How Lewis class works
Lewis class lets a shooter who is having an average day still win something. After the last squad finishes, every score from the shooters who paid into the Lewis is listed from high to low and cut into equal classes. Each class gets an equal share of the purse, and the high score in each class wins it.
- Divide the entries by the number of classes. 32 entries in 5 classes is 6 each with 2 left over.
- The leftover shooters go one each to the bottom classes, so the short classes are always on top: 6, 6, 6, 7, 7.
- Draw the lines. Where a line cuts through tied scores, move the tie to the side that holds most of it. An even split goes to the head of the lower class.
- Each class keeps its money no matter how many shooters end up in it.
The rules sheet example, line by line
With 32 entries at $10 and 5 classes, each class is worth $64. Three lines fall inside tied scores:
- Class 2 ends on two 93s and Debbie's 93 heads Class 3. Two of the three are above the line, so Debbie moves up and Lucy and Patty (92) now head Class 3.
- Paul's 90 ends Class 3 while three 90s open Class 4. Paul moves down and the four 90s split Class 4, $16 each.
- Joseph's 85 ends Class 4 and Mary's 85 opens Class 5. One on each side means both go to the head of the lower class and split $64.
Questions people ask
How does Lewis class work in trap shooting and sporting clays?
Everyone who pays into the Lewis shoots as normal. Afterwards the scores are listed from high to low and cut into equal groups, so a middling shooter can win a class without beating the top guns. Each class gets the same share of the money.
What happens when tied scores fall on a class line?
All shooters with that score go to the class where most of them already sit. With an even split they all go to the top of the lower class. Each class keeps its money. A big tie can empty a class. The official rules sheet doesn't cover that: here its money follows its shooters, or you can hold it back.
Why does the top class have fewer shooters?
The rules say a short class is always an upper one. With 32 entries and 5 classes that gives 6, 6, 6, 7 and 7. Tie moves can change sizes again after that.
Does a bigger class get more money?
No. The purse is divided by the number of classes first, and that money stays with its class even if tie moves make it larger or smaller.
How many Lewis classes should we use?
Whatever your shoot posts in advance. Common choices are a fixed number such as 4 or 5, or one class for every 10 entries. If your program says "or part thereof", pick that under More options: 25 entries then make 3 classes, not 2.
How are ties for a class win paid?
This calculator splits it, as the NSSA examples do: tied shooters share the money for the places they cover (the high gun system), so two tied for the win in a 60/40 class get 50% each. Some shoots hold a shoot-off instead. If yours does, pay the shoot-off winner that money.
What is the Lewis option at a sporting clays shoot?
An optional side purse. You pay a few dollars extra when you sign up, and only those who paid are put into Lewis classes. Shooters who did not enter still get their score posted but can't win Lewis money.
The rules sheet says Add Rest = remainder x 10 / 2. Is that right?
Only for 5 classes. What it is after is the number of leftover entries (32 entries in 5 classes leaves 2), and each of that many bottom classes gets one extra shooter. This calculator uses the leftover count, so it works for any number of classes.
Rules from The Lewis Class System (NSSA-NSCA rules sheet with purse examples). Not affiliated with NSSA, NSCA or ATA. Your shoot's posted rules come first.