Yampa Valley BCA Pool League

Schedule

Yampa Valley BCA Pool League: Local Bylaws

Updated 2026-01-28

League Operator: Caleb Simon

League Vice President: Gabe Downey

Official Rules: The following rules will govern the play in the Yampa Valley BCA Pool League along with the Official Rules of the BCA Pool League.

To view additional stats and scores you may visit www.playcsipool.com select tab named ‘BCAPL’, go down to the bottom of the list and select ‘LMS league stats’; from there select Colorado, then Yampa Valley BCA Pool League, the appropriate year and league division you are interested in viewing. Here you will find all your league stats 24 hours a day.

You may also see current team stats by going to Current Standings.

I. MEMBERSHIP, FEES, & ROSTERS

1. Sanctioning Fees & Membership Lookup

All players’ annual sanction fees must be paid on the first week of play (Prior to playing any match). Failure to do so will result in a match forfeit for any team with unsanctioned players. Players may check their membership status and membership ID number by going to www.fargorate.com or using Fargorate app on your smart phone. If a new player has a FARGO rating & number from another area / league please indicate this on your membership form! Yearly dues for BCA/CSI membership is $20. There is a $10 in-house yearly league fee. Total of $30 due yearly.

2. Weekly Team Fees – Don’t pay, Don’t Play!

The team captain is responsible for collecting the entire team’s player fees each week, regardless of absent players. Tardiness of weekly player fees that is persistent may lead to the suspension of that team’s membership in the league. Suspension of a team will result in forfeiture of that team’s right to any team or individual awards, prizes, prize money, or right to participate in the league playoffs or city tournament. Failure of a team to deposit all monies and score sheets at the designated location within 48 hours of the start time of the match will result in a match loss reflecting no awards of round points, or games won for that week’s play. Captains, please change small cash bills into large bills each week. No Coins!

3. Team Roster Limit

The maximum number of players on a roster is 8 players on 8-Ball and 5 players on 9-Ball. However, with league operator approval, you may add players due to extenuating circumstances: players moving or leaving the league. Please gain prior approval from the league operator.

4. Roster Changes / Adding New Players

Players will not be added to the roster if there are less than 8 weeks of play remaining in the session unless it is for the survival of the team. The League Operator will determine “Survival” guidelines. For example, players move away, and the team will suffer the remainder of the session.

To maintain the integrity of the league’s handicapping system while allowing for community growth, the following roster rules apply:

A. Regular Season (8-Ball)

  1. Standard Windows: Teams may add or swap players freely during the Initial Window (Weeks 1–4) and the Mid-Season Window (the first week back from Summer Break).
  2. The “New Player” Provision: Notwithstanding the standard windows, a team may add a player to their roster at any point during the season provided that the player being added has not played any games for any team during the current season.
  3. Roster Lock: Except for the “New Player” provision, rosters are locked following the first week back from Summer Break. No established players (those with matches played) may switch teams after this date.

B. Summer Session (9-Ball)

  1. Standard Window: Rosters are generally locked after Week 2.
  2. The “New Player” Provision: A team may add a player at any point during the 14-week summer session provided that the player has not played any games in the current summer session.
  3. Efficiency Rule: Because the summer session is short, captains are encouraged to finalize their primary 5-player rotation as early as possible.

C. Eligibility for Post-Season Play

  • To be eligible for the Season Finale or any post-season tournaments, a player added under the “New Player” provision must still have competed in at least eight (8) matches for that team prior to the end of the regular season.

5. Prize Fund Distribution

Prize Fund Distribution information will be communicated with the league at the beginning of each session by way of these bylaws. Total Prize Money is based on all teams finishing the league session and the league sessions completion of scheduled weeks of play. If any team drops out of the session, the prize money will be adjusted.

