Burslem and District Darts League Rules

1. The League

1.1
The League is known as 'The Burslem & District Darts League' or 'BDL', and for the purposes of these Rules the 'League'.
1.2
The league shall be governed by the Committee consisting of a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer who are voted in at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and shall stand for the following season.
1.3
Membership is open to all Teams within a six-mile radius of Burslem town center (ST6 4AT).
1.4
The league will have a maximum of 4 divisions with no more than 16 teams per division.
1.5
Under normal circumstances promotion and relegation will be on a three up three down basis and new teams will start in the lowest division.
1.6
If adjustment is required, the Committee, whose decision is full and final, will make the allocation of the teams to divisions.
1.7
The AGM will take place in between seasons where discussions and proposals for the league can occur as well as registration for new and existing teams for the following season.
1.8
Voting at the AGM to be one vote for each team registered in the previous season. Venues with two teams therefore have two votes etc.
1.9
New teams wishing to join the league may participate in the discussions and scope a proposal but will be excluded from any vote.

2. Fees

*fees shown below are for the 26/27 season
2.1
Entrance fees to the league are £140 in total comprised of a £20 fee at registration plus a) if 6 meetings then £20 per meeting or b) 4 meetings then £30 per meeting. Fees can also be paid in full at any time.
2.2
All new teams are subject to a £20 bond which will be refunded at the end of the season provided that the team has completed all their fixtures.
2.3
If a team is deemed to have withdrawn from the league then the following season they will be subject to a £50 bond. If a team withdraws 2 seasons consectively, this will lead to an expulsion.
2.4
In the event of a team withdrawing during a season:
a)
if the withdrawal occurs before the half way point then all results involving the team will be null and void.
b)
if the withdrawal occurs after the half way point then results before the half way point will stand and results after will be null and void.
2.5
A team is not to cancel more than 3 matches. More than 3 matches and it will be deemed that they have withdrawn from the league.
2.6
The Divisional Team Knockout Cup, Karen Cotton Invite, House Champion and Presentation Cup seasonal competitions are included without further fees.
2.7
The Singles and Doubles merits competitions have seperate fees for those wishing to enter and these are, as of 2026, £3 per player in the Singles and £6 per pair in the Doubles.
2.8
There will be regular meetings across the season for fees to be paid and for any matters relating to the league to be raised and discussed.
2.9
All teams to have a delegate at the meetings. Dates to be confirmed by the committee.
2.10
One apology will be allowed during the season but a £5 fine for each non-attendance thereafter.

3. Player Registrations

3.1
Player registration forms will be included in the season fixture pack made available to each team prior to the start of the season.
3.2
Player registration forms must be completed in ink and signed by each player being registered.
3.3
Player registration forms must be handed in to, or a photograph sent to, the league secretary with a deadline no later than the first meeting of the season.
3.4
Any team failing to return this form will be fined £5 at the discretion of the league and any players who have played for team prior to the deadline will be deemed to be the complete registered roster of players for that team.
3.5
Each team will keep a second copy of their player registration form and make it available at the request of the opposing match team captain.
3.6
All landlords and landladies are eligible to play for one team without signing the registration form.
3.7
De-registration is allowed at the committee's discretion.
3.8
Any player that plays a single game for a team will not be allowed to play for any other team for the remainder of the season.
3.9
The exception to the above rule is in the case that a team withdraws from the league then the players may, at the committee's discretion, join another team in the same, or higher division.
3.10
In exceptional circumstances, new signings may be allowed for a team after the player registration deadline at the committee's discretion.
3.11
Requests to add players must be made to the committee at least 48 hours prior to the match you wish them to be available for.
3.12
Any team fielding an unregistered player will have any games played by that player forfeited 3-0 to the opposing team.
3.13
Players who sign for 2 clubs in this or any other league on a Tuesday night whilst this league is in progress will be suspended and all points will be deducted.

4. The Match Board

4.1
All matches to be played on a regulation treble board which should be in good condition and adequately illuminated.
4.2
The board to be firmly fixed with the centre of the bull 5 ft 8 inches from the floor.
4.3
The oche line to be 7 foot 9¼ inches from the face of the dartboard.
4.4
Preferably all venues should provide a raised oche to mark the throw but if this is not possible, an unmoveable mat or similar item should be used.
4.5
Chalk/Whiteboard marking is preferred but an electronic scoreboard is permitted to be used. Scores must be visible to players and their teams.
4.6
The home team to supply chalker or score checker unless alternative arrangements have been made.

