League Information
A Format Born in Metro-Atlanta
Our league format was originally developed by Ronald Deemer at Lights Out Billiards to provide something national leagues did not: team‑based, individual match play across 8‑Ball, 9‑Ball, and 10‑Ball.
Most national systems still use round‑robin rotations or limited‑game formats. Ron was the first in Metro‑Atlanta to build a format that delivers true team competition with individual races in all three core games.
Our leagues are built around team matches made up of individual handicapped races.
Each player must win a set number of games based on their skill level, creating fair competition and more total gameplay than traditional formats.
League Structure
Leagues are organized by host location and night of the week
- Typical league size: 4–10+ teams
- Seasons (Sessions): 3 per year, usually 15 weeks of match play and one end-of-season mini tournament for each league.
- Teams may play each other 2–3 times depending on league size
When two teams meet, they will play 4, 5, or 6 individual matches, depending on:
- League size
- Table availability
- Host location capacity
This keeps nights competitive without running too late.
Match Play
Each match begins with a lag, just like professional pool. The lag winner:
- Chooses the game (8‑Ball, 9‑Ball, or 10‑Ball)
- Breaks first
Players then continue playing that same game until the race is complete, alternating the break each game.
Players earn match and bonus points for:
- Winning their match
- Reaching the hill (one game less than needed to win)
- Pocketing the game ball on the break (8, 9, or 10)
- Break‑and‑runs
- Shutting out their opponent
- Other in‑match achievements
Points stay with the player, but also contribute to the team total for the night. The team with the most points wins the match.
Season Standings and Awards
Team and individual points accumulate across the entire Session. These totals determine:
- Team standings
- Individual rankings
- End‑of‑season awards
- All of this information can be tracked throughout the season on our league management website!
At the end of each Session:
- The top 50% of teams receive cash payouts
- The top 5–10 individual players (depending on league size) also receive cash awards
- The First Place Team and the Top Individual Performers can also opt for a customized Big Dawg Billiards t-shirt or an additional bump in the cash prize.
There are no multi‑tier playoffs, no “pay again to advance” brackets, and no confusing postseason ladders. Everything is earned through regular‑season performance.
Primary Goals
Our league is built for:
- Entertainment
- Competitive fairness
- More actual gameplay per night
- A simple, transparent scoring system
- Player growth through individual coaching
- Easier opportunities for players to experience "Going to Vegas"