If you use the Tourney Maker below to create your tourneys, you do not have to re-enter the fields. If you are making multiple tourneys in advance for a single time slot, simply click "Create Tourney" again and another tourney is created. Store them out in a far future date and change the date when you need them. Check the accuracy of the tourney before creating many duplicates please.
TODAY'S TD TIP - SWISS SEEDING
In a Single Elimination (SE) tourney, the top seeds (1,2,3,etc.) receive the byes. However, in a Swiss tourney the lowest seed receives the bye for the 1st round. In subsequent rounds, the team with the worst tourney record receives the bye. If there is more than one team with the worst record, the tie-breaker is the team with the lowest seeding. In Swiss, only one team may receive a bye per round.
TODAY'S TD TIP - SPECIAL TOURNEY CREATION GUIDE
Thought about doing a Special tourney but not quite sure if you know enough to run one? We can help. The Special Tourney Guide provides all the information you need to make and run the Special tourney. The guide is located here directly below the Specials Calendar. Contact an Admin if you want to run a Special or have any questions.
TODAY'S TD TIP - STARTING ROUNDS
Start your available 2nd round games as soon as possible after you get your 1st round going. The winners may have to wait later for the other teams to advance, but winners are less cranky while waiting. Starting your games sooner also makes more subs available and allows those who didn't win to join the next tourney.
TODAY'S TD TIP - AUTO PAIRINGS
Members on Auto are ALWAYS paired based upon the individual's Registration Number in sequential (low to high) order. For example, if you have 4 members on Auto and their Registration Numbers are 3,6, 8 & 10, members 3 & 6 will be a team and members 8 & 10 will be a team. The seeding option (rating, random, etc.) only applied to the team AFTER Auto has put them together. Same Household members are not allowed to register sequentially on Auto. If they do, one must withdraw and rejoin Auto or make a Team.
TODAY'S TD TIP - RANDOM PARTNER TOURNEYS
All of our Quickies (odd hour tourneys) and some of our Specials are Random Partner tourneys. MyLeague randomly creates teams of 2 members. To make a Random Partner tourney truly random, set your Seeding Option to Random also. This gives everyone an equal opportunity to receive top seeding in your tourney. In a 2v2, check your number of registered members one last time before hitting Start. You need to have an even number or that last person signed in will get dropped from your tourney.
TODAY'S TD TIP - SEEDING OPTIONS
There are 4 Seeding Options to select from. Rating (the default), Random, Rank & Registration #. It is best to "mix it up" when selecting your tourney seeding option. Rating & Rank reward those who have performed well. Registration rewards those who arrive early. Note that Rating and Rank are based on the member's statistics at the time they REGISTER for your tourney, not at the tourney start time. For example, if they are ranked #10, register for your tourney, finish the previous tourney and move to #6, their rank for your tourney seeding will remain at #10.
TODAY'S TD TIP - TIE SCORES
A tie score is anytime a game ends due to maximum hands, time or score and both teams have equal scores. If the 2 teams are both at -200, it is a tie. Bags do not matter. If the tie score is 500 or above, the current game will continue until Yahoo declares a winner on the next hand. If by small chance, both teams set and drop below 500 again, the game will continue until hands/time/score maximum is reached. If maximum hands or time is reached and 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 extra hand is Regular w Nil. If the game is on a SUICIDE table, the extra hand is Suicide w Nil.
TODAY'S TD TIP - CUTTING HANDS
Hands are not reduced in our regular even-houred tourneys and overlap may occur if tourneys are large. However, Quickies (odd-hour tourneys) are required to end on or before the next scheduled tourney start time. Plan ahead. If you have a Quickie ready to begin, look at your # of registered members and your time remaining to run your tourney.
If your 1v1 tourney has 6 members (3 rounds) and your have only 45 minutes to complete your tourney, you should set hands to 4 or 5/15/500 instead of 6/20/500. Likewise, if you have a 2-3 round tourney and a full hour to complete the tourney, you should set hands to 6/20/500. If you have to cut hands, it should be announced prior to the beginning of the round and should apply to all tables. Calling time on one table and cutting hands for a round are 2 totally different things.
TODAY'S TD TIP - CALLING TIME
Calling time on a table is one of the most difficult tasks you have. Invariably, someone will not be happy with your decision. Our rules give you discretion when calling time. If the team causing the delay is winning, you may allow the game to continue beyond the time limit. If the team causing the delay is losing or if both teams are causing delays, the game should be called at the alloted time allowed.