5. Match Night Format

5.1
All matches to be played on Tuesday nights unless prior permission is obtained from the committee and with mutual agreement between the teams concerned.
5.2
The match should commence at 20:30. Providing the away team is in attendance, the board is to be made available exclusively for their use from 20:15.
5.3
Both captains to be present when the draw is made.
a)
A captain may choose to select the running order of his players or for the opposing captain to draw his players at random.
b)
Once both captains have agreed the method of selecting players, the scorecard can be completed by the captains either revealing their players (if pre-selected) or randomly choosing their opponents players.
c)
Methods of selecting players i.e. pre-selected or random, cannot be changed once the first player is revealed from either team.
d)
Random generator apps or websites are permitted.
5.4
Each team will consist of 5 players.
5.5
A team will be allowed to start with a minimum of 3 players with any missing players forfeiting their game 3-0 to the opposing side.
5.6
In the event of a team turning up with less than 5 players, the other captain is allowed to pick his team accordingly.
5.7
Teams can request early/late games for players needing to leave early or arrive late.
5.8
For cup finals, all players must be in attendance at the time of the draw and the playing order will be as drawn.
5.9
A match shall consist of 5 games. Each game consists of 3 legs.
5.10
Away team to throw first in matches 1, 3 and 5. Home team to throw first in matches 2 and 4.
5.11
501 straight start. Finish on double, no arrows. Bull counts as double 25.
5.12
Only Captains (or a pre-chosen delegate) may assist players with their checkouts.
5.13
Match results: One point is awarded for each leg won. Maximum points available is 15.
5.14
Results cards to be signed by both captains.
5.15
A photo of the Results Card to be posted on the Facebook group (preferable) or sent direct to the secretary as soon as the match has ended.
5.16
In the event of disagreement, the result to be returned to the league in the normal way and annotated 'under protest'.
5.17
Both captains should then submit a written report of the difference to be with the league secretary within four days of the match.
5.18
The Leagues decision will be full and final.

6. League Points

6.1
For league table purposes, the ranking of teams will be determined in the following order:
a)
Number of Legs won (total points)
b)
Number of matches won
c)
Head to head results between the two teams
6.2
If at the end of the season there is a tie in any position where monies are paid and cannot be seperated, there will be a playoff. Committee to decide where and when.
6.3
Any team not fulfilling their fixtures by the end of the season will forfeit each unfulfilled fixture 15-0.
6.4
Matches may only be cancelled at the discretion of the secretary who must be informed immediately by the team wishing to cancel the match.
6.5
Matches may not be cancelled on the night and at least 24 hours notice is required.
6.6
Free weeks are allocated to play any outstanding games and all catchup games must be completed by the final Free Week.
6.7
There will be no cancellations allowed after the last free week and any team who cannot field a team for a match after this time will be deemed to forfeit the match 15-0.

Seasonal Competitions

7. Singles Merits

7.1
Each division in the league holds a Singles Merits competition every season, open to all registered players in that division.
7.2
One night is set aside in the league calendar for the initial rounds, with entrants split across four venues per division.
7.3
At each venue, players compete in a knockout tournament, with the top two players from each venue advancing to Finals Night.
7.4
Finals Night also follows a knockout format, culminating in one winner being crowned champion for each division.
7.5
A replacement player from the same team may take the place of a competitor before the first game provided they did not enter the competition originally.
7.6
The original competitor may not return to the competition. No replacement can be made after the players first game.
7.7
Players should be at their respective venue no later than 8:15pm and games to start no later than 8:30pm.
7.8
Once all players are there the draw can take place.
7.9
The draw needs someone to take charge of and there to be at least one other witness that isn't from the same team.
7.10
It is up to the players to do the draw at each venue.
7.11
The draw only needs to be done once at the start of the night and then follows a standard tournament structure with the winners of adjacent games playing each other in the next round until down to two left.
7.12
The draw can be done however you wish, whether it be names on paper or an online random generator.
7.13
If the venue has more than one board available then this can be used for games that are in the same round e.g. all 1st round games.
7.14
Do not start the next round of games until the current round is complete.
7.15
Each match is a standard 501, best of 3 (first to 2 legs).
7.16
At the start of each match, there will be a bull up with the first named player in the draw throwing first for bull. If the bull up is tie, throw again with the other player throwing first.
7.17
Repeat until a closest to the bull winner is determined.
7.18
The player that wins the bull up will then throw first in the first leg and the third leg (if the game goes to 1-1).
7.19
Once the initial night is complete and the two players progressing are known, the results should be posted to the Facebook group or sent directly to the secretary.
7.20
Finals night
a)
The final 8 players of each division will play at the venue of the current league sponsor.
b)
Players should be at their respective venue no later than 8:15pm and games to start no later than 8:30pm.
c)
The draw for the knockout will be made by the committee.
d)
Match format is the same as the initial rounds right through to the final.