Distribution of available Prize Funds as determined by the League Operator is as follows:

Regular Season League Play – 60% of total available Prize Funds
1st Place: ~55%
2nd Place: ~30%
3rd Place: ~15%

City Championship – 40% of total available Prize Funds
1st Place: ~70%
2nd Place: ~30%

If the team winning the Las Vegas spot is unable to go to Vegas the registration fees will not be paid to them, rather the second-place team will be allowed the opportunity to have their team go to Vegas and registration fees paid. If neither team travels to Vegas that registration fee money will roll into the next session’s funds. Distribution of prize money will be at the City Championship Tournament. Each qualifying player will receive their own winnings at the end of the event. Teams may choose to combine their winnings after distribution if they desire. The winning team will be required to attend a post-tournament meeting to review all World Championship rules and information. This meeting will be arranged with the captain and the league operator at the end of City Championships but prior to World Championship registration. Usually, this meeting will occur within a week of City Championships.

II. MATCH LOGISTICS & SCHEDULING

6. Starting Time of Match

Start time of the matches will be 10am Sundays, 630pm Mondays and Wednesdays. Teams will be ready to play promptly at start time. Grace period of 15 minutes will be allowed. If no players are there after 15 minutes, or not enough players, the team then forfeits the matches for that night. Payment is still due for forfeited matches!

7. Rescheduling Matches

Teams may request to reschedule a match subject to the following regulations:

  • Notification Deadline: A request to reschedule must be communicated to the League Operator prior to the day of the scheduled match. Rescheduling requests made on the “day of” the match will not be honored and will result in a forfeit if the team cannot play.
  • Regular 8-Ball Season: Reschedules are only allowed prior to the summer break. Each team is limited to a maximum of two (2) reschedules per session.
  • Summer Play: Each team is allowed a maximum of one (1) reschedule during the summer session.
  • Completion Timeline: The rescheduled match must be played prior to the next scheduled match. If no matches are scheduled for the following week, the match must be completed within one week of the original date.
  • Protocol: Both team captains must inform the League Operator of the agreed-upon reschedule. If only one team notifies the League Operator, the reschedule will not be honored. Captains must also ensure the host location can accommodate the new time. Regular rules apply to turning in score sheets and team weekly fees.
  • Emergency Exception: In the case of an emergency (example: player or players receive a call with an emergency and must leave due to a death in the family, illness or an accident) and if play has begun then the team captains will need to determine if they both agree to reschedule the remaining matches. If both team captains agree to reschedule a match, they must also notify the League Operator and gain approval by the host location. This will not be used due to teams not having enough players! Forfeits will be used in that situation. This is ONLY for emergencies.

8. Alternative Option for Reduction of Forfeits

Teams who are short ONE player and would normally have to forfeit are allowed to play a shooter in one forfeited slot. The player MUST be selected by the opposing team. Teams using this option should share the costs of this sub slot, so one player is not paying $14 to play that night. Fargo Rate will apply and be incorporated into the Fargo calculator twice. Extra player points will alter player stats, and team stats. This is an option, not a requirement. If you prefer to forfeit, please see rule number 10 for scoring. City Championships will NOT allow forfeit alternates!

9. Shooting Out Policy

With prior approval of the League Operator and if both teams agree, 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 World Championship Event; however, due to circumstances it may be needed in league play occasionally. It is the desire of the league to work together and allow this when circumstances are present. This includes shift workers, people with sick children or who are caregivers… etc. Working with them helps to keep the league populated with enough players to sanction and captains will have fewer forfeits. Thus, it helps keep the league healthy and alive.

10. Scoring Forfeited Games / Matches / League Fees

Teams who need to forfeit matches or receive forfeited matches must pay regular weekly fees. How the fees are paid is up to the captain; fees can be paid by the captain, team or by using ‘scratch’ jar funds, or reimbursed by the forfeited player. Each team should decide this process at the beginning of the session.

