For FAQs scroll to under Event Details on the home page
WTSC25 FORMAT
Public Draw
Friday 3rd October @
The BN6 Tap, Hassocks
Straight knockout:
64 players
Best of 5 for each match, then...
Best of 7 for the Semis and the Final
DRAWS
Round of 64:
Table Draw
There will be 4 Phases x 16 Players
Round of 32:
Table draw
There will be 2 Phases x 16 Players
Round of 16:
The Randomizer x 8
Table draw
One Phase of 16 Players
WTSC Quarter Final:
Table draw for four tables
Played in the Toadia: Best of 7
WTSC Semi Finals:
Table draw for two tables
Played simultaneously
WTSC Final:
Table draw
Friday 3rd October @
The BN6 Tap, Hassocks
Straight knockout:
64 players
Best of 5 for each match, then...
Best of 7 for the Semis and the Final
DRAWS
Round of 64:
Table Draw
There will be 4 Phases x 16 Players
Round of 32:
Table draw
There will be 2 Phases x 16 Players
Round of 16:
The Randomizer x 8
Table draw
One Phase of 16 Players
WTSC Quarter Final:
Table draw for four tables
Played in the Toadia: Best of 7
WTSC Semi Finals:
Table draw for two tables
Played simultaneously
WTSC Final:
Table draw
RULES AND GUIDELINES
What rules will the WTSC 2025 follow?
The generally accepted rules of Toad-in-the-Hole, but not including any house rules of certain venues. We play on tables and oches as played where they have originated. Below we list the following twelve areas as WTSC-specific rule clarity. A requirement of entry is to have read these rules... otherwise the tournament cannot respect or take you seriously. All rules are for parity and the big picture of all the players together, do not take it personally.
MATCHES ARE SELF-GOVERNING
Each match table will be invited to be self-governing with the exception of occasional or random and discreet monitoring by the organisers for the fair play of all. In most of these cases we would just discreetly advise Toadrunners (scorers) and still leave it to them to decide once availed of the information. Scorers can ask the WTSC Organisers to give a final ruling as well, which they can only do fairly if the organisers have witnessed the issue in question.
PLAYERS FIND A SCORER
Players will need to get a 'Toadrunner' or scorer for their match chosen from experienced people not playing: fellow players are usually best because they play the game. It's preferred if the scorers don't have a conflict of interest and are not in the same league team or family as any of the players. It's usually good etiquette if players not in a match can offer to score. Toadrunners are kindly asked to stay focused on the match and not leave in the middle.
WARM UP AND PLAYER GHOSTING
Players agree how much warm-up they both need. Usually around five minutes. However, if a player is late or taking too long it could be viewed as a delay tactic and they risk forfeiting the match. If a ghosting player can't be located the Toadrunner and ghosted player need to inform a WTSC Organiser.
OCHE LINE AND LENGTH
The oche is usually set at the length of the original venue of the table as you would usually find it. The oche line is up to the front edge, but not over (inc. shoe, which as a support is a part of the balance of the foot and leg).
The generally accepted rules of Toad-in-the-Hole, but not including any house rules of certain venues. We play on tables and oches as played where they have originated. Below we list the following twelve areas as WTSC-specific rule clarity. A requirement of entry is to have read these rules... otherwise the tournament cannot respect or take you seriously. All rules are for parity and the big picture of all the players together, do not take it personally.
MATCHES ARE SELF-GOVERNING
Each match table will be invited to be self-governing with the exception of occasional or random and discreet monitoring by the organisers for the fair play of all. In most of these cases we would just discreetly advise Toadrunners (scorers) and still leave it to them to decide once availed of the information. Scorers can ask the WTSC Organisers to give a final ruling as well, which they can only do fairly if the organisers have witnessed the issue in question.
PLAYERS FIND A SCORER
Players will need to get a 'Toadrunner' or scorer for their match chosen from experienced people not playing: fellow players are usually best because they play the game. It's preferred if the scorers don't have a conflict of interest and are not in the same league team or family as any of the players. It's usually good etiquette if players not in a match can offer to score. Toadrunners are kindly asked to stay focused on the match and not leave in the middle.
WARM UP AND PLAYER GHOSTING
Players agree how much warm-up they both need. Usually around five minutes. However, if a player is late or taking too long it could be viewed as a delay tactic and they risk forfeiting the match. If a ghosting player can't be located the Toadrunner and ghosted player need to inform a WTSC Organiser.
OCHE LINE AND LENGTH
The oche is usually set at the length of the original venue of the table as you would usually find it. The oche line is up to the front edge, but not over (inc. shoe, which as a support is a part of the balance of the foot and leg).
