PDBSA Background

The Portsmouth & District Billiards & Snooker Association was founded in the November of 1911, at that time called an “amateur billiards” association with just six member teams and about forty members. Three months later, the Portsmouth Central Conservative Club were the first champions with a winning margin of 14 points. Under present-day rules this might have been a smaller margin as their very first match was postponed. A Mr Witts of their team collected a gold medal for the highest break with a run of 62.

World War I caused a halt in proceedings, which got back under way in 1922 and at that time was still an amateur billiards league, snooker not then being anything more than the odd diversion. When 1927 saw the first world snooker championship, and Joe Davis buying the trophy that is now presented annually at The Crucible out of his meagre £6.10s.0d. winnings, there was no TV coverage and snooker only gradually became popular, mainly in servicemen’s NAAFI clubs.

World War II caused the league’s progress to again be suspended and, when play resumed in the 1940s, snooker was a much more popular game. Also round about this time, the word “amateur”was dropped from the association’s title, probably because there were a number of skilled craftsmen who earned their living as table fitters and cue makers while enjoying active participation in the games. Technically, they were classed as professionals even though most of them couldn’t make a break of 20. The popularity of snooker improved when the BBC televised Pot Black, even though it was in black and white for a high percentage of viewers. When our association celebrated its 60th birthday in 1971, colour TV was well established and the players in the Portsmouth league totalled in the high 400s, representing 25 clubs.

By 1986, we had a summer league, as well as a winter one for snooker that boasted 1,285 members playing in nine divisions of 13 or 14 teams each. The summer league itself grew to nine divisions of six teams playing a mixture of singles and doubles, after the format of the winter team knockout competition. There were five divisions of eight teams playing billiards and competitions in both games for individual champion, individual handicap champion and the team handicap knockout.

Snooker also had scratch and handicap pairs, Under-23s, Over-50s, the Club Champions’ championship and various one-day events. Both games also had inter-town leagues playing matches on Saturday nights. Alas, the bubble burst and a gradual decline set in, which now has stabilised, it is hoped, at the present levels. We now have 44 teams playing winter snooker in five divisions, two divisions of up to nine teams playing billiards and four divisions of up to six teams playing in the summer.

The association also spawned the Portsmouth & District Billiards & Snooker Referees’ Association, one member of which helped in the formulation of the current version of the Rules of the games with well-known professional referee the late John Street, who often phoned to discuss the latest reported odd incident.

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Portsmouth & District Billiards & Snooker Association

CONSTITUTION AND RULES - 2009

1. The name of the association shall be "Portsmouth & District Billiards & Snooker Association", known hereinafter as "the Association".

2. The aim of the Association shall be to organise and promote Billiards and Snooker in Portsmouth and the surrounding district.

3. The Association shall be affiliated to the English Association for Snooker and Billiards (EASB) and for that purpose shall be termed a "League".

4. Member Clubs shall be those that have team entries accepted into league competitions organised by the Association.

5. Individual Members shall be at least 12 years of age and either be accepted as registered players or appointed as Life Members by the Executive Committee.

6. The business of the Association shall be carried out by an Executive Committee consisting of the following:- a President, a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, an Honorary Secretary, an Honorary Treasurer, an Honorary Results Secretary, an Honorary Assistant Results Secretary, an Honorary Competitions Secretary, an Honorary Assistant to the Secretaries, an Honorary Minutes and Trophies Secretary and, ideally, at least eight ordinary members. Not more than two ordinary members shall be from the same club. Proprietors and professional promoters shall not be eligible to serve. A President or Life President may attend any meeting of the Executive Committee, or any sub-committee, as a voting member.

7. The Executive Committee shall control the activities of the Association, such as selecting representitive teams, handicapping, compiling leagues, organising competitions, settling disputes, etc. and shall be empowered to ban or fine individuals or clubs who are in contravention of these Rules. Its members shall also decide any matter not covered by Rule.

