STARGAZERS LEAGUE RULES

MEMBER ACCOUNTS

• Your league ID must match your Yahoo ID exactly.
• Your league ID must be created by you and you may not share your ID with anyone else, including family members.
• Your league ID may not be profane or offensive. If your ID is found to be profane or offensive you will be required to change it.
• Each member must have a unique and valid e-mail address.
• Each member is allowed only one league ID. If a duplicate ID is found, the league ID with the least Ladder Bux will be removed by Admin.

TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION

• Members are responsible for ensuring that they have enough Bux to play in a tournament. If you do not have enough Bux, please ask the TD or an Admin to assist you. Shortage of Bux will result in you and another member being dropped from the tournament when the tournament is started. Members should access the tourney page, read the game rules and register for the tourney without the assistance of the TD. Tourney links are normally provided in Yahoo Messenger status.
• When a member creates a team, it is their responsibility to find a partner and provide the team password. The TD is responsible for running the tournament.
• If a member has no partner, they are encouraged to register on Auto.
• 10 minutes prior to the tournament start, only teams with 2 players will be allowed to register. All others must register on Auto.
• Members may not participate in more than one tournament at a time nor play non-league games/rated games while playing in a tournament. Anyone discovered playing in multiple tournaments or games will be disqualified from the tournament.
• Same household members may not create a team together or register on Auto together (in sequential order) in a tournament or league game. If they partner, the TD will kick the team or disqualify it. If same household members are partnered by the computer in a random partner tourney, they are allowed to participate as partners.
• If Auto is uneven, the member without a partner will be asked to stay and substitute.
• If a tourney round in progress is 2 hands or less from completion on the hour, the upcoming tourney will hold for no more than 10 minutes to allow the round to complete and the eliminated players to quickly join the upcoming tourney
• Tournaments will start no later than 10 minutes after the scheduled start time unless it is a Special Tournament.

TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS and CREATION OF TOURNAMENT TABLES

• The TD will provide tournament rules in the lobby and at game tables.
• It is the member's responsibility to read and understand all rules.
• The TD has sole permission to use CAPS in the lobby.
• Tables should not be created until after the TD announces pairings in lobby.
• The top bracket team has 3 minutes to create a table AND invite the TD. After 3 minutes, the TD will announce that the bottom bracket team will create the table.
• Tables are to be created by the team listed in the top bracket.
• Create one table and invite remaining members, do not continue creating tables until you get the "right one".
• Create all tables Unrated and No FF.
• Tables should be Protected immediately unless the TD specifies otherwise.
• The top bracket team has choice of red or blue seats.
• If the top bracket team fails to choose seats and invites their opponents to the table, they forfeit their choice of seats. After all players are invited, invite the TD to the table.

TOURNAMENT GAME START

• Do not start the game until the TD arrives, runs rules and provides start time.
• If a member bids prior to rules ran at table and they misbid, the penalty misbid will be applied as it is the members responsibility to know rules prior to playing.
• All players must uncheck the kibitz box prior to the game's start, unless the TD request kibitz on for the game. Only the TD is allowed to kibitz and will kibitz the entire game.

MISBIDS

• Unless otherwise specified in the game rules for the tournament, the 1st and 2nd misbids or misclicks are -100 pts each for the team. The 3rd misbid is a disqualification for the team.
• Games with less than 6 hands will be assessed -50 pts for each misbid.
• Misbids for 1v1 tourneys ran as 2v2 apply to the entire team.
• The TD must review the misbid and announce it at the table or it will not apply.
• All 4 players must have bid before a misbid is called on that hand.
• The TD reserves the right to determine if the misbid rule is being abused to maintain the game in a player's favor. The decision of the TD is final.

