Advice on running a singles league

[jamesg19851]

Hi,
I'm thinking of running a snooker singles league based in Droitwich. I just need some advice as this would be my first time running a league. I'm thinking the best format would be on a weekly basis, and it's up to the two players to arrange the fixture at a time that suits them. It would be best of 7. I think it would be a good idea to get people playing in our new venue. I haven't yet asked the venue but I can't see it being a problem as it would be good business for them. Any advice would be great, thanks

[jamesg19851]

I've got 3 people who would like to play so far including myself. I think I'll need at least 6 to make it worthwhile.I've only just started asking tonight so it's a good start.

[jamesg19851]

I'm thinking that handicaps might not be a good idea. Does anyone have any experience of these kinds of competitions?

[Shockerz]

Here is a singles league with a few divisions so maybe try and contact them - click here

[jamesg19851]

Thanks for that, I might get in contact with them, it would be good to hear how other have run similar competitions. I found this one where the format sounded good. Maybe best of five frames is more reallistic than best of 7.

The Crucible Club Summer Singles League is a Handicap Tournament running though the summer period.
Players will be divided into groups randomly and will play weekly fixtures on a round robin basis.
Each match within the group stage will be the best of 5 frames
The winners and runners up of each group will progress to the later stages.
The semi finals are best of 5 frames. The final is best of 7 frames.
There will be trophies for the winner, the runner up and the losing Semi Finalists, as well as prize money subject to the number of entries.
Entry Fees are £10

[Shockerz]

Thanks for that, I might get in contact with them, it would be good to hear how other have run similar competitions. I found this one where the format sounded good. Maybe best of five frames is more reallistic than best of 7.

The Crucible Club Summer Singles League is a Handicap Tournament running though the summer period.
Players will be divided into groups randomly and will play weekly fixtures on a round robin basis.
Each match within the group stage will be the best of 5 frames
The winners and runners up of each group will progress to the later stages.
The semi finals are best of 5 frames. The final is best of 7 frames.
There will be trophies for the winner, the runner up and the losing Semi Finalists, as well as prize money subject to the number of entries.
Entry Fees are £10

Took a look at this one, couldn't see any rules but format looks good.

[jamesg19851]

I'm reluctant to ask people for entry money, but if there is going to be prize money and trophies then I'll have to. Perhaps I'll just have no entry fee and maybe a trophy for the winner with no prize fund. Anyway I've got 3 so far who would like to play, and I am positive about getting enough players. It's a bit of a headache thinking what the right format would be. I think 5 frames makes sense as maybe best of 7 could potentially go on too long and put people off. I prefer a longer match but not everyone has the time. Maybe I'll keep it simple, with no semi finals and final. I can't imagine I'll get enough interest for 2 divisions so one division and prizes for top 3. If it was one division it seems unfair to then have a semi final and a final.

[jrc750]

The league in my private club only attracts 10 people, we each pay £25 entry fee and play each other once (so you play a total of 9 matches), each time we play 5 frames and get one point for each frame won, so even if you lose the match 3-2 you still have 2 points towards your total, each match you also pay £5 each which pays for the tables and a bit towards the prize fund.
At the end of all the matches the top 6 people get paid out
Also it's handicapped

[jamesg19851]

The league in my private club only attracts 10 people, we each pay £25 entry fee and play each other once (so you play a total of 9 matches), each time we play 5 frames and get one point for each frame won, so even if you lose the match 3-2 you still have 2 points towards your total, each match you also pay £5 each which pays for the tables and a bit towards the prize fund.
At the end of all the matches the top 6 people get paid out
Also it's handicapped

Thanks for that. Do you have to arrange a match each week with a player in your league? I like the idea of points for frames, that makes sense. The money aspect is a bit worrying, I'd find it difficult to ask people I know for money to enter the league. I'd be worried it might put people off. You need to keep people interested though and prizes and trophies do that.

[jrc750]

Thanks for that. Do you have to arrange a match each week with a player in your league? I like the idea of points for frames, that makes sense. The money aspect is a bit worrying, I'd find it difficult to ask people I know for money to enter the league. I'd be worried it might put people off. You need to keep people interested though and prizes and trophies do that.

Well because we only have 2 tables in the club we are allowed 2 weeks to arrange each match, we just arrange it amongst ourselves, The more money involved makes people try harder, but then because it is for money it then has to be handicapped as the skill level ranges from century players to 35 breaker's so people will not enter if they have no chance !
You could do your 1st one for fun (small trophy and bragging rights) ? then see if people want more ??

[jamesg19851]

Thanks JRC, I've had the green light from the venue who sound enthusiastic so this will go ahead providing I can get enough players, 3 so far, need at least 6. We've only got 3 tables and people will want to play on the match table so it makes sense to play once a fortnight. I'm not sure about handicaps, it seems like a potential minefield, although we could go by our league handicaps. It makes sense to make the first one free entry then as you say see if people are interested in another one.

[itsnoteasy]

We had a summer league that ran pretty much how JRC said, it was so popular at the start we had three divisions, no handicaps but the divisions were split ability wise as best they could.In the end it flopped as folk who lost their first two or three matches 6-0 or 5-1( we played six frames for some reason) didn't complete the rest of them, which ruined the leagues ,so just be careful of that happening.

[jrc750]

We had a summer league that ran pretty much how JRC said, it was so popular at the start we had three divisions, no handicaps but the divisions were split ability wise as best they could.In the end it flopped as folk who lost their first two or three matches 6-0 or 5-1( we played six frames for some reason) didn't complete the rest of them, which ruined the leagues ,so just be careful of that happening.

Not completing the matches is not on, did they get a serious talking to? I would expect them to be barred from entering any future leagues ??

[itsnoteasy]

Unfortunately not really a few moaned amongst themselves but nothing was done, now the tourneys don't even happen. It's quite strange through here, the club is definitely picking up but it's all casual players, and the guys trying their best to run tourneys have just given up, can't blame them.

[Shockerz]

We had a summer league that ran pretty much how JRC said, it was so popular at the start we had three divisions, no handicaps but the divisions were split ability wise as best they could.In the end it flopped as folk who lost their first two or three matches 6-0 or 5-1( we played six frames for some reason) didn't complete the rest of them, which ruined the leagues ,so just be careful of that happening.

That's one of the biggest worries for me, putting in all that effort then people drop out as they start to lose.

The only way round it for me is a refundable deposit returned at the end of the league if all matches are played.