CUPC Rules

League Structure

League Rules

1. These rules shall apply to all League, Cuppers and Plate matches.
2. Each match shall be played over 9 frames - 6 singles and 3 doubles.
3. In a league match, 1 point is awarded for each frame won and an extra 3 points are awarded for winning the match.
4. The team to break in the first frame shall be decided by the toss of a coin. The break should then alternate between teams on each frame. However, each team should receive 3 breaks in the singles frames regardless of the order the frames are played in. I.e. the team that wins the toss gets one more break in the doubles frames.
5. In a match, each team may consist of between 6 and 12 players. Each student player must be a current member of the college. College employees (such as porters, bar staff etc) are allowed to play for college teams though no more than 2 such persons in any one match.
6. No player may participate in more than two frames in any one match i.e. only in 1 singles and 1 doubles.
7. No player may play for more than one college team in the leagues in any one week period and players from higher teams may not play in lower teams. E.g. a player may play for one college team in the round of matches to be played by 3/11 and for another team in the round of matches to be played by 12/11. However they may not play for two teams in the round of matches to be played by 3/11. The only exception is if a team is really struggling to find a full team of players, then a player from a lower team may be called up to play, e.g. if short Pembroke II could call up a player from Pembroke III or IV, but not Pembroke I. In order to enforce this at the beginning of each season the captain of each team must submit a list of their squad of players to the League Secretary and these lists will be available to all captains via the website. New Players may be registered for a team by informing the league secretary prior to, or within 24 hours after, the match they are to play in. During a match if a team feels that their opposition have fielded a player who is ineligible to play for that team the League Secretary should be informed. (It is recommended that prior to the start of each match each team writes down their playing order - the home team must do so first.) The frame(s) for the offending player will be conceded and the offending team may be fined points as deemed appropriate as by the League Secretary. If a player is permanently moved to a lower team then the league sec should be informed so the lists can be updated and so that the player becomes eligible to play for that team. Players can only be moved from one team squad to the other once during a season.
8. Players may only represent one team in either Cuppers or Plate for the duration of the competition. In order to enforce this each captain shall be required to record the names of the players and result of each frame and the winning captain should email this to the CUPC League Secretary.
9. All league fixtures (except playoffs) and cuppers and plate results up to and including the quarter finals must be submitted by the end of full term in Lent term. It is at the complete discretion of the League Secretary as to how many league matches if any to allow in the third term. The League Secretary will inform captains of a decision on this prior to the end of the second term. Captains are advised to complete their league matches by the end of Lent term - the fixture lists published at the beginning of the season will be scheduled to finish by then.
10. A 'walk-over' shall be classed as a 7-2 win. (i.e. the winning team get 10 points) Claims for a 'walk-over' must be made to the League Secretary. See section: "Criteria for awarding walkovers".
11. Any team wishing to cancel a pre-arranged match, for any reason, must notify the captain of the opposing team by no later than 5 hours before the agreed start time of the match. If less notice than this is given, the captain of the opposing team (i.e. not the team wishing to cancel the match) may apply to the League Secretary for a walkover.
12. Any team conceding 2 or more 'walk-overs' during the season risks expulsion from the league. In this case, all results involving such a team will be declared void when calculating the final league positions.
13. If during the season a particular team is; not playing matches regularly or at all; complaints are received about them regarding team/player conduct or willingness to organise a fixture, the League Secretary has the following options:
    1. Give a first and final warning to improve conduct and/or play matches more regularly.
    2. Fine the offending team points proportionate to the number of weeks they have gone without playing a fixture (e.g. 1 point per week or any other fitting method) or fine a certain number of points for unacceptable behaviour.
    3. Ask for an obviously incompetent captain to be replaced.
    4. Remove the team from the league.
    The League Secretary is not obliged to follow all four in sequence and may choose whichever they see fit given the circumstances. Teams wishing to appeal any decision taken against them must demonstrate to the League Sec that they have made an acceptable effort to arrange matches during the relevant period or come up with a reasonable explanation for any bad conduct. Captains may not apply for sanctions to be imposed on another team- any such requests or demands may result in a points deduction for that team.
14. Any team that is expelled from the league for whatever reason may still re-apply to enter the following year but will be subject to a probationary period throughout which their conduct must be exemplary or they will not be allowed to enter the following year. If any team is expelled from the league twice within 3 years all teams from that college will be removed from the league, cuppers and plate and may be banned for a year if deemed appropriate by the League Secretary.
15. It is the responsibility of the home team to provide the match table and any costs incurred during the fixture. Exceptions to this are the cuppers and plate semi finals, final and the division 2 play-off which are all played at a neutral venue (usually - Cambridge Snooker Centre) in which case the table costs for the match (and not any pre-match practice) should be split equally between the teams.
16. The match table should be in good condition. It must be flat and preferably brushed before the match. The playing surface and cushions should be uniform over the entire table and all the balls must be present. The area around the table should be free from such obstructions that would hinder a player playing their shot. The away team captain may refuse to play on a sub-standard table i.e. if all the above criteria are not met. In this eventuality, either a neutral table should be used or the CUPC League Secretary must be informed.
17. Four players from each team must be present before play can commence. Any team failing to field four players within 30 minutes of the agreed start time shall forfeit the match.
18. Any player not present when he is due to play shall forfeit the frame. It is acceptable to reorganize the order of play to accommodate late arrivals with the consent of both team captains. However, if a stage is reached where play cannot continue, the offending team shall forfeit the remaining frames of the fixture.
