BYLAWS
Galveston Island BCA Pool League operates under a simple goal — to create a fair, competitive, and community-driven environment for local pool players.
Our bylaws outline the structure of play, scoring, dues, and sportsmanship expectations to ensure every match is consistent and rewarding.
Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to league play, our rules are designed to promote skill development, friendly competition, and respect for the game.
league format
2026 Calendar
LEAGUE
Spring Session
January 19, 2026 - April 13, 2026
Fall Session
August 31, 2026 - December 7, 2026
*Off September 7 + November 30
Summer Session
May 4, 2026 - August 10, 2026
*Off May 25 + July 6
TOURNAMENTS
Galveston Open (Spring)
April 24-26, 2026
Galveston Open (Fall)
August 21-23, 2026
Road to Vegas Shootout
December 11-13, 2026
TEAMS + ROSTERS
Teams are the heart of the Galveston Island BCA Pool League.
Teams may compete in either a 4-player or 5-player format. Four-player teams field four players per match night with a roster cap of six, while five-player teams field five players with a roster cap of seven.
Teams may begin play with a minimum of three players in the 4-player format or four players in the 5-player format. However, any missing matches will result in forfeits, with all points for those games being awarded to the opposing team.
A Fargo Rating Cap will be introduced after two sessions (targeting Fall 2026) once player ratings are established to promote fairness and prevent team stacking.
Captains are responsible for collecting and submitting dues, communicating with the League Operator, maintaining accurate scorekeeping, and ensuring proper team conduct.
Reschedules must be coordinated in advance — both the opposing team and the League Operator must be notified by the Friday before the scheduled match. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit, and all points for that match will be awarded to the team present.
SUBSTITUTION RULES
Substitute players are permitted and encouraged to keep matches running smoothly when regular players are unable to attend.
Each team may use up to two substitute players per session and no more than one per match night.
Substitutes may participate in a maximum of three games per session. Any player who participates more than once must be BCAPL-sanctioned and registered with the League Operator before playing again.
Substitutes are not eligible for prize money and cannot be used during playoffs or Road to Vegas Shootout events.
After three matches played in a session, a substitute becomes part of the official team roster.
Any intentional misuse of substitution rules—such as stacking lineups for advantage—may result in loss of points or a forfeit at the League Operator’s discretion.
dues + fees
4-Player Teams
Weekly Dues: $15 Per Player / $60 Per Team
12 Weeks = $2,880 Gross
Prize Fund: $1900
League Ops: $980
Payouts:
1st: $1,000 | 2nd: $600 | 3rd: $300 | 4th: Round of Drinks on LO
5-Player Teams
Weekly Dues: $15 Per Player / $75 Per Team
12 Weeks = $3,600 Gross
Prize Fund: $2,400
League Ops: $1,200
Payouts:
1st: $1,200 | 2nd: $800 | 3rd: $400 | 4th: Round of Drinks on LO
Scoring System
4-player format: 68 points available per night → 816 max per 12-week session.
5-player format: 85 points available per night → 1,020 max per 12-week session.
How to Score
Winner’s Score: Automatic 10 points + 1 point for each of the opponent's balls left on the table.
Loser’s Score: 1 point per ball pocketed.
Total per rack: Always = 17.
Example:
Player A wins, opponent has four balls left. Opponent pocketed 3.
Player A = 10 + 4 = 14.
Player B = 3.
Total = 17.
Special Cases
Break and Run (BR): 17–0.
Table Run (TR): 16–1 (opponent breaks dry, winner clears).
Win by Forfeit (WF): 16–1 (applies if the present player forfeits, not absent).
Playoff Points Available Per Session
1st Place: +50 pts
2nd Place: +25 pts
3rd Place: +10 pts
4th Place: +5 pts
Session bonus points
- Payment Bonus: +5 points per week if dues are paid before play.
- Max: 60 per session.
- Attendance Bonus: +1 point per week if full lineup is present (4 or 5, depending on format).
- Max: 12 per session.
- Sportsmanship Bonus: +25 points per session for teams with no violations.
- Recruitment Bonus: +10 points per new player (not previously registered) who plays at least 6 of 12 weeks.
- Max: 2 per session (20); 60 per year.
Total Bonus Points Available per Session: 117
Total Bonus Points Available per Calendar Year (3 sessions): 351
Notes + Enforcement:
- Bonuses apply only when conditions are met and noted on the weekly scoresheet.
- Payment bonus requires all dues paid before play begins. The team automatically gets all 60 points if they pay upfront for the session.
- Violations that negate sportsmanship are defined in the bylaws (conduct, scoring integrity, forfeit protocol).
PLAYOFF STRUCTURE
Qualification: The top 4 teams advance to the playoffs
Format: Single elimination
Matchups:
1st place vs. 4th place2nd place vs. 3rd place
Finals: Winners meet for the championship
Match Format: Same as regular session (4 or 5 matches, depending on team size, scored using the 17-point system, in a round-robin format).
Tiebreaker: If tied after all matches → sudden-death rack (one player chosen by each captain).
Playoff Points (carry into standings):
- 1st Place = +50 pts
- 2nd Place = +25 pts
- 3rd Place = +10 pts
- 4th Place = +5 pts
Notes: Playoff points are added to regular session totals to determine final standings + payouts. The team with the most points at the end of the session wins the cash prize. Session totals roll into calendar year totals to determine Vegas eligibility.
Playoff matches are scheduled the week immediately following the last regular session week (with flexibility for holidays/venue conflicts – see schedule).
Vegas qualification + fundraiser
BCAPL Official Rules
For full rules of play, refer to the official BCA Pool League rules:
