Formats for Play
BCA accommodates both team and individual play. Team play is commonly referred to as “league” play, while “tournaments” are designed for the individual. NOVA BCA members can participate in either a team match or a tournament each Wednesday – but not both.
In order to compete, players must first invest in an annual membership ($25). We reserve the right to create two divisions per venue – doubling the teams competing to 20 in 10 matches.
Night of play is Wednesday. League and tournament participants can arrive for warmups at 6pm. Matches begin promptly at 7pm. League match costs $10. Tournament entry is $15 to $25.
Regardless of format, all matches are handicapped using an existing APA/TAP skill level (where applicable) or BCA handicap. “Sandbagging” (lowering your standard of play to keep your handicap more favorable than it would otherwise be) is aggressively monitored. League representatives and tournament directors are free to raise handicaps mid-match.
League (a.k.a. team play) – you must be a BCA member to participate. 10 teams, each with 10 players, compete each Wednesday. Five players from the roster are chosen to compete in each league match. Unlike the APA, a BCA team can play a team of five 7s for the night – there is no rule restricting handicap points at 23 points. Wins in a league match count towards crowning a first place team at the end of 8-16 week sessions. Members of the championship team each receive a silver medal, a cash prize TBD and placement in a “Vegas Invite” tournament for a chance to be sent DIRECTLY to the national BCA championships. There are no rewards for runner-up or “Tier 2” finishers. Teams finishing sixth though tenth in a division are free to compete in the side tournaments or wait until the next session begins. The cycle of sessions is continuous – with the exception being to account for national holidays.
Download the BCA Team Signup Sheet.
Download the BCA League Scoring Packet.
Tournament (a.k.a. individual play) – you must be a BCA member to participate, regardless of whether you have chosen to also play on a team or not. Those not chosen to play in the 5 team matches will be pooled for a side tournament. Format may be single or double elimination and usually is winner takes all. Rules are slightly modified to include a “total” call shot (caroms/kisses included in call) as well as a mix of 8Ball and 9Ball played within matches. Tournament is handicapped, with players competing as APA-style 5, 6 or 7 and having races of 3-3 to 5-5. Your best score in the tournament (just as with a league match) counts towards ranking in “The Century Club” – our list of the top 100 poolplayers in Northern Virginia. Our points system accounts for several factors of merit that include regular vs shutout wins, handicap of opponent, break/runs, safeties (shots you execute that result in opponent fouls), and more. Tournament play is not contained within sessions and is continuous throughout the year, culminating in an ultimate champion crowned on an annual basis. The champion receives a nearly 3′ tall silver trophy cup, cash prizeTBD, a website feature and local/regional publicity.
Download our Starter Kit for even more information.
