CANSTA MASTER LEAGUE RULES

Canasta Masters is a Member Based league, where everyone are equals Admin and Staff are here to organize and provide the environment of our ethics here. We are here to have fun, respect one another, and let the good times happen. If you are having a bad day, you're welcome to come and try to change that. If however you come in and are causing negativity among those playing and hosting, common sense applies and you will be asked to move on for a period of cool off time. Everyone has a voice, please let us know what you think, good, bad or indifferent. This is a basic outline of hopes, for a fair and fun league that you want to return to. Please notify Admin of items not agreed with. All have a voice. Please note, that we expect positive sportsmanship, and behavior to not purposefully be insulting to any member or staff. That is the goal. Goofing off along with others is one thing, ANY time someone becomes threatened, harassed or purposefully insulted, Staff will be directed on handling the situation immediately. Please remember how you wish to be treated, and treat others in the same manner at all times.

SECTION 1: HEAD ADMINISTRATOR AND ADMINISTRATORS

The Head Admin and Admin will make all decisions for the league based on a quick and efficient process. The decisions will be final and not subject to review. The members will be given the opportunity to vote on certain items and/or rule changes through the voting box from time to time however, the final decision to make said changes will be left up to the Admin Team and the HA. If you feel there is a matter which needs attention please bring it to the attention of the HA or an Admin. We are open for discussion and will gladly listen to all ideas, suggestions and/or complaints. We cannot change the past, but our goal is for the future of this league to be a positive environment. This will ALWAY be a MEMBER LEAGUE, where all are equally respected.

If there are comments, problems or complaints please email: Deer_4me: Deer_4me@yahoo.com miz.delite: wildfanz@comcast.net like_me_or_lump_it: like_me_or_lump_it@yahoo.com

SECTION 2: GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AND SHOWING COMMON COURTESEY

Members came for the love of the game, and to have the pleasure of enjoying canasta, so if you are a cut throat nasty canasta player, this may not be the place for you. Please show common courtesy and good sportsmanship to your opponent. You begin each game with GL of some form HI and GL or hey and GL, as well as, after each hand you MUST say good hand (gh), or nice hand (nh), or even so sorry (ss), or thank you (ty), or good job (gj) within a few plays. We understand that at times you are having a really bad game, however, please remember that playing cards has a lot to do with the luck of the draw and that your opponent is only playing their hand to the best of their ability and is not out to get you. Honestly, this league is here for the fun and love of playing canasta, so saying something like gj even if you are losing by 5000 points can serve to relieve an otherwise tense moment. Also you MUST say good game (gg) after the game is over even if the game is lopsided. We demand this respect.

SECTION 3: NO HARASSING, DISRESPECTING, FIGHTING OR ARGUING

Any member accusing, attempting to boot, harassing, disrespecting, fighting or arguing with any member, or just others in the lobby, will result in being boxed or removed from the league, and no there doesn’t have to be a "warning" . This includes harassing any members in the lobby, game rooms, or in instant messages following an incident. If you need to vent, find a friend, or staff, tell them you need the time to vent a moment. Tell them the issue, but be willing to listen to possible solutions. We all have these moments. Please, these instances causes disruptions in tourneys even if in the lobby that prevent staff from carrying out their responsibilities will also result in being boxed or removed from the league. If you have a problem with someone, please take it private, or better yet, just get off the computer for a while. If you are not able to resolve the issue please contact the HA or admin and put that person on ignore until it is resolved. It is the person, not the id that is a member so if you are found to be making other screen names to do so, the same applies. If a member withdraws to violate a league rules(s) and rejoins the league, they will be boxed. Social Lounge 3 is our home but is also a public lobby and other people have the right to talk in our lobby and we have no control over what they say or do. The best approached is to not respond and place them on ignore. Keep in mind, you are representing this league as a member or staff. Anyone accusing (without physical proof) another player of cheating at a table or in the lobby will automatically receive 7 days (first offense) in the penalty box. If you suspect a player(s) of cheating you should im the td or admin. If you have proof take screen shots at the table. (How to make screenshots)

