. Promotion, relegation and divisional arrangements may be adjusted when entries or withdrawals make this necessary.

1. Every player must be registered before taking part in a league or championship match.
2. Registrations must be submitted to the Match Secretary or entered through the approved registration system.
3. A player may be registered for only one club in each discipline, although they may represent different clubs for snooker and billiards.
4. Players registered for clubs with multiple teams are also subject to Rule 15.
5. A transfer requires written agreement and Executive Committee approval.
6. An unregistered or ineligible player will be subject to the penalties in Rule 18.
7. Registration deadlines will be published before the season. Emergency registrations after a deadline require Executive Committee approval.
8. The Executive Committee may refuse a registration when it considers this necessary in the interests of the Association or fair competition.

1. League matches will be played home and away on the dates published in the official fixtures.
2. Each club is responsible for providing suitable facilities and enough registered players to fulfil its fixtures.
3. A match may be postponed only with prior approval from the Match Secretary. Both captains must notify the Match Secretary as soon as a problem arises.
4. A team failing to attend may forfeit the match. Its opponent may receive the full available frames, the defaulting team may have the equivalent frame points deducted and a £20 fine may be imposed.
5. The Executive Committee may consider genuine extenuating circumstances.
6. An approved rearranged match must be completed by the deadline set by the Match Secretary.
7. If a team withdraws, its players may, at the Executive Committee’s discretion, remain registered for individual championships only.

1. Snooker divisions will normally contain between eight and sixteen teams. Billiards league size will be determined by the entries received.
2. League matches should be completed by the end of the second week in April unless a different date is published before the season.
3. Fixtures should avoid Bank Holidays where reasonably possible.
4. League positions are decided by frame points, followed by matches won and then the fewest matches lost.
5. If teams remain level, the results between the tied teams will be considered, followed by their combined head-to-head frame difference.
6. If teams are still level, a neutral playoff will be arranged.

1. Every scorecard must show the match date, teams, correct player names, handicaps, frame scores and all qualifying high breaks.
2. Both captains must check that the completed scorecard is accurate.
3. The home captain must send a clear photograph of the scorecard to the Match Secretary by 6pm on the following day.
4. A late scorecard may result in a £5 fine.
5. Failure to submit a scorecard may result in further action by the Executive Committee.

1. All complaints or disputes must be submitted in writing to the Secretary within three days of the incident.
2. A league-match dispute must also be sent to the Match Secretary. A championship dispute must also be sent to the Championship Secretary.
3. The matter will be considered at the next Executive Committee meeting or sooner when an urgent decision is required.
4. A disputed scorecard must still be submitted on time, but should remain unsigned and be clearly marked as disputed.
5. The Executive Committee may request statements or supporting evidence from the players, captains, referees or clubs involved.

Any table-use fee charged during an LDBSA league or championship match must be paid by the home player or home team unless another arrangement has been agreed in advance.

1. A player must be registered to a specific team.
2. A player registered in a lower division may play for one team in the next highest division on no more than four occasions.
3. On a fifth appearance, that player will automatically transfer to the higher team and may not return to the lower team during that season.
4. Players may not move sideways between teams in the same division. Teams from the same club in one division are treated as separate teams for registration purposes.
5. A transfer from a higher team to a lower team requires Executive Committee approval.
6. A player may represent different clubs for snooker and billiards.
7. A transfer to another club in the same discipline will normally be permitted only if the player has not played for their original club, unless exceptional circumstances are accepted by the Executive Committee.

1. Each match consists of six frames: five singles frames and one doubles frame.
2. A team must field at least three registered players.
3. A player may normally play a maximum of two frames. If a team has only three players, one player may play three frames after being selected at random in the presence of both captains; the other two players will play two frames each.
4. The doubles frame may be played at any time by agreement between the captains.
5. The doubles handicap is calculated by adding the partners’ handicaps together and dividing the total by two.
6. There is no random player-pairing draw. The away captain enters their players on the scorecard first and the home captain then selects the opposing players.
7. The miss rule is not played in LDBSA Snooker League matches.
8. Matches must begin by 7:15pm and all players must be present by 9:15pm unless the captains agree otherwise.
9. The home team is responsible for providing referees.
10. Aramith balls must be used and all breaks of 25 or above must be recorded on the scorecard.