TOURNAMENT GAME PLAY

• The game clock never stops for boots, lags, BRBs, subs or other situations.
• The TD has the discretion to add time to the game for unusual circumstances.
• Host to keep track of hands, time and misbids.
• Bids and card playing must be at a fast and steady pace if ping is good. Chat is allowed but should not slow down card playing. Players who continually delay games will be warned and possibly disqualified.
• Other members and nonmembers may watch a tournament game but may not kibitz. If someone kibitzes and does not stop when asked, they will be booted at the request of the TD. Booting is not permitted without TD approval. Those not playing should keep chat to a minimum.
• Absolutely no table talk will be allowed. You will get one warning and the next time it happens your team will be disqualified. Avoid all conversation about the hand currently being played. The TD is responsible for determining table talk. The decision of the TD is final. If the TD determines table talk has occurred the hand will possibly be skipped and replayed (TD discretion) in addition to the team warning.
• Absolutely NO private messages are allowed between players (partners or opponents) during a match. If there is a concern, you may message the TD only.
• If you must leave your computer briefly, please state BRB and return as quickly as possible. Members found abusing BRBs will be warned and possibly disqualified. Any BRB on a nil hand is discouraged and will be closely monitored by the TD. If you must BRB for more than 2 minutes, please stand and ask for a sub.
• If you must leave you computer due to an emergency and do not plan to return for the game, please notify the TD and give your reason for leaving. A sub will be found.
• Leaving a game because you are losing or because you do not like the way your partner plays is not acceptable. Unsportsmanlike conduct will be addressed per league guidelines listed below.

TOURNAMENT GAME END

• Game is called after the allotted play time is up except under the following conditions:
• If the team causing the delay is the winning team, the TD has the discretion to allow the game to finish all hands.
• If the team causing the delay is the losing team, the game will be called at the allotted time allowed.
• This is so that no team who is playing at a steady pace is penalized for the slow play of the other team.
• A tie is an equal score at any time or if teams are at -200 BAGS DO NOT MATTER.
• If the tie score is 500 or above, the game will continue until Yahoo declares a winner on the next hand.
• If the tie score is below 500, the score is cleared and one tie-breaker hand is played. If the game is on a STANDARD table, the hand is Regular w Nil. If the game is on a SUICIDE table, the hand is Suicide w Nil.
• Misbids will be applied to the final scores. If neither score is 500+ AFTER applying the misbid and maximum hands and/or time has not been reached, the game continues on paper. If maximum hands or time has been reached & the score is tied at -200 and 1 team has a misbid, the game is over and the team that did not misbid wins.
• All players should remain at the table and seated until the TD announces the results of the game in the lobby.
• If Yahoo servers go down for 10 minutes or more, tournaments in progress will be canceled by the TD. If the servers return within 10 minutes but game tables & scores are lost, the partial games will be voided and new games will be started from the beginning on new tables. The # of hands in new games is TD discretion based on time allotted and rounds remaining.

SUBSTITUTIONS

• If a player is booted, the TD will type the time at the table. Maximum reboot time is 5 minutes.
• Any player who is booted from the lobby 3 times during a game may not return to the game. After the 3rd boot, the remaining partner must get a sub for the remainder of the game. The booted player may continue in the tourney during the next round with the above effective for each round.
• The remaining partner is encouraged to ask for a sub but may wait for the booted partner to return.
• The booted partner or a sub must be seated at the table before the 5 minute reboot time expires. The team will be disqualified otherwise.
• The remaining partner may choose a sub from available league members in the lobby. The sub may not be a remaining participant in a 2 v 2 tournament, unless no other subs are available. Players with a bye may sub in the first round of a 1v1 tournament.
• If the remaining partner has no preference for a sub, the TD will ask a member already at the table to sub.
• If no members are at the table, the TD will call for a sub in the lobby and ask the first member who responds to sub.
• A sub should only be invited to sit after the TD has made the request.
• The TD may sub only if no other league member is available. The TD should spam for available subs and stand as soon as another sub becomes available.
• If the booted player returns during the game, the sub will complete the current hand and then stand to allow the booted player to return to the game.
• During a 2 v 2 tourney, one original team member must be playing at all times. The team will be disqualified if neither original team member is present to play after 10 minutes expire.
• During a 1 v 1 tourney with bots no subs are allowed. A booted player has 10 minutes to return or they are disqualified.
• During a 1 v 1 tourney played as a 2 v 2 tourney, a booted player has 10 minutes to return or they are disqualified. Their seat should be filled immediately. A member that was in the tourney should be asked to sub first. If there are no remaining players any other member can sub. If the booted player does not return in 10 minutes the opponent of the disqualified player advances no matter the outcome of the game.
• During a 1 v 1 tourney played as a 2 v 2 tourney, if a game ends before the 10 minutes has expired on a booted player and the booted player won in absentia, the next round may begin with a sub.