SECTION 4: NO PROFANITY, ABUSE OR HARRASSMENT

League has numerous members from other countries. Therefore, we have many different cultures, and religions. Each culture views what are so called "curse words" in a different way and this is could cause controversy within the league. For example, in the USA some see the word "damn" as a curse, others see it as a dam to hold water. In Australia, the word "damn" is a canal, and in Belgium or the Netherlands the word "damn" is a piece of a board game. What matters most is the interpretation of the word or the context in which the word is used. Profanity used in haste, will not be tolerated nor will abuse or harassment of those present with the league. Please remember that Social Lounge 3 is our home, however it is a public lobby. If you find that someone that is not in our league is using inappropriate language remember we have no control over these people, click on Options and Ignore user, this is Yahoo’s advice as well. You are free to play in all lobbies and talk to everybody. But if we get complaints about bad behavior from other lobbies or leagues and you're a member of Canasta Masters you may be boxed for 1 day. Second offense 2 days in box, Third offense 3 days. If you find yourself in the box, please contact the Admin who placed you in the box in private im or on a table for the matter to be discussed. If you disrupt the league with the matter, you may receive more time in the box.

SECTION 5: LEAGUE NAMES AND SEXUALLY EXPLICIT TALK

League names are not to contain profanity or sexually explicit content per cases rules. If your league name is found to be in violation of Case's rules and REPORTED to staff, you will be asked to change it to a more appropriate name. Any player name that could be offensive to anyone will be boxed until it is changed. If your ID is boxed please contact an Admin to assist you in changing your ID. This is a respect oriented league and based on that we asked that you refrain from sexually explicit talk in the lobby, our tables or in ims if others are uncomfortable with this. Anyone using sexually explicit talk who are asked to back off, or refrain, it is bother someone, will be given one warning. This rule applies also when making team names for doubles. The second time the member will be boxed or removed from the league depending on the severity. There does NOT have to be a waiting period between the two.

SECTION 6: NUMBER OF TOURNEYS AT ONE TIME.

You are asked not to be in more than 2 regular games (40-60 min) at one time, except for after midnight. You may be in 15 or 20 min game when you are in 2 full games, but you must be able to keep up. If you can't handle this then you may not be allowed to play in a 15-20 min game when in 2 regular games. If you are caught in 3 regular tourneys without prior permission and you are slow playing, you will be dq'ed from the last one you joined. (You may obtain permission from admin to be in 3 full tourneys at a time, however you must be approved prior to joining a 3rd tourney and you must be able to keep up or it won’t be given) In the case of members being given permission of being in 3 tournaments, at least 1 must be a doubles. Repeat offenders of slow play, may also be asked to limit games to 1. This is to ensure that everyone has a fun time and that we are having a good time. AFTER MIDNITE, ask the TD for permission, if you are going to sleep, or slow playing, this privilege will be stopped. Exceptions: There might be some games that you may only be in that tournament (no exception to these games) and please respect this rule.

SECTION 7: STARTING AND ENDING GAME

ALL games are started on NEW tables. We do not keep tables to play next round. ALL games will be played as close to star time as possible, or 4 in if race. If yahoo or cases crashes, please allow for staff to figure out the situation, and im them for directions on how to handle the situation. Patience is a must at these times. We are adults in this league, and are going to attempt a new measure. In order to allow more tournaments to be on the calendar to fill, we would like you if you are unfamiliar with the tournament, please open the main Tournament page, and review the rules. IF need be you can make notes while waiting for the tournament to start. If confused, feel free to ask the opponent or your TD to the table to review the rules. IF there are any auto wins, DQ or problems, invite the TD to the table immediately. Otherwise, upon the completion of a tournament, simply post the Game, your opponent, and TD name in the lobby. IE: I won vs. Player2 in Aces TD Masters. There will be games for example GO FISH that still require TD presence, and you will be directed to invite them to the table as well. Please understand if there is a mass boot, the TD may have several tables to answer, and give them a chance to address you. Everyone deserves their questions be answered quickly and fully. Please do not invite the TD to the table until the 3 minutes of time to get to the table are up for MIA and be ready to answer their questions for the info needed to get the correct information needed to properly post MIAS and problems. If there are problems on a table and the TD is NOT Present, please make a screenshot, please learn, and do so. Action WILL be taken based on the screenshots. We ask that you scroll and take all shots from start to the end, so that a fair judgment will be made by staff.

