League Rules

Updated: 5/01/2024

 

League Fees and Start Times 

  1. Teams will pay league fees and are due before the league starts. League play will not begin until all players have paid their money.  Most leagues are $10.00 per player per match, and this includes $6.00 to the prize fund and the cost of playing the games. 
  1. Prize money is based on the number of weeks played and the number of teams in the league. 
  1. Start time Monday thru Friday is 7:00 pm. Sunday is at 6:00 pm PST. Unless otherwise advertised before league sign up. There is a 20-minute grace period. After the grace period, the opposing captain that has a full team needs to decide how to proceed by following rule #3 under the forfeit rules. 

 

General Rules 

  1. It is up to the location's discretion to serve "team drinks," it is not mandatory.  All league players must be 21 years of age or accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.  Be prepared to show ID This rule follows the Washington state liquor laws.  The location has the right to require any additional age requirements. 
  1. The front of the throw line is 8 feet from the face of the dart head. (measuring mark is on both sides at the bottom of the board). The center hole of the bullseye is 68 inches from the floor.  Players may lean or step over the line during their turn if the dart thrown hits the board before their foot hits the floor in front of the throw line.  If a player throws a dart(s) while standing in front of the line, the opposing team captain must notify the player and the captain and issue a warning.  Any additional darts thrown in front of the throw line after the warning will result in a foul and loss of turn for that player.  An accidentally dropped dart may be picked up and rethrown.  If you begin the forward motion of throwing the dart and then drop it short, it is considered a thrown dart and may not be thrown again. 
  1. The maximum dart weight allowed by Washington Vending is 20 grams. 
  1. Players are NOT required to throw all three darts per turn. If you decide to hit the button to skip remaining dart(s), this will not affect your rating.  If the dartboard 'skips' a dart during a player's turn, both team captains must agree this occurred and back up the board to correct the issue before any more darts are thrown. 
  1. All points and/or marks that are given by a board are considered correct. However, if a board malfunction occurs, both captains must agree before backing the board up and correcting the issue.  Flighting another dart is not considered a miss-score and can be fixed.  The dart in question must remain on the board until the correction is made.  If a dart bounces out, the score given by the machine will stand.  If the dartboard miss-scores the winning dart, the win will stand.  
    • For Remote League Play Only.
    1. The dartboard is always correct.  If a dartboard incorrectly scores a dart, that score stands.  If a player throws a dart before their turn starts and the dart does not score, the dart counts as a miss.  A player CANNOT manually score a dart if it does not count.  If someone shoots under the wrong name, the captain from your team must contact the captain from the other team and inform them of the situation.  This is considered a foul, and that player will lose their next turn.  If the dartboard miss-scores the winning dart, the win will stand.
  1. If a player wins a game while shooting under the wrong score, this will result in a loss of the game. The captain must call and report the incident to Washington Vending. 
  1. Any players starting a match must finish the match. Substitutes must be added before the match begins. 
  1. If a team drops out of a league and creates a bye, all previous match scores from that team and their opponent(s) will be deleted for that round or league. If a team drops out or fills a bye, the League Coordinator will notify team captains for two weeks and post it on the standings report.  After this period, any forfeits caused by not receiving the message or not reading the standings will remain a forfeit if the revised schedule is not followed. 
  1. The objective of any dart league is to enjoy the competition and to have fun. Foul language, harassment, or any other unsportsmanlike conduct toward other players, sponsors, or the League Coordinator will not be tolerated. You will receive one warning, after that point, the League Coordinator will decide whether to suspend the player.  Abuse of the equipment will not be tolerated.  The penalty for player abuse that causes a dartboard to be inoperable for league play will be an automatic loss of match for that team.  Any repeat reports will result in permanent expulsion from all Washington Vending leagues and tournaments.  Any players from a bar cannot request their matches be moved from that location. You must get a sub for that player the week they are scheduled to be in that bar. 
  1. To help promote and protect the league, the dominant team rule is in effect. The League Coordinator will determine if a team winning their division will be placed at a higher level for the following season based on their record and player ratings. Teams already in the highest or a single division will not be allowed to play with more than 50% of their original team for the following two seasons after winning their level two consecutive times. After two complete seasons, the original players may play together again. The player's rating will be used to determine their placement. The League Coordinator will decide on this issue. 
  1. All matches must be played according to the league schedule. League matches cannot be played at another location without contacting the league coordinator in advance. LEAGUE POLICY: Once a league has begun, teams CANNOT change locations without the approval of the current location and League Coordinator.

