Scotch doubles is like any other form of doubles play, except that players take alternate shots rather than alternate visits. Otherwise, the standard World Rules apply, and the following conventions will apply to the Waterloo competition.
Match duration
All matches will be best of seven frames.
Partnerships
All pairings must comprise players who are registered to play for the same team in the Waterloo & District League. Apologies to teams registering an odd number of players, but this is a requirement. No partnership comprised of players from different teams will be allowed to compete. Any partnership including a player who is not properly registered will be disqualified immediately.
Breaks
Teams will toss for the initial break. After that, breaks will alternate by team and player. So, if player 1 team A breaks, the next frame player 1 team B breaks. The next break is by player 2 team A, then player 2 team B, then 1A again, and so on, until the match is over.
Nomination of balls
If a ball is potted from the break, the breaking player is responsible for nominating the ball 'on' for his or her partner. There must be no consultation about this.
Consultation
Partners may consult only when the opposing team is in charge of the table. They may not do so during their visit. A visit is deemed to have started as soon as the player ‘on’ touches the table. A foul will be called against any team deemed to be conversing about the game in between shots during their visit, which will result in end of visit and two visits awarded to the opponents. Note that 'conferring' includes the use of signals or other forms of non-verbal communication.
Playing out of turn
Playing out of turn is a foul and will result in end of visit and two visits awarded to the opponents.
Postponement of matches
Dates for matches will be agreed prior to registration, so there is no excuse for any player who opts to play in the competition missing a match. If a player fails to show by the appointed time, frames will be docked in the usual way, until the match itself is handed to the opponents on a walkover. If a player is for exceptional reasons unable to attend a fixture, he or she must contact the opponents in advance and notify the league, requesting a deferral. If the opponents consent, a re-arranged fixture must take place within seven days of the original date. Opponents are not obliged to give their consent, and if they refuse to do so, the match will be awarded to them on a walkover.
If a player or team feels that they have been unjustly refused a deferral, in that their reasons for missing the fixture are ‘exceptional’, they may appeal to the League Secretary. Exceptional reasons might include genuine medical or domestic priorities which cannot be rearranged. They will not include holidays or conflicting social arrangements.
Professionals
As with the singles competition, no professional cue-sports players will be allowed to enter.
Entry fee
The cost is £10 per player. This is to be paid to the designated venue organiser on the date of the first match. Teams who do not pay the registration fee to the venue organiser will not be allowed to compete.
Start time
Matches will start promptly at designated times. Players should be present 15 minutes before their scheduled start time. Normal penalties for late arrival will apply to all teams - as in, loss of frame for each 15 minutes beyond scheduled start time.
Registration
Team captains must present the names of their partnered doubles players to Darren O'Byrne on 07908 795 570 by 10.00 pm on the 13th October 2009. The draw will be made shortly afterwards and will be posted on the website. Team captains are expected to check and notify their players of their match details.
