TDI matches consist of the following eleven games, in order:
The team winning the best of three legs in a game scores one point.
Points are totalled at the end of the night. Since there are eleven games
per match, there is no possibility of a tie. Matches are scheduled for
7:45pm on Wednesday nights. Each team must have two players ready to throw
by 8:00pm, and the minimum number of players required (see below) must be
present by 8:15pm.
Each team must have a minimum of six players. There is no
maximum number of players per team. Playing short is strongly discouraged,
and can be avoided by using substitutes. Any person who subs for a team
twice in one season is considered to be on that team's roster, and may not
play for another team.
If substitutes are not available, and with the
approval of the opposing team captain, a blind draw may be used to select
players to shoot twice in the same event. Each player can only play an event
twice, and may not play twice in any other event. Draws are not allowed for
401, and the short team loses the turn of any player that they cannot play
(ie. If a team has only 5 players, and shoots 401 with one team of 3 and
one of 2, the team with 2 players shoots twice for every three shots by the
opposing, full team). Opposing captains are under no obligation to let a
team draw (although TDI captains almost universally agree to allow it).
If the short teams does not have the minimum number of players by 8:15pm, a
forfeit may be called. The forfeiting team records a score of 0-11, while
the other squad receives one of 8-3.
TDI runs three seasons each calendar year: Spring, Summer and Fall. Spring and Fall seasons are 10-11 weeks long, with a mid-season break for the seeded doubles tournament, and a two-week playoff structure. Summer season is usually shortened to about eight weeks. Summer season is generally more casual than the other two, as reflected by the reduction in player requirements and the shortened duration.
Tournament Darts International fields three divisions, A,B, and C, with A Division representing the most experienced players, B the intermediate level, and C the newest and/or most casual shooters. There are usually 5 to 10 teams per division. A team may play in any division, but if it wins the division championship two seasons in a row, it must move up.
In each division, position is determined by winning percentage. There is a two-week playoff structure at the end of each season, that may vary slightly depending on the number of teams in a division. If there are an even number of teams in a division, the top four make postseason play, with #1 playing #4 and #2 playing #3 in the first week, and the winners playing each other in the second week. If there are an odd number of teams, #1 has a bye in week one, while #2 plays #3. The winner of that match goes on to play #1 for the division championship. In all cases, the team with the better record has home field advantage in the playoffs.
The mid-point of each season is marked by a bye week from competition, and a tournament open to all TDI shooters, usually held at Caffney's. Pairings are based on individual 301 averages, lowest teaming with highest, in an attempt to create an even field. Prize money is awarded through fourth place, and there is also a raffle. The mid-season tournament is a great opportunity to meet the members of other teams, and to learn from experienced shooters.