8. The Executive Committee will be elected annually at an Annual General Meeting (AGM). A Life Presidency can be conferred at an AGM upon any past or current President. Nominations as appropriate must be in the hands of the Honorary Secretary at least 28 days before the AGM. Honorariums shall be decided at the AGM by the across-the-board percentage decided by the members present after consideration of any recommendation made by the incumbent committee.

9. The Executive Committee shall meet at least monthly at the place designated as the headquarters of the Association, or at some other suitable place if necessary. Five members, excluding the Honorary Secretary, shall constitute a quorum at such meetings. If any Committee member be absent for three consecutive meetings, the Executive shall decide on the continued membership of that member and in the event of the loss of an Executive Committee member, an ordinary member may be co-opted in his/her place until the next AGM if the required number of Committee members fall below the eight required by Rule 6 above.

10. An AGM shall be held on a date in May determined by the Executive Committee, and promulgated at least 42 days beforehand. Motions for debate must be in writing and in the hands of the Honorary Secretary by 28 days before the meeting. Such motions must show the name of the proposer and seconder together with the club/s to which they belong, and either the proposer or the seconder must attend the AGM to support the proposal.

11. A Special General Meeting (SGM) may be called by the Executive Committee without prior consultation with the members, or it must be called by the Committee as the result of a request from the members, provided that such request carries the signature of at least eight members from at least four clubs of independent proprietorship. Such SGM shall have the power to change Rules or elected Executive Committee members, provided notice of intent is properly stated and promulgated.

12. At all meetings, the Chairman, or acting chairman, shall have casting vote only. All other members including the Honorary Secretary shall each have one vote.

13. The Honorary Secretary shall ensure that the names of all eligible members proposed for membership of the Executive Committee, together with motions for debate at a General Meeting, are promulgated to all member Clubs as soon as possible to allow for such proposal to be discussed by members before the announced Meeting.

14. The Executive Committee shall submit audited Annual Accounts and an Annual Report to the AGM, together with a record of attendance of the members of the Executive Committee at their meetings.

15. The Honorary Treasurer shall issue Statements of Account separately at the end of each playing season (Snooker, Billiards and Summer Snooker). Member Clubs or official representitives will be responsible for the collection of fees and fines, and the payment of these to the Honorary Treasurer within one month of receipt of the Statement of Account. In the event of a Club closing, unpaid fees for teams from that Club shall become due from members of those teams, pro rata to their participation. Clubs, teams or players who do not settle accounts within eight weeks will be required to additionally pay 50% of match fees in advance with the registration fees for any subsequent season.

GENERAL PLAYING RULES

16. All games of Billiards and Snooker shall be played under the Rules of the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF), as published by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA). The Honorary Secretary will notify any changes in the playing rules to Clubs when appropriate. In all team matches, the set of balls at the beginning of the match shall be used throughout the match, excepting only as provided for in Section 1, Rule 2 of the IBSF/WPBSA Rules.

17. All games must be refereed by a registered player, Life Member or a current member of the local referees' association. Table lighting must be of an acceptable standard, subjet to veto by qualified personnel.

18. Players in leagues and competitions under the auspices of the Association must be registered, unless specifically invited to take part by the Executive Committee.

19. The trophies held by the Association shall normally be competed for annually by the member clubs, teams, pairs or individuals. Entry fees, registration fees, transfer fees and match fees are to be determined by the Executive Committee as and when required.

LEAGUE RULES

20. Applications for league entries must be accompanied by a list of at least seven players named on the entry form. Teams with less than seven named players, using "A N Other" or similar will not be accepted. Such applications, accompanied by the appropriate entry fees, must be in the hands of the Honorary Secretary by the date specified on the entry form. Teams with entry fees outstanding at mid-season will be suspended until the fees are paid and any missed fixtures will still be subject to the conditions of Rules 34 and 35.

21. Later registrations not included with the original list must have provisional approval of the Honorary Secretary before they become eligible to play and such registrations will be approved or otherwise at the next meeting of the Executive Committee. After the half-way point of the season, any further registrations accepted by the Honorary Secretary will be at a higher cost set by the Executive Committee.

