CueSports International (CSI), parent company of the USA Pool League, is thrilled to announce that all teams in the USA Pool League National 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 USA Pool League National 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 FOR USA POOL LEAGUE
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 racks for 5-player teams and 9 racks for 3-player teams with each teammate playing a three-rack set against one player from the opposing team. The USA Pool League game scoring system will be used and the appropriate number of handicap points, determined by a USA Pool League Handicap Calculator, will be applied to each match. The team with the most points, after handicap points are applied, wins the match. 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. Stage 2 matches will use the traditional USA Pool League format and scoring system with teammates playing full sets using the USA Pool League Race To Calculator.
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 racks for 5-player teams and 9 racks for 3-player teams with each teammate playing a three-rack set against one player from the opposing team. The USA Pool League game scoring system will be used and the appropriate number of handicap points, determined by a USA Pool League Handicap Calculator, will be applied to each match. The team with the most points, after handicap points are applied, wins the match. The teams that perform the best, determined by the following criteria in the following order, advance to Stage 2.
- Match win %
- Avg. points per match (after handicap points are applied)
- Strength of Schedule (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. Stage 2 matches will use the traditional USA Pool League format and scoring system with teammates playing full sets using the USA Pool League Race To Calculator.
The USA 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 USA Pool League National Championships can be found at www.playcsipool.com/2024-usapl-national-championships. To be eligible, players must be 2023 USA Pool League members and play at least eight (8) matches 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. For more information about the USA Pool League or to find a league near you, visit www.playUSApool.com.
All information for the 2024 USA Pool League National Championships can be found at www.playcsipool.com/2024-usapl-national-championships. To be eligible, players must be 2023 USA Pool League members and play at least eight (8) matches 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. For more information about the USA Pool League or to find a league near you, visit www.playUSApool.com.
DEFINITIONS
Match win % - The number of matches won divided by the number of matches played.
Avg. points per match - The total number of points scored, including handicap points, in all matches divided by the number of matches 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 average points per match 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 average points per match, 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.
Avg. points per match - The total number of points scored, including handicap points, in all matches divided by the number of matches 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 average points per match 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 average points per match, 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 USA Pool League such as forfeits, drop-out teams, no-shows, byes, etc.
