Rules

Rules 2026

The Baden Masters is open for 12 teams playing a round robin in 2 groups of 6 teams.
Each game is played over 8 ends. If the game is tied after 8 ends, an extra end will be played. If the extra end is blanked, Last Stone Draw (LSD) shootout after extra end will decide the winner. The team, which had the hammer in the extra end, will play the second LSD.
After the round robin the overall ranking will decide the qualification for the quarterfinals. The 1st and 2nd ranked teams in the overall rankings are qualified for the semifinal. The 3rd ranked team plays the 6th ranked team in the quarterfinal and the 4th ranked team plays the 5th ranked team for a spot in the semifinal.
The winners of the quarterfinals qualify for the semifinals; the other 2 teams are equally ranked in the 5th place.
The winners of the semifinals will play in the final for first and second place; the two other teams are equally ranked in the 3rd place.
There is no time limit, but teams are asked to adhere to the scheduled game plan.
WCF rules apply.

Hammer for Round Robin
10 minutes prior to every game the teams determine the color of stones, as well as the in/out turn for the LSD and the order in which the LSD is to be played with a toss. The toss winner may choose the color of stones and the turn. The loser may choose whether they wish to play the first LSD or the second one.
The first team plays their first practice shot and the second team plays their first practice shot. Then both teams play their second practice shot. Afterwards the first team plays their LSD, which will be measured by the umpires. The second team plays their LSD, which will be measured by the umpires as well.
The team ending up closer to the pin, may choose whether they like to have the last stone in the first end.

Last Stone Draw (LSD)
All stones finishing in the house are measured. Stones that do not finish in the house are recorded as 199.6 cm. The worst LSD from each team will not be taken into account for the overall DSC ranking.

Ranking Procedure Round Robin / Draw Shot Challenge (DSC)
1) After Round Robin the overall ranking will determine the qualification for the playoffs.
2) Teams will only be ranked according to their win / loss record.
3) Where two or more teams are tied, the result of the DSC during the round robin will determine the ranking.

Hammer for Quarterfinal/Semifinal/Final:
The team, which is ranked higher after the round robin, will have hammer in the first end and may choose the color of stones. All the teams may play 2 practice shots (equally to the round robin games) 10 mins prior to each game with no LSD being played after the practice.