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Toad-runners may pull you up if they feel your shoe is over, so don't ruffle your feathers if they do. Oche lengths will be specific to the table. If unspecified, it will be 7ft 3" from the front of the table to the front edge of the oche bar.
There is only standardisation in leagues, not in Toads in general, so the WTSC goes by the 'characteristics and length of the original venue or oche for Toad-in-the-Hole' in it's usual place of play anywhere. We will strive to get the details available to players, prior to the event.
NB. Players unhappy with lengths being too short can always play from further back, the WTSC will not take this personally.
NO PLAYERS IN LINE OF SIGHT
No one in line-of-sight except Toad-runners (scorers) who are experienced in remaining stationary. There can be no personal space invasion or sudden twitching, head scratching, 'important' phone messaging use, beer sipping, or agitation or excitement near a player on the oche. If you're blagging it as a subconscious act you've just admitted you still know you're doing it, so please stand behind the player on the oche.
NEAREST THE HOLE v. COIN TOSS
Players decide who starts by who is 'nearest the hole' with a clean throw. This means a focus on skill rather than the luck of a toss. A lot hinges on a game where both high-scoring players could win with potential hot-shot five-visits, for it then to be decided on luck and a coin toss.
You can, if you like, toss a coin to see who goes nearest the hole first, if you feel this is equitable. Generously, 2p coins will be available in the Toad-runner box provided. I want them back.
NO YOBBERY OR OFFPUTTING
No shouting or sledging just before or during the four throws when players are settled on the oche, subject to a rethrow if players feel inhibited. Anyone seen putting people off or finding themselves 'funny' shouting out loud at the expense of others will simply be asked to leave.
If you must sledge, do not use personal remarks. Players reserve the right to tell their opponents they'd rather they didn't resort to sledging. To avoid confusion please stand behind, as in darts competition etiquette.
If you're intending to heckle all day or spoil people's fun out of pleasure or want to be the centre of attention because your parents didn't love you enough, please don't attend. Rowdy or drunk participants or spectators who can't rein it in or don't know how handle their drink will be asked politely to leave and immediately and discreetly ejected.
HITTING THE TABLE NOT THE LEAD
If it hits the wood, it's no good, including the front. Toads players should be able to take the design of the table into account and hit the lead clean. (This is the opposite of the Lewes teams 'worlds' rule, where some of the leads are almost the same level as the wood).
BACKBOARD HITS
Players and Toad-runners must agree if the Toads coin has hit the back or not, and the Toad-runner's decision is final. The scorers have the best point of view at the side - not seven feet away from the front, but sometimes they can get caught up in the intensity of the game. Players may challenge but it's usually decided between the three, by a cordial two to one agreement.
There is of course the backboard anomaly where the Toads coin sometimes ride up with the gradient of the table rising in an arc with momentum and toppling over itself, or flipping up without touching the wood. In their defence of saying the toads coin hit the back scorers and challengers must cite both a rebound/recoil off the wood plus a noise.
As an optical illusion at speed and in the excitement of the game, it can look like it hit the back, but there has to be the sound of it hitting wood as well. The back of the lead surface can sometimes sound woodier and deeper (connected to lead and from reverberation). Toad-runners need to be aware of the sounds as well as close landing coins near the back which can be checked by doing the Laughing Fish 'nuck' tap to the back or using paper to show the gap.
IT'S CALLED TOAD IN THE HOLE
All Toads must be able to drop down into the hole. If in the event a hole becomes in the main problematic, then a player can call for the hole to be filed or widened with the in-house WTSC hole-checker. By agreement players can also simply use a Toads coin in a vertical screwing motion to widen the circumference. Generally a small hole that lets most go down and gets some stuck can make for a more level game, but if it becomes stuck all the time, it's not toad-in-the-hole.
If a toads coin pops back out after hitting internal exposed wood - see Blofeld's Lair in Coined Phrases - wherever it ends up is the score, on the lead for one point, on the floor for zero. Regular players will be aware of volcano or bucket leads possessing this developed quality.
CLEAN COINS PLEASE
Please make sure you're not handing over wet, greasy or dirty coins. If you have beer-soaked, sweaty or nervous, clammy hands please ensure the coins are playable after your throw. Don't be offended if someone cleans after you or points out your clammy hands, as they are just making play transparent.
Chalk is permitted but only for precision release when throwing. Really, no residue should be on the coins: it is Toads after all, not Shove' a' Penny.
NO SMOKING OR VAPING
No smoking/vaping in the main room. There is a dedicated smoking room aka 'The Smoking Cage', so please go there. No drugs on the premises or site, by order of the venue as you risk getting them shut down.
However, in the spirit of live and let live and 'whatever gets you through the night', players' business far away off-site is none of the business of the WTSC. Players also need to remember others can tell straight away when they're on a different wavelength.
