The following “Come to Play” information will help teams plan for and compete in the curling aspects of the bonspiel weekend and includes details on pools, draws, schedules, rules, results, ceremonies, etc.
The OTRB is a 40-team tournament. Teams play three round robin games and one playoff game as a minimum.
The three round robin games and the 7, 8, 9 and 10 qualifier games will be 6-end games of one hour and 45-minutes (1:45). The quarter final, semifinal and final games will be 8-end games of two hours and 15-minutes (2:15).
Round robin play will be based on a points system. The winning team will receive ten (10) points; the losing team will receive zero (0) points, and in the case of a tied game, each team will receive five (5) points. Each team will receive one point per end in which they score. No points are awarded for a blank end. Each team will receive a ½ point for each point scored to a maximum of five (5) points.
At the end of the pooled round robin play, the total points accumulated after the three games will be used to determine a team’s position in one of five playoff divisions (A to E). For example, the 1st place team in each pool will qualify for “A Division”, the next highest score qualifies for “C Division”, etc.
A list of the 40 registered teams and the teams on the waiting list is posted.
The draft list of team pool assignments is subject to minor revisions as we get closer to the bonspiel weekend.
The draw schedule is subject to minor revisions as we get closer to the bonspiel weekend.
NOTE: There will be three draws starting on the Thursday evening that involve 30 of the 40 teams playing their first game - 5:30, 7:15 or 9:00 PM. Five teams will start 8:30 AM on Friday morning and the last five at 1:15 PM on Friday.
The draw to the button will be conducted during the first draws. Results will be posted online and in-person.
Round robin and playoff results will be posted on the walls at the curling club as the draws progress over the weekend. Results will also be posted online on this website - round robin and playoffs.
Semifinal and final game scores will be posted live on this website as each end finishes in each game.
The opening ceremonies will be held on the ice at 12:00 noon on Friday, January 24th. It will involve special guests to participate in throwing the ceremonial first rock as well as a parade of participating teams and OTRB volunteers onto the ice to mark the opening. All teams are encouraged to participate.
The ceremonies will be held on the ice at 2:15 to 2:45 PM on Sunday, January 26th. Teams and volunteers are asked to be in attendance to cheer on the finalists as they parade onto the ice and begin the final games.
Ahead of the closing ceremonies, teams participating in the finals will be given instructions on assembling and parading onto the ice.
The ceremonies will be held in the main lounge at approximately 5:00 to 6:00 PM on Sunday, January 26th. Teams and volunteers are asked to be in attendance to celebrate with the finalists.
Awards will be presented to winners and runners-up in all five playoff divisions. Winning teams will be presented the applicable division trophy or plaque and cash prize. Runner-up teams will be presented with the applicable cash prize. All curlers on winning and runner-up teams will be presented with a keeper medal bearing the 2025 OTRB logo.
Spares are permitted. They must not be listed on a registered team in the OTRB. Spares must be on the OTRB official spares list. Spares may curl for multiple teams. Skips are to declare they are using a spare at the beginning of the game.
There will be live streaming of playoff games played on the premier sheet, sheet number 2. Some games will have play-by-play and colour commentary from fellow curlers and special guests. There will be an opportunity later this fall for local and away curlers to sign up as commentators for the games.
There will be a bell for teams to ring when they make a double takeout. There will also be a chance to win a free jug of beer after each draw during round robin games. Teams will record the number of double takeouts on the score slip at the end of each draw and each will equal one ticket. After each draw, one ticket will be drawn from that draw’s tickets to award the free jug. More double takeouts = more chances.