How to Read a Pool Tournament Flyer: Every Term Explained

For players3 min readUpdated October 2026By Billiard Action Time

Tournament flyers pack a lot into a few lines, and most of it is shorthand. Here's how to read one, line by line, so you know exactly what you're signing up for.

A sample flyer

The money

• $500 added: the room or a sponsor puts $500 into the prize fund on top of the entry fees. More added money usually means a stronger field.
• $40 entry ($10 greens): you pay $40. $10 goes to the room for table time (the greens fee) and $30 goes into the prize fund. See our payout guide or try the payout calculator.
• Calcutta at 11:30: an auction where people bid on players before the event; the pot is paid to whoever "owns" the winners. Read Calcutta auctions explained.

The schedule

• Sign-ups 11 am, play 12 noon: be there before sign-ups close. Many events close the bracket on time and start the draw.
• 64 player cap: the bracket is limited. Big events can fill up, so call ahead or pre-register if the flyer offers it.

The format

• Double elimination: you're out after two losses. See double-elimination brackets.
• Race to 5 / 4 on the one-loss side: winners-side matches are first to 5 games; once you've lost once, matches are first to 4, which keeps the event moving.
• Hot seat: the match between the last two undefeated players. The winner waits in the "hot seat" for the final.
• True double final: the undefeated player has to be beaten twice, so the losers-side player may need two sets to win.
• Single race final / one set: the final is one set no matter what, which saves time.
• Modified single: double elimination early, then single elimination. See tournament formats.

Who can play

• Fargo 650 & under: only players with a FargoRate rating of 650 or lower may enter. See the Fargo rating chart.
• Handicapped / rated: races change based on your rating or skill level, so stronger players race to more games.
• Open: anyone can enter, from beginners to pros.
• Amateur / no pros: professional players are not allowed. The flyer or director decides who counts as a pro.
• Ladies / juniors / seniors: divisions limited to those players.
• Scotch doubles / Jack & Jill: two-player teams taking turns; Jack & Jill means one man and one woman. See Scotch doubles.

Table and rules

• Bar box / 7-foot or 9-foot: the table size. See pool table sizes.
• Break box: on the break, the cue ball must start inside a marked area, usually near the side rail.
• Winner breaks / alternate breaks: who breaks each rack. Alternate breaks give both players an equal chance.
• Ball in hand / call pocket / BCA or WPA rules: which rule set is used. See bar rules vs. tournament rules.
• Shot clock: a time limit per shot, mostly at bigger events and streamed matches.

Before you go

Call the room to confirm. Flyers get printed weeks in advance, and details change. Then take a photo of the flyer and post it on Billiard Action Time so other players can find it, or find a tournament tonight. New words? Check the pool glossary.