General Information and Basic Playing Rules

The Amateur Bowlers Tour is a private membership organization open to members only. Non-members must agree to be governed by the Rules, Regulations, By-Laws, Standard Operating Policies, Dress Codes and Grooming Standards currently in effect or adopted at any future date to be eligible for membership in this organization.

1. Open to USBC, ABC and WIBC members 18 years of age or older, or eligible non-members who purchase an individual unattached card prior to bowling.

2. The tournament is open to members only. Tournament Director, and / or Board of Directors reserve the right to re-rate or reject any application for membership or entry. Membership is revocable without cause.

3. Highest average over the past three (3) years, current average if it is higher than book average, or highest summer average or highest tournament average will be used to determine bowlers entering average in this tournament club. One of the above averages must be for forty-five (45) games or more to qualify for handicapped membership. Averages of less than forty-five (45) games will be used, if they are higher than book average.

4. A bowler may enter and bowl scratch, at the A.B.T.S' Branch Directors discretion, if they have no average for the last three (3) years and meet other membership requirements.

5. Non-members of the Amateur Bowlers Tour (ABT) must bring book average verification and current highest average for twenty-one (21) games or more, league sheets of less than forty-five (45) games may be used if they are higher than book average, and present at the time of entry. Absolutely NO HANDICAPPED Entry will be allowed without verification.

6. The Tournament Director will settle disputes not covered by USBC, ABC and WIBC rules.

7. Handicaps are based on 80% of the difference between your assigned average and 200 or 225, based on handicapped division. Maximum beginning handicap is 48 pins per game. Scores shall be posted using a plus or minus system including handicap with 200 being used as par. This will reflect how much a bowler is averaging above or below 200. Example: 200 + 20 = 220 or +20 or 170 + 20 = 190 or –10

8. Normal Format: Normal qualifying round (Saturday) is three (3) or four (4) games across six or eight lanes. Re-Entry permitted. However only the higher scores will be considered for prize money. A minimum of one (1) in six (6) entries will advance to the semi-finals on Sunday. There will be no carry-over of pins. Semi-finalists are to report to the tournament site no later than one (1) hour before designated starting time. They will bowl three (3) games across six (6) lanes, if Pro-Style stepladder finals are used a maximum of the five(5) highest scores, including handicap, if any, will advance to the finals. There will be no carry-over of pins. Finals will follow the semi-finals. The high score, including handicap in the semi-final round will automatically seeded into the final match if Pro-Style stepladder finals are used. If the finals are held Pro-Style stepladder, i.e. No. 5 bowls 4; winner bowls No. 3; winner bowls No. 2; winner bowls seeded bowler for the championship. These games will also be determined with handicap. The bowler in the higher seeded position will have his or her choice of starting lane on the championship pair.

9. All advertised prizes will be GUARANTEED by the Amateur Bowlers Tour local Branch. All semi-finalists will cash. All prize money collected will be returned 100%.

10. A more complete set of rules governing tournament conditions, conduct, wearing apparel, infractions, penalties, and entering averages is available at the ABT office, and will be given to each new member when application has been approved.

11. All contestants must abide by all Amateur Bowlers Tour rules and regulations. If they refuse, membership will be terminated with no reimbursement of fees.

12. All USBC, ABC & WIBC rules will be observed. USBC, ABC and WIBC Rule 17 and 319 A, D & E will apply to ALL participants.

13. Champion’s Shirt presented to 1st place finisher for their first two (2) championships. Additional championship shirts will be provided at the A.B.T. Branch Directors discretion.

14. There will be no less than three (3) bowlers and no more than six (6) per pair of lanes. Six (6) only when necessary.

15. Twenty four (24) or more handicapped tournaments per year are planned per year in each area. Two (2) every month if possible.

16. You must conduct yourself as a lady or gentleman at all times.

17. At the Branch Directors discretion, any member who is employed or owns any portion of a business doing business in the bowling center where an Amateur Bowlers Tour tournament is being held, will not be allowed to participate in any HANDICAPPED tournament. Under no circumstance will an employee receive any handicap in an event held in their bowling center, (Super Bowl or Year End Special Event exempted).

18. Current members of any professional bowling association are not allowed to bowl. National Professional Bowlers Association Title Holders for the last twenty five (25) years are not allowed to be members. Should a members’ ability, in the judgment of the A.B.T. Branch or National Director, be too great, their membership would be immediately terminated with no return of fees.