Carter Cup play takes place over 20 sets, the sets are broken down into 5 seperate rotations, each rotation encompassing 4 sets. Each set won is worth 1 point, each set tied (in singles only) is worth 1/2 point to each team. The defending champion needs 10 points to retain the cup, while the challengers are required to obtain 10 1/2 points to take the cup. EVERY GAME in Carter Cup play begins with a face-off. Players receive 1 minute between every game, two minutes between sets, and 15 minutes between rotations.
The 1st, 3rd, and 5th rotations are singles. In singles the sets are best of 4. In other words the only possible outcomes are: 3 to 0, 3 to 1, or 2 to 2. A 2-2 tie results in a tie, and a half point for each team. The 2nd and 4th rotations are doubles. ALL standard USAA australian doubles rules apply, except: every game begins with a face-off and the opposing team chooses who will begin the 1st game of each set (not necessarily the lower-ranked player), beginning with the challenging team making their choice.
The challenging team fills out the match roster form 1st, then the champions fill out their portion while looking at what the challengers have done.
CHAMPIONS........................CHALLENGERSEach player can only appear in each rotation once (or twice in doubles). In singles the challengers stay in the numbered position they start in throughout the match. The champions cannot be in the same position more than once. For the two doubles rotations, no team can be duplicated (I.E. TEAM A OR B CANNOT BE THE SAME AS TEAM C OR D). Each player must be on either team A or B (c or d), but cannot be on both teams. The champions have the option of varying their doubles format as you can see be the form.