All England Bar Billiards' Association

This version is the full and final version, superseding all previous versions

1). The Association shall be known as the All England Bar Billiards Association.

2). The aims of the Association shall be to promote and encourage the playing of Bar Billiards throughout the United Kingdom, and particularly by the Organisation of Inter County competition.

3). Competitions will include a County Championship, a Ladies County Championship, an Individual Championship, a Ladies Individual Championship, a Pub Championship, an Over 50's Championship, an Over 60's championship and a Grand Prix.

4). Membership of the Association will be open to any County Association. Acceptance of new members will be by a majority vote at the Annual General Meeting.

5). An annual affiliation fee shall be paid to the Association by each County, the amount to be determined by the Annual General Meeting, which will also decide a date by which fees will be due. If fees are not paid by the agreed date then they will be doubled every two months for which they remain unpaid. Counties will not be permitted to enter the A.E.B.B.A. competitions unless affiliation fees have been paid.

6). Membership of the Association may be revoked or suspended by a majority vote of the Annual General Meeting.

8). The day to day administration of the Association will be vested in a committee consisting of a President, Chairman, Vice-chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary. One vote per county

9). The Chairman, Vice-chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary will be elected each year by the Annual General Meeting. Retiring Officers will be permitted to stand for re-election.

10). The President, once elected, shall retain the position for life or until voluntary retirement.

11). Honorary Life Vice-Presidents may be nominated and elected at the Annual General Meeting.

12). The Secretary shall be paid an honorarium which will be fixed each year at the Annual General Meeting.

13). A quorum for Annual General Meetings shall be representation by at least 50% of the Affiliated Counties.

14). (AGM 2009) The voting on proposals at AEBBA AGM's will be a) 1 vote per registered Association. b) Associations to be registered within their respected county. c) £20 Registration fee per registered Association to be paid to AEBBA via respected County. The Chairman will have a casting vote if required.

15). Changes of the Association’s Rules may only be made by a majority decision of the Annual General Meeting.

Propositions relating to changes of rules must be in writing to the Secretary at least 14 days prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting.

16). An extra-ordinary meeting must be called by the secretary within thirty days of receipt of a written request from at least fifty percent of member counties.

17). Member counties agree by their affiliation to abide by the association’s rules.

1). Dates and venues will be determined by the All England Bar Billiards Association Committee.

2). An Overall Referee will be appointed for each event. In the event of any dispute the referee’s decision will be final.

3). The format for all Inter County Competitions will be determined by the All England Bar Billiards Association Committee and may vary depending upon the number of participants.

4). Only counties affiliated to the All England Association may enter A.E.B.B.A. competitions.

5). In all A.E.B.B.A. Team Competitions all games will be break-apiece, the balls being respotted after the first player has completed his opening break.

6). Lady players will be permitted to play in both the County Championship and the Ladies County Championship.

Lady players will not be permitted to play in both the Individual Championship and the Ladies Individual Championship in the same year.

7). Table time at County and Individual Group Play-offs and Finals will be a minimum 15 minutes and a maximum 20 minutes. If the table runs for less than 15 mins the bar will be pulled again and play will continue until 15 minutes at which point any balls going into holes will be retained as if the bar had dropped. If the bar has not dropped by 20 minutes any balls returning to the trap will be retained by the scorer as if the bar has dropped.

8). Individual matches played over two games will be played consecutively on the same table. Rule 5 will not apply.

Winner to be decided by highest aggregate score . The winner will be awarded two points for aggregate, none for the legs. In the event of a tie highest leg score to win, if still tied one break of up to 5 mins to decide, order of play to be reversed. Time to count from first ball struck to final ball struck within the five minutes, balls in motion at the end count.

10). In Inter County Play-offs and Finals positions will be determined as follows.

11). Inter County Open representative matches will be seven-a-side. Ladies will be 5 - a – side. Counties may enter ‘A’ and ‘B’ sides for both competitions and ‘C’ sides for the Ladies.

12). In Team K.O. Competitions the team drawn first will break first in the opening game, with breaks going alternatively in subsequent games. In the final game, if the match is all square, the Equal Time Rule will apply.

13). In Team K.O. Competition a draw will be made before the start of the match to determine the order of play.to determine the player numbers

The table time should be established and agreed before the start of the final game.