To properly call time, you should announce to the table near the end of the hand but before they bid the next hand that "DUE TO TIME, THE NEXT HAND WILL BE THE LAST HAND". This allows everyone the opportunity to place bids using last hand strategy. The best time to call time is when there is 2-3 minutes remaining on the game clock since most hands may be played in 3 minutes or less. Be aware that in certain games it is unfair to end the game on odd numbered hands. Examples are Bidder's Choice, Truth or Dare, Dirty Mirrors). Be sure to compliment your tables that play fast steady pace games.
TODAY'S TD TIP - SUBS
Encourage members to ask for a sub to keep the game going. Waiting 5 minutes of a 30 minute game for a partner to return is allowed but discouraged. If someone was left out of your tourney, give them top priority when asking for a sub. When finding a sub, the proper search order is member's choice, table, lobby, members with a bye and finally spam. If spamming does not generate a sub, you the TD may sub until another member becomes available. In 1v1 members with first round byes may sub. Members with first round byes may only sub in 2v2 if absolutely no other members are available. Boxed members may not sub during their penalty time.
TODAY'S TD TIP - 1V1 TOURNEYS
All of our 1v1 tourneys are run as 2v2 tourneys. Yahoo does not allow 1v1v1v1 (individual score) games. Misbids in 1v1 games apply to both partners, just like 2v2. However, if a booted member does not return after 10 minutes, the booted member is disqualified and their opponent advances, no matter the outcome of the game. The game should continue with a "replacement" to determine which other player advances. Players with 1st round byes may sub in 1st round games.
TODAY'S TD TIP - 1V1 TOURNEYS PAIRINGS
To properly announce table pairings, think of the pairings as combining 2 1v1 matches into one 2v2 match on a single table. For example, in a 4-player tourney Player #1 invites Player #4 and Player #2 invites Player #3. By combining the 2 games, your announced pairings are Player #1 and #2 please invite Players #4 and #3. It gets a bit more complicated when an odd number of players are registered for your tourney. If you aren't sure about how to announce the pairings, ask an HTD for help.
TODAY'S TD TIP - AVOIDING TD BURNOUT
Everyone experiences burnout at one time or another. The difficult part is we recognize it when someone else is experiencing it but seldom notice it in our own self. TD burnout can happen many different ways but a sure sign of it is if you just aren't having fun anymore. If you dread running a tourney or dread playing because you just know you're going to lose again because your luck stinks lately, that's probably burnout. You may even stop playing for awhile and focus on directing, solely to avoid losing. Then a member jumps on you because you started 5 minutes late or an Admin or HTD gives you constructive criticism and you just want them to leave you alone.
The solution is to talk to someone or take a break. Find another staff member you can confide in, knowing you can gripe to them in confidence. Walk away from Spades for a day or two. Find something else to do to occupy your mind. Don't go immediately to the withdraw button or say something you will regret later. You are an important part of our league. Take care of yourself.
TODAY'S TD TIP - GAME CLOCK
The game clock never stops for boots, lags, BRBs, subs or other situations. If a player is booted and the remaining partner uses the entire 5 minutes waiting for them to return, 5 minutes of a 30 minute game are lost. Therefore, all players should be encouraged to get a sub, especially if it appears their partner is not returning soon. If a player is asking for multiple BRBs, ask them if they would like someone to sub for them until they can play. BRBs have a 2 minute maximum, then the TD should boot the missing member. Fast, steady play should always be encouraged. As TD you have discretion to add time to the game clock for unusual circumstances (Yahoo connection problems, lag, winning team delaying game, etc.) Use this power sparingly and wisely.
TODAY'S TD TIP - MISBIDS
Members have responsibility to read the game rules on the tourney page (they check the box). All 4 players must bid the hand before a misbid is assessed. MIsbid penalties should always be applied. Asking the opponents to forgive the misbid is unfair to the opponents. Misbids in games with 6-10 hands are #1 -100, #2 -100, #3 Disqualified team. Misbids in games with 4-5 hands are #1 -50, #2 -50, #3 Disqualified team. Misbids are applied to final scores. Therefore if a team exceeds 500 but is less than 500 with the misbid penalty, the game must continue with the adjusted score on paper until either maximum hands, time or score is reached.
