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BDO PLAYING RULES FOR THE SPORT OF DARTS
All darts events in Great Britain that are organised under the exclusive
supervision of the British Darts Organisation Ltd., or its subsidiaries, shall
be played under the BDO Playing Rules.
The BDO Playing Rules are divided into two distinctly separate groups.
IE: General Playing Rules -- numbered 1 to 15 inclusive.
Tournament Playing Rules -- numbered 16 to 33
inclusive.
All the Rules have been numbered consecutively to avoid any confusion between
the numbers used in each group
Some of the Rules have several Clauses which are also numbered consecutively
relative to the Rule Heading, so that each Clause can be easily identified.
DEFINITIONS
Various ‘terms’ have been used within the Rules for simplification, these are
defined below for reference.
| ‘BDO’ - |
shall mean the British Darts Organisation Limited or any of its
subsidiaries. |
| ‘Organisers’ - |
shall mean the British Darts Organisation Ltd., its Directors, or
persons appointed by the British Darts Organisation Ltd., to carry out
its functions in relation to a darts event. |
| ‘player’ - |
shall mean singular and plural, and shall include juniors, youths,
men, women, and teams. |
| ‘referee’ - |
shall mean the person appointed to take charge of matchplay at a
Matchboard, or on stage, and shall include those persons sometimes
referred to as ‘callers’, or ‘checkers’. |
| ‘markers’ - |
shall mean the person appointed to mark scores down on score sheets,
or a score board, at a Matchboard, or on stage, and shall include those
persons sometimes referred to as ‘scorers’. |
| ‘scores recorder’ - |
shall mean the person appointed to record all scores and enter all
relevant matchplay details on official BDO Result Sheets, or Record
Cards. |
| ‘dartboard indicator operator’ - |
shall mean the person appointed to operate the electrical dartboard
indicator
equipment located on the stage, which indicates to the audience which
segments the darts players darts have landed in. |
GENERAL PLAYING RULES
1.0 Players shall provide their own darts, which shall not exceed an overall
maximum length of 30.5cms. ( 12 ins. ), nor weigh more than 50 grms. Each dart
shall consist of a needle shaped point, which shall be fixed to a barrel. At the
rear of the barrel shall be an attached flighted stem, which may consist of up
to five separate pieces. (IE: a flight, a flight securing device(s), a flight
protector, and a stem.)
2.00 The BDO reserves the right to seed players, in certain events, when it is
deemed necessary.
3.00 All players, and teams, shall play within the BDO Playing Rules, and where
necessary, any supplementary Rules laid down in an entry form, or programme.
4.00 All players, and teams, shall play under the supervision and direction of
BDO appointed Organisers, and Officials, in all darts events organised under the
jurisdiction of the BDO.
5.00 All trophies awarded to a player shall be retained, unless they are of a
challenge, or perpetual type, which shall be returned to the BDO on request.
6.00 Any player failing to comply with any of the BDO Playing Rules during an
event shall be liable to disqualification from that event.
7.00 The interpretation of the BDO Playing Rules in relation to a darts event
shall be determined by the BDO appointed Organisers, whose decision shall be
final and binding.
8.00 Information concerning such interpretations shall be forwarded to the BDO
Board of Directors for consideration and possible inclusion in a revised version
of the BDO Playing Rules.
9.00 Any matter not expressly covered by the BDO Playing Rules shall be
determined by the Board of Directors, whose decision shall be final and binding.
10.00 THROW
10.01 A player shall throw darts from a standing position, excepting only in
those circumstances when a physical disability, or physical injury requires a
player to adopt a non-standing position.
(IE: a wheelchair, or a similar form of support.)
10.02 All darts must be deliberately thrown, one at a time, by, and from, the
player’s hand. All darts must be thrown with the needlepoint aimed towards the
face of the dartboard. If a dart is not thrown in this manner then the ‘throw’
will be declared a ‘foul throw’ and will not count in that respective leg, set,
or match.
10.03 A throw must consist of a maximum of ‘three darts’, unless a leg, set, or
match is completed in less than ‘three darts’.
10.04 If a player ‘touches’ any dart, which is in the dartboard, during a throw,
then that throw shall be deemed to have been completed.
10.05 Any dart bouncing off, or falling out of, the dartboard, does not count,
and shall not be re-thrown.
10.06 A player deliberately abusing the dartboard when retrieving darts at the
end of a throw will be given a verbal
warning by the match referee. Another warning will be given to the player if a
second incident occurs in the same match. If a third incident occurs in the same
match then the player in question will forfeit that respective leg, and possibly
the match in question.”