MEMBER CONDUCT

• League members are to treat all other Stargazers and members of other leagues with respect.
• The lobby is a family place and appropriate language is encouraged. We will not censor for every comment, but members who are continuously being vulgar or disruptive with their language will be warned.
• Fighting and/or negative comments about the league or its members are prohibited at all times in the lobby. If you have an issue with Stargazers or any of its members or staff, contact an Admin and take the issue to a private table.
• Intentionally setting your partner or yourself (throwing a game) is considered disrespect towards your partner.
• Public accusations of cheating are not allowed and will result in the accuser being boxed without warning. If you suspect someone of cheating, send a private message to the TD or an Admin immediately.
• During a tournament the hosting TD has ultimate authority. If a ruling is made that you do not agree with, please wait until AFTER the tournament to discuss it privately with the TD.
• We encourage you to try to solve problems on your own before bringing it to staff, but not to the point of creating hardship to yourself or harassing other members. If you have a problem, we will be happy to help you.
• It is unacceptable to abuse or harass another league member. If you are observed being abusive in chat it could result in a major penalty. Depending upon the extent of the abuse you might not always receive a warning in these cases.
• It is important to remember that two wrongs do not make a right. If you are being harassed by another member, contact an Admin for assistance. Do not take matters into your own hands or return the abuse, or you could find yourself in trouble as well.
• If you encounter another user (nonmember) behaving in an unacceptable manner in lobby, the best thing to do is to IGNORE them. Responding to them will only make matters worse, as their goal is to irritate others online. DO NOT INVOLVE YOURSELF!!!! If you are asked to stop and you do not, a penalty will occur.

MEMBER MISCONDUCT

Our goal and main objective at Stargazers is to provide a fun and friendly environment for our members to play Spades. We ask that you respect your fellow members and follow the rules that we have set forth as guidelines for league behavior. However, if you cannot follow the rules, below is a list of what you can expect in return. All rule violations will be reviewed by the Admin Team.

• Disruption of the lobby - 1 warning - 1 day boxed if continued or repeated.
• Inappropriate language - 1 warning - 1 day boxed if continued or repeated.
• Failure to report a league game - 1 warning - 1 day boxed on multiple offenses.
• Leaving a game without good reason - no warning - 1 day boxed.
• Registering for a tourney and not playing - 1 warning - 1 day boxed on multiple offenses.
• Messaging partner or opponents during game - 1 warning - 3 days boxed on 2nd offense.
• Withdrawing from the league before a tourney is closed - no warning - 1 day boxed if player rejoins league.
• Disrespect of other members - no warnings - 3 days boxed.
• Failure to heed warnings and alter behavior - Additional days for each failure.
• Playing in multiple tourneys and/or games - 3 days boxed
• Publicly accusing another member of cheating - 3 days boxed.
• Cheating - lifetime ban from the league. You are to play as if you are sitting at a table playing with real cards using memory skills only. Cheating includes any type of aid beyond your memory skills. This includes card counters, notes, IMs, screen shots, etc.

We cannot cover every aspect of gaming in our rules. We have tried to be as thorough as possible and cover all the basics. However, just because something is not listed does not mean that it is allowed. Use common sense. If it is something that will adversely effect other players, then you might want to think twice about doing it as it is probably against the rules. Our staff has the final say in such matters.

If you have a specific question please feel free to contact Admin via e-mail by clicking on the Support tab on the league's main page, then clicking Contact Admin.

Stargazers Admin reserves the right to change or amend these rules as they see fit and possibly without warning. If you have questions or comments about these rules, please feel free to contact an Administrator. Membership in Stargazers is strictly voluntary. We hope you find that our league is a good place for you to play. However, if you find these rules too difficult to abide by, we wish you the best as you search for another league in which to play.

Stargazers Admin Team

Last Revision 25-August-2010

Recent Updates:
7-Apr-2010 - Changed reboot time from 10 to 5 minutes for 2v2.
7-Apr-2010 - Allow 1st round byes to sub as last alternative
7-Apr-2010 - Clarified rule that 1v1 seats should be filled immediately when player is booted.
7-Apr-2010 - Clarified & expanded on definition of cheating.
7-Apr-2010 - Added 2 minute maximum for BRB time.
1-Jul-2010 - Clarified & expanded on how misbids apply when determining a winner.
25-Aug-2010 - Added 3 boot maximum per game. After 3 boots a permanent sub is required.

Codes & Information for Stargazers use only. Please comply.