Should the first player consume in excess of half the agreed time with their opening break, the second player shall be permitted equal time for their opening break in the attempt to pass the first players opening break. Further coins should be inserted before the second player commences their break.

15) Grand Prix points qualification will be as follows - open:- winner 15pts. runner up 10pts, semi finalists 6pts, quarter finalists 3pts last sixteen 1pt. Ladies; winner 8pts. runner up 5pts, semi finalists 3pts, quarter finalists 1pts. Jersey winner 20pts. runner up 15pts, semi finalists 10pts, quarter finalists 6pts last sixteen 3pts, last 32 1pt.

16) Grand Prix Finals Seeding Qualification. If players finish level on points deciding criteria will be

4) If still level, positions to be drawn, unless this is for the last position in which case a playoff will be staged at the beginning of the tournament.

17) Walkover in Team Events; Team to be awarded the average score of all of the other winners in that match

18) County Team qualification. A player may choose to play for any county in which he is registered, but he cannot play for more than one in any one season. This applies to AEBBA individuals, Open and Ladies County Championships, Alternate Rules, (not to the Pub Team Competition see 28 (I) ) Season to start on September 1^st.

19) Players qualifying for the Grand Prix cannot play in this and either the over 50’s or over 60’s whilst they are held on the same day.

20) Failure of ANY open to notify AEBBA of the result within 21 days will result in that result not being included in the GP rankings. If this happens two years in succession that open will lose its GP status.

21) Lady players will only qualify for the Grand Prix Finals if they gain points from a fully open competition.

24) Age related competitions; players must comply with the age restriction on Sept 1st of the current year.

25) Grand Prix seeding; seeds to be shuffle up to fill vacant places and reserves inserted at the bottom.

26) Jersey, and Guernsey will be invited to provide entries to the All England Individuals, Ladies Individuals, Team Competitions and the County Championships as they were associate members.

I). The break position for this variation is to play a ball from the centre of the 'D' to hit a triangle of six white balls.

II) The triangle of balls is to be placed on the centre line between the 100 hole and the 10 hole, lead ball nearest the 100 hole, with its centre five and a half inches from the centre of the 100 hole.

III) Should insufficient balls be available to fill the triangle after the bar has dropped, the triangle will be built row by row from the front and right hand side.

V} The black skittle will only count as a white for this competition, except for the 'last ball shot'

VII) AEBBA will only supply trophies to the winners, runners-up and highest break.

I) A team may enter a guest player PROVIDED he only plays for the team he is guesting for (and plays regularly for that league if registered for more than one league.). Players are not restricted to the one county rule in this competition, provided they fulfil the other criteria.

II) Players must be registered for the host venue and the same league at the start of the calendar year.

IV) Registration forms must be supplied (normally by the county secretary) to the AEBBA secretary by the end of August of that year's competition, to allow scrutineering. Failure to comply with this will result in automatic disqualification from the finals.

30) Where choice of first break is decided by the toss of a coin, the coin must be tossed in the air and either caught or allowed to fall to the floor.

31) If two teams from the same county are in the same group of an intercounty final, they must play each other first to try to prevent any possible collusion later.

32) If a player does not complete all their matches in a round robin group, all matches involving them (whether or not completed) shall be declared null and void.

33) If a delay occurs during a game, the delay should be timed and that time added on when the bar drops by pulling the bar again. After the delay time, the balls will be removed from the trap as they return as if the bar has dropped.

34) The AEBBA recognises the current ranking structure, which will be administered by an appointed committee. The structure is as published in appendix (1)

1. The playing area of the table shall not be less than 54½ inches or more than 56½inches in length, and not less than 31 inches in width, measuring from the inside edge of the cushions.

2. The table shall be not less than 34 inches and not more than 36½ inches in height from the floor to the top of the cushion.

4. There shall be one black and two white skittles of equal size and weight. To a height of at least two inches above its base each skittle should be cylindrical with a diameter between six and seven tenths inches. Skittles should be 4½ inches tall +/- ¼ inch. The black skittle shall be placed on a spot, the back edge of which will be a quarter of an inch from the front edge of the 200 hole. The white skittles shall be placed on spots level with and seven inches from the centre of the 100 hole.

5. A "D" shall be firmly fixed to the table in the centre of the base of the playing area. This should be approximately one and nine sixteenth inches radius and the centre of the " D" shall be clearly marked with a spot, to be known as the break spot.

6. Another spot shall be fixed in the centre of the table with its centre not less than six and three quarters inches and not more than seven and one sixteenth inches from the centre of the break spot on the "D". This shall be known as the red spot.

7. Baulk lines shall be clearly drawn on the table radiating from the centre of the base of the playing area to the side cushions so as to form an arc of not less than 150 degrees and not more than 160 degrees.

9. One red ball and seven white balls of equal size and weight shall be provided.

10. All shots must be played with the base of the cue ball within the area of the "D".

11. The red ball shall be placed by the hand on the red spot and a white ball placed on the break spot, also by hand. The white ball is then played with a cue onto the red ball with the object of potting one or both balls. This is known as playing from the break position.

12. If from the break position, both balls are potted into any holes, three times consecutively, the player on their next shot shall be barred from potting more than one ball. in accordance with rule 33v (playing rules)

13. If no balls remain on the table at any time during the course of the game, with the exception of the last ball shot, play will be continued from the break position.

14. From the break position the red ball must always be used on the red spot, unless the bar has dropped and the red is no longer available. At any other time use of the red ball as the cue ball is optional.

15. Other than from the break position and the last ball shot (see rule 26) the cue ball may be placed anywhere on the "D".

16. A white ball potted into a hole shall score the value of that hole. The red ball when potted will score double the value of that hole, provided no penalty has been incurred in either case.

17. A break will continue until such time as the player fails to pot a ball or plays a foul shot in accordance with rules 27 and 28.

18. At the end of a break the score should be recorded progressively on the scoreboard.

19. If during a break a ball on the lip of a hole falls in without being struck by another the ball shall count as if potted and the score will count. A break will be deemed to have started when the first shot is played and ended when the scorer calls end of break.

20. If a player plays at a ball on the lip of a hole and the ball falls before the cue ball reaches it, no penalty will be incurred and the player will continue with his break, except for any penalty incurred before the cue ball reaches the position previously occupied by the object ball.

21. If a ball on the lip of a hole falls in after the scorer has called end of break, in conjunction with rule 33V1 end of a break this ball shall not count.

22. Should a ball knock a skittle off it’s spot but the skittle does not fall over, the score shall count and the skittle should be replaced in it’s correct position before the next shot is played, unless prevented by a ball encroaching on the skittle’s correct position, in which case it should be replaced as soon as the spot is clear, see rule 23 .

23. Should any ball be touching a skittle causing it to lean, or preventing it from being respotted this ball should be returned to the rack AT THE END OF THE BREAK.

24. When no balls are left in the rack play continues by taking the ball furthest from the top (back) cushion. If two balls are equidistant from the top cushion the ball nearest the Centre line of the table should be taken.

25. After the Bar has dropped, play should continue until all balls in the rack had been used.

25 a. If two balls are "bridged" over a hole and one must be returned to the player, the scorer must hold the balls, "tilt" the back ball onto the table at its nearest point, and bring the other ball back to the player.

26. If only one ball remains, either in the rack or on the table, the break score should be recorded before the last shot is played. The last ball must then be played from the centre of the "D" into either the 100 or the 200 hole OFF ONE SIDE CUSHION. This is known as the ‘Last ball shot’.

Before playing the last ball shot the white skittles should be placed in the 50 holes and the top holes guarded. If the ball strikes a skittle in the 50 hole and falls into the 100 or 200 hole the score will not count. Both players should continue to play the last ball shot alternately until the ball is potted or the black peg is knocked down.

26A No one is to touch any ball whilst it is in motion (eg falling down hole), except to prevent the ball from going down the top holes in rule 26

A). Potting both balls from break position four consecutive times. (Except as in rule 33v).

B). Failing to hit another ball with the cue ball. (Except as in rule 20 AND RULE 26).

C). Any ball returning over or obstructing the baulk line. A ball shall be deemed to be obstructing the baulk line if when viewed from directly above it obscures any part of the line. The ball should be returned to the rack.

D ). Any ball obstructing or hitting the "D". A ball shall be deemed to be obstructing the "D" if when viewed from directly above it obscures any part of the " D". The ball should be returned to the rack.