11.00 STARTING AND FINISHING
11.01 In all darts events each leg shall be played with a straight start, and
the finish must be on a ‘double’, unless stated otherwise in the playing format
of a particular event.
11.02 The ‘Bull’ shall count as ‘50’, and if ‘50’ is required to complete a leg,
set, or match, then the ‘Bull’ shall count as ‘Double 25’.
11.03 The ‘Bust’ rule shall apply, IE: if a player scores more than the number
required then that score shall not count, and the player’s score shall revert
back to the score the player required prior to the opponent’s last throw.
11.04 A ‘Game Shot’ called by a referee is valid, only if the darts thrown
achieve the required finish, and remain in the dartboard until retrieved by the
player at the time that ‘Game Shot’ is called.
11.05 If a ‘Game Shot’ called by a referee is declared invalid, then the player
shall have the right to continue the throw, which is in progress, in an attempt
to achieve the required finish.
11.06 If as a result of the error declared in Clause 11.05 the player has
retrieved a dart, or darts, then the referee shall replace the dart, or darts,
in as near as practicable the same position, or positions, and then invite the
player to complete that throw.
11.07 The BDO does not recognise the principle of ‘equal darts’, a player who
finishes by obtaining the points required in accordance with the BDO Playing
Rules wins that leg, set, or match, whichever is applicable. The only exception
to this Clause is in those events when an equal number of darts are allocated to
players in a specific playing format.
11.08 Any darts mistakenly thrown by a player after scoring the required
‘double’ shall not be counted, as the respective leg, set, or match is concluded
by the dart scoring the required ‘double’.
12.00 SCORING
12.01 A dart shall only score if the point remains in, or touches the face of
the dartboard, within the outer double wire, and having been ‘called’, shall be
retrieved from the dartboard by the player.
12.02 The score is counted from the side of the segment wire in which the point
of the dart enters and remains in, or touching, the face of the dartboard.
12.03 Darts shall be retrieved from the dartboard by the thrower but only after
the score has been ‘called’ by the referee, and recorded by the marker.
12.04 A protest about the score attained, or called, after the retrieval of the
dart, or darts, may not be upheld.
12.05 All scores. and subtractions made, should be checked by the referee, the
marker, and the players after each throw, and where practicable, before the next
player’s throw commences.
12.06 All requests by a player to check scores recorded, or subtractions made,
must be made before that player’s next throw.
12.07 The actual score required by a player, must be shown on the score sheet,
clearly visible, at eye level, in front of the players and the referee.
12.08 No indication of the required ‘double’ shall be given by the marker, or
the referee.
( IE: ‘32’ required and NOT ‘Double 16’. )
12.09 The first player to reduce the score required to exactly zero, by
obtaining the required ‘double’, is the winner of that leg, set, or match,
whichever is applicable.
12.10 The referee shall act as an umpire in all matters pertaining to the BDO
Playing Rules when conducting a darts match, and shall , if it is necessary,
consult with scorers, and other officials, before announcing any decisions
during the course of matchplay.
12.11 Example of setting out a Score Sheet, or Scoreboard.
| First Leg |
|
Second Leg |
|
Third Leg |
| 501* |
501 |
501* |
501 |
501* |
501 |
| Anyone |
Anybody |
Anyone |
Anybody |
Anyone |
Anybody |
Anyone |
Anybody |
Anyone |
Anybody |
Anyone |
Anybody |
| 100 |
401 |
85 |
416 |
100 |
401 |
140 |
361 |
180 |
321 |
85 |
416 |
| 95 |
306 |
85 |
331 |
85 |
316 |
140 |
221 |
140 |
181 |
41 |
375 |
| 140 |
166 |
140 |
191 |
140 |
176 |
100 |
121 |
125 |
56 |
140 |
235 |
| 130 |
36 |
91 |
100 |
|
|
121 |
0 |
56 |
0 |
|
|
| 36 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 36 Game Shot |
|
|
121 Game shot |
56 Game shot |
|
The result of this match is a Win for ANYONE by 2 legs to 1.
* The Winner of the Draw, or Toss, throws first in the 1st and 3rd legs. The
Loser of the Draw, or Toss, throws first in the 2nd leg.
13.00 DARTBOARDS
13.01 All dartboards used in BDO tournaments shall;
(a) be of the 'bristle' type.
(b) be of the '1 - 20' clock pattern.
(c) have an inner centre ring, 'Bull', that shall score
'50' points.
(d) have an outer centre ring that shall score '25'
points.
(e) have an inner narrow band, 'Treble Ring', which
shall score treble the segment number.
(f) have an outer narrow band, 'Double Ring', which
shall score double the segment number.
