Darts Las Cruces East, New Mexico, Just for Fun Darts League : League and Tournaments

League format

click here for printable version

I gave this format to a few people already. It is an A-B Singles and Doubles league format. This is the best format for small leagues to use when other formats become unmanagable. It has the following advantages.

• Players of different skill levels can play together and have an even chance of winning.
• Players don't need to turn up every week. If players can't come or drop out mid season it is no problem.
• No reserves are required
• New players can join at anytime.
• Players can arrive late and still play
• Players can leave at 9pm to 9:30pm if they want to
• Players who only play the first half of the night pay less to play
• This format allows the maximum number of dart games to be played in the time available. Approx 1 game per 15 mins.
• Games can be easily adjusted to fit the time available, and the skill level of the players, whatever either may be. For instance the games I use as examples below would start at 7pm and all would finish between 9pm and 9:30pm.

This is how it's done....

A-B Singles and Doubles league format for 16 to 32 players on 8 boards.

BASIC METHOD:

1/ Divide players into three groups.

• Group A/ Strong and above average players
• Group B/ Average players and weaker players
• Group C/ Beginners
• Group B is usally the biggest.

The league is operated in two sections.

The first section is league Doubles games.

The second section is league Singles.

NOTE! this is a league format NOT a knockout format. So we can still have prizes at the end of the season.

On arrival players can sign-up for doubles only, singles only or both.

Late players can sign up for singles only when they arrive.

The Players should be classified as A, B or C. (as explained above)

PART 1: DOUBLES : Entry fee is only $2.

(up to 32 players can play on any night with 8 boards) Doubles games can be chosen to last an hour or two hours, or whatever. Assume about 15 minutes per doubles game.

Step 1. Doubles partners are selected by draw. Try to keep teams evenly matched as possible.

Example: partners are drawn something like this assuming the C player group is smallest and the B player group is largest.

• First A + C
• Next A + B
• And finally B + B

Step 2. Who plays against who?

Each doubles pairing plays another doubles pairing for the night. (blind draw) and are assigned a board to play on.

Example: (Keith and Bill) v (Q and Marge) on board 1.

The match consists of any number of games (decided by the President and chosen to fit time available)

One possible example is: ( estimated playing time = 1 hour 15 mins. From 7pm to 8:15pm approx)

1 game 501,

1 game 301,

1 game cricket,

Maybe another game of 501 (*games can be picked to fit time available)

Maybe another game of cricket (*games can be picked to fit time available)

* Games usually take between 10 to 20 minutes each so if we were playing doubles from 7pm to 9pm everyone could play 6 to 8 games of doubles.

Alternatively, if we were playing from 7pm to 8pm we could fit in maybe 3 or 4 games of doubles. The winning doubles team score 1 point for each game. Score sheets are handed in.

Some players may want to leave after their doubles match is finished. Some players might like to play the second half of the night which consists of A/B Singles games.

PART 2: A/B SINGLES : Entry fee $2.

this section can also be designed to last an hour or two hours, or whatever. Assume about 10 minutes per game for A players, and 15 mins per game for B players

If any C players want to play in Singles they join the B player group.

A players play against A players (blind draw)

B players play against B players (blind draw)

Example:

Group A: Keith v Q on board 1.

Group B: Bill v Marge on board 5.

As in doubles, the match consists of any number of games (decided by the President and/or chosen to fit time available)

The A player group, who play faster, can play more difficult games.

One possible example is: ( estimated playing time = 1 hour 10 mins. From 8:20pm to 9.30pm )

3 games 501

3 games cricket

1 game 301 (double in Double out)

The B player group can play easier/faster games.

One possible example is: ( estimated playing time = 45 mins From 8:20pm to 9.05pm )

• 1 game 501
• 1 game 301 (straight in straight out)
• 1 game cricket

The winners score 1 point for each game. Score sheets are handed in for A singles and B singles.

Season End:

League tables are maintained for Doubles, A-Singles, and B-Singles, and prizes are awarded at the end of the season. All sorts of prizes can be awarded as usual for overall champion, best doubles player, best A singles, Best B singles, Best new player, Highest Quality points, Highest Cricket Marks, and other things, so lots of people win something or other.

Probably there will be cash left over after league expenses have been paid. I haven't thought much about that, but I guess the surplus can be refunded evenly to all players or maybe used to pay for a dinner on prize night.

I would vote for left over cash being spent on a prize giving night dinner at the VFW. I'm sure Bobby could do a good job of it. If he didn't want to, we could hold prize giving at "The Outback" restaurant or something. It's cheap and cheerful.

Note: A season can be any length. Usually seasons are approx 14 or 15 weeks long, seperated by a prize giving night and a week off. Thus 4 seasons a year, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter.