Hosting Requirements
Hosting Requirements
What rooms need to host ABL league play: team minimums, rosters, eligibility, tables, session structure, and playoff rules.
Team Minimum
Section titled “Team Minimum”A room needs either four 5-player teams or six 3-player teams to sign up for ABL play.
| Team format | Active players | Roster limit |
|---|---|---|
| Five-player team | 5 league members | Up to 6 players |
| Three-player team | 3 league members | Up to 4 players |
Every team must have one team captain.
Player Eligibility
Section titled “Player Eligibility”Players must be:
- Age limit 16+, under 16 can play with location approval and parental guardian permission.
- Active ABL card carrying members.
- Legal residents of their country.
- Not professional players under ABL rules.
Players in different locations compete with league players and teams across the United States and other participating countries.
Session Setup
Section titled “Session Setup”A session runs 15-16 weeks. League play typically starts in May, September, and January.
Teams can play in one, two, or all three sessions. No one is required to play every session, but doing so gives your team more chances in the final playoff.
Each session starts fresh for team points. Player handicaps carry forward when a player has an established handicap from a previous session.
Tables
Section titled “Tables”The following table sizes may be used during league play:
- 3.5 x 7 ft bar table.
- 4 x 8 ft table.
- 4.5 x 9 ft table.
The main event finals are held on 3.5 x 7 ft bar tables.
Equipment Rules To Know
Section titled “Equipment Rules To Know”Playing cues must be 57 inches or longer. Jump cues and cues shorter than 57 inches are not allowed in play.
Late Team Grace Period
Section titled “Late Team Grace Period”Teams may join a session during the first four weeks. Late teams either:
- Do not make up missed matches and take losses for those weeks.
- Make up missed matches and pay the weekly dues for each makeup match.
Makeup scheduling requires matching late teams so the schedule can stay balanced.
Roster Changes
Section titled “Roster Changes”If a team falls below the required roster size during the first four weeks, the team can add a new or existing league member.
After the first four weeks, the team can only add an existing league member who is already playing in that session on another team.
New league members start with a two handicap. Existing league members use their established league handicap.