1. A team playing short will forfeit every unplayed frame.
2. A frame played by an unregistered or ineligible player will be forfeited, the opponent will receive the frame points and the offending team may be fined £20.
3. Using a false name carries the same penalties and may result in suspension for the remainder of the season.
4. If a scorecard is deliberately falsified, both teams may be fined £20 and all unplayed frames awarded to their opponents.
5. The Executive Committee may impose additional penalties where appropriate.
6. Any appeal must follow the Association’s formal complaints and appeals procedure.

1. Players are jointly responsible for arranging their match and must make contact and offer reasonable dates within 14 days of the draw.
2. If agreement cannot be reached, the Championship Secretary must be contacted before the deadline.
3. The match will be played at the club of the player listed first unless the players agree to reverse the venue.
4. A player who fails to make reasonable arrangements or deliberately obstructs the match may be removed from the competition. Repeated offences may result in suspension for up to one year.
5. A late player will forfeit one snooker frame for each completed 15 minutes. A billiards match may be forfeited after 30 minutes.
6. Semi-finals and finals will have a referee wherever possible. This may depend on entries and referee availability and will be at the discretion of the Championship Secretary and Executive Committee.
7. All tables used must be of a suitable competition standard.
8. An unjustified withdrawal may result in a warning, and repeated withdrawals may result in suspension.
9. The Championship Secretary must be informed immediately of any withdrawal or arranging difficulty.

1. Individual competition entry is £7 per player, doubles entry is £15 per pair and team competition entry is £15 per team, unless a different fee is published.
2. At least eight entries are required for a championship to be played.
3. Once the minimum entry has been reached, the Championship Secretary will confirm that the competition will proceed and collect the entry fees.
4. The payment method and deadline will be published. An unpaid entry may be excluded.
5. Entry information will be published on the LDBSA website, social media pages and notices supplied to affiliated clubs.

1. Qualifying rounds are played to 300 points, semi-finals to 450 points and the final to 600 points.
2. The winner progresses to the Senior Billiards final to play the previous season’s Lincoln Billiards Champion.
3. If that player is unavailable or ineligible, the Executive Committee will determine the replacement.

1. Qualifying rounds are played to 200 points, semi-finals to 250 points and the final to 300 points.
2. A player must have a published handicap of -30 or lower at the closing date.
3. Every entrant must be a member of an LDBSA-affiliated club. A player not taking part in the league may be registered for championship purposes only.
4. A player who has reached the Senior Billiards final twice during the previous five seasons is ineligible.
5. Winning the Junior Billiards Championship in three consecutive years prevents entry the following season.
6. The Executive Committee may approve an exception.

1. The competition is open to registered snooker or billiards players who are members of an LDBSA-affiliated club.
2. Entrants must have a billiards handicap of -30 or lower at the closing date.
3. Matches are the best of three games, with each game played to 75 points.
4. The cue ball and opening break alternate between games.
5. The semi-finals and final will be played on one night. Semi-finals may be played simultaneously, with games alternating between tables.

1. The competition is open to eligible registered LDBSA members.
2. Qualifying rounds are the best of five frames, quarter-finals and semi-finals the best of seven, and the final the best of nine.
3. The three-miss rule applies in the semi-finals and final.
4. The general championship conditions in Rule 19 apply.

1. A player must have a published snooker handicap of +7 or higher at the closing date and be a registered LDBSA member.
2. All rounds are the best of five frames.
3. A player who has reached the Ken Baptist Senior Snooker final twice during the previous five seasons is ineligible.
4. Winning the Junior Snooker Championship in three consecutive years prevents entry the following season.
5. The Executive Committee may approve an exception.

1. A pair must consist of two registered players from the same LDBSA-affiliated club and must declare the club they represent when entering.
2. All rounds are the best of five frames.
3. The three-miss rule applies in the semi-finals and final.
4. The general championship conditions in Rule 19 apply.

1. A pair must consist of two registered players from the same LDBSA-affiliated club and must declare the club they represent when entering.
2. Both players must be eligible for the Junior Snooker Championship with a published handicap of +7 or higher.
3. Qualifying rounds are the best of three frames. Semi-finals and the final are the best of five.
4. The general championship conditions in Rule 19 apply.