Section 7a: Please do not invite the TD until pairings are posted in the lobby, and they have answered issues in the lobby. Please wait for the TD to get to the table and ask for the issue. If it is an mia, posting Name and Game of MIA is most beneficial. Do not leave the LOBBY until you are sure the correct posting is made for your tournament. Staff must be able to verify the win, answer questions, and make the correct post. Repeated violations of this rule will result in the consequence of dealing with a wrong posting of win if TD had to just mark it based on timer, or tables not being rated or cancelled. No FF at anytime. If it is a computer issue, talk to some of us, we will try to explain our own issues with this and how we repaired it. Yes there are Java virus’s but it is up to you to get rid of it. 2nd offense of Obvious FF or DQ, you will be tabled, and Admin notified, in order to decide proper steps.

Section 7b: If it states Initial or first MELD: You must play the required cards for that hand/game in the first meld that hits the table. If a tournament states you must meld before canasta, then the meld must be visible before any canastas are made. If it states you must have a canasta in a card visible to go out, then you must have a discard to go out remaining if that is your last meld. IE: King ME: you must have Kings melded and visible, before you canasta any cards, and to go out, you must have Kings canasta, and have a discard. You cannot Meld Kings to a Canasta and go out on your meld. You would have to meld kings, then canasta them, then go out. Yes it can be done in 1 turn, but 3 steps taken.

SECTION 8: TIME LIMIT TO MAKE TABLE AFTER PAIRINGS

When pairings are called in lobby the top bracket invites lower bracket and then has choice of seat. In a tourney players are expected to watch the lobby for pairings. After 3 minutes, second call is announced by the TD and the lower bracket may invite the upper bracket and TD and have seat of choice. If pairings have to be spammed a 3rd time, a timer will be started on both players. After 10 minutes the top bracket gets the timed out, the bottom bracket advances, then on the next round this player will get an automatic loss even if back in the lobby.

SECTION 9: KIBITZ & PROTECTED OR PRIVATE TABLES

Unless the POSTED RULES state prior, All tables are to be set to PROTECTED, RATED, and turn your ALLOWING KIBITZ off. Any game where ALLOW KIBITZ is ON for the table of players the table will be PRIVATE, RATED and ALLOW KIBITZ ON and NO watchers. If a member EVER joins a table in progress and clicks KIBITZING it will be IMMEDIATE BOXING unless it is Staff verifying information for the TD. The rule will stand is in doubles where a player has been booted and a sub is playing then the player may watch. There WILL be exceptions for TOC/SEC special events upon the HA prior approval, for all league members to witness and encourage league members. Please keep kibitz off at ALL time and keep them off the duration of the game. (The rule will be exempt from the games that kibitz has to be on example, Go Fish) Once game is started, flashing kibbies at any time (turning kibby off, then on right away, then off) will be an immediate DQ. There will be times when you are in a doubles when you are asked to turn your kibitz on. Only Staff are allowed to do a random kibitz. Failure to comply with the Staff request could result in your team being dq'ed from the tourney and boxing if it is a constant problem.

SECTION 10: NO FORCE FORFEITING

We understand human errors, but Force forfeiting is not allowed. If you have to end a game and only after the TD has ok'd it, always click Quit and Cancel. Force forfeiting will be handled as follows: 1st Offense Warning in the lobby, 2nd Offense Box 3 days, 3rd Offense Box 10 days, 4th Offense Box 30 days , 5th Offense Kicked from league Due to Yahoo there are times that a player is booted and it appears that it was a force forfeit because the ratings change. If a player is booted and the ratings change they will be placed on a 10 minute timer. If they return before the 10 minutes, the TD will take the scores from before the boot and have the players to continue playing and add the scores each hand until someone reaches 5,000 or whatever the end of the game is. If td does the score the meld goes by your score not the table meld. 0-1499 50 meld, 1500-2999 90 meld, and 3000 and above 120 meld. If you do not meld the require points to the table it will be auto DQ. The points must be shown on table not in nasta. When this occurs the players are to show good sportsmanship to one another as the fault of the boot was not either parties fault, but that of Yahoo. Admin and TDs will watch for repeat offenders, and the above list will be followed for those who abuse our policy for the occasional Yahoo Glitch.

