RULES

1. The competition is open to any player registered with any league based in Greater Manchester

2. Entries

   • Entries will be limited to 72 players.

   • In the event of more than 72 entries being received, priority will be given to those on lower handicaps

   • If it appears that some, but not all, players off a particular handicap can be accommodated, then those entries from players who have gained more 'performance points' from previous entries will be preferred

   • If two or more players are equally qualified in terms of handicaps and perfomance points, then the entry or entries received first will take priority

3. Format

The format of the competition will be as follows

Group stage; All entrants will be drawn into groups of four. All players will play each player in their group over two frames. One point is awarded for each frame won. The top two players from each group will progress to the knock out stages.

• • In the event of a tie for first or second place the frames between the players will decide. If equal then a 'colours shootout' will decide

    • Players will decide the order of play by lot. All colours should be placed on their spots. First player may place the cue ball anywhere on the table and then pot as many colours as he can, in order.

    • When that player misses, all balls are respotted and the next player follows and so on. The winning player will be the one who has the highest points total. In the event of two or more players having the same total, those players only will repeat the procedure until a winner is found.

Knock out stage; A draw will be held to determine pairings from Round 1 onwards. In Round 1 all group winners will each play a group runner-up

3. • • KO Round 1; 32 group qualifiers play a best of seven frame match

     • KO Round 2; 16 winners play a best of seven frame match

     • Quarter finals; best of seven frames

     • Semi finals; best of seven frames

     • Final; best of nine frames

4. Fixtures:

   • No alteration to designated times will be permitted.

1. • All matches will be played on advertised dates. All matches will be played at the designated venues. 

   • A full list of match dates and venues will be issued by the organisers. 

   • Players will not be permitted to make any alteration to designated fixture dates/venues.

5. Start times

   • Matches will start promptly at the advertised times.

• • If a player arrives more than 15 minutes late for the group stage then he will lose the first frame and will be disqualified if arriving more than 30 minutes after the advertised start time. 

  • If a player arrives more than 15 minutes late in the KO stages, then he will lose the first frame. He will lose a second frame after a further 15 minutes and the match if more than 45 minutes from the advertised start time.

6. Entry Fees

   • All entry fees must be paid in full before any player is permitted to play in the competition

   • Payment must be made by bank transfer before the matches start.

7. Handicaps

   • Players will be allocated a handicap, at the discretion of the organisers, based on the handicap applicable in their league and past performance in this competition. Handicaps may be varied as the competition progresses.

8. Dress Code

   • The wearing of Jeans, trainers and T-shirts/sweatshirts will not be allowed after the group stages. The minimum standard will be smart casual trousers (NO denim of any description i.e. brushed or coloured will be allowed). Collared short sleeved polo type shirts will be acceptable. Players who are not appropriately dressed without good reason will be disqualified.

9. Rules

   • The general rules of snooker as published in the current edition of EASB rule book apply. 

   • However, the miss rule will not be applied in any match without a referee, unless expressly agreed otherwise by both players before the match begins. 

   • Once referees are appointed, the miss rule will be applied in all frames.

10. Referees

    • In all group matches and  the early KO Rounds,the players will mutually referee their match. 

    • In the later KO matches, qualified referees will be appointed. The referee’s decision will be final in all matters concerning the playing of the frame. The Tournament Director shall have the final say in all matters.

11. All other matters

    • The organisers’ decision on all matters will be final.