Handicap Event Rules
Handicap events in the Bolton Tennis League Annual Tournament are all played as the best of three short sets.
When one side has 6 games they have won the set. There are no tie breaks or long final sets.
Sudden death deuce is played throughout. However, should any set reach 5-5, full deuce will be played in the deciding game in all 3 sets.
The handicap system used is a simplified version of the full LTA system.
Handicaps can be as follows: +15, +0.3, SCR, -0.3, -15, -15.3, -30, -30.3, -40.
Exceptionally there may be a -50. If this occurs the match handicap will be explained by officials. Positive handicaps are always the start point for the team with the positive handicap.
Handicaps ending .3 indicate that the handicap alternates every game.
Matches in the BTL Tournament are played on the difference between the sides handicaps.
Some examples are in the following table:
| Team 1 | Team 2 | Match | How this is played |
| SCR | -30 | -30 | Team 2 starts every game -30, Team one starts every game at Love |
| -15 | +15 | 2 points difference | Team 2 starts every game at +15, Team one starts every game at -15 |
| -30.3 | -15.3 | -15 | Team 1 starts every game at -15, Team 2 starts every game at Love |
| -15.3 | -15 | -0.3 | Team 1 starts all odd games at -15 and even games at Love. Team 2 starts all games at Love |
| -15.3 | -15.3 | SCR | Both teams start every game at Love |
| -0.3 | -40 | -30.3 | Team 1 starts all odd games at Love. Team 2 starts all games at -40 and even games at -30 |
| -15 | -0.3 | -0.3 | Team 1 starts all odd games at -15 and even games at Love. Team 2 starts all games at Love |
| +0.3 | -0.3 | 1 point difference | Team 1 starts all odd games at +15 and even games at Love. Team 2 starts all games at Love |
| -15.3 | SCR | -15.3 | Team 1 starts all odd games at -30 and even games at -15. Team 2 starts all games at Love |
Where odd and even games are played to different handicaps this applies to every set. This means that a greater handicap is given for games 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 in all sets.