CueSports International (CSI), parent company of the BCA Pool League, is thrilled to announce that all teams in the BCA Pool League World Championships will now be guaranteed to play at least five matches.* Going two-and-out, or being eliminated early, is a thing of the past. The 2024 BCA Pool League World Championships, which takes place February 21 - March 2 in Las Vegas, will feature the CSI Group Play format for all team divisions.
In a traditional double elimination format, 25% of teams play only two matches, 50% play only three matches, and up to 75% play only four matches. With the CSI Group Play format, every team will be guaranteed to play more. We've been playing a version of this format in our state and regional events since 2021. Participation in those events has increased significantly and post event surveys show that approximately 86% of participants love it!
In a traditional double elimination format, 25% of teams play only two matches, 50% play only three matches, and up to 75% play only four matches. With the CSI Group Play format, every team will be guaranteed to play more. We've been playing a version of this format in our state and regional events since 2021. Participation in those events has increased significantly and post event surveys show that approximately 86% of participants love it!
CSI GROUP PLAY FORMAT
The CSI Group Play format is a two-stage tournament. Stage 1 is a group stage and Stage 2 is a single elimination final bracket.
Stage 1 - Group Play
In Stage 1, teams are randomly drawn into five separate matches while preventing, if possible, teams from the same league playing each other. Each match in Stage 1 consists of 15 total racks for 8-Ball and 9-Ball Teams and 9 total racks for Ladies 8-Ball Teams. The teams that perform the best, determined by the following criteria in the following order, advance to Stage 2.
Wild Card Teams - **Every team has a chance of advancing until the very end of Stage 1**
A number of wild card teams, based on the field size, will also be randomly selected to advance to Stage 2.
Stage 2 - Final Bracket
Teams in the top 30-40%, plus the wild card teams, will advance to the Stage 2 single elimination bracket.
Races in Stage 2 will be as follows:
The CSI Group Play format is a two-stage tournament. Stage 1 is a group stage and Stage 2 is a single elimination final bracket.
Stage 1 - Group Play
In Stage 1, teams are randomly drawn into five separate matches while preventing, if possible, teams from the same league playing each other. Each match in Stage 1 consists of 15 total racks for 8-Ball and 9-Ball Teams and 9 total racks for Ladies 8-Ball Teams. The teams that perform the best, determined by the following criteria in the following order, advance to Stage 2.
- Match win %
- Rack win %
- Avg. rating of opposing teams
- Shootout
Wild Card Teams - **Every team has a chance of advancing until the very end of Stage 1**
A number of wild card teams, based on the field size, will also be randomly selected to advance to Stage 2.
Stage 2 - Final Bracket
Teams in the top 30-40%, plus the wild card teams, will advance to the Stage 2 single elimination bracket.
Races in Stage 2 will be as follows:
- 9-Ball Teams (Platinum, Gold): race to 11
- 8-Ball Teams (Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver): race to 13
- 8-Ball Teams (Bronze): race to 11
- Ladies 8-Ball Teams: race to 9
The BCA Pool League is dedicated to providing the best event experience possible. When your team travels to Las Vegas in February, you'll be guaranteed more opportunity to play and compete than any other large-scale league event.
All information for the 2024 BCA Pool League World Championships will be released soon at www.playcsipool.com/2024-bcapl-world-championships. To be eligible, players must be 2023 BCA Pool League members and play at least eight (8) weeks in a single division session during 2023 (Jan 1 thru Dec 31, 2023). For other team eligibility requirements, please review the Player Guide, which will be released soon on the event webpage. To find a league near you, visit our Find a League webpage. To affiliate your existing league with the BCA Pool League, visit www.playcsipool.com/bcapl-join. It's fast and easy.
CueSports International (CSI) is an international pool league and event leader and is comprised of three divisions: CSI Leagues, CSI Events and CSI Media. CSI Leagues manages the BCA Pool League and USA Pool League; CSI Events produces numerous league and professional events around the globe and CSI Media creates live streaming and digital content. Through its vision and strategic alliances, CSI is “shaping the future of pool.” For more information about CSI or any of its divisions, visit www.playCSIpool.com or find CueSports International on Facebook and Instagram.
All information for the 2024 BCA Pool League World Championships will be released soon at www.playcsipool.com/2024-bcapl-world-championships. To be eligible, players must be 2023 BCA Pool League members and play at least eight (8) weeks in a single division session during 2023 (Jan 1 thru Dec 31, 2023). For other team eligibility requirements, please review the Player Guide, which will be released soon on the event webpage. To find a league near you, visit our Find a League webpage. To affiliate your existing league with the BCA Pool League, visit www.playcsipool.com/bcapl-join. It's fast and easy.
CueSports International (CSI) is an international pool league and event leader and is comprised of three divisions: CSI Leagues, CSI Events and CSI Media. CSI Leagues manages the BCA Pool League and USA Pool League; CSI Events produces numerous league and professional events around the globe and CSI Media creates live streaming and digital content. Through its vision and strategic alliances, CSI is “shaping the future of pool.” For more information about CSI or any of its divisions, visit www.playCSIpool.com or find CueSports International on Facebook and Instagram.
DEFINITIONS
Match win % - The number of matches won divided by the number of matches played. In a 15-rack format, winning the match means winning at least 8 racks. In a 9-game format (Ladies' divisions), winning the match means winning at least 5 racks.
Rack win % - The number of racks won divided by the number of racks played. This will also be used to rank teams with the same match win %. For example, if two teams have a 60% match win %, the team with the higher rack win % will be ranked higher.
Avg. rating of opposing teams - The average Fargo rating of the opposing teams. For example, if two teams have the same match win % and the same rack win %, the team that played stronger teams, on average, will be ranked higher.
Shootout - The cue ball is placed behind the head string and each core player, or eligible sub, for each team shoots alternating spot shots. The team with the most shots legally pocketed after all players have taken a shot, wins the shootout. If tied after all players have taken one shot, it is sudden death.
Match win % - The number of matches won divided by the number of matches played. In a 15-rack format, winning the match means winning at least 8 racks. In a 9-game format (Ladies' divisions), winning the match means winning at least 5 racks.
Rack win % - The number of racks won divided by the number of racks played. This will also be used to rank teams with the same match win %. For example, if two teams have a 60% match win %, the team with the higher rack win % will be ranked higher.
Avg. rating of opposing teams - The average Fargo rating of the opposing teams. For example, if two teams have the same match win % and the same rack win %, the team that played stronger teams, on average, will be ranked higher.
Shootout - The cue ball is placed behind the head string and each core player, or eligible sub, for each team shoots alternating spot shots. The team with the most shots legally pocketed after all players have taken a shot, wins the shootout. If tied after all players have taken one shot, it is sudden death.
* Excluding factors beyond the control of the BCA Pool League such as forfeits, dropout teams, no-shows, byes, etc.
