HUGS Doubles Tournament Rules

  1. The HUGS Doubles Tournament is a USBC Certified Tournament. HUGS is a handicap competition open to men and women by invitation, and the tournament committee reserves the right to deny any entries. HUGS is a member of the International Gay Bowling Organization (IGBO).
  2. All bowlers must be a member of the USBC and provide evidence of membership at registration. Bowlers who are not members may purchase a USBC card at the tournament.
  3. All participants are required to be either a participant of an IGBO Member League or an IGBO Associate Member. An IGBO Associate Membership is $25.00, which allows you to bowl in any IGBO Tournament for one year.
  4. Professional Bowlers
    1. Members of any professional bowling association are allowed to participate. There is a limit of one professional bowler per team.
    2. All professional members must identify themselves prior to bowling.
  5. The tournament shall consist of DOUBLES ONLY for all games. Participants shall bowl 3 games on their first assigned pair and 3 games on a second assigned pair.
  6. A maximum of 40 two-person teams shall bowl.
  7. After the six games of competition, the top 16 teams will advance to the playoffs. Standings shall be based on total pins including handicap. In the event of a tie of two or more teams for the last qualifying position, a 9th and 10th frame roll-off shall be played (and if necessary, re-played) to determine the position, with 20% of each bowler's per game handicap used for the roll-off. In the event of a tie at any other position, standings shall be based on total scratch pins.
    1. The 1st through 16th Place teams shall be placed in a bracket (1st vs. 16th, 2nd vs. 15th, 3rd vs. 14th, etc.) for a single-elimination process.
    2. The winners will advance in each step of the bracket until only two teams remain. In the event of a tie for any match, with exception of the Championship Match, a 9th and 10th frame roll-off shall determine a winner.
    3. The final two in the bracket shall bowl for the championship. In the event of a tie, teams will play one "Baker-style" game to determine a winner, with handicap based on the team's mean average.
    4. All qualifiers shall be eligible for prize monies based on the number of entries. As each team progresses through the bracket, additional prize monies shall be awarded for wins.
  8. Handicap for the tournament shall be 90% of 230.
  9. Any bowler entering HUGS must have an established ten-pin average acceptable to the USBC. Entering averages for the tournament shall be as follows:
    1. The 2023-2024 USBC Standard Composite Average or IGBO Tournament Average (for the one-year period ending June 1, 2024), whichever is higher. If none,
    2. the 2022-2023 USBC Standard Composite Average. If none,
    3. the 2021-2022 USBC Standard Composite Average. If none,
    4. an entering average of 230 shall be assigned.
    5. Averages from Challenge Condition and Sports Condition leagues will be considered if the bowler has only an established average from one of those leagues. The USBC Average Conversion Chart will be used to calculate the standard average.
  10. A maximum 5-pin drop rule will apply if your 2023-2024 Standard Composite Average is more than five pins below your previous established average.
  11. Bowlers are encouraged to submit proof of entering averages in the form of a league sheet or signed document from the league secretary. Bowlers must submit information from all leagues not yet updated to the USBC's website (www.bowl.com) at the time of registration. Incomplete entries will not be processed.
  12. The tournament management reserves the right to re-rate any bowler’s entering average. USBC Rule 319c shall be applied. This shall be done prior to bowling, and re-rated bowlers who choose not to bowl in the tournament shall be eligible for a full refund.
  13. 100% of the Prize monies shall be awarded within 30 days of the completion of the tournament by check.
  14. Mailed entries must be received by June 1, 2024. Send entry to:

    HUGS -- Frank Rossello
    326 Molino Ave
    Long Beach CA 90814

  15. Fees paid by personal check must be received by June 1, 2024. After that date, fees must be paid by Cash or Certified Check only.
  16. Entries received after June 1, 2024 will be accepted at the sole discretion of the tournament director, and are subject to a $15.00 Late Entry Fee.
  17. Bowlers shall be allowed 10 minutes of practice on their initial pair of assigned lanes. There shall be two (2) practice balls per lane for the second assigned pair. There shall be 5 minutes of practice before the bracket playoff begins. Participating bowlers MAY NOT practice on any lanes on the day of bowling.
  18. Any disputes must be reported no later than 30 minutes after the completion of the 6-game qualifier or before the next round of the playoff if a dispute occurs during the final rounds. The tournament management shall be the final authority in the event of disputes in accordance with tournament and USBC Rules.
  19. In addition to the regular tournament, there shall be side events available at additional costs, including:
    1. Brackets for each 3 game set.
    2. Mega-brackets.
    3. Best 3 out of 6.
    4. Side-pots.
    5. Six game All events.
    6. Strike Pot.