Every player must pay the annual sanctioning fees ($15 to BCA Pool League [BCAPL] and $10 to Western BCA [WBCA]) by joining a properly sanctioned Western BCA league be in good standing with BCAPL/WBCA. All entrants must have reached the age of 16 by the date their first match begins.
9-Ball Tournament
New league players must have played a minimum of eight calendar weeks in a regularly scheduled Western BCA sanctioned league session between June 1 and the entry deadline (five weeks prior to the event).
Returning league players must have:
- Played at least 8 calendar weeks in a regularly scheduled league session in the previous league year.
- Paid the annual dues described above for the current league year.
- Updated their personal information with a sanctioned Western BCA League Operator at the time dues are paid and
- Have the intent of re-qualifying in one upcoming league session in the current league year with 8 calendar weeks of play.
8-Ball Tournament
New and returning league players must have played 8 calendar weeks in a regularly scheduled league session in the current league year and before the entry deadline (five weeks prior to the event).
Senior Division
To be eligible to play in Senior Singles Divisions at any WBCA Regional Tournament you must be 55 years of age as of the first day of tournament play. Masters may not play in any Senior event. Any Master player who has successfully petitioned to be reclassified as an Open Player cannot play in Seniors until that player has played in two regional events as an open player. The player winning the Senior division, men's or women's, will be moved to the Open-A division in the men's or the Open division in the women's for a period of one year. After one year they can again play in the Senior division.
Junior Division
Effective March, 2011, Western BCA offers junior players aged 16-20 the opportunity to play in Regional Tournaments. The eligibility requirements are the same as for any other entrant. You must check the box indicating that you are a "junior" on the entry form(s) and provide your birthdate. You will be issued a wristband that identifies you as a minor when you enter the tournament room and which you must wear at all times. You may not go into the gaming areas or anywhere that alcohol is served with the exception of the tournament rooms. Failure to declare yourself a junior (please carry picture ID at all times should you be asked to verify your age) will result in disqualification and removal from the tournament area. Any attempt to procure and/or consume alcohol or gamble will result in your immediate expulsion from the tournament and tournament venue and could result in legal repercussions.
Team Formats
Western BCA reserves the right to make any team division a round-robin based on the number of entries. With the exception of 5-person Master teams in 8-ball, all players on a team must qualify and be sanctioned through the same Western BCA league.
9-Ball Teams (3-person)
Each three-person team can have only one Master or Grandmaster player except the Mens/Mixed Open-B division. Only Mens Open-B and Womens Open players can play in the MMOB division. All players must qualify and be sanctioned through the same Western BCA league. There are no Master division team events.
8-Ball Teams (Mens/Mixed - 5 person, Womens - 4 person)
Master division: Teams can consist of any qualified and sanctioned Western BCA players from throughout the association. Only one regional Grand Master can play on a Master team. Mens/Mixed Master teams are 5 person, Womens Master teams are 4 person.
Mens/Mixed Open Teams: Each team must consist of at least three players from their original qualifying league team. All players must qualify and be sanctioned through the same Western BCA league. No Grand Master or Master players are allowed in the Open division. Teams that place first through fourth in the Mens/Mixed Open division must play in the Masters division for the next two regional events if they wish to play with three or more members of that winning team.
Womens Open Teams: Each team must consist of at least two players from their original qualifying league team. All players must qualify and be sanctioned through the same Western BCA league. No Grand Master or Master players are allowed in the Open division. Teams that place first and second in the Women's Open Team division must play in the Masters division for the next two regional events if they wish to play with three or more members of that winning team.
Teams are required to register before the start of team play at the team registration desk near the podium. After registration a team's roster cannot be changed. The team roster will be available at any time for inspection by the opposing team or referees/tournament officials.
9-Ball and 8-Ball Mixed Scotch Doubles
Master Division: Teams may consist of any qualified and sanctioned Western BCA players. There can only be one Grand Master on any Master Scotch Doubles team.
Open Division: Both players must qualify and be sanctioned through the same Western BCA league.
Breaking and racking
- flip for break, Masters have the option of lagging if both agree.
- alternate breaks
- 8-Ball: breaker racks for self
- 9-Ball: opponent racks
A Few Things to Remember
- smoking allowed in designated areas outside of tournament rooms
- ringers on cell phone and pagers must be silenced or set to vibrate mode. No cell phone use during match except for emergencies.
- no head or ear phones or ear plugs.
- no flash photography
