/ Official League Competition Rules

Hitchin Darts League

Competition Rules

Note: These rules apply strictly to Cup and Knockout Competitions, not regular league matches.

1. General Eligibility & Mandatory Entry

  • Finals Night Availability: Before registering, Team Captains must confirm that all participating players are available for Finals Night should they progress.

  • Mandatory Participation: All teams are required to enter every competition they are eligible for.

  • Fines for Non-Entry: Failure or refusal to enter a competition will result in a fine of £2 per registered player (e.g., an £8 fine for skipping the 4s, a £6 fine for skipping the 3s). Exception: Teams with no female players are exempt from Ladies or Mixed competitions.

  • Registration Deadline: Only players fully registered with the League Secretary by 31st December are eligible to compete. No late registrations will be accepted.

  • Automatic Entry: Teams are automatically entered into the Summer Team Knock-out Cup & Shield.

2. Match Format & Gameplay

  • Standard Format: All matches are the best of 3 legs, 501, straight in, and finishing on a double.

  • First Throw: The order of play for the first leg is determined by throwing for the nearest bullseye.

  • Captains Cup: Played weekly. The Captain or Vice-Captain plays a single leg of 501 (straight in, double out).

3. Fees & Registration Deadlines

  • Entry Fees: £2 per player for Singles, Doubles, 3s, 4s, the Tony Day Random Pairs, and the Nigel Hall-Smith Trophy.

  • Free Entries: There is no charge for the Captains Cup or Team Knock-Out Cup & Shield.

  • Submissions: Teams must submit their total number of entries to the Competitions Secretary by the specified deadline. Player names are not required until the night of the event.

  • No Refunds: Teams are billed for the number of entries submitted. No refunds or discounts are given if fewer players arrive on the night.

4. Matchnight Procedures & Punctuality

  • Registration Window: Player names must be registered at the venue by 7:45 PM on the night of the competition. The draw takes place immediately after registration closes.

  • Roster Adjustments: Substitutions or changes to nominated teams will only be permitted up until 7:45 PM. Once a team or player throws their first dart, no further roster changes are allowed.

  • Late Arrivals & Disqualification: Logistics, dates, and venues are set by the Committee. Late arrivals will be disqualified unless a minimum of 24 hours' notice is given to the Committee. If an extension is granted, the match will be rescheduled, but no further time extensions will be allowed; failing to meet the rescheduled time results in immediate disqualification.

5. Specific Competition Formats

Singles & Doubles

  • Doubles Pairings: Partners must be registered with the same league team (except for the Tony Day Random Pairs).

The 3s & 4s Competitions

  • Team Size: Teams must consist of exactly three (3) or four (4) players respectively.

  • Exclusivity: Players can only represent one team per competition.

Tony Day Random Pairs Knockout Trophy

  • Format: All individual entries are drawn from a hat on the night to form random pairings.

  • Continuity: Winning pairs remain together for the duration of the tournament until knocked out.

Nigel Hall-Smith Trophy (Charity Handicap Event)

  • Format: A singles competition open to all players. Handicap starting scores are determined by the League Committee and Captains prior to the event.

  • Prize & Charity Split:

    • 1/3 of entry fees awarded to the winner.

    • 1/6 of entry fees awarded to the runner-up.

    • 50% of entry fees (plus all raffle proceeds) donated to The Garden House Hospice.

Team Knock-Out Cup & Shield (Summer League Only)

  • Match Format: Matches are decided by the first team to win 5 singles games.

  • Game Format: Each individual singles game is played as the best of 3 legs.

  • Team Line-up: Teams can change their player line-up for the second or subsequent rounds of the competition.

  • Order of Play: The order of play for the singles games will be drawn in the same way that the draw is made for regular League matches.

  • Starting Turn: The start of the first leg in each game is decided by throwing for the nearest bullseye. The team that is closest to the bullseye will throw first in games 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9.

  • Chalking Duties: The team throwing second in any given game must provide a chalker for that particular game.

  • The Split: The Knock-Out Cup is for teams finishing in the top half of the League (Division 1) when it splits. The Knock-Out Shield is for teams in the bottom half (Division 2).

By Order of the HDL Committee

· Last Updated: August 2026

· League Secretary Contact: Secretary@hitchindartsleague.co.uk