22. The Honorary Secretary shall have the right to refuse the registration of any player without giving a reason, but such refusal must be brought to the attention of the Executive Committee at its next meeting, when it shall be empowered to endorse or reverse the Honorary Secretary's decision.

23. Regular members of teams winning promotion from Division 2 and below must play in a higher division the following similar season (i.e. the following year) and regular members of teams placed first (or second in a winter season) in Division 1 cannot play in a lower division the following similar season, unless in either case prior permission be obtained from the Executive Committee for one or more individuals. To allow control of teams and players who apply for a lower division than the previous year, other than when normally relegated, all such registrations are subject to approval by a full meeting of the Executive Committee.

24. A player may not play in a division after playing twice in higher divisions that season, unless prior permission has been obtained from the Executive Committee.

25. Where a club has more than one team in the same divsion, a player is not eligible to play in more than one of those teams, except that he/she may be permanently transferred form one team to another with the prior permission of the Executive Committee.

26. A player may not play league matches for more than one team in any one week; offenders will be suspended for a period of six weeks.

27. Transfers during a season will only be allowed with the permission of the Executive Committee. A transfer fee and an additional registration fee will be charged to the recipient team. Transfers wholly within a Club, if permission is granted, will not be charged an additional registration fee and will not be charged a transfer fee if the player has not played for the donor team.

28. League trophies shall be competed for by teams of six players. The method of determining match results shall be:-

Billiards - one point for each game won and one point for the highest, or equal highest, aggregate score.

Snooker - one point for each frame won.

Teams playing less than six players in a match in either game shall count only the points actually scored, the opponents (providing their corresponding player is present) taking the maximum points to nil against each absentee. An absentee in the summer snooker league shall forfeit both frames in which he/she is scheduled to play. In any frame or game not contested "walkover" or "W/O" must be inserted on the result card against the absentee's name, though the opposing player's name must appear if he/she is present. Where more than two players are absent the result of ALL uncontested games will be determined by the Executive Committee and the points column should only contain results of games actually played.

29. In any league billiards matches where a player does not wipe off his/her handicap his/her score will be counted as nil, but the actual score must be entered on the result card in brackets for the Result Secretary's information (and will be taken into consideration when establishing any changes in handicaps). As an example, "(-26)" would show a player was 26 points short of clearing his/her handicap, while being counted as zero towards the aggregate.

30. At least four players from each team are to be present at 7.30 p.m. Captains of home teams are to ensure that tables are brushed and ironed beforehand so that a prompt start may be made. If any match has not started by 7.45 p.m. this fact should be noted on the result card and the reason stated. The captain of the team responsible for the late start is invited to put his reasons in writing to the Honorary Secretary or Results Secretary so that the Executive Committee may make a decision based on the relevant facts at its next meeting. The penalties for a late start may be up to a maximum of four points deducted and a minimum fine of £10.00 if no defence is offered.

31. Pairings (who plays whom) are decided by draw in all league games. Team captains are empowered to change the pairing by mutual consent in order to allow for a player wishing to leave early or arrive after the start of the match. No other alteration may be made except for the inclusion of a reserve, whose name must be included by 9pm - at which time players who have not started their games must be present or be automatically disqualified.

32. Result cards must be filled in correctly and completely, showing individual handicaps if appropriate, and all breaks of 30 or over, as well as the result of each game and the match. The result card must be signed by both captains and posted no later than the day following the match. If a match result does not appear in the report for that week in the local press, both team captains must telephone details of winners and breaks directly to the Results Secretary on (023 9264 2716), this to be done no later than the Monday following the relevant report in The News or the Sports Mail. Home teams may be penalised one point for any detail missing from the result card (name, handicap, score, team name, etc) and will be so penalised 3 points in snooker seasons and 1 point in billiards season and away teams will be penalised 2 points in snooker seasons and 1 point in billiard seasons, for any result card not received within fourteen days from the date of the match. Team captains are responsible for using only eligible players, infringements of this Rule being dealt with by the Executive Committee. Teams must keep records for the entire current season in order to document details from any missing result cards.

