Events
The Greater Boston Women's Billiard Club (GBWBC) sponsors four types of events:
Monthly Club Socials
Held about once a month, club socials are an afternoon or evening of informal pool at a local billiards club. We reserve a block of tables and provide a little bit of organization; players are free to join any open table (maximum per table is 5) and play any game(s) of their choosing. Players are responsible for making sure that everyone at their table gets an equal opportunity to participate (e.g., 4 players at a table can take turns against each other in a series of 1-on-1 matches or pair up and play 2-on-2; 3 players can play cutthroat while 2 wait their turn for the next game; etc.). On request, organizers can help match a player to a table with others of similar skill level, but there is no overall scorekeeping or formal competition.
Do your best to be on time: we reserve a block of tables, but we will release tables back to management if the turnout in the first half hour is low.
Cost: A small admission fee (usually $5) covers the cost of table time and helps defray GBWBC expenses. Players buy their own food and beverages. Top
League Play
Each winter (Jan-March), we host a weekly 8-ball league. Our League Calendarshows the dates of our recent league season.
Playing in a league is one of the best and most enjoyable ways to build skill, so beginners are welcome and encouraged to join. A pool league is a group of teams whose players compete against each other in a series of individual (1-on-1) matches. One night each week, members of one team compete against members of another team; the schedule is set up so that every player opposes every other player in the league at least once (typically twice) in an 8 to 12 week season. Matches are scored such that the loser is awarded points based on the number of balls she has sunk. This scoring system also allows the league to use a handicapping system. After the first two weeks of play, each player is assigned a handicap based on her average score across two weeks. Handicapping ensures both that weaker players do not disproportionately hurt their team's overall competitiveness and that stronger players cannot advance their team single-handedly. At the end of the season, the team with the best overall record is declared league champion. Alternates substitute for absent regular team members on an as-needed basis and are encouraged to attend League nights to play in informal pickup games.
Cost: A one-time league membership fee is charged to each player. This covers the cost of providing table time for league nights throughout the season as well as minimal administrative costs (e.g. photocopying scoresheets, providing rulebooks, end-of-season trophies). Top
Tournaments
Tournaments are more formal, organized competitions than club socials, but are still open to women at all skill levels (yes, that means beginners!). Players draw a random "seed" that determines their first opponent. Play proceeds in rounds with winners in each round advancing to compete in the next round (first round losers automatically enter the consolation bracket with another chance to compete) until an overall winner emerges.
Rules: All players must attend a mandatory Rules Clinic prior to the Tournament. All players agree to abide by the official 8-ball rules (copies available) of the Billiards Congress of America (BCA). Late arrivals will not be entered in the tournament but are welcome as spectators. Spectators must not interfere with play. Rooting for a player is permitted, but "coaching" is not. Players agree that the Tournament Director will resolve all disputes in a fair and reasonable manner according to BCA rules.
Cost: Entry fee covers cash prizes and table time. Moderate cash prizes are awarded to:
Champions (Winners' and Consolation brackets)
Runners-up (Winners' and Consolation brackets)
Semi-finalists (typically in the Winners' bracket only)
Special Events
On occasion, GBWBC will host special events. Such events may include group instruction; introduction to other billiards games (e.g., 9-Ball; 14.1 Continuous; Equal Offense; 41; Pea Pool); or organized attendance (as spectators) at a semi-pro or professional women's billiards competition. If you have an idea for a Special Event, please contact the organizers--we would be glad to hear your ideas! Top