Club Competitions

About the League

How to Join

• The league is by invitation or application; the committee have total discretion on all invites and applications.
• New members pay a £10 joining fee plus the season subscription. Annual membership is £20 (due 1 April), reduced to £10 for those joining within the previous six months.
• Quarterly season entry is £10. All subscriptions must be paid no later than the 28th of the month prior to the new season. Payment is to be made to the committee treasurer. Pre-payments are accepted.
• No Payment – No Entry.
• Newcomers join at the start of a season in the lowest division. There may be 4+ players in the lowest division; prizes will be adjusted accordingly. All divisions aim for 6 players.
• Two promotion and two relegation spots per division unless adjustments are needed.
• If more than one player withdraws from any division at least one player will always get relegated.
• Extra matches against any opponent are allowed but don't count toward league positions. All divisional matches are UKBGF rated. Only random draw matches can be added to the UKBGF ratings system.
• Any player not completing all matches in a season (or the last to do so) will be relegated two divisions.
• Players completing less than 50% of matches may be suspended for at least one season and re-join from the bottom after suspension.
• All players must provide: Name, Address, Phone, Email, and if possible, Facebook Messenger ID & online play ID. Relevant details are shared with division members at the start of the season.
• Default contact method is via WhatsApp group chat for each division where possible.

How It Works

• Divisions are now organised within the website. Previous seasons' standings can be found on the League Republic platform.
• 6 players per division where possible (this is dependent on total number of players).
• Each season lasts 13 weeks (Jan–Mar, Apr–Jun, Jul–Sep, Oct–Dec).
• Only matches reported by the season end date count. No deadline extensions.
• Each player plays one 11-point match against every other player in their division (5 matches). Lower divisions may play 9-point matches.
• Matches use shakers and precision dice. Baffle box optional.
• Clocks: Required in Divisions 1–5 if one player requests (22 mins + 12s delay). Lower divisions use clocks only by mutual agreement.
• Legal moves only; UKBGF rules apply.
• Scores must be reported, with winning score truncated to 11 points.
• Scoring: Win = 3 points.
• League tables updated at least every 2 weeks.
• Winner of each division: currently £35, runner-up: £20 (adjusted for smaller divisions).

Playing Matches

• Both players share responsibility for arranging matches via group chat or email.
• If no date is agreed within 3 months, both may lose 1 point. Administrators may award points if one player made every effort.
• Matches can be played at any agreed venue/time; default is fortnightly club nights.
• No shows without 3 hours' notice: evidence required; repeat offenders removed after 2 strikes.
• Online play allowed only in exceptional circumstances.
• Results reported immediately (usually by the winner) in group chat.
• No spectator interference during matches unless acting as referee.
• Weaker players can request help spotting illegal moves from onlookers.

Division Tie-breaks

1. Superior score difference (For − Against).
2. Least points lost to opponents.
3. Higher win rate.
4. More head-to-head wins.
5. Result of most recent head-to-head match.
6. Higher current UKBGF ranking.

Additional Information

• Committee members may play in the league but won't rule on their own disputes. A substitute will handle these cases.
• Rules or formats may change with 1 month's notice, always for the benefit of players.
• Players who drop out and re-enter start at the bottom and cannot win prize money until promoted.
• The league is for fun; prize money is secondary. Players ignoring this may not be invited back.
• Clocks must have a delay feature and can be a smartphone/tablet app.
• Dice: 4 precision dice if possible; 2 dice if using a clock.
• Alternative rolling methods allowed for players with disabilities, with opponent approval.
• No match can count as two results; only fully completed matches or those ended by clock expiry count.