Players Pool League of Canada
8-ball Scoresheets and Handicapping

Click here for a blank scoresheet
(Requires ADOBE PDF reader - Best printed on 8.5x14 paper)

Games are scored on a point system and each player develops an average throughout the league schedule. These player averages are used to determine a "team" handicap . The points that a team scores in each game of a round plus any team handicap points they get, will determine which team wins the "Round Point". The number of "Round Points" won in each match will determine the success of the team.

1. Scoring - 10 point system

* Each player receives (1) point for each of his/her group of balls (solids or stripes) plus (3) points if they legally pocket the 8-ball.

* A win then is always worth (10) points to a player. The losing player always receives the point count for all of his/her group of balls not on the table at the end of the game to a maximum of (7) points.

2. Player Averages

* A player's average is determined by dividing their total points scored to date by the number of games they've played to date and then showing the result to the nearest tenth.

3. Match Format

* The most common formats are:
(4) players play a single game in each of (4) rounds for a total of (16) games.
(5) players play a single game in each of (4) rounds for a total of (20) games.
(5) players play a single game in each of (5) rounds for a total of (25) games

4. Scoresheet

4.1 Your Starting Roster

* The scoresheet (example #1) accommodates all of the above match formats.
* The home team fills out their roster first by entering (4) or (5) player names depending on the match format your league or division is using. Spares may be listed at any time prior to the round they are being 'substituted' into the match.
* Players may be listed in any order regardless of their player averages.
* Should a team be short a player(s), "forfeit" is entered in the last position(s) on the starting roster.

4.2 Match Rounds

* A set of one game each played by a team's match roster is considered to be (1) match round.

4.3 Handicapping

* At the start of every match round, the player’s averages (to the nearest tenth) of each team are entered in the "ave." column beside their roster order number. In the case of a "forfeit" or first time player, an "8.0" is entered. The player averages are then totaled. The difference (to the nearest tenth) is then rounded to the nearest whole number and is given to the team with the lower total as a team handicap.
* This team handicap is to be entered in the points column in the box beside "handicap".
There is a maximum handicap that is to be given in any one round :


4 player - 16 game format maximum 8 points
5 player - 15, 20, 25 game format maximum 10 points


4.4 Substitutions

* They are permitted providing they are made at the start of each round and providing that it will not result in the same two players playing each other a second time.
* In the round that they're subbing in, the substitute's average is entered and used to compute the new team average total to determine the new team handicap for that match round.
*Players listed as subs in spots #6, and #7 may change roster positions in successive rounds. Players listed as starters in spots #1, to #5 when subbed out must sit out at least one round and when subbed back in must return to their original roster position.

4.5 Order of the Break Shot

* The home team never changes their order of play.
* The home team’s order of play does vary each match round as shown and according to the match format being used.
* The home team breaks the first and third rounds and, in the fifth round, the breaks alternate as indicated with the extra break going to the home team.

4.6 Scorekeeping - Team Points

* All games are scored on the maximum 10 point system including forfeited games which which are scored 10 - 0.

* After a match round has been completed, the points won by the players for each team are totaled along with the team handicap.

* The team with the higher total receives a team point for that round. This is indicated by circling the "W" beside their point total.

* After all the match rounds have been played (either 4 or 5 depending on the match format your division is using), the "points total for each round" are added together to arrive at total overall points for all the rounds played.

* The team with the higher total receives another team point for the overall which is also indicated by circling the "W" beside their point total.

* In summary each match is played for one team point for each match round played plus one team point for the overall.

* In all game formats, the tiebreaker in 'league play' to award the round point and for playoff seeding is games won. The tiebreaker if still tied in 'league play' is the winning of an extra game played by one player selected by each team from amongst those who played in that match. The tiebreaker in all 'playoffs' is the re-playing the last round by the same players.

* In the case of a "team forfeit", all players on the opposing team will receive zero as the points scored for that game. Teams taking a "forfeit" have the option of taking all, half or none of the team points for the match.

* To help the league administrator, be sure to total the wins, points and special feats for each player and for the team.

* Provision is made for the recording of special feats such as E = ERO, F= First Approach, Z= Ten Zip and N=No Shot After the Break. Be sure when you sign off the scoresheet the other team has your feats recorded as well.

* In all playoffs, all play is under the supervision of the assigned Tournament Directors/Referees and not the Board of Governors. All match rulings will be handled as follows:
(1) Judgement calls on observed shots – decision of Floor Referee is final.
(2) All other rulings – decision of Floor Referee may be appealed to Head Referee whose decision is final..
(3) No referee available – the Tournament Director becomes the Head Referee.
(4) Tournament direction, scheduling, equipment etc. – decision of Tournament Director is final.

5. Scoresheet Examples - 5 player, 25 game format

5.1 Example (1) – September 4th









*** Click HERE for LARGER Version ***

*This shows a first week match in which there are no player averages yet and no team handicap.

· Note the tiebreaker of (3) games to (2) games by the visitor team to win the match

Round (2) team point.

5.2 Example (2) - October 2nd







*** Click HERE for LARGER Version ***

* This shows a match in which there are now player averages and team handicaps. It's got a little of everything.

* Note that the home team is short a player and has listed #5 in their starting roster as a “forfiet” player. All opponents got an automatic 10 points for the game.

* Note that the visitor team used a "first time" player (Al Jones - player #1 on starting roster). His average was assigned at 8.0 because he doesn’t have an average yet.

* Note that the visitor team used a substitution in match round (3) – Christine Logan, (substitution player #6) for Chuck Lesser, (starting player #3).

* Note the "ERO" that Jay Spenser (starting roster player #2 for the visitor team) got in match round #2.