Irish Blackball Association

FAQ

Blackball Tour

  1. Rules

    The rules that will be played throughout this event will be Blackball. These rules can be viewed at http://www.irishpool.ie/Downloads/Rules/Blackball_Rules.pdf.


  2. Eligibility

    A player is eligible to play, once his/her birthday falls after the 1st January of the current pool calendar year (e.g. if a player is 24 on the first of January, he/she is eligible to play in the U23s event).


  3. Registration

    All players who wish to take part in the event MUST register online at http://www.irishpool.ie/onlineregistration.htm before the Monday of that week.  Under no circumstances, will late entries be allowed into the competitions and under no circumstances, can anyone ask for a late or early start before the draw has been done.


  4. Fees

    Registration Fee:

    All players must pay a once off €40 registration fee or €10 registration per tournament with the exception of junior players (under 18s) who do not have to pay a registration fee.

     

    Entrance Fee: 

    Main Tour:      €30 entrance fee for all players with the exception of juniors and ladies who pay €10 entrance fee.

    Senior Tour:    €20 entrance fee.

    Ladies Tour:    €20 entrance fee.

    U-23s Tour:     €20 entrance fee.

    Junior Tour:     €10 entrance fee.

     

    No Show Fee:

    If a player fails to turn up for their match, without sufficient notice to the committee, he/she will be fined €10, and must pay their fine before they can play in the next competition.


  5. Prize Money

    Prize money will be paid out to the quarter finalists, semi finalists, finalist and the winner (only the winner and finalist in all other categories other than the main tour) as a percentage of the entry fees.

     

  6. Dress Code

    Players MUST WEAR a collared t-shirt/shirt (no sportswear), trousers/slacks (no jeans or tracksuit bottoms) and shoes (no runners).  If a player fails to be appropriately attired, they will not be allowed to play in the competition.  If a player feels that his opponent is not following the correct dress code, they should notify the top table before commencing their match.


  7. Tournament Format & Frames

    Times         

    All finals will start at the same time and will be played at 3pm on the Sunday afternoon.

     

    Main Tour:          The first session starts at 10am on the Saturday morning. Played up until the last 32. The last 32 will be played at 10am on the Sunday morning.

    Senior Tour:        Starts at 11am on the Sunday morning and finishes Sunday afternoon.

    Ladies Tour:       Starts at 8pm on the Saturday evening and finished Saturday night.

    U-23s Tour:       Starts at 10am on the Sunday morning.

    Junior Tour:         Starts at 10am on the Sunday morning.

     

    Frames:          

    Main Tour:      First to 6 frames (best of 11) up to the last 16

                          First to 7 frames (best of 13) in the last 16

                          First to 8 frames (best of 15) in the quarter finals

                          First to 9 frames (best of 17) in the semi finals

                          First to 10 frames (best of 19) in the final

     

    Senior, Ladies & U-23s Tour:     First to 5 frames (best of 9) up until the final. First to 6 frames (best of 11) in the final.


  8. Other Regulations

    Accommodation:

     

    Players requiring accommodation should contact Kettles Hotel directly and mention that they are there for the pool, for reduced rates. There are only 25 rooms available so players must contact the hotel asap.

     

    Referee:

     

    If the need for a referee arises, the player should contact the top table.

     

    Smoke Breaks:

     

    A player may request to leave the arena only and only after 6 frames have been played.  He/she will be allowed a 2-minute break at this time. Any player who fails to abide by these rules, their opponent should notify the top table and they will be docked a frame.

     

    Slow Play:

     

    Players will put on the clock if they start to slow play.The committee have the right to reduce the number of frames played in that match if it is holding up the progression of the tournament (i.e. a match up to the last 16 may become a best of 11 not best of 13).

     

    Results:

     

    Once the match has finished, the winner must bring the white ball and the result to the top table. Any player, who fails to do this, will run the risk of their result not being recorded or a delay in the commencement of their next match.

     

    Drug Testing:

     

    Random drug testing will be carried out over the weekend. Any player in the tournament, even if he/she has been knocked out, can be randomly asked to undergo a drug test.

     


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