Local Bylaws       

Carolinas BCAPL BYLAWS              Operator: Matt Lowe/Lisa Hodge

              carolinasbca.com                         Contact Lisa 704 340-4846       

The following rules will govern play in the Carolinas BCA Pool League. Along with these rules, the Official Rules of CueSports International will be used.

 1. Starting Time of the Match

  7:00 PM start time. All players should be there before the start of a match so players can be entered into the scoring app. The person keeping scores must enter all players before the start of a match. 

 2. Sanctioning Fees

   The $20 annual fee is due the FIRST NIGHT you play. No one is allowed to play without paying the fees.

   The yearly fee is from January to January. The player in charge (captain) should make sure all weekly fees are paid and follow up if the annual fee has been paid to the league operator.

 3. Weekly Team Fees

   The team members and player in charge is responsible for the entire team's fee each week. $10 per match(some venues require green fee). You must have a zero balance to be eligible to play the next week. You must pay all fees before leaving the venue. In case of a team no show or players, the full fee is due. Team members can decide how the fee will be paid. Otherwise, the fee is deducted from payouts.

   4. Scoring

    Scoring is kept on the phone. You must login to FargoRate app before you attempt to login the BCAPL Scorer app and you must login to the scoring app with the same login that you used for the FargoRate app.

 5. Teams Dropping Out

    If teams drop out after starting a session, all fees are due for the entire session from that team.

    All team members can contribute for the full fee(this ensures the payouts can be distributed) or one player can pay the required fees. No players can play again until the fees are paid.

 6. Suspending Teams from League Play

   Any team that fails to show for two consecutive weeks or any three weeks in a session will automatically be suspended from any & all future league competition. Any prized monies shall be forfeited. Suspended teams must bring their balance due back to zero before being allowed back into the league. This would include fees for the entire session even though they were not participating. The fees have to be paid for the money to be used for the Vegas trip and other expenses.

 7. BYE-Points to be determined.

 8. Roster Change/Adding Players

   No players can be added to a team after week 8.

 9. Playing Twice in League

   Because only 3 players play each week, it is recommended that one player not play twice, even though this is allowed. However, players can not stay out just so a player can play twice, at least 3 players are EXPECTED to be there each week. No player is ever allowed to play twice in the playoffs.

 10. Tables & Equipment Used

   Tables & pool balls used should be in “playable” condition. If deemed “unplayable” by the League Operator, the match may be moved to another venue.

 11. Number of Tables

   4 teams/2 tables, 6 teams/3 tables, 8 teams/4 tables, 10 teams/5 tables, 12 teams/6 tables

 12. Setting Team Lineups

   The visiting team will set the lineup on the scoresheet first, & then the home team.

 13. Substitute “Sub” Players (For league play) 

A sub can only be used for the entire match.

   (For Vegas)A team may put a (sub) player into the lineup anytime before the start of a  round. The captain of the team putting the sub in must notify the opposing team captain prior to the start  of the round. If a request is made after the start of the round, then it is up to the opposing team captain to allow the sub to play or not. By rule, they do not have to allow the sub to come in. Subs must be the same rank or lower. You can not put a higher player in for a lower player.

 14. Coaching/Time outs

   There is no coaching allowed when it is your turn at the table. Your turn starts when your opponent misses, fouls, or pushes out(9 Ball) and the balls stop rolling. When it is your opponent's turn at the table, you can talk to anyone, including your teammates, about any aspect of the game.

No time outs are allowed.

 15. Cue Ball

   You can not pick up the cue ball because you don't like the shot & give your opponent ball in hand. You  must attempt a shot. First time is a warning, the second time is a loss of game, and this applies to all team members once a warning has been given.

 16. Shooting Out Policy

   With prior approval of the League Operator, one player on a team is allowed to “shoot out” or play all their games consecutively at the start of the match. This policy is not allowed at the BCAPL National Championships.

 17. Time Limits to Report to Table

   Each team will have (2) minutes to have their player report to the table for their game. The player in charge is encouraged to work with each other whenever possible.

 18. Breaking/Jumping

   Breaking is determined by the scoring app. Jumping is allowed.

 19. Starting Ratings(Ranks) for New Players

   For sanctioned league/a Fargo Rating is given & the system calculates your FargoRate. Established Fargo ratings are based on 200 games. The system automatically calculates team handicaps. Your Fargo Rating can move up or down with or without playing. This has to do with the players that they are connected to and their activity, who those players are connected to and so on. This is common.

