Tournament Overview

• Tournament is capped at 16 players. Additional players who sign up will be placed on a waiting list on a first come, first served basis.
• Single elimination format.
• Matches are best of 5.
• No handicaps.

Entry Fees

• Elite: $100 PAY HERE
• Intermediate: $75 PAY HERE
• Novice: $50 (new players only) PAY HERE
• Women and juniors (18 and under): $40 PAY HERE

Membership

BCBSA membership is required to participate. Membership is available for purchase at $25, or $10 for juniors, and this money goes toward the labour budget for the BC Open. Membership allows you to play in any BCBSA sanctioned event and is valid for one year, September to August.

Prizes

• Winner: $300 plus entry to the Knockout Round of the BC Open (valued at $100)
• Runner up: $200
• Semifinalists (2): $100 each
• Tournament Director fee: $75
• All additional money from the tournament will be added to the BC Open prize pool

Prizes are based on a full 16 player field. If the field is not full, payouts will reflect the number of players competing.

If a player who has already won a qualifying tournament during the given season wins a second tournament, their opponent will have their entry paid for the BC Open Championship.

If a player has won two qualifying tournaments in a given season, they are not permitted to play in any following qualifying tournaments.

Rules

• All WPBSA rules will be followed. Rules are available at https://wpbsa.com/rules/ and a printed copy will be on hand during the tournament.
• 15 reds.
• Touching ball fouls will be enforced.
• For any foul and a miss, you may have up to three attempts (two put backs). On the third attempt there must be a valiant effort on the shot. No rollups.
• If more than three snookers are required to win the frame, the frame is conceded.

Examples:

• If there are 27 points on the table and you are trailing by 37 points, play on, as you can still win with three snookers (12 points).
• If there are 27 points on the table and you are trailing by 39 points, play on, as you can still tie with three snookers (12 points) and force a black ball respot.
• If there are 27 points on the table and you are trailing by 42 points, the frame is conceded, as you would need more than three snookers (12 points) to win the frame.

These scenarios are based on four point fouls. Once a match reaches the blue, pink and black remaining on the table, the point differential will change, as there can be five and six point fouls.

• The winner of a coin flip determines who breaks the first frame.
• A coin may be placed on the table to mark the spot of the white ball when attempting to get out of a snooker.
• It is up to the striker to remove the coin if it is in jeopardy of being hit. After the white ball has been struck, if any ball hits the coin, the striker is fouled 7 points.
• You may also use a ball marker with the white tailor's pencil to mark the spot.
• Time can be called to bring in the roving referee to review a possible touching ball foul, ball positioning for a put back, whether a third attempt is valiant, or whether a player is deliberately playing slow. If a player is deliberately playing slow as determined by the Tournament Director, a warning will be issued. A second warning will result in loss of frame.
• Any match that reaches a three hour time limit without a winner will continue with shortened frames made up of three reds and the colour balls until a winner is decided.

Player Skill Levels

• Novice: A player who is just starting out and has not played in tournaments.
• Intermediate: A player who has competed a few times and can typically string more than two or three colours in one run, but is not at the level of making a century break.
• Elite: A player who has made a century break or more and is capable of doing so at any given time.

A novice player who wins a tournament in any given season automatically moves up to intermediate.

An intermediate player who wins more than two tournaments in any given season automatically moves up to elite.

Scheduled Matches

• Each player is given 5 minutes to practice before their scheduled match.
• A player not in attendance at the designated start time loses one frame.
• A player not in attendance 15 minutes after the designated start time loses another frame.
• A player not in attendance 30 minutes after the designated start time loses the match.
• If both players are absent after 30 minutes, the match is deemed a walkover against both players and no rescheduled matches will occur.
• In instances of a loss or walkover, entry fees will not be refunded.
• The Tournament Director has the right to consider appeals submitted in writing by the aggrieved player. The Tournament Director must be informed in writing of the player's indisposition at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of the match in question.
• Granting a rescheduled match is at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director.

In Match Responsibilities

These apply when a referee is not present. Many seasoned players already know these, but they are listed here to help new players.

• When you are at the table, announce touching ball, free ball, and if two colours are in close proximity, announce which ball you intend to hit.
• When you are not at the table, keep track of your opponent's score and spot coloured balls. A player at the table may wave you off, but please make a habit of spotting the coloured balls, as it is part of proper etiquette.

Playing Conditions

The match tables, venue and equipment shall conform to the requirements laid down by BCBSA, and shall be checked and certified by the Tournament Director and the head referee before the start of the tournament.

Publicity and Promotion

BCBSA reserves the intellectual property rights to any part of the tournament, including television, film, internet streaming, or any other form of communication.

Player Responsibilities

BCBSA is not responsible for any form of damages to players, delegates, referees or guests before, during or after any BCBSA event for any reason whatsoever.

Code of Conduct

BCBSA is making every effort to raise the standard of the game so it is respected by players, spectators and potential sponsors. Any conduct that represents the game in a negative manner will not be tolerated. Our zero tolerance policy means the tournament organizer has the discretion to expel any player who insists on ignoring these policies.

Breaks

• A five minute break is only allowed after the fourth frame. If a player is found not complying with this rule, the next frame to be played will be awarded to the player not causing the infraction.
• Reasonable bathroom breaks are allowed. If a player suspects misuse of bathroom breaks, please see the Tournament Director.

Dress Code

Dress Code A will be enforced. Failure to comply will result in disqualification from the tournament and entry fees will not be refunded. The Tournament Director has discretion on the appropriateness of dress.

Dress Code A: Formal

• Dress pants with an appropriate belt or suspenders, and a vest
• Long sleeved dress shirt
• A tie or bow tie is not required but is encouraged
• All footwear must be dark in colour, closed toe, and normal in style and wear. Shoes with laces must have the laces properly tied. Dark tennis or walking shoes are acceptable but must be clean and neat.
• Sponsor logos may appear on a vest, jacket or cue case, but must be displayed in a professional and appropriate manner and in accordance with tournament sponsorship rules.
• Proper hygiene is considered part of the dress code. No powerful colognes, and no body or breath odour.
• All clothing and accessories must be clean and in good condition.

Not permitted:

• Running shoes or sneakers
• Jogging pants, jeans or shorts
• T shirts or tank tops

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