SECTION 11: BE RIGHT BACKS (BRB)

Members, you are only allowed 2 BRBs on the 3rd BRB you will be dq'ed from the tourney, the exception is active TDS starting games, Any Admin for they are always on duty assisting members, or taking wins. Members are allowed up to a total combined time of 10 minutes (i.e. if you use 7 min on the first brb you only have 3 min left of brb’s or timer to use). A player should enter the time they leave on a BRB and if it is the 1st or 2nd BRB, i.e. 1st brb 900, b 903. All BRB time used will be added to the time clock of the game, Staff will play as much as possible, and can give win if the league issues take them from the game, but this is the price TDS get in understanding for hosting all these hours.

SECTION 12: SLOW PLAY

For slow play you will only get 2 warnings on the 3rd time you will be dq'ed. Slow play is considered to be not making a move within a reasonable amount of time by the observation of the TD, example 60 seconds, and starts with your opponent discard, to your complete play (draw, meld and discard). Exceptions are TDS who are asked to put BRB Table issue—time but you need to understand their job here. This is for their time and efforts of playing. If Ping is lost, this is not slow play, it is a slow connection. Slow play warning is ignored. If a player has a handicap that would delay each play, or plays at times, please advise admin in advance, so that we can notify staff so that that can be accounted for in the tournaments. At the end of standard game minutes 40/45 if the game is not finished (at least in final hand) the td will determines who wins either by high score or who was holding up the game. If the td determines that one player or team was deliberately holding up the game they will give the game win to the other team regardless of score.

The only exceptions to this rule will be a back and forth game where no one is playing slow but due to the nature of the game it is back and forth making what we would all term a "REALLY GOOD GAME" and TD's who are hosting and Admin present will not be considered playing slow when taking care of their duties in the lobby.

SECTION 13: TIME LIMTS FOR GAMES

Fast Games: 15 Speed games: 20 Regular Singles: 40 Doubles 50

All games will be called at the hand ending nearest the end of the time limit. If the game is not over the highest score wins the game. If it is a good game and the time is up the game will continue till there is a winner. Sometimes games go back and forth and not fair to the players if it is called due to time.

SECTION 14: RESTARTS

Restarts can only be done for the following reasons, 1. The table was made wrong and caught within 2 hands. Invite the TD so they can verify, and give direction on how to continue. 2.The rules posted wrong. In some cases where it is a BRAND NEW GAME Please, ask a TD or Player who knows the game, to go play a few hands of a unrated game to teach you. TDs will always be available and ask your questions so this isn’t an issue, be patient and ask all questions. We want to help each other!

SECTION 15: 4000 RULE

If a player goes MIA or DQ's for any reason and the opponents score is 4000 or over, the game will be finished so the opponent can get their yahoo rating points. If a player goes mia and does not return and the opponents score is 4000 or over, then the hosting TD will sit and finish the game. IF it is auto win—4000 rule does NOT apply, you do not have to take the option to auto win to win the game. The game can turn and you not win in this case, so the 4000 rule does NOT apply.

SECTION 16: MIA/SUB RULES

40 - 45 min games : 10 minutes

15-20 min : 5 minutes.

NO SUBS ON SINGLE GAMES UNLESS IT IS PART OF A MULTI TOURNEY

DOUBLES: If a game is in started, a sub is gotten IMMEDIATELY, if Staff has multiple MIAS please allow them time to get that sub when they arrive. A sub is gotten in a doubles after 5 minutes at the beginning of a game. If both members are MIA the last member to go MIA is put on a 10 minute timer (no sub is gotten) and after 10 minutes the team is DQ'd if neither team members has returned. The partner of the MIA player may pick their own sub BUT the name must be given at the time they are asked if they would like one (two minute limit). At that time, the first one in the lobby to say me when the TD asks, is invited to the table. If you go brb and do not invite the missing member, then you will be placed on timer of start of game. If the MIA partner comes back after 10 min, they must wait until next round to play again. There can be at no time REPEAT at no time can there be 2 subs for the same team. If a player is not able to sit at the table by 10 minutes after pairings time listed in the lobby, even though they are in the lobby, or pop in and out of the room, the TD will get a sub for the team member that is present, and the MIA member will not be allowed to play the remainder of that round.

