Format for the First Eight is a double round robin of single 26-point games, with the first round to be completed before the start of the second round. There will be a random draw, with the same draw to be used for both rounds. Games in the First Eight will be un-timed, but the Tournament Manager may impose a time limit after 90 minutes of play, of not less than an additional one hour.

Since there were not enough entries to fill two more Eights, two equally weighted blocks of 6 will play a single round robin (Qualifying block). The top 3 from each Qualifying block proceed to 2nd 6/group and bottom 3 to the 3rd 6/group, to then play a double round robin against their peers for the Tom Howatt and Major Tingey trophies respectively. Games other than in the First Eight will be timed (2½ hours).

Regulation 16.3 applies to all games.