E). Any ball mounting the cushion or leaving the table, even if it falls back on the playing surface. The ball should be returned to the rack. It is not a foul shot if a ball bounces upwards and returns to playing surface without touching anything apart from another ball

G). Deliberately touching or knocking down a white skittle with cue or hand while the balls are in motion or before a ball has fallen completely down a hole. (reason - prematurely to avoid penalty, could just pick up the peg and put it back)

H). Playing a shot while balls are still in motion or before a ball has fallen completely down a hole.

I). The player interfering with the movement of any struck ball before it has completely fallen down a hole.

J). Accidentally knocking the cue ball off the "D" with the cue. The cue ball will not be considered to be in play until it is completely clear of the "D" and the baulk line as in rules 27c and 27d..

K). Hitting the cue ball after it has left the "D" (double hitting / push shot).

L). Not using the red ball, when available, at the red ball spot, at the break shot.

M). Causing a ball resting on the lip of a hole to drop by deliberately disturbing the table. Players should take their hands off the table as soon as the ball is struck. (under discussion)

N) Playing the break shot with either ball not on its spot. It is not a foul under this rule if the ball falls off the spot as the player is in the act of striking. Any other penalty incurred will count.

O) If the cue ball fails to reach an imaginary line through the black peg and parallel with the top cushion and does not strike another ball, it will be returned to the tray and the player loses his break. (this does not apply to the last ball of the game).

B). Deliberately touching the black skittle with a cue or hand while balls are in motion or before a ball has completely fallen down a hole.

29. Should both a white and a black skittle be knocked down, if the white skittle falls first, the penalty will be loss of break, unless the white was knocked down deliberately by hand or cue. Should the black skittle fall first, the penalty will be loss of entire score.

30. If a player is nudged or jolted while in the act of playing a shot, causing them to play a foul shot, no penalty will be incurred. The scorer should replace the balls in what they consider to be their original positions and the player should then replay their shot.

31. If the balls are disturbed in any way other than in the normal course of play, then the scorer should replace the balls in what he/she considers to be their original positions and play should continue. If, in the opinion of the scorer, a ball on the edge of the hole falls due to any accidental or deliberate table movement by the player, that the ball be replaced and will not count and the break will end.

If, after the bar has dropped, a player in the opinion of the scorer deliberately plays a ball directly into a hole without touching another ball, then the ball should be retrieved and the other player allowed to play it. Any additional coins required to do so should be provided by the player deemed to have played the foul.

i). A competent scorer should be appointed. In intercounties team matches this will be from the team with first break, the other team may supply a marker if they wish.

ii). The scorer will act as referee and will be the sole arbiter on matters of facts and interpretation of the rules during the course of the game, unless a tournament referee is present as in rule 2.

iv). Progressive thousands must be recorded either by placing in clear view coins or other suitable markers, or alternatively by recording them on the scoreboard.

v). After a player has potted both balls three times consecutively from the break position the scorer must clearly warn the player to leave one ball up. Should he fail to do so the player will not be penalised under rule 27a.

vi). If during the course of play a ball remains on the lip of a hole the scorer shall decide when to call end of break in accordance with rule 21. (Player walking away from table does not determine end of break)

vii). The scorer shall be responsible for ensuring that the scores recorded on the scoreboard are correct.

viii). A marker may be appointed to record the progressive scores on the scoreboard at the end of each break.

ix). The marker, if appointed, should check the score as it is called out by the scorer and should draw his attention to any discrepancy at the earliest convenient time.

x). No person other than the scorer or marker should touch the scoreboard during the course of the game.

34). If a ball obstructs the placing of a ball anywhere in the 'D', but no foul shot has been played, it will remain there, but will be removed to the trap at the end of the current break (similar to the leaning peg/obstructed spot situation).

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NATIONAL OPEN RANKING RULES

1) Opens - Points have been altered to so that players get points for reaching the last 32 in the following order - 16,12,9,6,3,1. In addition a win bonus of 0.5pts will be given for any match won where ranking points ARE NOT at stake (that is to say any round before the last 64). This ensures all players that have won a match will receive some sort of points.
In the event of a walkover, no match bonus will be awarded, in the event of a walkover in a later round where ranking points are at stake a player will receive his full allotment of points, but will only receive half points if they have not won a match in a previous round.
The new Guernsey Open will also have full open ranking status
The committee agreed that more points should be available to the open tournaments and further down than just the last 16.