19. Teams may play with less than 6 players if they wish, but not less than 4 as per rule 17. In any case, rule 5 still stands and both frames (i.e. the singles and doubles) that a missing player would otherwise have played in must be conceded. If both teams are missing players the number of frames conceded by each team will depend on the relative number of players missing between the two teams. Examples: if both teams have 5 players then legally only 5 singles frames and 2 doubles frames can be played. Since both teams have one player missing they share the points for the un-played frames (one singles and one doubles frame). If team A has 4 players and the team B has 5 players then legally only 4 singles and 2 doubles can be played. The 3 points for the un-played frames are awarded 2-1 in favour of team B who have an extra player. The League Secretary must be informed when a team or teams plays a match with less than six players. A list of who played who, the result of each frame and how many players each team were missing must be provided. The League Secretary will then divide up the points for the un-played frames accordingly.
20. In the league and in Cuppers and Plate each frame shall be played to World Rules. Players may agree to have shot timing if they wish though it is not compulsory and both players must agree to it before shot timing can be used. However, if a particular frame is taking an unnecessary amount of time a time limit per shot can be enforced. The referee or one of the captains has the right to enforce timing in this case. Singles frames will have a shot-time limit of 60 seconds and doubles frames will have a shot-time limit of 90 seconds. For singles frames the time elapsed should be called out at 30 seconds and 50 seconds. For doubles frames the time elapsed should be called out at 60 seconds and 75 seconds. Time calls should be made even if the player is about to take their shot. If the cue ball has not been struck when the allotted time has elapsed then it is a foul. The oncoming player is awarded two visits and the option of a "ball in hand" i.e. they can place the cue ball anywhere behind the baulk line or play from where the cue ball rests. Timing should start when all balls have come to rest from the previous shot and timing should stop when the cue ball is struck. If the time keeper fails to call out one of the times a foul cannot be called when the total time has elapsed. In this case, timing shall restart from the point at which a time-call should have been made.
21. During singles frames coaching is not permitted i.e. under no circumstances can observing players audibly comment on the position of the balls or give advice to the player(s) at the table. A common example of this is total snookers and foul snookers. It is the responsibility of the player at the table to call a total or foul snooker and not that player's team to do so for him/her. The CUPC committee understands that not all players have a good working knowledge of the rules (see section on expected knowledge for players) and it is acceptable for a player to ask their opponent and the referee if they are unsure about the rules. However they may not ask about anything other than the current situation i.e. players cannot inquire about future situations, for example a player may not ask "if I do this…will X rule still apply?"
22. In doubles frames coaching is permitted by the non-playing member of the pair, but only before the playing member of the pair has commenced his/her (first) visit. Once the playing member has struck the white ball their partner must not talk to them while they are still in control of the table. The only exception to this is when balls are potted off the break. The doubles pair may discuss their next shot and choice of colours after the break but must then observe the no-coaching rule for the rest of that player's turn.
23. In the case of particularly new players who are unsure of the rules some leniency is recommended but is not compulsory.
24. Teams should be respectful to their opponents. Players and spectators should not attempt to distract members of the opposing team and should avoid loud banter and cheering during an opponent's visit. If a player feels the opposing team are distracting them they should inform the referee and their captain. Spectators who belong to the same college as one of the teams, or other spectators obviously supporting a particular team, count as being members of that team as far as this rule is concerned. The referee or either captain may issue a first and final warning to offending players. If the behaviour continues after such a warning the referee should call a foul and award 2 visits awarded to the affected player. Further instances of such behaviour should result in a loss of frame against the offending team. When a team exhibits such bad behaviour the League Secretary must be informed after the match.
25. Each frame shall be refereed by members of alternate teams (i.e. home team first, away team second etc…) and preferably by players with a good knowledge of the rules. It is not the responsibility of spectators to call fouls. The players at the table may call a foul and but if they are in disagreement over it then the referee must have seen the foul in order to call it.
26. Where there is a dispute over rules captains may consult with the referee but in all cases the decision of the referee is final.
27. Any disputes over rules, results, etc… may be referred to the CUPC League Secretary for adjudication. In this instance, the decision subsequently made will be final. It is recommended that a copy of the league rules and world rules be present at each match so that disputes can be sorted amicably and quickly during the match.
28. It is the responsibility of the winning team captain to upload the result to the CUPC website or if he/she is unable to do so, to notify the League Secretary of the result of the match.
29. It is only necessary for initial contact between team captains to be made by the deadline. Failure by the home captain to make contact in time is adequate grounds for the away captain to claim a 'walk-over'. It is the responsibility of the home team to be more accommodating to the away team within reason. The home captain must offer the away team at least two dates and times on which the match can be played.
30. The result of a single match may not count for both a league match and cup match.
31. When two or more teams have the same number of points at the end of the season, first frame difference and then the result between the two teams shall be used to decide the final positions.
32. If a team fails to pay league fees by the end of the 3rd week of the season, the offending team (and possibly teams from the same college) may have sanctions imposed as deemed appropriate by the CUPC committee.
33. The League Secretary will aim to abide by and enforce these rules throughout a season. However, in extenuating circumstances the League Secretary may choose to temporarily modify or discount a rule as they see fit in the interest of fairness and practicality. The captains affected by any such decision may discuss this with the League Secretary and the rest of the CUPC committee. The final decision rests with the League Secretary.
34. Concerns about the competency or impartiality of the League Secretary should be made directly to the CUPC President who will then bring the matter before the rest of the committee. Committee decisions are final and continued harassment of the League Secretary in what the committee deems to be an inappropriate or rude manner may result in punishment for the team concerned after appropriate warnings have been made.