(g) have segmental material comprising;
Wire types can be round, triangular or diamond-shaped
in section - maximum 1.85mm or 1.27mm minimum. (+/-.2mm)
- Inner and outer bull rings, if not made of wire, to have a wall thickness not
greater than 1.6mm {+/- 0.2 mm} and to have sharpened edges.
- Strip materials should not be greater than 1.85 mm in wall thickness and have
a sharpened edge to form an apex.
- All segmental materials shall either be affixed to the face of the board in
such a manner that they lie flat on the face of the dartboard or alternatively
strip materials be embedded into the surface of the board.
(h) have the following dimensions;
Double and Treble dimensions to be;
- for conventional wire boards, measured inside to inside = 8.0mm +/-
0.2mm
- for boards manufactured with strip material measured apex to apex = 9.6mm +/-
0.2mm
| 'Bull' inside diameter |
= 12.7 mm. |
+/- 0.2 mm. |
| 25’ ring inside diameter |
= 31.8mm. |
+/- 0.3 mm. |
| Outside edge of ‘Double’ wire to Centre
Bull |
= 170.0 mm. |
+/- 0.2 mm. |
| Outside edge of ‘Treble’ wire to Centre
Bull |
= 107.0 mm. |
+/- 0.2 mm. |
| Outside edge of ‘Double’ wire to outside
edge Of ‘Double’ wire |
= 340.0 mm. |
+/- 0.5 mm. |
| Overall dartboard diameter {+/- 3.0 mm.} |
= 451.0 mm. |
+/- 3.0 mm. |
(i) All dartboards to be manufactured from African Sisal
13.02 The dartboard shall be fixed such that the '20' segment is the darker of
the two segment colours and is at the top centre of the dartboard.
13.03 The dartboard shall be fixed in such a manner that the vertical height
from the floor, at the same level as the Oche, to a horizontal line through the
centre of the 'Bull' shall measure 1.73 metres.
13.04 A player or team Official shall have the right to request that the
dartboard be changed or moved before or during the course of a match, always
providing that the opposing player or team Official concurs with the request.
Such change or move shall only be made before a match, or between Legs of a
match and shall only be made by a BDO appointed Official.
14.00 LIGHTING
14.01 In tournament play all ‘floor’ dartboards shall be adequately lit by a
suitably positioned light fitting at each dartboard. (IE: 100 Watt minimum
intensity)
14.02 Dartboards used in ‘stage finals’ shall be adequately lit by suitably
positioned light fittings.
(IE: Two 100 Watt minimum intensity fittings)
14.03 All light fittings must be fitted with screens to divert all light away
from the player’s eyes when standing at the Oche.
14.04 In ‘stage finals’ the general level of illumination can be augmented by
the use of ‘floods’ and ‘spotlights’, but extreme care is needed to prevent the
introduction of unwanted ’shadows’ on the dartboard during matchplay.
15.00 OCHES
15.01 A raised Oche, 38mm. high and 610mm long, ( 1.5ins. high and 24ins long )
must be placed in position at the minimum throwing distance and shall measure
from the back of the raised Oche 2.37 metres, ( 7ft 9.25 ins. ) , along the
floor to a plumb line at the face of the dartboard.
15.02 The diagonal distance from the Centre Bull to the back of the raised Oche
at the floor level shall measure 2.93 metres. ( 9ft 7.5ins. )
15.03 In those circumstances where the Oche is set down on a raised Playing
Area, then the raised Playing Area must be constructed such that it is centrally
placed in relation to the dartboard, the minimum width at the Oche shall not be
less than 1525mm ( 5ft 0ins. ), and the minimum depth of the standing area to
the rear of the Oche shall not be less than 1220mm. ( 4ft 0ins. )
15.04 During matchplay no player shall tread on any part of the raised Oche, nor
shall the player deliver any dart with his feet in any other position other than
behind the toe edge of the raised Oche.
15.05 A player wishing to throw a dart, or darts, from a point on either side of
the raised Oche must keep his feet behind an imaginary straight line extending
on either side of the raised Oche.
15.06 Any player in breach of Clause 15.04, or 15.05, shall first be warned by
the referee in the presence of the Player’s Captain, or Team Manager. Any dart
subsequently delivered in breach of these Clauses shall not score, and shall be
declared invalid by the referee.
15.07 A player, or team captain, shall have the right to request that the Oche
dimensions be checked, and adjusted if necessary, always providing that the
opposing player, or team captain, concurs with the request. Such request must be
made before the start of, or after the completion of a leg. The match official
shall ,at his discretion , convey the request to the Stage Manager, or Floor
Controller, so that a check, and adjustment if necessary, can be affected. Such
check, and any adjustment, shall only be made before the start of, or after the
completion of a leg.