  20. Scoring Forfeited Games/Matches/League Fees (please put this beside the name on a scoresheet)

   BR(Break & Run)-Breaking and clearing all the balls

  TR (Table Run)-the nonbreaking player wins the game by clearing all balls on the first turn at table

       In the scoring app if the score is a table run of 16-1, you must put 16tr-1, 15tr-2, etc in the app

  WZ (Win-Zip)-Hold your opponent to (0) points but does not have a BR or TR

  WF (Win by Forfeit)

    Players playing a “Forfeited” slot on the scoresheet will receive the maximum # of points for each game played. These scores will have a “WF” in front of them when entered into the LMS so that it will not affect a player's rating.

 21. No Make Up Matches

   Teams are allowed to pre-play matches. In uncontrollable circumstances matches can be made up: for example: no power.

 22. Eligibility for Playoffs (Subject to change)

    There will generally be 3-15 week sessions in a year. The top two teams(for 6 teams) are qualified for the playoffs and wild-cards(b/t3-5 teams). The top team (for 4 teams) goes to the playoffs. If your team qualifies in the spring, summer or fall, you must remain an active team until the playoffs. You must have played 8 weeks in one session and you must play at least 3 weeks the last session of the year. Each player is responsible to ensure they have played 8 weeks in one session, otherwise you do not qualify for Vegas and 3 weeks the last session for playoffs.

23. Eligibility for BCAPL National Championships in Las Vegas, NV

   Players who have played a minimum of (8) full regularly scheduled BCAPL league matches in the same division during a single sanctioned session, & are deemed an active player by the League Operator, are eligible to play in the BCAPL Natl Championships.

 24. Team Rosters

   Team size        Max Roster

   3-player         5 players

   4-player          6 players

   5-player          8 players

 25. Team Rating Limits/High/Low-can change once an established FargoRate

   In Vegas, the division as of now is 2750 team FargoRate. Based on the FargoRate-the team skill level will be determined as members gain their established FargoRate which is 200 games. High and low players will be required. Five players Fargo's added should not exceed 2750 including subs; otherwise you will be required by BCA to play in the 3000 division which is not recommended.   

 26. Proof of Identity

  All players must be able to provide proof of identity prior to the start of a match.

 27. Sandbagging Policies

   This league will not tolerate “sandbagging”(playing at a skill level below a player's true ability in order to manipulate & gain an unfair advantage) of any kind. The League Operator reserves the right to manually adjust any player's rating at any time if sandbagging is suspected. A warning is issued, repeated sandbagging may result in suspension or expulsion from the league.

 28. Slow Play

   The goal is to have fun & enjoy playing. On rare occasions the League Operator may have to rule on slow play and put one or both players on a 30 second clock.

 29. Unsportsmanlike Conduct and Penalties

   Unsportsmanlike conduct is actions that are embarrassing, disruptive, or detrimental to other players, spectators, event official, or the sport in general. Exact penalties will be determined by the League Operator. Penalties may range from warning to suspension/expulsion from the league, disqualification  from a tournament or playoff or forfeiture of payout.

 30. Prize Fund Distribution

   Payouts will be posted each session. How and when funds will be disbursed is posted. Total payout is based on all teams completing the session and rendering all fees due. Otherwise; adjustments to payouts will be made. A majority team decision must be made as to whether to play in the championship in Vegas or keep the winnings & split it. If the team decides to go play in Vegas; if a player decides not to go, they will not receive a portion of the payout bc it is given to the player that replaces them for Vegas. Players rates must not exceed 2750 including subs. 5 play in Vegas, and 6 players are sent to Vegas. Each player receives $1,000.  

 31. Fargo Rating

   Download Fargo Rate App for stats-you must have to play in Vegas. Log into FargoRate app first. Then download BCAPL Scoring App. You must log into FargoRate app 1^st and use the same log in info for both. You can find weekly points for your team at https://lms.fargorate.com/publicreport/alldivisons

 32. Vegas FargoRate Championship Limits

“Gold Division”                         “Silver Division”                       “Bronze Division”

Team Size     Rating Limit         Team Size     Rating Limit         Team Size     Rating Limit

   5-player         2,750                 5-player          2,500                  5-player          2,250

 “Platinum Division”                    “Diamond Divison”

Team Size     Rating Limit         Team Size     Rating Limit

  5-player         3,000                  5-player          3,250

Session starts 8/16/23, Deadline is: 8/6/23.

33. Playoffs “(subject to change)”

  Should a team win the playoffs that does not have 6 players, you can choose any player from the entire league to attend the Vegas Championship with your team. Those players will receive $1,000 also. Playoffs will be handicapped by ball average for your rank. Points made divided by games played to obtain your rank. The lower ranked team receives the handicap.

34. Vegas Championships

   All matches are a race to games. 8 ball is a race to 13, etc. No point system is used in Vegas. 

In Vegas, Cue Sports International Rules are used.