1. The competition is open to eligible registered LDBSA members.
2. All rounds are the best of five frames.
3. Each player’s competition handicap is set at the start of the competition and remains unchanged throughout, regardless of any later league-handicap revision.
4. No miss rule applies in this competition.
5. The general championship conditions in Rule 19 apply.

The competition is open to teams playing in the current Snooker League.

1. A player must be registered for the team they represent and may play for only one team in the competition.
2. A player registered after the first-round draw is ineligible.
3. Each team consists of four players, each playing one frame. A team playing short forfeits 147 points for each missing player.
4. Each team’s handicap is calculated by adding together the current individual league handicaps of the four players selected to play on the night. This combined total is the team handicap for that match.
5. The away captain lists their players first and the home captain then selects the pairings. In the semi-finals and final, pairings and order of play will be drawn at random.
6. The result is decided by the aggregate score, including the team handicap.
7. If scores are level, the black will be respotted and the first score or foul will decide the match.
8. The home team is responsible for the venue, suitable tables, referees and any table costs.
9. The general championship conditions in Rule 19 apply.

1. The competition is open to teams playing in the current Billiards League.
2. Each team consists of three registered players. A player registered after the first-round draw is ineligible.
3. Three individual games will be played using the current Billiards League format and handicaps.
4. Pairings will be drawn at random and the first team to win two games wins the match.
5. The order of play may be changed by agreement.
6. The Championship Secretary or Executive Committee may arrange a neutral or sponsored venue.
7. The general championship conditions in Rule 19 apply.

1. Eight players will be invited from the final eight of the Ken Baptist Senior Snooker Championship. Any replacement will be selected by the Championship Secretary.
2. Players will be divided into two groups of four and play a round robin. Every group match consists of three frames and all three must be played.
3. The top two players in each group progress to the main semi-finals, playing cross-group opponents.
4. The bottom two players in each group enter the Plate competition.
5. Main and Plate semi-finals and finals are the best of five frames.
6. The three-miss rule applies throughout.
7. The LDBSA dress code applies.
8. The Championship Secretary and Executive Committee will determine the venue, schedule, draw and tables.

1. Sixteen players will be invited: the defending champion and the top fifteen eligible players from the previous season’s league averages.
2. A player must have appeared in at least 70% of their team’s league matches to qualify.
3. If the defending champion is also in the top fifteen, the next eligible player will be invited. Any further replacement will be the next eligible player in the averages.
4. The competition is a one-day knockout. Main competition matches are the best of five frames.
5. First-round losers enter a Plate competition, with matches the best of five frames.
6. The three-miss rule applies throughout and the LDBSA dress code applies.
7. The Championship Secretary and Executive Committee will determine the venue, schedule and draw.

1. Sixteen players will be invited.
2. For the 2026/27 competition, invitations will be based on the final 2025/26 First Division averages.
3. A player must have appeared in at least 70% of their team’s league matches to qualify.
4. An unavailable player will be replaced by the next eligible player.
5. The competition is a seeded knockout based on the qualifying averages.
6. Main competition matches are the best of three frames. First-round losers enter a Plate competition, also played as best of three.
7. No miss rule applies and the LDBSA dress code applies.
8. Eligibility will be reviewed for 2027/28 because there is no First Division in 2026/27. The Executive Committee will publish revised handicap-based criteria, provisionally involving players on +7 or +14 and above.
9. The general championship conditions in Rule 19 apply.

1. Individual statistics are calculated automatically from official scorecards accepted by the Association.
2. Published statistics may include matches played, frames played, frames won and lost, frame-win percentage, average frame points for and against, and highest break.
3. The Player of the Season award will be given to the qualifying player with the highest frame-win percentage.
4. A player must appear in at least 70% of their team’s league matches to qualify for the award or any competition linked to league averages.
5. If players have the same frame-win percentage, the player with the most frames won will be ranked higher.
6. If players remain level, their head-to-head frame results will decide the order.
7. Only submitted and accepted results count towards the averages.

1. The President’s Cup is an invitation-only competition for sixteen players aged 50 or over.
2. All proceeds from the competition will be donated to a charity chosen by the LDBSA President.
3. The general championship conditions in Rule 19 apply.