8. Doubles Merits

8.1
Each division in the league holds a Doubles Merits competition every season, open to all registered players in that division.
8.2
One night is set aside in the league calendar for the initial rounds, with entrants split across four venues per division.
8.3
At each venue, players compete in a knockout tournament, with the top two pairings from each venue advancing to Finals Night.
8.4
Finals Night also follows a knockout format, culminating in one doubles winner being crowned champion for each division.
8.5
Doubles pairings can be mixed from different teams.
8.6
A replacement player may take the place of a competitor before the first game provided they did not enter the competition originally.
8.7
The original competitor may not return to the competition. No replacement can be made after the pair's first game.
8.8
If one player is absent, the remaining player will have one throw to the opponents two.
8.9
Players should be at their respective venue no later than 8:15pm and games to start no later than 8:30pm.
8.10
Once all players are there the draw can take place.
8.11
The draw needs someone to take charge of and there to be at least one other witness that isn't from the same team.
8.12
It is up to the players to do the draw at each venue.
8.13
The draw only needs to be done once at the start of the night and then follows a standard tournament structure with the winners of adjacent games playing each other in the next round until down to two left.
8.14
The draw can be done however you wish, whether it be names on paper or an online random generator.
8.15
If the venue has more than one board available then this can be used for games that are in the same round e.g. all 1st round games.
8.16
Do not start the next round of games until the current round is complete.
8.17
Each match is a standard 501, best of 3 (first to 2 legs).
8.18
At the start of each match, there will be a bull up with the first named player in the draw throwing first for bull. If the bull up is tie, throw again with the other player throwing first.
8.19
Repeat until a closest to the bull winner is determined.
8.20
The player that wins the bull up will then throw first in the first leg and the third leg (if the game goes to 1-1).
8.21
Once the night is complete and the two pairings progressing are known, the results should be posted to the Facebook group or sent directly to the secretary.
8.22
Finals night
a)
The final 8 pairs of each division will play at the venue of the current league sponsor.
b)
Players should be at their respective venue no later than 8:15pm and games to start no later than 8:30pm.
c)
The draw for the knockout will be made by the committee.
d)
Match format is the same as the initial rounds right through to the final.

9. House Champions

9.1
In the league there is a special event each season called 'House Champions Night'
9.2
On this night, each team from every division sends their best representative player to compete.
9.3
This event will be played at the venue of the current league sponsor.
9.4
The event follows a knockout-style format, culminating in one winner being crowned for each division.
9.5
The draw for the knockout will be made by the committee.
9.6
Each match is a standard 501, best of 3 (first to 2 legs).
9.7
At the start of each match, there will be a bull up with the first named player in the draw throwing first for bull. If the bull up is tie, throw again with the other player throwing first.
9.8
Repeat until a closest to the bull winner is determined.
9.9
The player that wins the bull up will then throw first in the first leg and the third leg (if the game goes to 1-1).

10. Divisional Team Knockout

10.1
Each season there is a knockout cup per division with the match nights being on specified Tuesday nights within the leagues schedule.
10.2
The draw for the knockout will be made by the committee with the first team drawn for each match being the 'Home Team'
10.3
The knockout match will follow the same rules as for a league game.
10.4
The team scoring the most points will progress to the next round.
10.5
Each round will have a new draw made by the committee.
10.6
The finals for each division will be played at the venue of the current league sponsor.
10.7
There will be a coin-toss between each team to decide the 'Home Team' on finals night.
10.8
The finals night matches will be in the same format as previous rounds i.e. the same as a league match.

11. Karen Cotten Invite

11.1
Each season there is a knockout cup across divisions with all matches being played typically on the last league night before Christmas.
11.2
The teams will be invited by committee at the meeting prior to this night and is usually the bottom 3 teams of each division.
11.3
The matches will be played at the venue of the current league sponsor.
11.4
The draw for the knockout will be made by the committee with the first team drawn for each match being the 'Home Team'
11.5
Each knockout match will follow the same rules as for a league game.
11.6
The team scoring the most points will progress to the next round.
11.7
The knockout will be played down to the winning team on the night.

12. Trophies

12.1
Any trophy winners will sign for and hold the master trophies in a safe place for a period of 12 months.
12.2
These trophies belong to the League and cannot be won outright.
12.3
All trophies must be returned to the league on demand, duly cleaned and in good condition.
12.4
Any costs incurred through loss or damage will be borne by the team responsible.
All the above rules are the standing rules passed by the members of the above league and will be strictly enforced.
Any matter not covered by the rules shall by decided by the committee and the underlying principle shall thereafter become embodied in the rules.

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