Example: In a 10/30/500 game at the end of hand 8/10 after 20 minutes of play, the score is Red 536 Blue 475. However, Team Red has a 100 point misbid penalty. Therefore, the score AFTER the misbid is applied is Red 436 Blue 475. The game continues on paper because neither maximum hands (now 9/10), nor time (20 minutes of 30) nor score (500) has been reached. At the end of hand 9/10 the score is Red 597 Blue 526. The score AFTER the misbid is applied is Red 497 Blue 526, Blue Wins. A team has reached 500 points and the game ends.
TODAY'S TD TIP - TABLE TALK
Members should avoid ALL talk of the hand being played, coaching a partner on how to play during the game, or discussing game strategy during the game. This is table talk and is not allowed. One warning is issued and the 2nd offense results in the entire team being disqualified. As TD, you may determine if the table talk has spoiled the hand. If so, the hand may be skipped and replayed in addition to the team warning. As TD, you must determine if a comment is table talk. If you are unsure, ask for an HTD or Admin to assist you.
Communication during a tourney game, other than at the table, is strictly forbidden among partners & opponents and could be construed as cheating. Communication with the TD is permitted, as long as it has nothing to do with game strategy.
TODAY'S TD TIP - SCREEN SHOTS
When members break the rules or a conflict occurs during your tourney, your best friend is a screen shot. Documented proof will get the job done a lot faster than "he said, she said" conversations. To be fair to all, proof is required. For a table screen shot, you may extend the dialog box and screen shot a larger portion per shot. As long as you remain at the table, you will be able to scroll up and capture the portion you need. Since the lobby dialog box does not expand, screen shots of the lobby require more scrolling and more shots depending upon the length of the conversation being captured. IM conversations also require a screen shot as they can be cut and pasted to manipulate what was said and are not proof that it was the actual conversation. Save your files as .JPG or .GIF if possible. BMP and TIFF files are much larger and more difficult to distribute via email. PrintKey for Windows and Grab for Mac are the softwares we currently recommend you use.
TODAY'S TD TIP - SELECTING TOURNEY COLORS
Your tourney may have as many as 7 different colors but should have a minimum of at least 2. If you are a new director keep it simple and stick with 2 colors. As you become more experienced you may experiment with more color options. The first rule of color is that the text color must be different than the background color. The 2 boxes that control background color are titled Background Color and Header Background Color. The remaining 5 boxes control text color. Choose 2 compatible and legible colors. For more information, click the option TOURNEY COLORS - MINI TUTORIAL in the Tourney Graphics section below.
TODAY'S TD TIP - DELETING TOURNEYS
If you have started your tourney and players were dropped and you plan to remake the tourney, the first tourney should be deleted. However, do not delete the old tourney until you are certain everyone has rejoined the replacement tourney.
Certain options may not be revised after your tourney has been created. These options include LadderBux, number of players per team (1v1, 2v2) and tourney format (SE, DE, Swiss). In situations where these options are incorrect in combination (i.e. 50 LadderBux for 1v1, 75 LadderBux for SE, etc.) your tourney should be deleted.
If your tourney format is correct and you are replacing it with another (i.e. 1v1 for 2v2 because not enough players) you may save your unused tourney for a future date and time. To do so, 1)uncheck any players/teams registered for your tourney, 2)close the tourney (to keep someone from joining the wrong tourney) and 3)move it to a future date. When you are ready to use the tourney again, move it to the appropriate time and date and reopen check-in (when possible). Any unchecked players who do not check-in again will be dropped. You should not delete players from a tourney and save it for a later date because if one of those deleted players rejoins your tourney on that future date, a "red flag" is sent to MyLeague indicating possible fraud (signing up 2 times for the same tourney). If in doubt, delete.
TODAY'S TD TIP - STARTING TOURNEYS ON TIME
Everyone appreciates a tourney that starts on time. Do your best to ensure everyone is registered who wants to play and then start. Below is a guideline of how to start your tourney on time.
-:30 Arrive to the lobby, spam your tourney link & put tourney link on your status.
-:15 Spam your tourney a 2nd time.
-:10 Review your tourney for partial teams, ask members for team passwords & encourage them to get their partners registered.
-:05 Notify partial teams that they will be removed and need to reregister on Auto unless their partner joins them quickly. Make last call for anyone not registered and tell them to register on Auto. Do not close your tourney before :00.