But vaping is alright, isn't Benton? No, unfortunately it's not, it stays in the air for two hours and causes wet-lung and popcorn lung. Look it up. The Smoking Room is ventilated for this reason.
There is only standardisation in leagues, not in Toads in general, so the WTSC goes by the 'characteristics and length of the original venue or oche for Toad-in-the-Hole' in it's usual place of play anywhere. We will strive to get the details available to players, prior to the event.
NB. Players unhappy with lengths being too short can always play from further back, the WTSC will not take this personally.
NO PLAYERS IN LINE OF SIGHT
No one in line-of-sight except Toad-runners (scorers) who are experienced in remaining stationary. There can be no personal space invasion or sudden twitching, head scratching, 'important' phone messaging use, beer sipping, or agitation or excitement near a player on the oche. If you're blagging it as a subconscious act you've just admitted you still know you're doing it, so please stand behind the player on the oche.
NEAREST THE HOLE v. COIN TOSS
Players decide who starts by who is 'nearest the hole' with a clean throw. This means a focus on skill rather than the luck of a toss. A lot hinges on a game where both high-scoring players could win with potential hot-shot five-visits, for it then to be decided on luck and a coin toss.
You can, if you like, toss a coin to see who goes nearest the hole first, if you feel this is equitable. Generously, 2p coins will be available in the Toad-runner box provided. I want them back.
NO YOBBERY OR OFFPUTTING
No shouting or sledging just before or during the four throws when players are settled on the oche, subject to a rethrow if players feel inhibited. Anyone seen putting people off or finding themselves 'funny' shouting out loud at the expense of others will simply be asked to leave.
If you must sledge, do not use personal remarks. Players reserve the right to tell their opponents they'd rather they didn't resort to sledging. To avoid confusion please stand behind, as in darts competition etiquette.
If you're intending to heckle all day or spoil people's fun out of pleasure or want to be the centre of attention because your parents didn't love you enough, please don't attend. Rowdy or drunk participants or spectators who can't rein it in or don't know how handle their drink will be asked politely to leave and immediately and discreetly ejected.
HITTING THE TABLE NOT THE LEAD
If it hits the wood, it's no good, including the front. Toads players should be able to take the design of the table into account and hit the lead clean. (This is the opposite of the Lewes teams 'worlds' rule, where some of the leads are almost the same level as the wood).
BACKBOARD HITS
Players and Toad-runners must agree if the Toads coin has hit the back or not, and the Toad-runner's decision is final. The scorers have the best point of view at the side - not seven feet away from the front, but sometimes they can get caught up in the intensity of the game. Players may challenge but it's usually decided between the three, by a cordial two to one agreement.
There is of course the backboard anomaly where the Toads coin sometimes ride up with the gradient of the table rising in an arc with momentum and toppling over itself, or flipping up without touching the wood. In their defence of saying the toads coin hit the back scorers and challengers must cite both a rebound/recoil off the wood plus a noise.
As an optical illusion at speed and in the excitement of the game, it can look like it hit the back, but there has to be the sound of it hitting wood as well. The back of the lead surface can sometimes sound woodier and deeper (connected to lead and from reverberation). Toad-runners need to be aware of the sounds as well as close landing coins near the back which can be checked by doing the Laughing Fish 'nuck' tap to the back or using paper to show the gap.
IT'S CALLED TOAD IN THE HOLE
All Toads must be able to drop down into the hole. If in the event a hole becomes in the main problematic, then a player can call for the hole to be filed or widened with the in-house WTSC hole-checker. By agreement players can also simply use a Toads coin in a vertical screwing motion to widen the circumference. Generally a small hole that lets most go down and gets some stuck can make for a more level game, but if it becomes stuck all the time, it's not toad-in-the-hole.
If a toads coin pops back out after hitting internal exposed wood - see Blofeld's Lair in Coined Phrases - wherever it ends up is the score, on the lead for one point, on the floor for zero. Regular players will be aware of volcano or bucket leads possessing this developed quality.
CLEAN COINS PLEASE
Please make sure you're not handing over wet, greasy or dirty coins. If you have beer-soaked, sweaty or nervous, clammy hands please ensure the coins are playable after your throw. Don't be offended if someone cleans after you or points out your clammy hands, as they are just making play transparent.
Chalk is permitted but only for precision release when throwing. Really, no residue should be on the coins: it is Toads after all, not Shove' a' Penny.
NO SMOKING OR VAPING
No smoking/vaping in the main room. There is a dedicated smoking room aka 'The Smoking Cage', so please go there. No drugs on the premises or site, by order of the venue as you risk getting them shut down.
