Pool leagues play races: the first player to win a set number of racks takes the match. Handicapped leagues give each player a different race based on their skill rating, so a stronger player might need five racks while their opponent needs three.
Standings can be kept two ways, and leagues use both. Ranking on match wins rewards results. Ranking on racks won (or points per rack) rewards every rack, so a close loss still counts. Team leagues usually total racks or match points across the team’s players each night.