15.08 Adjustments to, and the checking of, Oche dimensions shall only be carried
out by a BDO appointed match official.
15.09 OCHE DIMENSIONS

16.00 TOURNAMENT AND CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYING RULES
16.01 Unless stated otherwise all BDO Tournaments, and Championships, shall be
run on a ‘Knock-Out’ basis.
16.02. Special events, or multiple team Play-offs, may involve a ‘Round Robin’
basis. IE: Each player or team, plays every other player or team in that event.
16.03 The BDO, or its appointed Organisers, reserve the right to cancel, or
change, all dates, venues, and scheduled darts events, without prior notice.
16.04 Decisions on all matters pertaining to the BDO Playing Rules in any BDO
Tournament, or Championship, shall be made by the appointed Organisers, whose
decisions shall be final and binding.
16.05 In County Play-offs, where the number of entries for that County have been
allocated into sections to be played off at different dates, times, and playing
venues, it is acceptable for players to be re-allocated on request.
Such re-allocation, however, is subject to being sanctioned in writing, by the
appointed Organisers, prior to the date of the original allocation with a copy
of the sanction being sent to the BDO Office for future reference in the
instance of any enquiry.
16.06 All tournament players shall play within the BDO Playing Rules, and where
necessary, any supplementary Rules laid down in a darts event entry form, or
programme.
16.07 Any player, or team, found guilty of deliberately losing a leg, set, or
match, shall be disqualified from any further participation in that particular
BDO darts event, that player, or team, shall also be barred from entering any
other BDO darts event until such time as laid down by the Board of Directors.
16.08 No player, or team, having been knocked out of a Knock-Out Tournament,
shall play again in that Tournament either as a substitute player, or team or in
his, or their own right, excepting in those circumstances when a breach of the
BDO Playing Rules has occurred which materially affected the losing player, or
team, such breach not having been occasioned by the losing player, or team. The
BDO appointed Organisers may, at their own discretion, reinstate the player, or
team, in the Tournament, either in substitution for, or in addition to the
winning player, or team. This Clause shall be construed as embracing any number
of players up to, and including a complete team.
16.09 On completion of a match a ‘losing’ player must remain available to mark
the next match on the assigned
matchboard on which the player in question had lost his/her match.
The player in question may arrange for another person to undertake this duty –
failure to comply with this requirement then the player shall be liable to
forfeit any trophy/prize money that may be due at that stage, pay a fine, or be
excluded from the next scheduled darts event.
16.10 If a player, or team Representative, is not present at the official
presentation ceremonies to receive trophies, prizes, or prize monies, without
the BDO appointed Organiser’s or the Sponsor’s prior permission, then that
player, or team representative, shall forfeit the right to receive any such
trophies, prizes, or prize monies that they may be due.
16.11 Any player, or team, not fulfilling the playing commitments of a
Tournament by failing to complete all scheduled matches, including Grand Finals
shall forfeit the right to receive any such trophies, prizes, or prize monies
that they may be due in relation to that respective Tournament.
16.12 If any additional expenses are incurred due to a default by a player, or
team, then that player, or team shall be liable for those additional expenses.
16.13 In the instance of a player, or team being involved in, or causing actions
which are considered to have brought the Sport of Darts into disrepute, then
that player, or team shall be liable to Disciplinary Proceedings being taken
against the player, or team, which could mean the imposition of fines,
suspensions, or other penalties.
See the BDO Code of Practice No 3 in the BDO Authorised Handbook.
17.00 ENTRY
17.01 Admission fees into tournament venues are not refundable.
17.02 Entry fees into tournaments are not refundable, except on those occasions
deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.
17.03 All entries are to be made on official BDO entry forms, which must be
accurately completed and returned together with the appropriate entry fees,
before, or on the specified closing date.
17.04 Any entry form found to be inaccurately completed, or not submitted
strictly in accordance with the requirements laid down on the entry form, may
not be accepted by the Organisers, or the entry disqualified before, during, or
after the event depending upon when the inaccuracy is discovered.
17.05 The first named player, or representative, on a team entry form shall
assume the responsibility of notifying the second, or other named players, of
the receipt of, and the contents of all communications in connection with the
darts event received by him from the BDO appointed Organisers.
17.06 The receipt of an entry form will only be acknowledged if a self addressed
envelope is enclosed with the entry form, together with sufficient postage to
cover the return of the receipt.
17.07 Only the players named on an entry form as the competing individual, or
team, shall be eligible to play in the respective darts event.