1. All Association trophies are challenge trophies and cannot be won outright.
2. Annual trophies must be returned by the published date. Recipients may be required to sign for them at presentation night.
3. The Executive Committee may fine a club or player who returns a trophy in poor or dirty condition.
4. Trophies and prize money should be collected on presentation night.
5. A recipient unable to attend must send apologies to the Executive Committee in advance so alternative arrangements can be agreed.
6. If a recipient does not attend or send apologies, the Executive Committee may withhold the trophy and prize money.
7. A player who wins the Ken Baptist Senior Snooker Championship, John Stobie Trophy and Roger Clark Trophy during their playing career will complete the LDBSA Career Triple Crown.
8. The achievement will be permanently recorded in the LDBSA Hall of Fame.
9. The player will receive a smart LDBSA Triple Crown polo shirt, a certificate and a presentation award.

1. Formal complaints concerning inappropriate behaviour or conduct must be submitted in writing or by email to the League Secretary.
2. The League Secretary will provide the player, team or club concerned with a copy of the complaint and any supporting evidence.
3. The player, team or club will have seven days to respond in writing and may request an oral hearing before the Executive Committee.
4. If no response is received within seven days, the Executive Committee may consider the complaint without it. The right to appeal may be lost unless there is a valid reason for the late response.
5. Before considering the complaint, three uninvolved committee members will be selected to form an Appeals Committee. They must take no part in the original decision.
6. The Chairman or Vice-Chairman will chair the original hearing, with the other chairing any appeal. A replacement must be appointed if either has a conflict of interest.
7. The Executive Committee will notify the complainant and responding party of its decision in writing.
8. If the complaint is upheld, the Executive Committee may impose any sanction it considers reasonable and appropriate.
9. An appeal must be submitted to the League Secretary within the deadline stated in the decision letter.
10. The Appeals Committee may uphold, reduce, replace or increase the original sanction. Its decision will be final.
11. Complaints must not be discussed publicly or on social media while being investigated. Doing so may be treated as a separate disciplinary matter.

1. The miss rule will apply only where it is specifically stated in the rules for that competition.
2. The three-miss rule will apply in competitions where specified.
3. The referee cannot call a miss if either player requires snookers before or after the foul.
4. If the scores can be tied before or after the foul, a miss cannot be called.
5. The referee cannot call a miss when a foul occurs without a stroke being played, such as touching a ball with a hand while bridging.
6. No miss rule applies in LDBSA Snooker League matches or competitions specifically designated as no-miss competitions.

1. The competition is open to any player registered in an LDBSA snooker or billiards league.
2. The first stage is one frame of snooker, played through to the black.
3. The second stage is one game of billiards, played to 150 points without handicaps.
4. The third stage is one final frame of snooker. Each player begins with the combined points accumulated during the first two stages.
5. The player with the highest overall score after the final snooker frame wins the match.
6. If the overall scores are level, the black will be respotted and the first score or foul will decide the match.
7. The general championship conditions in Rule 19 apply.

1. An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called by the Executive Committee.
2. An EGM may also be requested in writing by at least 40 registered league members.
3. The written request must be submitted to the Secretary and clearly state the reason for requesting the meeting.
4. The Secretary will give members reasonable notice of the date, venue and business to be discussed.
5. Only the business specified in the notice may be discussed or decided at the EGM.
6. An EGM will have the same decision-making powers as an Annual General Meeting.
7. The AGM voting rules will also apply to an EGM.

1. The LDBSA dress code applies to all competition matches where it is specified within the individual competition rules.
2. Players must wear either a long-sleeved or short-sleeved collared shirt, a smart polo shirt with minimal branding, or an LDBSA polo shirt, which promotes our league. This is also at the referee’s discretion.
3. Players must wear trousers and suitable shoes. Jeans and trainers are not permitted.
4. Players representing Lincoln or the LDBSA at external events must follow the dress code prescribed for that event.
5. Referees must be dressed appropriately for the stage and standard of the competition.
6. A player who does not comply may be required to change before playing.
7. Where changing is not reasonably possible, the player may be fined £25 or excluded from the match at the discretion of the Championship Secretary or Executive Committee.
8. Personalised LDBSA polo shirts may be ordered in advance at the price published by the Association.

1. No registered player, team official or committee member may organise or participate in gambling on an LDBSA league match, championship or other Association event.
2. This includes running or contributing to a book on the outcome of an LDBSA competition.
3. Suspected breaches must be reported to the Executive Committee.
4. Anyone found to have breached this rule may face disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion from the Association.