Criteria for awarding walkovers

1. Any team that applies for a walkover must demonstrate clearly that they have been co-operative in trying to organise a fixture. This involves providing multiple dates and times for a fixture through regular contact with the other captain and showing willingness to compromise.
2. When deadlines are enforced for matches to be played, any captain claiming a walkover must show that they made contact with the other team well before the day of the deadline as well as fulfilling point 1 above.
3. Claims for a walkover must be made at most one week after the last email you received from the offending captain. There will be no backdated walkovers awarded at the end of the season however justified they may have been.
4. In all walkover claims the League Secretary will ask to see the correspondence between the two captains involved and hence will not accept captains awarding walkovers to each other. In the case of a deadline for a league match in the 3rd term, if no walkover can be given then the match is simply not played and no points are awarded to either team. In the case of cup game deadlines in the third term, if no walkover can be given then the result may be decided randomly or simply neither team goes through to the next round as seen fit by the League Secretary.

Expected Committment From Captains

1. Good knowledge of the league rules and world rules.
2. Willingness to organise matches regularly. If in particular period due to other commitments a captain knows that they will not be able to organise matches they should nominate a temporary vice-captain.
3. Be able to get in touch with their players through means other than email such as knowing the phone numbers of their players and which rooms they live in. Trying to organise a team simply through email is not enough - captains should actively chase up their players in person or by phone. Hence the statement "my players did not get back to me when I emailed them" is no longer an acceptable excuse for delay.
4. To read emails from the League Secretary or any other member of the committee fully!
5. Whilst we (the committee) understand that every captain wants their team to do well, from the point of view of the committee the main priority of the captain is to ensure that the matches are played and that his/her players behave appropriately. Hence, it is advised that captains do not try and field their 6 best players in each match, especially against (perceived) weaker teams as this is one cause of delays in fixtures being played. If you are struggling for players you should call up players from lower teams.
6. In particular if a college has more than one team, hiding behind the excuse "I did not have enough players available" is not acceptable. Colleges with one team consisting of a small squad of players will be given greater leniency
7. Since it is usually the first team captain that nominates the captains of other teams the 1st team captain is recognised as being in charge of a particular college's pool club. It is the responsibility of the 1st team captain to also keep track of the progress of lower teams (this includes making sure they pay league fees) and to replace captains that are not doing their job during the season (including themselves) before the issue reaches the League Secretary. Issues with the 1st team captain will be dealt with by the League Secretary.
8. If a captain has any problem with another team the League Secretary must be informed as soon as possible in order to prod the offending team into action. In particular if you are having trouble organising a game with a stubborn or incommunicative captain you should involve the League Sec ASAP.
9. When organising a match, it is not always possible to play the team listed for that week's fixture hence it is suggested that if you have a time slot when you know you can get a team out that you email all the captains in your division and offer it to them. More matches get played this way!
10. Ensure all players have knowledge of world rules (see expected basic knowledge from players) and ensure players are respectful towards the opposing team during the match as per rule 24 of the league rules.

Expected basic knowledge of the rules for college players

World rules have been used for 3 seasons now so the CUPC committee feels that players should know the following:

1. Any ball on the table must hit a cushion after the cue ball strikes a ball-on.
2. Nominating when potting from the break.
3. Calling total snooker and foul snookers (though it is not expected that they know their options after a total/foul snooker is given).
4. Two visits carry (even to the black) in all situations.
5. Of the league rules, players should at least know rules 21-24.

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