17.08 No player, or team, shall enter more than once in any respective darts
event.
17.09 No player shall play in more than one team in any respective darts event.
17.10 All players participating in a Singles, or Pairs darts event must play
under their own name.
17.11 Unless stated otherwise all entry fees shall be used exclusively in
defraying tournament expenses: to further the promotion of the Sport of Darts:
or to support a specific charity.
17.12 In certain circumstances it may be necessary to impose an age limit on the
players allowed to participate in
an event subject to the legal requirements governing a sponsorship agreement
relating to an event.
17.13 The completion of an entry form by a player, or team, for a BDO darts
event, and the acceptance of that entry form by the BDO, shall be deemed as an
acceptance by that player, or team, of the BDO Playing Rules in relation to that
event.
17.14 The BDO appointed Organisers reserve the right to refuse, or cancel any
entrant, at any stage prior to, or after a darts event, without assigning a
reason for so doing, and their decision shall be final and binding in all
matters relating to that event.
17.15 Any entrant into a BDO Members Only darts event is always subject to the
player complying with the BDO Eligibility Rule.
18.00 REGISTRATION
18.01 All tournament players shall register at each darts event at scheduled
times, which are predetermined by the BDO appointed Organisers.
18.02 Any tournament player failing to register by the notified time shall be
eliminated from that respective tournament, in which instance no entry fee shall
be refundable.
18.03 No player shall be allowed to register more than once in any respective
darts event in any one Playing Season.
18.04 Any player, or team, that is not in attendance when called upon to play at
the nominated time shall forfeit that leg, set, or match, whichever is
applicable, in such instances no entry fee shall be refundable.
18.05 Only THREE minutes shall be allowed from the time of calling over the
public address system for the player, or team, to reach the Control Desk, or the
Assigned Matchboard, or at a convenient point in the venue.
18.06 The BDO appointed Organisers reserve the right to alter scheduled times
and the Playing Format of a darts event whenever it is deemed necessary.
18.07 Any player, or team, has the right to be advised the time of the next
match that the player, or team is scheduled to play.
19.00 DRAW
19.01 There will be only ONE draw for opponents which will be conducted prior to
the darts event, the bracket system being adopted.
19.02 The BDO appointed Organisers shall arrange preliminary matches so as to
eliminate all ’Byes’ from the first round proper of the darts event.
19.03 Draw Charts must be displayed, where possible, at the Control Desk, in the
event programme, at the Matchboard, or at a convenient point in the venue.
19.04 The times indicated on the Draw Chart are for the players guidance only,
who should be prepared to be called up to the Control Desk up to 45 minutes
earlier than the times indicated.
19.05 The BDO appointed Organisers reserve the right to seed players, or teams,
in the draw for a darts event, whenever necessary.
19.06 No substitutes shall be allowed in an individual darts event.
19.07 No substitutes shall be allowed after the first round of a team event,
unless the Playing Rules of the particular event allow for reserve members of a
team to be used, or in extenuating circumstances allowed for at the discretion
of the BDO appointed Organisers.
20.00 ORDER OF PLAY
20.01 The Order of Play shall be determined by a draw, or toss of a coin, at the
Control Desk, prior to the issue of a Match Assignment Card.
20.02 The Winner of the draw, or toss, shall throw first in the first Leg, or
Set, and all ODD alternate Legs, or Sets, thereafter in that respective match.
20.03 The Loser of the draw, or toss, shall throw first in the second Leg, or
Set, and all EVEN alternate Legs, or Sets, thereafter in that respective match.
20.04 In all matchplay events a Bull-up shall decide the order of throw in the
deciding leg of each match.
20.05 If the Order of Play has not been correctly adopted then that respective
Leg shall be stopped, and then restarted using the correct Order of Play.
20.06 If legs have already been completed using an incorrect Order of Play then
the results determined in those legs shall stand, but the next leg shall be
started using the correct Order of Play.
21.00 MATCH ASSIGNMENT/RESULT/RECORD/CARD
21.01 An assignment/result/record/card shall be made out, at the Control Desk,
detailing the Order of Play, and indicating the Order of Throwing. This card
shall be presented to the assigned Match-Board referee by the player, the
referee shall be responsible for ensuring that the Order of Play, and the Order
of Throwing is strictly adhered to during that respective match.
21.02 On conclusion of the match the referee shall sign the
assignment/result/record/card clearly indicating the winning player and the card
shall be returned immediately to the Control Desk by the winning player.
21.03 The progression of players shall be marked up on Draw Charts, or made
available at the Control Desk, so that players, or spectators can determine the
current positions during the darts event.