2x2, 3v3 or 4v4, etc The only sub allowed is one of your own partners. Example you are in a 3v3 He, She, I are all partners playing different games, He goes MIA then the only sub that is allowed are either She or I. If a Dq happens the team that DQ gets 0 points and the other team gets 5000 points.

SECTION 17: DISQUALIFICATIONS

DQ must be called within 2 plays - if play continues it is the same as saying you forgive the error and want to continue the game. Say GG please, and wait for TD to verify there was truly a DQ and say GG and release the table by Cancelling—DO NOT CLOSE THE TABLE OR FF. We will not tolerate this, see forfeiting rules.

SECTION 18: DOUBLES NO TABLE TALK OR OUTSIDE COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR PARTNER **except Cheaters Doubles (Duh)

No table talking is allowed. You may only respond to your partner with a YES you may or NO you may not go out. Please do not state yes if you can get the right canastas. You are to speak English only at the game tables, especially if it's a doubles game. If you speak anything but English in a doubles game, at the table, your team will be DQ'D. Second offense you will get 1 day in the box, Third offense 3 days in the box. When you are in a doubles tournament no table talk or communications that indicate cheating. To protect yourselves please have IM logging turned on, and if this comes up, the HA will ask for the log to resolve the issue, if not a disqualification will be issued for that tournament. If the TD feels that someone has table talked they will issue a warning. If there is screenshots taken, the violating team will be disqualified and game cancelled properly. If the player continues to table talk then the team will be disqualified and appropriate actions followed, which can include boxing.

SECTION 19: Cheating

Folks, for me, in this league I don’t want to address this, because of our ethics, but I must say Cheating of any kind is absolutely not tolerated. If you are caught cheating (i.e. talking in IM during doubles, talking on phone/headset or any other form of outside communication, typing your cards at a table, using a cheat program, texting your partner, etc,) you will be immediately boxed for 30 days (for td’s they will also be removed as a td immediately). Your 2nd offense, you will be kicked from the league and banned from returning. This is a very serious offense and will never be tolerated. Keep in mind if you are on the receiving end of an IM or outside communication from your partner during a game, it is up to you to be honest and go to the td about it, to protect your reputation, credibility and character. Do NOT make this situation be addressed please. On the SAME HAND accusing someone of cheating without proof and quietly taking the matter to staff, is also not tolerated at anytime.

SECTION 20: PLAYING LEAGUE GAMES

When playing a league game if you go MIA for 10 minutes then you time out and the opponent gets the win. Time needs to be stated in the lobby or a TD called to verify the times, and aid in ending the game. It is your responsibility to report the loss. If you do not report the loss you are subject to being boxed or removed from the league depending on how many times this has happened. You MAY NOT play a league game against anyone in your household.

SECTION 21: MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS AND MORE THAN ONE MEMBER PER HOUSEHOLD

Multiple accounts are not allowed in Masters. If you have 2 or more names in this league please remove all but 1. If there is more than one member in your household please let an Admin know so that your account won't be kicked for duplicates. If you are found having multiple accounts you COULD be kicked immediately. Members of the same household may not partner in doubles except for Cheaters Doubles. They may partner in games such as a 2x2, 3x3 etc, if they don't play doubles together. Any time you are at another members house, and log into the league, Cases ladder will red flag that, and the same applies. You will be considered from the same household, please contact Admin.

SECTION 22: BOXING

Any member Boxed more than 3 times for any reason in any 6 month period, may receive additional days, especially in the case of the repeated offenses, or could be banned from the league at the discretion of admin. We are looking for sportsmanship and respect to all members first and foremost. This should not be an issue. IF at any time, Staff asks to be invited to a table, to Cancel a game, or something reasonable to continue through with the league activities, and there is a refusal to do so, you will be boxed. This is uncalled for, and should be avoided, if you have an issue with the Staff asking, contact the HA or next Staff in rank immediately for mediation. If 1 member of a household is boxed, if it is obvious to staff that your signing on as another member in that household, all members with the same ISP may be boxed as well. This is the ONLY warning on the matter.

SECTION 23: STAFF

Any member may feel free to put in a tournament director application. Go to main page click tournaments tab then td application tab. Please fill it out completely. Before you can apply to become a TD you will need to have been a League member for at least 30 days in good standing, shown consistent interest and have played at least 50 games.