  • Individual Forfeited Slot: Use the “WF” (Win by Forfeit) button in the app for the winning player and enter “0” for the forfeiter. This code ensures the score is not reported to FargoRate, protecting the player’s rating from being affected by unplayed games.
  • Full Team/Match Forfeit: If an entire match is forfeited, the opposing (winning) team shall gain points equal to their cumulative average of previous weeks played for that session.
  • Roster Marking: If a team is short a player, the captain must write the name and FargoRate of the forfeiting player in the name field on the paper backup.

11. Late Arrival of Individual Players

While the match grace period is 15 minutes, an individual player on the nightly roster who is running late may be “passed over” in the rotation to keep the match moving. The team must notify the opposing captain before that player’s specific game begins. The late player must arrive and be ready to play before the final round of the match begins. If they have not arrived by their slot in the final round, those games are forfeited.

12. Bye Weeks

To Be Determined if there are bye weeks in the schedule…. depends on the number of teams. If there is an “Even” schedule (where all teams have the exact same number of “Bye” weeks) then the League Operator could simply leave the “Bye” week score sheets blank, and it will have the same effect on every team at the end of the year. The team receiving the “Bye” will get a cumulative average of their points from previous weeks played in the current season. When all possible, BYE weeks will be avoided.

13. Drop Out Teams

Teams that drop out during a session can create problems within the league. It can have an uneven or unfair effect on the division standings and reduce the prize money for the other teams. All players on a team that drop out of the league will forfeit all team prize money they may have won in that session. The League Operator will try to find a “replacement” team to fill the vacant spot, but if that is not possible the League Operator will try to find3 the most equitable and fair way to adjust the league’s team standings. This may include averaging points by a team for the session and applying that number of points to a forfeited match, or a similar method of points averaging. The league operator also may need to revise the prize money for that session if another team is not established.

14. Suspending Teams from League Play

Any team that forfeits two consecutive weeks (all members) or any three weeks in a league session will be suspended from the session. All fees, dues and prize money are forfeited, not refunded. Suspended teams must bring their balance due to the league back to zero before allowed back into the league and have league operator approval. This includes fees for past (forfeited) weeks.

III. GAMEPLAY, EQUIPMENT, & SCORING

15. Tables and Equipment Used

Tables and pool balls used should be in “playable” condition. If deemed “unplayable” by the League Operator or host location, the match may move to another table when available.

16. Number of Tables Match is Played On

Matches will be played on 2 tables unless otherwise specified by the League Operator or if both team captains agree to extend play to an additional table due to time or circumstance. See rule #9.

17. Setting Team Lineups

No specific process for team line up established. Teams will fill out their player order then share.

18. Replacing a Starting Lineup Player

If the player has not played and a change is needed, please make a change prior to play. Inform the other team of the change ASAP.

19. Time Limits to Report to Table / Slow Play

We encourage a fun environment but a reasonable pace of play.

Each team will have two (2) minutes to have their player report to the table for their game. Even though there is a “late” policy in place, we encourage team captains to work with each other whenever possible.

  • 45-Second Guideline: While a strict shot clock will not be enforced unless deemed necessary by the league operator, each player is encouraged to keep time between shots to a maximum of 45 seconds.
  • Dispute Resolution: If players have an issue with the amount of time being taken, then they shall inform the captain of their team, so that the captains can discuss measures to be taken.
  • Determination: If the captains cannot agree, then the League Operator shall be informed, and the League Operator shall make a determination. Either player or both players may be put on a 30-second shot clock at the League Operator’s discretion. A warning will precede the ruling and be monitored closely. At no time will the teams manage or implement the shot clock, League Operator or VP only!

20. Breaking

Breaking will be determined on the score sheet by the “B” in the score box.

21. Starting Ratings for New Players

All “new” players (players without an established rating from a prior session) will start their first week of play with a league operator determined rating based on skill level and/or rating comparison with other leagues (APA, VNEA, etc.).

  • Rolling Handicap: From a prior division – players with established ratings in a prior division will have their rating carried over into the first week of play in the new division.