21.04 When made available, all players are required to wear ID badges at all
times during a darts event, unless specifically requested to remove them by a
BDO appointed Official.(IE: During a televised stage match.)
22.00 PRACTICE
22.01 Each player is ONLY entitled to ‘6’ practice darts to be thrown at the
assigned Matchboard prior to the match commencing. No other practice darts may
be thrown during that match without the prior permission, or instruction, of the
Matchboard referee.
22.02 In Round Robin events a player’s practice darts shall be reduced by ‘3’
for the second, and subsequent visits to the Matchboard.
22.03 In exceptional circumstances the number of practice darts may be extended
from 6 to 9 to allow players to appraise changes in oche conditions/dimensions,
stage lighting, etc., prior to resuming matchplay.
22.04 No practice shall be allowed on unassigned Matchboards after the darts
event has officially started.
22.05 Practice boards shall be provided in, or adjacent to, the tournament room
for the exclusive use of tournament players ONLY.
23.00 TOURNAMENT PLAY
23.01 In tournament play all players shall play under the supervision and
direction of BDO appointed Organisers and Officials.
23.02 No person shall be allowed within the Playing Area other than the
Matchboard referee, markers, scores recorders, and assigned players.
23.03 Only referees, or markers, and the Dartboard Indicator operators shall be
allowed to be situated in front of a player actually at the Oche throwing darts.
23.04 Stage officials are expected to restrict their own movements to a minimum
during the course of a player’s throw, and they are not permitted to smoke, or
drink on stage during a match.
23.05 A player’s opponent must stand at least ‘610’ mm.(2ft.0ins.) to the rear
of the player actually at the oche.
23.06 In ‘stage finals’ the players shall engage in matchplay under the
supervision and direction of Stage Officials, and in between throws shall be
located in such a position as to afford an unrestricted view of proceedings for
players, Officials, spectators, and in some darts events, for television/video
cameras.
23.07 During matchplay all players shall remain silent, and only the player at
the Oche shall direct enquiries to the referee. Neither shall any prompting be
allowed by any other player, any spectator, or any Official.
23.08 Any player in breach of Clause No. 23.07 shall first be warned by the
referee in the presence of the Player’s Captain, or Team Manager; any subsequent
breach during the same match shall incur the immediate disqualification of that
player from that respective match. The voicing of an enquiry, or protest, to the
referee shall not constitute a breach of Clause No.23.07
23.09 A player at the Oche is entitled to consult with the referee on the amount
scored, or required, at any time during a throw, however, the player shall not
be advised on how to finish.
23.10 Any enquiries on scores recorded, or substractions made, will not be
entered into after the conclusion of that respective leg, set, or match.
23.11 In team events where all players throw in rotation, the Order of Throwing
must be determined and displayed on the Matchboard before the first throw of
that leg, set. or match, whichever is applicable.
23.12 Any protest must be lodged with the Matchboard referee, or Floor
Controller, at the time of the alleged violation and a judgement given on the
spot before the leg, set, or match is allowed to continue. Any late protests
will not be honoured.
23.13 If a player’s equipment becomes damaged, or is lost during the course of a
throw then the player shall be allowed up to a maximum of three minutes in which
to repair, or replace, the playing equipment.
23.14 A maximum time limit of three minutes, subject to the referee’s
permission, shall be allowed in the instance of player requiring to leave the
playing area, in exceptional circumstances, during the course of matchplay.
23.15 During matchplay, any player using offensive language, or seen to be
‘mouthing’ any offensive language, or seen to be making offensive gestures,
shall be deemed to have brought the Sport of Darts into disrepute, and shall
become liable to Disciplinary Proceedings being taken against them.
See BDO Code of Practice No. 3 in the BDO Authorised Handbook.
24.00 TIE BREAKER
24.01 In some darts events the ‘tie-breaker’ principle is brought into operation
when the match result has reached an equality in Sets for each player, with one
Set, the Final Set, remaining to be played. The terms of the Tie Breaker Rule
shall apply to the last Leg of the Final Set of that match.
24.02 Each player shall throw for the Bull to determine which player shall throw
first in the last Leg of the Final Set, but the player that threw first in the
match shall throw first for the Bull.
24.03 The decision will be based on the player’s dart that enters the board,
remains in the board, and is judged by the referee to be nearest the Bull.
24.04 Darts that hit and remain in the Bull, or 25 bed, shall be retrieved by
the player before the opponent throws a dart.
24.05 If a dart rebounds from the board, or falls out of the board during a
throw, then the player shall throw a further dart, or darts, until one remains
in the board.
