Tournament Rules

 

1) Eligibility:

The 2026 Burgh Area Rainbow Bowling Invitational (BARBI) will be held throughout the weekend of Friday, March 27th through Sunday, March 29th, in accordance with the schedule of events to be published. BARBI 2026 is an invitational tournament, and the tournament’s governing body reserves the right to deny entry to any individual for any reason. 

BARBI is not a USBC certified tournament*. BARBI will adapt the USBC rule book as a guideline for all operational / bowling rules, however it will not follow their current stance against transgender athletes.  BARBI is an invitational mixed handicapped competition open to all adult bowlers, regardless of self-identification.  This aligns with IGBO’s mission: 

 

IGBO seeks to promote the sport of bowling and enrich the lives of individuals through league building and tournaments around the world. IGBO is guided by the principles of community, inclusion, and solidarity as we: 

• provide educational opportunities to local communities about bowling, LGBTQ+ history, and other topics of importance; 

• build communication avenues between member leagues, joining LGBTQ+ communities together in solidarity; 

• and plan social opportunities to promote the sport of bowling and to enrich the lives of individual athletes through leagues and tournaments

IGBO recognizes access to sport as a human right. Community is a primary pillar of IGBO and cannot be fulfilled if any member of our community is intentionally or unintentionally excluded. We strive to continually listen, learn, and adapt to ensure every member of IGBO has a sense of belonging in our community. IGBO promotes gender inclusion by recognizing an individual player’s self-identified gender; and avoiding gender-based distinctions or divisions in sporting activities, while considering member countries’ cultures. IGBO is committed to celebrating each athlete’s accomplishments and skill, regardless of gender identity.

 

*USBC Certification is subject to change at the discretion of the organizing committee.

 

All USBC rules apply except as noted below:

• a. A maximum of 136 bowlers will be accommodated.

• b. All participants must be current members of IGBO and provide proof of membership in the tournament application or at registration.

• c. Any person whose IGBO membership has been denied for the current season will not be allowed to participate.

 

2) Tournament Entries:

• a. Tournament entry will include participation in Singles, Doubles and Team events. Bowlers must sign up for all three events. Every effort will be made to complete partial team entries.

• b. Teams consist of four (4) bowlers, and Doubles partnerships may be any combination of bowlers. Each Doubles pair must bowl on the same team.

• c. Doubles and Teams events will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2026:

• d. Singles event will take place on Sunday, March 29, 2026

• e. Priority is given to registered and paid applications (teams and individuals).

• e. Final entry decisions rest with the tournament committee.

 

3) Tournament Events:

• a. BARBI includes three bowled handicap events: Singles, Doubles and Team. 

• b. Optional events include:

  • Individual Scratch: Compete for the highest scores in each division (no handicap applied).

  • Dark Horse Doubles: Get randomly paired with a partner for a doubles event.

  • Senior Optional Handicap (50+ only): $20 additional fee. Prizes for all-events, high series, and high games based on optional Scratch divisions.

  • Mystery Score: After each game, a random score will be drawn (minimum score 100). If your score matches, you win!

  • Scratch Masters: Top 8 scratch total scores per division advance to a single elimination bracket tournament for a cash prize. 

  • 9-Pin No-Tap: Happening on Friday, March 28—knock down nine pins on your first throw, and it counts as a strike!

• c. Bowlers must register for optional events before their first scheduled event.

 

4) Averages and Handicap:

• a. Handicap is 90% of the difference between the bowler’s entering average and 220. No negative handicap applies for averages over 220.

• b. Averages are based on sanctioned league records. Acceptable averages require a minimum of 21 games.

• c. The average used to establish a handicap in BARBI will be, in descending order:

  • Bowler shall use their 2024-25 composite book average (minimum 21 games). If one does not exist, then…

  • Bowler shall use their 2023-24 composite book average (minimum 21 games). If one does not exist, then…

  • IGBO member tournament average (TAD) as of March 1, 2026 with a minimum of 18 games. If one does not exist, then…

  • Bowler shall use their 2025-26 league average (minimum 15 games) as of December 1, 2025. If one does not exist, then...

  • The bowler will enter with a 220 average.

• d. If a bowler’s IGBO tournament average for the 12 months immediately preceding March 1, 2026 is at least ten (10) pins higher than any of the averages established in rule 4c, and the number of games represented by that average is at least 18, the IGBO tournament average will be used. (USBC Rule 319e).

• e. Averages from “Sport” or “Challenge” leagues must be adjusted using the USBC Average Conversion Charts (USBC site).

• f. Each bowler must submit verification of their highest average with their application.

• g. Failure to use the proper average will disqualify scores if the submitted average is lower than the actual average.

• h. Bowlers must report results from all tournament play (USBC Rule 319e).

• i. Bowlers must report scores and winnings for any tournament where they earned $500 (USD) or more during the 12 months preceding BARBI (USBC Rule 319d). Failure to do so results in disqualification.

• j. Bowlers are required to verify all average information during registration.

 

5) Average Adjustments:

The Committee may adjust a bowler’s entering average before the tournament begins. If the assigned average is not acceptable to the bowler, the entry fee will be refunded.

 

6) Check-in and Substitutes:

• a. Check-in must be completed at least THIRTY (30) minutes prior to the start of the bowler’s first event.

• b. Bowlers must be present at their assigned lanes at the scheduled time. Late bowlers may begin bowling in the current frame, provided the third frame has not been completed. All missed frames will be scored as zero (0).

• c. All team members must check in at least THIRTY (30) minutes before their scheduled shift.

• d. Substitutes are permitted only if a bowler is unable to bowl. Substitutions must be approved at least THIRTY (30) minutes before the first event in which the bowler is scheduled to participate.

• e. In the case of injury, USBC Rule 108b applies, with substitute approval by the Committee.

• f. Bowlers will be given ten (10) minutes of practice at the start of each event. Late bowlers will not receive practice time.

 

7) Errors and Disputes of Scored Games:

All claims of errors or disputes must be submitted in writing to the tournament director within one (1) hour of occurrence.

 

8) Payouts:

• a. Each event (Singles, Doubles, and Team) has its own prize list.

• b. 100% of the prize fees will be returned (see Entry Fee Breakdown).

• c. Optional events return 100% of the prize funds collected (excluding Bowler Insurance).

• d. Payout ratio will be no less than 1:8.

• e. Pending an audit, prizes will be paid within 30 days after the tournament’s conclusion, unless delayed by a pending protest.

 

9) Optional Events Divisions:

• a. Divisions for Optional Scratch and Scratch Masters will be as follows:​

  • Division A: 0 – 145

  • Division B: 146 – 165

  • Division C: 166 – 185

  • Division D: 186 – 205

  • Division E: 206+

 

10) Tournament Decisions:

The Committee’s decisions are final unless appealed under USBC Rule 329.

 

11) Applications:

• a. Only complete applications are accepted. Entries must include:

  1. Completed application (individual, doubles pair, and team entries accepted).

  2. Average verification, including league average sheet, league secretary contact, and USBC sanction number.

• b.  Online applications close March 1, 2026. Payments are due by March 27, 2026

• c.   Late entries (after March 1, 2026) will be accepted at the Committee’s discretion.

Entry Fee Breakdown:

• Lineage: $36

• Prize Fund: $50

• Banquet/Hospitality: $35

• Trophies/Awards: $9

• Administration: $5
  Total: $130
   

12) USBC Rules of Note:

• USBC Rule 18: No altering ball surfaces during competition (e.g., abrasives, liquids, foreign materials).

• USBC Rule 12: Approaches must not be defaced. No foreign substances or improper shoes allowed.

• USBC Chapter 8 Item 7: Gripping holes must be used on every delivery; no balance holes permitted.