JW LEES Thursday Night Pool League

Scotch Doubles

Scotch doubles is being introduced in 2022/23 season to enable both players off each team to have a more equal input into doubles frames. This is achieved via playing alternate shots during a visit rather than one player potting several or all the balls in one visit.

1.     Scotch doubles to be played for both doubles frames and the gallon.

2.     Playing out of turn is always a foul, a player playing two consecutive shots is not allowed at any stage of the frame, you must play alternate shots with your team-mate.

3.     One player from each team takes part in the lag to determine choice of break. This does not count as a shot during the frame so same player can break, or the other player.

4.     If a foul from the break, or a foul due to forgetting to nominate, the other team have 1 free table shot, then must nominate before team-mate plays second shot.

5.     If no ball or balls are potted from the break, the other team must nominate reds or yellows before taking first shot.

6.     Example, if player 1 breaks and any ball is legally potted, players 1 & 2 can discuss nomination and either player must clearly nominate reds or yellows, you must nominate one colour or the other, “this is a change to previous rules where if you potted a red you were on reds”. Player 2 must take the next shot and if player 2 pots, then player 1 next etc.

7.     Conferring with team-mate is allowed after the break off to determine nomination, but thereafter, “you can only confer before the first shot of each teams visit”. Conferring, directing, or advising team-mate on subsequent shots during a team’s visit can be called out as a foul by the referee.

8.     Once you nominate, you are on this colour no matter what happens next, such as playing out of turn or any other foul.

9.     Players must take alternate shots during a visit and then at start of the next visit, so remembering who’s next is important, especially if you have had to wait for several minutes while your opponent’s play some shots. To avoid fouls being given regularly for playing out of turn, it is allowed that the referee if they notice before the shot, or anyone off either team, or spectators can point out that someone might be about to play a shot out of turn.