24.06 If a dart enters, and remains in the board, in such a manner that the
opponent’s view of the Bull, or 25 Bed, is obscured, then the opponent may
request the referee to adjust the angle of inclination of the dart so as to
afford a clearer view.
Any adjustment of the angle of inclination must not alter the point of entry of
the dart, but must align the dart so that it is perpendicular to the face of the
board.
24.07 If the darts thrown for the Bull prove to be a tie, then both players
shall retrieve their darts and shall throw again in reverse order, until a
decision has been made by the referee.
24.08 The player that wins the last Leg of the Final Set is the winner of the
match.
24.09 In those matches played over a number of straight legs when the result is
tied, then the order of throw for
the tie-breaker leg shall be determined by a throw for the bull conducted under
the procedure outlined in 24.02 to 24.08 above.
25.00 PLAYING ATTIRE
25.01 Players are not permitted to wear jeans, neither shall they wear trousers,
or skirts made with denim, or corduroy material, which have been fashioned in a
‘jeans style’. This restriction shall also apply to any form of ‘track-suit’
attire.
25.02 No headgear shall be worn, without the prior permission of the BDO
appointed Organisers. E.G. A Sikh would qualify for such permission.
25.03 Players are permitted to wear sweatbands on their wrists.
25.04 Players are not permitted to wear cardigans, or jumpers over their
approved Playing Attire.
25.05 All players, or teams. representing their County at Regional Play-offs and
Grand Finals shall wear their County approved Playing Attire.
Subject to meeting the requirements of Clause No. 25.07.
25.06 All players, or teams. representing their Country in a BDO darts event
shall wear their Country approved Playing Attire.
Subject to meeting the requirements of Clause No. 25.07.
25.07 Member County, and International Member Country Organisers are recommended
to have ‘unmarked’ Playing Attire available which shall be used on those
occasions when advertising rights are likely to be infringed.
25.08 In all BDO darts events the Playing Attire of any participating player
shall be subject to BDO approval. Any unacceptable Playing Attire must be
changed before that player can participate in any introductions, matchplay on
stage, interviews, and presentations.
25.09 Any player refusing to meet with BDO approval shall be liable to forfeit
that respective match, and shall be reported to the appropriate darts body for
Disciplinary Proceedings to be considered.
‘See BDO Code of Practice No. 3 in the BDO Authorised Handbook.’
25.10 In Open events Clauses 25.01 to 25.09 shall not be enforced until players
are required to participate in any introductions, presentations, and matchplay
on stage.
26.00 PLAYING RECORDS
26.01 All players scores shall be recorded in the final rounds of all BDO darts
events on official BDO Match Result Sheets, or Score Cards, so that reports on
the darts events can be authenticated.
26.02 Such records may also be made available to Member County, and
International Member Country
Selection Committees for determining the suitability of players for
Inter-County, or International status.
27.00 ADVERTISING
27.01 The BDO appointed Organisers reserve the rights to the use of all
advertising material, slogans, or logos, in connection with the promotion and
the organisation of any BDO darts event.
27.02 The BDO appointed Organisers reserve the right to protect their Sponsor’s
interests with regard to any advertising material, slogans, or logos, used by
any players, teams, or other Sponsors, during a BDO darts event.
27.03 Players and spectators in a BDO darts event will not be allowed to wear
any clothing that bears any advertising material, slogans, or logos, relating to
any marketable product, or concern, without the prior written permission of the
British Darts Organisation.
27.04 Players in a BDO darts event will not be allowed to use any playing
equipment that bears any advertising material, slogans, or logos, relating to
any marketable product, or concern, without the prior written permission of the
British Darts Organisation.
27.05 Before any televised stage matches BDO appointed Officials, including the
referee, are empowered to request a player to withdraw, or remove, any offending
advertising material, slogans, or logos, which contravene any Clause in the BDO
Playing Rules 27., or any Television Advertising Rules currently in force at the
time of the darts event.
In those instances when a player refuses to comply with such a request then that
player, or team shall forfeit that match.
27.06 In those instances when a player introduces onto stage any advertising
material, slogans, or logos, which contravenes any Clause in BDO Playing Rule
No. 27., or any Television Advertising Rules currently in force at the time of
the darts event, then that player, or team shall forfeit that match.
28.00 SMOKING
28.01 No smoking shall be allowed by any player, or match official, whilst
engaged in a match played on stage which is being covered by television.
28.02 No smoking shall be allowed by any player, or match official, whilst
engaged in the televised introductions to matchplay, during any televised
interviews either on or off stage, and during presentation ceremonies made on
the stage.
28.03 Any player found to be in breach of Clause 28.01, or 28.02 shall be liable
to forfeit that respective match, and shall be reported to the appropriate darts
body for Disciplinary Proceedings to be considered.