22. Team Handicap Rules

We will use the FargoRate calculator to determine round handicaps. This is automatically calculated when using the scoring app.

23. Coaching

There is no coaching at the World Championships in Las Vegas allowed when it is your turn at the table. Your turn at the table starts when your opponent misses, fouls, or pushes out (in 9-ball) and the balls stop rolling. See official rules for clarification. Local leagues, however, will allow one time out / coaching during each game. Coaching is limited to 60 seconds. Time outs are allowed from any member of your team. City Championships, no time outs.

24. Use of Scoring App

All divisions will be required to use the BCA Scoring App in 2026. We will also continue using paper scoresheets for validation purposes. You cannot add new players in the scoring app or enter wins by forfeit so these things will be tracked on the paper scoresheets. ONLY one person from either team playing each other needs to enter the scores using the app. Please identify who this will be at the start of nightly league play (when you are writing down your players on the score sheet).

25. Scoring of Break and Runs

A Break and Run is defined as the breaking player legally pocketing a ball on the break and subsequently pocketing all remaining balls in their group, followed by the game-winning ball (8, 9, or 10-ball), in a single continuous inning without the opponent ever taking a turn at the table.

A. Zero-Point Award

  • In the event of a Break and Run, the non-breaking opponent shall be awarded zero (0) points for that rack, regardless of how many of their balls were pocketed during the breaker’s inning.
  • The logic for this rule is based on the principle of “Table Participation.” Since the opponent did not have a legal turn at the table, they have not earned points through active play.

B. Scoring Entries

  • 8-Ball/9-Ball/10-Ball: The winning player receives the full point value for the rack (e.g., 10 points in the CSI system), and the losing opponent receives 0.
  • Scoresheet Notation: The scorekeeper must clearly mark “BR” (Break and Run) in the appropriate column. This ensures the win is tracked for end-of-season “Break and Run” awards and that the zero-point score is validated as a result of the run, rather than a scoring error.

C. Balls Pocketed During the Break

  • Any of the non-breaking player’s balls that are pocketed on the break or during the run are considered “Dead Balls” for the purpose of scoring and do not contribute to the opponent’s point total for that game.

26. Accidental Movement of Balls (Non-Foul)

If a player accidentally moves a stationary object ball with their hand, cue, or clothing, it is not a foul unless the moved ball was the cue ball or if the moved ball makes contact with a ball currently in motion, or makes contact with another ball. The opposing player has the option to leave the moved ball where it lies or have it moved back to its original position as closely as possible. If the player in the act of shooting moves a ball and the opponent chooses to move it back, this must be done after the shot is completed.

27. Use of Electronic Devices

To support the 45-second shot clock guideline and prevent distractions: The use of cell phones, tablets, or wearing headphones/earbuds is prohibited while it is a player’s turn at the table. If a player is found using a device during their turn, the opponent may issue a warning. Repeated offenses during a match may be reported as unsportsmanlike conduct.

28. Questionable Hits & Watching Shots

To prevent disputes regarding “split hits” or “double hits”: If a shot is likely to be “close” or questionable, the shooter must pause and allow the opposing captain or a neutral third party to step in and watch the hit. If a shooter proceeds with a questionable shot without allowing it to be watched, any disputed call will automatically be ruled in favor of the non-shooting player.

IV. CONDUCT & DISCIPLINE

29. Proof of Identity

All players must be able to provide proof of their identity prior to the start of a match if requested by league operator or opponent (Las Vegas). Additionally, you must have a government issued photo ID and your membership information available digitally on your person during World Championship events in Las Vegas.

30. Unsportsmanlike Conduct / Sharking

The guidelines for unsportsmanlike conduct are outlined in the Official Rules of the BCA Pool League on page 93. This includes but is not limited to actions that are embarrassing, disruptive, or detrimental to other players, spectators, event officials, or the sport in general.