 

Dart Board Service 

  1. If the dartboard resets itself due to power failure or by accident, the game will start over in the same place once power is restored. All previous game scores and stats will be saved. If the power outage is caused by player abuse, that team will lose the game. 
  1. If the dart machine needs service, both captains must agree that the dartboard is not playable. At this point, play must be stopped, and the home captain must call Washington Vending for service at 602-551-5629.  If play continues, the results of any games started or played before the service department arrives will be final. Team captains will decide whether to wait for a technician to come and repairs to be finished or to reschedule the remainder of the match. You must notify the League Coordinator with a make-up date.

 

Handicap System 

  1. All Washington Vending leagues that have handicap will use the reverse handicap system for 01' games. 

  

Regular Team Members 

  1. Any player found to be using a false name will cause a team to forfeit all games played for that match. The opposing team captain has the right to request ID to verify a player. The captain must notify the League Coordinator immediately if there is an illegal player. 
  1. After week four, the rosters are considered established. The regular team members are considered to be the original team players on the roster or the players with the majority of games played at this time. If there are changes to your roster, you must contact the League Coordinator. 
  1. You may have as many subs on your team as you have regular members. 2/2, 3/3, 4/4. The League Coordinator must approve of any roster changes to ensure the players(s) is a legal replacement within that skill level. 
  1. No regular team member roster changes will be allowed during the final four weeks of the season without the approval of the League Coordinator. 
  1. Any player replacement on your roster is subject to the same guidelines as the substitute rules.

 

Substitute Players 

  1. These substitution rules are used to ensure fair play and good sportsmanship for all players. The league coordinator must be contacted by the team captain of a player challenge concerning an illegal substitute player within 24 hours of the match. If there is a question before the match begins, call the League Coordinator to receive confirmation of a known substitute. The full protest procedure is not required to lodge an illegal player challenge, but you must do this within 24 hours of the match. The League Coordinator must approve any sub for the first week of the league to ensure the substitute does not go over the team or player skill level. 
  1. After the 1st week, substitute players must be of a comparable skill level. In 01 and Cricket, the substitute must be within 2 rating points of the player they are subbing for.  If a player has no established stats, they will be rated with the same rating as the highest player on the team they are subbing for. If the player has multiple established averages, the highest average will be used. 
  1. If there is a team/player cap, the substitute cannot be higher than what is allowed for the league, even if they fit under the 2-rating points rule. 
  1. The penalty for an illegal sub in a Trios or Gallon league is a loss of all the games the sub won (including the team game). For a Doubles team, the penalty is a loss of a minimum of 50% of the games played. 
  1. If a team ignores the League Coordinator's decision concerning an illegal sub and continues to use the illegal sub, that team will be forfeited from the league, and all their monies will be forfeited as well. 
  1. A regular team member from a league cannot sub for another team in that league. However, a substitute can sub on more than one team in the same league. 
  1. If a regular team member is present at the beginning of the match, they must play. If they do not, the substitute player will be considered illegal. The only way a player can be present but not play is if they are ruled unable to play due to medical reasons.  This needs to be verified through the League Coordinator before the start time. 
  1. During the final two weeks of the season, the substitute must be within 1 rating point of the person they are replacing. 
  1. If you have a substitute listed on your roster, that does not mean they can sub for any member of the team. They are held to the same rules as other subs. 
  1. Any player that is denied entry (86'd) to an establishment must get a substitute or ask the establishment to make an exception for the league. Matches will not be moved from the scheduled bar. 
  1. If a captain allows an illegal player to play, both captains must contact the League Coordinator before match time. All protest or challenge rights will then be waived. 
  1. A Gallon team may have a maximum of 2 substitutes per match. A Trios or Doubles team may have 1 substitute per match.

 

Captain's Duties 

  1. Read and explain the rules to your teammate's, rules are for your benefit. Every season there may be updates and changes. If you have any questions about the rules, call your League Coordinator. 
  1. Inform your team members where they are playing. 
  1. Set up the dartboard for league play. Ensure players' names and handicaps are correct. 
  1. Provide a current phone number and email address. 
  1. Be responsible for your player's actions. Settle any disputes or problems between your players during the match. Inform the League Coordinator of any such issues as substitute players or make-up games. 
  1. Always promote good sportsmanship among your players.

