Players Guide

Teams play in a local eight-team league, meeting every opponent twice in each session. That means one designated weeknight fixture each week and 14 fixtures per session. A session is a fresh competition: the standings reset before the next session.

The top team at the end of each session becomes Session Champion and qualifies for the national Grand Finals. Qualification is based on league performance; there are no wildcards or play-ins.

2027 dates

• A team may register up to 10 players per session.
• Five different registered players are selected for each fixture. Each plays one singles match only.
• Players must be registered and approved before playing. Once a fixture starts, selections are locked; no substitutions after play begins.
• You can register for only one team during a session, even if leagues differ. Squads reopen between sessions, so players may move teams between sessions.
• There is no restriction on the number of high-rated players in a team; UPscore handicaps balance matches.

A team fixture consists of five singles matches, with no doubles. Captains choose their five players and complete the official “put up and match” selection in the Ultimate Pool Leagues App before play begins.

1. 1Match 1: home team puts up a player; away team chooses their opponent.
2. 2Match 2: away team puts up; home team chooses.
3. 3Matches 3, 4 and 5 alternate the same way (home puts up 1, 3, 5; away puts up 2, 4).
4. 4Captains agree the order in which the five singles matches will be played.
5. 5Results are entered and confirmed in the App.

• Each singles match has a 30-minute match clock. It pauses at the end of a completed frame and restarts for the next frame. If time expires during a frame, that frame is not completed; the existing score stands.
• A 30-second shot clock starts when all balls stop moving.
• Players rated 450 or below receive one optional extra 30 seconds per frame, called before the clock expires. Players rated 451+ receive no extension.
• Players lag for the first break; breaks alternate thereafter.
• Players should not leave the playing area during their match except in exceptional circumstances authorised by an official.
• Session 1 uses International Eight-Ball Rules. Sessions 2 and 3 may use International or Blackball rules depending on the league’s declared ruleset. The Grand Finals use International Rules.

Every player receives a UPscore rating reflecting ability. The App calculates a handicap for every singles match, so players of different standards can compete fairly. Higher-rated players may start on a negative score. The handicap is not negotiable and must not be manipulated.

Indicative starting ratings in the official manual:

These are initial benchmarks; ratings can change.

• Singles win: 5 match points, plus 1 point for each frame won beyond the handicap starting position.
• Singles loss: 1 point for each frame won beyond the handicap starting position.
• Draw: points equal to the final frame score; no win bonus.
• Important exception: the manual states that a player who wins but finishes on zero receives no points for that match.
• League standings are decided by the total points accumulated across all five singles matches in each fixture. Every frame matters.

• The captain’s registered payment card is charged automatically through the App. The captain manages collecting player contributions.
• Payments are through the App only; no cash or off-platform league payments.
• A team that forfeits an entire fixture is normally charged £60 (its own £30 plus the other team’s £30). The non-forfeiting team pays nothing.

• Register the squad (maximum 10) and ensure all players are eligible, rated and paid up.
• Manage availability and select five players for each fixture.
• Complete put-up-and-match selection with the opposing captain in the App and agree match order.
• Ensure players follow match clocks, shot clocks, rules and UPscore handicaps.
• Check and promptly confirm match results in the App; raise any issues through official channels.
• Keep fixtures on schedule. If a team cannot field all five players, missing singles are forfeited.

If one singles player is missing, the official procedure records a 3–0 singles forfeit (8 points to the opponent). If a whole team cannot play, the non-forfeiting team receives 25 points. Fixtures may be rescheduled, but should be completed within the session window. Serious exceptional circumstances for team forfeits must be submitted to Ultimate Pool Group in writing.

Respect opponents, venue staff and officials. Abusive behaviour, deliberate handicap manipulation, ineligible players and repeated non-compliance can lead to penalties or disqualification. Ultimate Pool Group has final authority on official rules and disputes.

Each session-winning team earns a place at the December 2027 national Grand Finals. Players may represent only one team at the Finals. Grand Finals team ties are settled by a six-red shootout if needed. Venue, detailed arrangements and the national prize distribution will be announced separately by Ultimate Pool Group.