Come to Play

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. 

Format

The OTRB is a 40-team tournament. Teams play three round robin games and one playoff (qualifier or quarter final) 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.

Registration

Registration will be conducted online through the Rainbow Rockers Curling League website. It will open at 8:00 PM Eastern time on Sunday, Oct 19th and remain open until 8:00 PM Eastern time, Wednesday, October 22nd. Additional information on registration can be found on this website.

Confirmed Teams

A list of the 40 confirmed teams and the teams on the waiting list are posted on this website - here. It was also emailed to each team.

Pool Assignments | DRAW SCHEDULE

The draft team pool assignments  and draft  draw schedule were posted on this website on November 16th and emailed to teams. Both are 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 at 8:30 AM on Friday morning and the last five at 1:15 PM on Friday. 

Draw to the Button

The draw to the button will be conducted during the first draws. Results will be posted online and at the club.

Rules

Curling Canada rules of play for general curling will apply. Rules specific to the OTRB are posted on this website.

Round Robin and Playoff Results

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.

Opening Ceremonies

The opening ceremonies will be held on the ice at 12:00 noon on Friday, January 23rd. 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. We are excited to share that Canadian champion and fan favourite, Chelsea Carey will throw the ceremonial first rock.

Closing Ceremonies

The ceremonies will be held on the ice at 2:15 to 2:45 PM on Sunday, January 25th. 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.

Awards Ceremonies

The ceremonies will be held in the main lounge at approximately 5:00 to 6:00 PM on Sunday, January 25th. 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. 

Spares

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.

Photos 

Photos captured by our photographers will be posted on this website all throughout the weekend and periodically on the bonspiel’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Teams will be asked to pose for an official team photograph early in the weekend, preferably wearing any team attire they have.

Live streaming / COMMENTARY

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. Local and out-of-town curlers can now sign up as commentators using the sign-up form on this website - here. The evolving list of commentators and slots is also available on this website - here. We are excited to announce that the bonspiel's keynote guest for the weekend, Canadian champion and fan favourite, Chelsea Carey, will join inn a s a commentator for a playoff game.

Draw to the Button Prize

Teams will complete a 4-member draw to the button as part of their first game. In addition to the result being used as a tiebreaker if needed after round robin play, it will be used to award the team with the best cumulative draw result with a prize.

Double Takeout

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. 

THE PORKER Prize 

This year, we will be introducing a new fun element to the bonspiel - The Porker Prize. Players who hog a rock will pay $2 to the hog bank and enter their name on a slip of paper. We'll draw among entries for half the pot. As well, each time a person hogs and pays their $2, they will receive a coveted "I'm a Porker" badge to wear proudly throughout the weekend.