28.04 Any match official found to be in breach of Clause 28.01, or 28.02 shall
be reported to the appropriate darts body for Disciplinary Proceedings to be
considered.
‘See BDO Code of Practice No. 3 in the BDO Authorised Handbook’.
28.05 The British Darts Organisation Ltd., or any of its subsidiaries, reserves
the right to prohibit smoking in any other matches under its jurisdiction if it
is considered to be in the best interests of the promotion of the Sport of Darts
to do so.
29.00 DRINKING
29.01 No alcoholic drinks shall be allowed to be consumed, or introduced into
the area covered by television, by any player, or match official whilst engaged
in a match played on stage which is being covered by television.
29.02 No alcoholic drinks shall be allowed to be consumed, or introduced into
the area covered by television, by any player, or match official during
televised introductions to matchplay, during any televised interviews either on
or off stage, and during presentation ceremonies made on the stage.
29.03 Any player found to be in breach of Clause 29.01, or 29.02 shall be liable
to forfeit that respective match, and shall be reported to the appropriate darts
body for Disciplinary Proceedings to be considered.
29.04 Any match official found to be in breach of Clause 29.01, or 29.02 shall
be reported to the appropriate darts body for Disciplinary Proceedings to be
considered.
‘See BDO Code of Practice NO. 3 in the BDO Authorised Handbook’.
29.05 The British Darts Organisation Ltd., or any of its subsidiaries, shall
reserve the right to prohibit the consumption of alcoholic drinks in any other
matches under its jurisdiction ,if it is considered to be in the best interests
of the promotion of the Sport of Darts to do so.
30.00 ANTI-DOPING POLICY
30.01 The terms and conditions laid down in the BDO Code of Practice No 6:
Anti-Doping Policy shall apply to all players and officials participating in the
Sport of Darts.
31.00 ORGANISATION OF DARTS EVENTS
31.01 The British Darts Organisation Ltd., or any of its subsidiaries, shall
have the right to organise a darts event anywhere in the British Isles. Wherever
possible the BDO shall endeavour to schedule darts events so as to avoid
clashing with any known major darts events.
31.02 A Member County shall NOT be allowed to organise a darts event, in an area
known to be under another Member County’s jurisdiction, without the other Member
County’s involvement or written approval.
31.03 No Member County shall organise, or promote, a ‘National’ titled darts
event without the written authority of the BDO Board of Directors.
31.04 A Member County appointed to organise the County, or Area Play-off of a
BDO darts event, which includes players from more than one Member County, shall
not organise that play-off on a date allocated for the County, or Area play-off
of another BDO darts event.
32.00 EXCLUSION
32.01 The British Darts Organisation Ltd., reserves the right to exclude any
Playing Member, or Official, or Member County, or Member Country Darts
Organisation from any, or all BDO Members Only darts events, if that Playing
Member, or Official, or Member County, or Member Country Darts Organisation is
found to be in breach of any of the BDO Playing Rules, or any of the Rules and
Regulations laid down in Volume ONE and Volume TWO of the BDO Authorised
Handbook.
32.02 The exclusion of any Playing Member, or Official, or Member County, or
Member Country Darts
Organisation from any, or all BDO Members Only darts events, shall ONLY be put
into effect as a result of Disciplinary Proceedings being taken in accordance
with BDO Code of Practice No. 3 as laid down in the BDO Authorised Handbook.
31.03 The British Darts Organisation reserves the right to ‘debt-suspend’ any
player, or team, or Playing Member, or Official, or Member County, or Member
Country Darts Organisation from any , or all BDO darts events until such time as
all outstanding debts have been cleared.
32.00 AMENDMENTS AND ADDITIONS
32.01 The British Darts Organisation Ltd. reserves the right to add to, or
amend, any, or all, of the BDO Playing Rules, at any time to meet any purpose
deemed to be necessary at that time by the Board of Directors.
33.00 COPYRIGHT
33.01 The entire contents of the BDO Playing Rules are the copyright of the
British Darts Organisation Ltd., and may not be reprinted, copied, duplicated,
or otherwise reproduced, wholly, or in part, without the written consent of the
copyright owner.
33.02 When a darts event is being staged outside the jurisdiction of the British
Darts Organisation Ltd., the Organisers of that darts event may be given consent
to state that ‘ BDO PLAYING RULES APPLY’, on entry forms, and other darts event
literature.
Consent to do this can only be obtained by making application in writing to the
BDO Headquarters, 2 Pages Lane, Muswell Hill, London, N10 1PS.
Dave Alderman
1st April 2006
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