  • Sharking: “Sharking” is defined as any intentional act to distract the shooter. This includes, but is not limited to:
    • Moving into the shooter’s line of sight while they are down on a shot;
    • Making sudden noises or comments; or
    • Standing unnecessarily close to the shooter.

Sharking is considered Unsportsmanlike Conduct and should be addressed immediately between captains. If you are having any issues with conduct, please see the league operator to discuss your concerns immediately.

31. Penalties For Unsportsmanlike Conduct

The League Operator will determine penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct! These penalties may range from a verbal or written warning to suspension or expulsion from the league, disqualification from a tournament, playoff, city championships, and forfeiture of prize money won during the regular or post session. In addition, the host location (bar owner) also has the right to remove players from their establishment without notice to the league operator. Unsportsmanlike conduct will be on a case-by-case basis! The league operator will determine the severity of the violation and execute a decision immediately if needed (without violation letters). Otherwise, if severity is determined to not be detrimental the first violation letter will be sent to the player. A second offense will result in suspension from the league (and the player will be informed in writing), with a period determined by League Operator. Third violations will result in expulsion from the league and all future sessions; and a letter sent to the player. All discipline letters are provided to CSI for documentation.

32. Sandbagging Policies

This league will not tolerate “sandbagging” (playing at a skill level below a player’s true ability to manipulate and gain an unfair advantage) of any kind. The League Operator reserves the right to adjust any player’s rating at any time if sandbagging is suspected. The League Operator chooses whether they may use a panel or committee to review player ratings or make necessary rating changes. The League Operator or league secretary may warn a player if they are suspected of sandbagging, and repeated offenses may result in suspension or expulsion from the league. See the unsportsmanlike conduct procedure above.

33. Right of Appeal

Any player or team has the right to appeal before a committee of neutral league members should an occurrence seem to need to be discussed further. The League Operator may form and govern an appeals committee made up of league players, team captains, and/or division representatives. If a committee member is on the roster of a team filing an appeal, this committee member will not be allowed to vote or sit in on the proceedings.

34. Right to Refuse Any Potential Player

League operator and VP reserves the right to refuse any potential player from joining the leagues. League operator or VP does not have the right to ban anyone from the host location, just the leagues.

V. POST-SEASON & CHAMPIONSHIPS

35. Eligibility For Playoffs / City Championships

To be eligible for local playoffs and city championships you must have a minimum of 8 full, scheduled weeks of league play completed. This must be with one team in a single division of a single session and your team must complete the session. Players who have fees owing will not be allowed to play in City Championships.

36. Eligibility for National Championships

Players who have played a minimum of 8 weeks of regularly scheduled BCAPL league matches in the same division during a single sanctioned session and are deemed an active player by the League Operator, are eligible to play in the BCAPL World Championships. Teams “original” players must play 8 weeks on the same team in a single session.

37. City Championships

Local City Championships will be a double elimination format with NO time out opportunities. All players will be required to read the guidelines prior to playing in the City Championships. All players must have qualified with 8 weeks of play during the session. It is the player’s responsibility to ask for a referee during matches if you would like a shot watched. Shots not reviewed by a referee go to the shooter. Players who have fees owing will not be allowed to play in City Championships.

  • 8-Ball Championships: Will use a race format:
    • 0-2 difference = race to 11;
    • 3-4 difference = race to 10;
    • 5-6 difference = race to 9;
    • 7 or more difference = race to 8.
  • 9-Ball Championships: Will be played to 11 wins or 13 wins depending on amount of teams playing.

38. Season Tie-Breakers & Individual Awards

In the event of a tie in the final standings for the session, the following tie-breakers will be used to determine the winner, in this order:

  1. Head-to-Head: The record of the matches played between the tied teams during the session.
  2. Total Rounds Won: The team with the higher number of total rounds won during the session.
  3. Total Games Won: The team with the higher number of total individual games won. Individual awards (e.g., MVP or Top Gun) require the player to have played a minimum of 8 weeks to be eligible.