:00 Remove any partial teams that have not responded. If Auto is uneven, announce the need for an Auto. Check with TD for preceding tourney regarding hands remaining in game(s) in progress. If 2 or less hands remain, wait for them to finish but encourage finalists to register now. If all teams are complete and Auto is even CLOSE. Do not ask in lobby if there are 2 more to join.
+:05 If tourney remains uneven, make another plea for an Auto. Encourage everyone in the tourney to remain in place. If even at any time after :00 CLOSE.
+:10 If tourney remains uneven, ask the last member to register on Auto if they will remain and sub, if needed. CLOSE your tourney and start. If any games in progress are not on the last hand, do not wait for them to finish. However, ensure the finalists are registered before you close if you told them you would wait.
Quickie tourneys are required to finish by :00. Quickie tourneys may not overlap Scheduled tourneys. Hands must be cut to ensure Quickies finish on time. Scheduled tourneys may overlap each other.
TODAY'S TD TIP - PREMIUM MEMBERSHIPS
You do not have to own a Premium membership to be on staff, but it certainly helps. It allows you to earn more Bux for playing and directing tourneys. It also allows you to gift to members who are short on Bux or to gift winners beyond your limited TD donations.
You may also earn Bux by simply logging into your leagues each day. As a Platinum member, you can earn a maximum of 40 Bux per league for 5 leagues or 200 Bux per day. Diamond members earn 60 Bux per league for 10 leagues or 600 per day. That's an additional 4200 Bux a week & over 200,000 Bux a year! Simply put your leagues into a Bookmark or Favorite folder and click on each league homepage once a day. The Bux are automatically awarded when you are logged in. After the Bux have accumulated, transfer them to Stargazers for future use. Use the Interleagues for your additional leagues if you play solely in Stargazers. The Interleague links are in the TD Center below.
TODAY'S TD TIP - PAPER TOURNEYS
When MyLeague is not operational, you may direct using a paper tourney. Click on the PAPER TOURNEY link in the TDIC under TD Links. Enter the IDs of all who wish to play. Enter your ID, your email, Stargazers, Pending for the Tourney #, Zero Bux and select your membership type. Click Start Tournament and pairings will be provided. If you have any questions, review the Tutorial or contact an Admin.
TODAY'S TD TIP - PAPER SCORING
There are 2 situations where Paper Scoring is required. When scoring on paper announce the scores at the table after each hand.
1) When the team that has misbid exceeds 500 in less than the required # of hands. If Yahoo ends the game, but after the misbid is applied it results in a score less than 500, the game continues on paper until one team exceeds 500 AFTER the misbids are applied or until maximum hands or time is played.
2) When a team misplays on the final trick and the hand may no longer be skipped. This occurs in games like Strip Spades where cards must be played in a certain order. Void the hand where the misplay occurred and assess the misbid penalty. Write down the scores & bags from the last valid hand (do not include the results from the voided hand). Clear score. Continue the game and add the scores and bags from Yahoo to the paper scores & bags after each hand. If a team obtains 10 bags, their score must be adjusted -100. Continue until one team exceeds 500 after misbids are applied or until maximum hands or time is played.
TODAY'S HTD TIP - TOURNEY HISTORY
You may view the history of a tourney in the HTD menu. Select ADMINISTER TOURNAMENTS or ADMIN TOURNEYS - DIRECT. Locate the tourney you wish to review and click the DATE of the tourney. The CHANGE LOG window will show you the date the tourney was created. Any movement of the tourney and by whom will also be shown. This is helpful if a TD believes someone else moved their tourney or if they deny moving a tourney at the last minute. Note that all times listed are PT (US Pacific Time) and not league ET. This option is only available to HTDs.
TODAY'S TD TIP - NEW TOURNEY FIELDS
Cases has added a few new fields to the Tourney Setup process that may be a bit confusing because of their titles. Hopefully, this will help:
Name of Tournament: An optional field but generally our staff enters the game name and their name or ID (e.g. Reggy with Fuzzy)
Game: Spades
Game Room Name: Suicide 4 or SSL4
Game Room Link: http://games.yahoo.com/games/ante?room=spades_suicide_g&prof_id=chat_pf_1
Game Format: The name & parameters of your game (e.g. Mirror Spades 10/30/500)
Some of these fields are preset and do not require reentry if you use the Tourney Maker found in the TD Info Center.
E-MAIL: tropical_stargazer@yahoo.com If you have a Tip you would like to share.
Codes & Information for Stargazers use only. Please comply.