There is NO DRESS whilst playing in flyers or when renting tables for practice.
Players must look smart in formal wear and have a shirt with a collar whilst playing in any main event on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
ALLOWED – Shirts with a collar, polo shirts, trousers, chinos, skirts, tailored shorts, leggings, shoes, black trainers, wedges, heels are all acceptable. Exceptions to the dress code for medical reasons etc can be made, but must be agreed with organises before match starts. Players will be given a medical exception card to carry with them throughout the weekend.
As from November 2024, we now allow smart tailored shorts or chinos to be worn, as well as black trainers.
NOT ALLOWED – jeans, trainers, tracksuits, combat pants, studs & patch pockets, casual shorts, denim, collarless shirts, t-shirts, fancy dress, baseball caps or any scruffy attire will not be permitted. Being unsuitably dressed when called to table may result in immediate loss of frame. Referee may allow a match to finish where blatant rule breaking has not happened – i.e studs or patch pockets, but the offending player must get changed before their next match.
Patch pockets and studs are not allowed – please check your trousers carefully.
Players unsuitably dressed must change if they wish to continue playing. Refusal will lead to loss of frames and possible disqualification from the event.
Exceptions to the dress code for medical reasons can be made, but must be agreed with organises in advance of the tournament or before playing.
We embrace creative team names as it adds to the fun of the weekend, but we will not accept names that are deemed offensive or too long to announce over the microphone.
Team names, logos, pictures etc, can be printed or embroidered on the back and front of polo shirts.
Conduct
Our relaxed and friendly approach to running tournaments is not a weakness; it is what makes our events welcoming with a good atmosphere!
We pride ourselves on being friendly, respectful and approachable but expect the same in return.
We believe in pool for all, regardless of ability or skill level. All our players will be treated equally.
The BAPTO is a prestigious competition and we only want teams of good character and manner to be participating, to help make it an enjoyable and friendly weekend for all involved. The tournament committee will carefully assess every team application and will reject any team or player deemed detrimental to the tournament. Those with the wrong attitude or demeanour are not welcome.
Players or teams who do not play within the spirit of the game, behave in an unsportsmanlike way, act aggressively, spoil the enjoyment of others or bring the tournament into disrepute, risk being banned from future events and ejected from the hotel. We will not tolerate this type of behaviour at our tournaments and we will take the appropriate action after an event to deal with those that have caused problems. Repeat offenders will receive life bans.
In an event of a dispute, the organiser’s decision is final – players or teams that continue to dispute our decision, risk being disqualified from the tournament and banned from future events. Any complaints must be made in writing after the event.
Team captains are responsible for the behaviour of their players and spectators in the arenaANDhotel premises. Players or teams that misbehave, or are reported to us by the hotel, risk being ejected from hotel and disqualified from the tournament. Serious offenders will be banned from future events.
Social Media Policy: Those intent on negative, rude and abusive social media trolling, or those posting continuous derogatory comments, to try and damage the reputation of our events, organisers or staff, will not be welcome at any of our tournaments. Those that support these individuals on social media, also risk being banned. We welcome constructive criticism, sensible debate and fair feedback – we pride ourselves on listening to players. But we will not tolerate nastiness, slanderous comments, bullying or unreasonable negative individuals. We don’t need you and we certainly don’t want you at our events or in our social media groups.
It is a criminal offence to set off a false fire alarm, or move / play with firefighting equipment within the hotel. Any player or guest caught doing this will be reported to the police and ejected from the hotel and their team disqualified from the tournament. They will be liable to prosecution and banned from all future Golden 8 Ball and BAPTO events. The hotel has CCTV and perpetrators will be caught and arrested. This is very serious and the hotel and tournament do not treat offenders lightly.