However, in the spirit of live and let live and 'whatever gets you through the night', players' business far away off-site is none of the business of the WTSC. Players also need to remember others can tell straight away when they're on a different wavelength.
But vaping is alright, isn't Benton? No, unfortunately it's not, it stays in the air for two hours and causes wet-lung and popcorn lung. Look it up. The Smoking Room is ventilated for this reason.
The WTSC 2025 is having a trial year without seeding to compare differences with the previous years. I, Benton Wieldy, have been tasked with formulating a sealed secret seeding list to be opened after the tournament.
But generally this is how seeding works...
But generally this is how seeding works...
SEEDING
🌱How and why is the seeding done?🌱
Seeding is done to to keep the tournament competitive till the very end, and is done for snooker, tennis and darts, for example. I make a note of tournament, league and cup winners and who is on form and everyone is talking about. Jonny also consults and counsels players all the time as well and we compare notes. Players are free to consult and counsel him, but not me, because I'm a recluse.
For the WTSC23 the seeding was pretty accurate, barring one who got knocked out first round. We had 8 seeds out of 32 participants, so a quarter, which is a fair number. For WTSC24 they were pretty similar too with the two ex-champs reaching the final.
And this year?
This year there will be no seeding.
Is there an advantage to being a seed? It depends if you can handle the pressure and kudos of being one. And conversely there are a few unknowns in the tournament who think they can win. Dealing in probabilities, it's more likely that more seeds will be knocked out earlier in a bigger tournament.
Essentially a seed is a strong player who has either done one or a combined number of the following:
We also look for consistency, not just the one-off rinsing of a known player. This all assumes seeds can't be beaten, which of course, they can: It's not a fait accompli or guarantee someone is going through, it's Toads after all.
In Toads it's not necessarily an advantage that someone is already good - it's just more equitable that if they are to meet a same-standard player in a mass of players, they do so in the standard-appropriate later stages.
Assumed-by-form and record best players are spaced out in the early rounds to respect their consistent contribution to the game through competition, peer support and audience entertainment. If we're honest, they tend to practise more and support the Toads community with attendance. Ultimately, there is no easy route to the final and of course the entry does not promise that.
We also go to great lengths - like writing all this out. We make sure the draw is as random as possible. All the players in the event will be of a high standard. As data is scarce and can be easily re-interpreted, there are also other criteria and 'tells' we use, which dedicated players know about from regular practise and which will only become obvious when people improve their game.
NB: Please bear in mind the WTSC is a not a taproom toads event designed to keep people drinking, it's an aspiring event looking to find the top player. We would love a brewery sponsor to offer beer prizes. they just need to contact us.
Seeding is done to to keep the tournament competitive till the very end, and is done for snooker, tennis and darts, for example. I make a note of tournament, league and cup winners and who is on form and everyone is talking about. Jonny also consults and counsels players all the time as well and we compare notes. Players are free to consult and counsel him, but not me, because I'm a recluse.
For the WTSC23 the seeding was pretty accurate, barring one who got knocked out first round. We had 8 seeds out of 32 participants, so a quarter, which is a fair number. For WTSC24 they were pretty similar too with the two ex-champs reaching the final.
And this year?
This year there will be no seeding.
Is there an advantage to being a seed? It depends if you can handle the pressure and kudos of being one. And conversely there are a few unknowns in the tournament who think they can win. Dealing in probabilities, it's more likely that more seeds will be knocked out earlier in a bigger tournament.
Essentially a seed is a strong player who has either done one or a combined number of the following:
- won a tournament
- usually gets quite far in competitions or the WTSC
- been in a team that has won a league or a tournament and/or has a legacy of doing so
- a strong reputation amongst peers or someone that may have struck recent consistent form
We also look for consistency, not just the one-off rinsing of a known player. This all assumes seeds can't be beaten, which of course, they can: It's not a fait accompli or guarantee someone is going through, it's Toads after all.
In Toads it's not necessarily an advantage that someone is already good - it's just more equitable that if they are to meet a same-standard player in a mass of players, they do so in the standard-appropriate later stages.
Assumed-by-form and record best players are spaced out in the early rounds to respect their consistent contribution to the game through competition, peer support and audience entertainment. If we're honest, they tend to practise more and support the Toads community with attendance. Ultimately, there is no easy route to the final and of course the entry does not promise that.
We also go to great lengths - like writing all this out. We make sure the draw is as random as possible. All the players in the event will be of a high standard. As data is scarce and can be easily re-interpreted, there are also other criteria and 'tells' we use, which dedicated players know about from regular practise and which will only become obvious when people improve their game.
NB: Please bear in mind the WTSC is a not a taproom toads event designed to keep people drinking, it's an aspiring event looking to find the top player. We would love a brewery sponsor to offer beer prizes. they just need to contact us.