2) World Champs - points have been increased slightly but are still available to the last 64 in the order 27,21,16,11,7,4,2. The 0.5 win bonus is also in effect under the same criteria as for opens

3) County Champs - Players will still receive 1 pt for a leg won with break, and 1.5 pts for legs won against break and 1pt bonus for winning all legs (or 5 out of 6 legs if that many games played). The top 7 average bonus has been removed. The 2 points and 4 point deductions for divisions 2 and 3 will remain. The committee felt that the average bonus was inappropriate for a tournament where only winning your leg matters.

4) National Team Champs have been removed form the system. The feeling on the committee was that players may unfairly lose their chance at gaining ranking points due to playing in weaker local sides and vice versa.

5) Grand Prix has been removed from the system. The committee decided that players that make the Grand Prix have already had enough success during the year that awarding ranking points for this event would be unfair.

6) Internationals have been removed from the system for very much a similar reason to the Grand Prix.

7) Alternative Rules - points reduced to quarter finals only in the order 7,5,3,1. Win bonus to apply but reduced to 0.25.

8) Pairs (both Bournemouth and Jersey) points reduced to quarter finals only in order 7,5,3,1. Win bonus to apply but reduced to 0.25.

9) All England Singles - Qualified players will receive 1 pt for each leg won and 1 pt for each match won (including final). The 10 point bonus for winning (and 5 for runner up) have been removed. The All England Ladies will also now contribute (as they generally cannot qualify for the All England Singles) and will be awarded 2 points for the winner and 1 for the runner up.

10) Plates - increased points slightly to 3pts for winner and 1.5pts for runner up in opens. In Jersey there is also an increase to 6pts for the winner, 3pts for runner up and 1pt for the 2 losing semi finalists. Reduced points for alternative rules plate and pairs plate to 1 for winner , 0.5 for runner up

11) Inter Insular points have been removed for the same reason that internationals were removed.

12) Score bonuses remain unchanged

13) From 2009 rankings will be updated on a tournament by tournament basis rather than dropping a whole years points at the end of each year. So for example the 2009 Oxford Open points will replace the 2006 Oxford Open points. This is to ensure there are always 3 years results in the system at all times.

It is estimated that the above will have the following effect on the distribution of ranking points Percentages show are for both 2007/2008

Opens 21%/44%
World champ 18%/22%
Score bonuses 10%/10%
Pairs (WC + NAT) 12%/8%
County champ 8%/7%
All England 5%/4%
Plates 1%/2%
Alt Rule 3%/2%
Jer Plate 0%/1%
Nat Team Champs 8%/0%
Int v Jer 3%/0%
Int v Gue 4%/0%
Grand Prix 5%/0%
Inter Insular Individuals 0%/0%
Inter Insular 1%/0%

And not forgetting the Ladies....

1) Ladies in the past have been awarded half the points they gain in opens. They will now be awarded them the full points

2) British Ladies, an increase to 18,14,10,6,2. Plus 3, 1.5 for plate. This to distinguish importance from Special Ladies as it normally attracts significantly more players.

3) Special Ladies leave at 15,10,6,3,1, with 2,1 for plate

4) All England Ladies the bonus for winning has been removed as per men but keep 1 pt for leg/ 1 pt for win

5) County remove average bonus as per men but still give 1 pt for leg won and 1.5pts for legs won against the break

6) Remove Ladies international and Grand Prix to stay consistent with the men

The points changes to opens and world championships IN NO WAY affect the qualifying criteria for the Grand Prix.

The points for opens for the Grand Prix standings will continue to be awarded 15,10,6,3,1 as before. The Grand Prix is a AEBBA run competition and therefore any proposed changes would have to be brought to the AGM, and voted on then.

Sorry about the long post, but that is as brief as I can make it! I would like to thank Clive Thompson, Mal Spier, Dave May, and Mark Trafford for all the effort they have put in so we could achieve this before the international. We discussed everything in a lot of depth and of course we did not agree on everything, but we arrived at all of the decisions democratically.

I am not expecting everyone to agree with the above. I (and any of the rest of the committee) will be happy to answer any questions that anyone has about the amendments. We will listen to any points you make and discuss them when we review the system at the end of the year.

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