United States Backgammon League / ABT tournament rules & procedures will be followed. U.S.B.L. rules can be viewed by clicking here.

 

Format
With 9 players or more the tournament format will be either double elimination or a "two match guarantee". In two match guarantee if you lose your first match, you pass into a consolation flight, so you are guaranteed to get to play at least two matches. If you lose after your first match, you are out of the tournament even if it is your first loss. Prizes are awarded for first place in the main flight (60%) and first place in the consolation flight (40%). Main flight matches will be 7 point matches and consolation matches 5 points. Click here for an example of the bracketing in a 14 player field using the two match guarantee format. In double elimination tournaments with more than 8 players the main flight matches will be 5 pointers and the consolation matches 3 pointers due to time contraints.

 

With 4 to 8 players, byes will be drawn as necessary and a double elimination format will be followed. 7 point matchs in the main flight and 5 pointers in the losers flight. The undefeated main flight winner and the once defeated consolation flight winner will square off in a 7 point match. Should the consolation flight winner win that match a 5 point match would be played between the both once beaten players for 1st and 2nd place. The two finalists split the prize money (60%/40%).

With 3 players, a round robin format will be used consisting of 9 point matches. In all round robin tournaments only one prize is awarded, 100% to the winner. Click for round robin format and tie breaking rules.
 

The tournament entry fee is $10. Entry fee payout is 100%. In addition, there is an optional $5 side pool with a single 100% payout (split as necessary) to the side-pool participant(s) who advances furthest in the main bracket, provided he or she advances at least to the main bracket final match. If neither of the main bracket finalists are in the side pool, the side pool is paid to the side pool participant who advances furthest in the consolation bracket. When playing round robin format the player winning the tournament wins 100% of the side pool.
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Master Points
Master points are awarded for each game won, and bonus points are awarded for placing 1st or 2nd in a bracket style tournament. In double elimination 1st and 2nd place are considered the two finalists. When using the two match guarantee format 1st and 2nd place will be considered 1st place in the main flight and 1st place in the consolation flight, respectively. In round robin format only 1st place bonus points will be awarded to the tournament winner.

The points are allocated according to the following schedule:

 

3 point matches won are worth 0.15 points
5 point matches won are worth 0.25 points.
7 point matches won are worth 0.50 points.
9 point matches won are worth 0.75 points.

1st place in a tournament earns the size of the field multiplied by 0 .20.
2nd place in a tournament earns the size of the field multiplied by 0 .10.

At the end of the year the player with the most master points is declared club player of the year and will be recognized with a trophy and prize.