33. In the event of a dispute, a team captain who does not feel justified in signing a result card as a true record should sign, writing "under protest", and make his complaint to the Honorary Secretary or Results Secretary within 7 days so that the Executive Committee may adjudicate on the matter. If an investigation is to be carried out which may possibly lead to disciplinary action, then a representitive of all interested parties is to be invited to attend.

34. In the event of a league match not being played by the due date of the fixture, the team responsible for the cancellation for any reason shall have three points deducted (from their current total) unless three weeks or longer notice was given to the opposing team and notified to the Results Secretary or the Honorary Secretary (or other Committee Officer by proxy) with a view to playing the match BEFORE the scheduled date. When three weeks notice has not been given and the match has not been played by the scheduled date, the Executive Committee shall award a 'panel result' based on average results of the teams involved and probability. In other cases, the Results Secretary or the Honorary Secretary must be informed, the three points will be deducted and the match must be rearranged within two weeks for a later date. If less than 24 hours notice of cancellation is given, or if neither Secretary is informed, the Executive Committee at its discretion may inpose a fine. If a new date cannot be agreed, the Executive Committee shall set a date binding on both teams at its next meeting and this Rule shall apply equally to the date so set. If a postponed league match has not been played by the Saturday two days after the end of season fixtures, a fine of £5 per registered player (minimum £40) will be imposed upon the team at fault for each unplayed fixture, unless the postponement was caused by exceptional circumstances outside the control of the team.

If a match should be interrupted by unusual circumstances such that it cannot be completed on the night, the captains shall take note of the completed games/frames played and arrange a date as above for completion of the match from the point reached, any unfinished snooker frame or billiards game being restarted. The pairings for the match shall remain the same but an eligible substitute player may be used in any game (not frame) not started.

Teams must be prepared to play scheduled home matches on the day designated for their division. Changes may only be made by mutual agreement between both captains.

35. No league fixtures may be played after the end of the season unless circumstances cause the Executive Committee to make an exception. Fixtures not played by the end of the season may attract fines against both teams at the discretion of the Executive Committee, which is empowered to award points if appropriate, or deduct up to four points in addition to any fine or other penalty imposed against either, or both, of the two teams.

36. A team that withdraws from a league after the start of the season shall be fined a minimum of £25.00 plus all registration fees etc., which shall immediately become due, and all results involving that team shall be expunged. A team withdrawing within one week before the start of the season shall be liable to a fine of £10.00 but all other fees will be waived; the fine shall be immediately due.

37. Any player guilty of ungentlemanly conduct at any time under the scope of these Rules shall be reported in writing to the Executive Committee, which will take appropriate action.

38. BILLIARDS. League games will be 150-up in all divsions. In all games, one player will start from scratch and the other (better) player will start from a minus figure, which is equal to the difference btween their handicaps.

The bottom team in each division except the last will normally be relegated and the top team in each division except the first will be promoted. In the event of a tie for any promotion or relegation place, or any other prize placing, the Executive Committee will arrange a play-off. Such a play-off will be played as if another league game, but after the end of the season. If this should be tied at 4 - 4, a draw will be made for one player from each team to contest a 50-up game using one-third of handicaps, rounded up if a half-point results.

39. SNOOKER. League games will be over two frames in the winter season, with a total of twelve frames determining the match result, and all frames played off scratch.

Summer league matches will comprise of six one-frame games, followed by three doubles frames, not necessarily using the same six players, for a total of nine frames with all frames played off scratch.

Two teams will be promoted from each division except the first in the winter league, with two teams normally (but not always) being relegated from each division except the last.

Teams winning divisions other than the first in the summer league will be promoted and teams finishing last in divisions other than the last will normally be relegated.

In the event of a tie for any prize position or relegation place, the Executive Committee will arrange a play-off. Such play-off will be played like a normal league fixture, but after the end of season. If a winter league play-off results in a 6 - 6 tie the last pair to finish shall play one deciding frame.

RULES FOR COMPETITIONS

40. The Executive Committee through the Competitions Secretary, shall be wholly responsible for setting dates and venues for all competitions. If any competition that the Executive Committee through the Competitions Secretary has organised has less than eight individuals or pairs, then the competition will be cancelled by the Executive Committee, any entry fees for all that competition will be refunded. The Competitions Secretary will promulgate draws for successive rounds. If either party is unable to play on the stipulated date, he/she (or the team captain) should contact the opponent (or opposing captain) with a view to arranging a mutually convenient date BEFOREHAND. If agreement cannot be reached, the Competitions Secretary must be informed and his decision will be binding, subject to appeal to the Executive Committee. If any player, pair or team fails to turn up for a scheduled and promulgated cup game, an automatic ban will be applied for that competition the following year; an absent team will be additionally liable for match fees with respect to BOTH teams involved in the cup tie. In team matches, start times and late arrivals must comply with the same conditions as in league play (see Rules 30 and 31 above).

41. The finals of individual and pairs competitions will take place on a day or days announced by the Executive Committee at a venue or venues chosen by the sponsor of the competition, or by the Executive Committee. Referees will be appointed to officiate at these events and will be paid expense fees by the Association through the local referees' association. EASB Rules on dress standards apply in all semi-finals (except team matches) and all finals, including team matches. Requirements are, in short, a shirt with a collar and sleeves, smart casual trousers and shoes. Jeans, corduroys or tracksuits, and trainers, sandals or plimsoles are NOT permitted. Players not suitably attired will not be permitted to play!

Semi-finals of team competitions will be staged at neutral venues (unless both teams involved are from the same club), each team being responsible for refereeing at one table, and finals will be staged at venues decided by the sponsor, or the Executive Committee. Referees will be appointed only for the finals for team competitions, and will be paid expenses by the Association, through the local referees' association.

42. Referees for earlier rounds including the semi-finals must be provided by the home player (see Rule 17). Semi-finals for individual or pairs competitions will be played at a venue announced by the Executive Committee or chosen by the sponsor. If no referee is available the visiting player, or pair, is entitled to claim the match.

43. Individual scratch competitions will be seeded. The champion will be entered into the appropriate national competition at the Association's expense if desired and if the champion informs the Competition Secretary of his/her wish. Individual and unchanged pairs champions, both scratch and handicap, will be exempt from entry fees the following year, subject to age qualification (Under-30s) or imposed ban.

44. The names of winning teams, pairs and individuals shall be engraved on trophies at the cost and direction of the Association and the trophies shall be presented at the venues of singles and pairs competition finals, or at a suitable venue in the case of league and team competitions after the end of season accounts have been settled. All trophies, after presentation, must remain at the premises of the winners' club until collection by the Trophies Secretary or his deputy for the following year, unless special dispensation is given by the Trophies Secretary in certain cases. Trophies must be maintained in a clean and serviceable state; clubs or individuals will be invoiced if any trophy has to be cleaned or repaired professionally. All trophies held by the Association are perpetual and cannot be won outright but, if any trophy be won by the same person/s for three successive years, a miniature replica shall be awarded to the winning person/s. Individual and pairs for snooker competition winners and individual billiard winners will receive a memento in the form of a trophy selected by the Executive Committee.

BILLIARDS COMPETITIONS

45. TEAM HANDICAP KNOCK-OUT. Playing format is the same as for league play to 150-up but no points are 'won' by individual games - only aggregate points decide the winning team. In the event that the aggregate points are level after six games, the winners shall be the team that won most individual games or, if a tie persists, a player from each team will be drawn by lot and they will contest a 50-up game using one-third of handicaps, rounded up if a half-point results. The team whose player wins the play-off will be the winners. A result card must be completed and posted for each match in this competition. It is essential that all details including handicaps are entered.

46. INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP. All matches are played off scratch with early rounds decided by games of 350-up, semi-finals 500-up and final 600-up. The Executive Committee will decide seeding.

47. INDIVIDUAL HANDICAP CHAMPIONSHIP. All matches are played off each player's handicap and then to 150-up.

SNOOKER COMPETITIONS

48. TEAM HANDICAP KNOCK-OUT. Playing format is the same as for summer snooker except no reserves are allowed in the pairs, viz. teams of six play six one-frame games followed by three one-frame pairs games but no points are 'won' by individual games - only aggregate points decide the winning team. Pairings (who plays whom) are decided by draw and handicaps are used in all frames. Handicaps for the pairs frames are determined by adding together the individual handicaps for each pair, subtracting one pair's result from the other and dividing the result by two, rounding up any 'half' in favour of the weaker pair. In the event that the aggregate points are level at the end of the nine frames, the players in the last pairs frame will continue that frame with a re-spotted black in accordance with the Rules of Snooker, Section 3 Rule 17(d). A result card must be completed and posted for each match in this competition. It is essential that all details including handicaps are entered on these cards.

49. INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP. All matches are played off scratch with the early rounds and semi-finals decided by best of five frames, and final best of seven frames. The Executive Committee will decide seeding.

50. INDIVIDUAL HANDICAP CHAMPIONSHIP. All matches are played off handicap with early rounds decided by best of three frames, semi-finals and final best of five frames.

51. UNDER-30 CHAMPIONSHIP. Competitors must be under the age of 30 years on the day announced as the closing date for entries. All matches are played off scratch with early rounds and semi-finals decided by best of five frames and final best of seven. Date of birth must be entered on the registration form.

52. PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP. Any two registered players (not necessarily from the same Club) may enter as a pair. A substitute player will be allowed up to the scheduled time of the pair's first match, provided that neither player has already played in the competition that season. All matches are played off scratch with all rounds decided by the best of five frames.

53. PAIRS HANDICAP CHAMPIONSHIP. Any two registered players (not necessarily from the same Club) may enter as a pair. A substitute player will be allowed up to the scheduled time of the pair's first match, provided that neither player has already played in the competition that season. All matches are played with handicap, a pair's handicap being determined by the method descibed in Rule 48 above, with early rounds the best of three frames, semi-finals and final best of five frames.

54. Various one-day competitions, for Club Champions, Over 50s, Under 19s, and other events decided upon by the Executive Committee may be held during the year. The playing rules for these events are promulgated separately on the relevant entry forms and these Rules, where not conflicting with those specified at the time, shall prevail.

HANDICAPS

55. Handicaps between scratch and 250 shall be published by the Honorary Secretary for billiards league and competition games, between scratch and -100 in the winter handicap snooker competitions. Adjustments to billiard handicaps made before the start of the season, and at mid-season where appropriate, shall be calculated by computer program, based upon the average difference between league scores for and against each player, since the previous assessment of that player, and taking into account the number of games played. The resulting figure will be within the limits specified above in this Rule. The base scratch level will not be changed at mid-season. Snooker handicap adjustments will be based on league wins and losses in the previous winter season, compared with opponents' ratings and adjusted by the sub-committee, rounded to the nearest multiple of five.

The Executive Committee, in the light of the Committee's knowledge of the player's ability may adjust these handicaps. The Committee may authorise an adjustment of handicap at the half-way point of the season for any player new to the game, or other player with an outstanding (good or bad) record. Any adjustment will apply in all billiard league games and in all handicap competitions from the date announced. All handicaps for a season, or half-season, must be ratified at a full Executive Committee meeting.

RULE CHANGES

56. These Rules can in no material way be altered, except at an AGM, or SGM called for that purpose.

This Constitution & Rules revised and amended 18 May 2009, rewritten and edited Tuesday, 19 May 2009.

©Copyright to Portsmouth & District Billiards & Snooker Association (PDBSA), 2009.