 

Forfeits 

  1. Forfeits will be scored as 60% wins (rounded up) to the team that is ready to play. The team that is being forfeited will receive 0 wins and must still pay for missed matches.  
  1. For a forfeit in the final two weeks, Washington Vending will determine the number of wins given to the team receiving the forfeit, so the league standings are affected as little as possible by the forfeit. 
  1. After a 20-minute grace period, the captain of the team that is present should decide whether to claim a forfeit, reschedule, or play the match. If some of the players on a team are present and wish to start the match short player(s), they may do so.  However, the player not present must have their turn "skipped' until they arrive.  The player(s) do not have to wait until the next game they are in to start playing; they may do so immediately. However, they will receive no "warm-up" darts. 
  1. If a team forfeits two weeks in a row or a total of 3 times in a season, they will be dropped from the league. They will forfeit any monies paid into the league and be ineligible for any awards earned in that league. All scores from an unfinished segment of the league will be erased.  Any teams that have been dropped from the league due to forfeit, all players on that team may be suspended from playing in Washington Vending leagues. 
  1. If a team leaves a location while a match is in progress, they will forfeit all remaining games. If one player is asked to leave an establishment during league play, the match may continue with that player's turn being skipped on every turn.

 

Rescheduling 

  1. The first week matches not played: The League Coordinator will determine if a first-week match will be make-up or a forfeit. The make-up match must take place in the initially scheduled location and must be done within two weeks of the original date. If not, the League Coordinator will schedule the match.  Any team not showing for the match will receive the forfeit. 
  1. All make-up matches must be shot with two weeks of the original date unless approved by the League Coordinator. 
  1. The captain that approves a make-up match must provide a date and time for the make-up match within 24 hours of the original match to the opposing captain and then call the league office with the information. The make-up date must be within two weeks of the originally scheduled match.  If the match is not done by this time, the League Coordinator will score an automatic forfeit against the team that requested the original reschedule. 
  1. If extenuating circumstances prevent the match, you must call the League Coordinator as soon as possible so a decision can be made. 
  1. Any team requesting more than 2 reschedules in a row or 3 or more during a season may be dropped from a league and will forfeit any monies paid into the league and be ineligible for any awards earned in that league. All scores from an unfinished segment of the league will be erased. Teams should be prepared to use substitute players to ensure that as few reschedules as possible occur. 
  1. Remember, when you request a reschedule, you are required to play on the date the opposing team is available. Be prepared to get subs if needed.

  2. Teams MUST play a scheduled match within 14 days of the scheduled date.  If your opponent wants to reschedule a match and your team feels that the match cannot be made up in 14 days, you will have to request the forfeit on the date of the scheduled match.  Both teams are still required to pay for that match.  If a forfeit is not requested on the night of the scheduled match and the match is not made up before the 14 days expire, both teams will receive 0 wins (double forfeit).  Both teams are still required to pay for that match when there is a double forfeit.  

    This rule is not enforced for the first week of play.  The first week's matches can be rescheduled up until the last week of the league.

    This rule does not apply for the last 2 weeks of the league.  There are no postponements on the last two weeks of the league, no exceptions.

 

Protest 

  1. Most protests can be avoided. The captains should be able to reach an agreement at the time the problem occurs. 
  1. A dispute that requires a protest must be handled at the time it occurs. You must stop play if the problem warrants and call the League Coordinator.  If the team continues league play without notifying the League Coordinator, the protest will be considered null and void.  All protests that need to be handled the following day will be reviewed and decided within 48 hours.  All decisions are final. 
  1. The captain lodging the protest must provide a written explanation of the protest. The League Coordinator will read the protest, contact captains with follow up questions, and render a decision. All decisions are final. 
  1. Only team captains may lodge a formal complaint. 

 

Money & Awards 

  • Local/In-House Leagues:
    • At the end of the season, a banquet and awards ceremony may be held.  It will be no more than two weeks after the last league ends.
  • Online Leagues:
    • Money and awards will be sent to the team captain in the form of a check, PayPal, or Zelle.  Washington Vending is NOT responsible for captains not distributing money and awards to teammates and is also not accountable for captains providing a wrong mailing address and/or incorrect email address.
  1. League payouts are based on $6.00 per player per night. 
  1. Sponsor plaques may be awarded for 1st and 2nd place teams. They are to go to your sponsor location to display.  You may purchase your own at cost.  Individual feat recognition pins may be awarded to players with the highest number in each category.  Players must play 80% of games to be eligible for individual awards. 
  1. Tiebreakers are shot for 1st and 2nd place only. This must be played within seven days of seasons end.  To play a tiebreaker match, a special match will be set up on the board.  Then play until one team wins the minimum number of games needs to ensure a win.  You will not need to pay league dues, just the required money to play the games.  All other ties will be paid out equally. 
  1. Washington Vending reserves to right to withhold monies from a player's prize fund to cover any funds that player may owe Washington Vending.