The Ranking System!

MyLeague has one of the simplest ranking systems ever used for competitive play. The concept was adopted from the ranking system used on the official Case's Ladders. We call it a "Ladder" because each member holds a unique rank or "rung" that represents their standing among other members. The highest-ranked member holds the #1 Ladder position; for example, someone ranked #2 is ranked below the #1 member. The goal is to "climb" the Ladder all the way to the top!

• When you first join, you are placed in an "Unranked" category on the League.
• You become "Ranked" after winning your first League match. (Unranked members may play each other, and the winner becomes ranked at the bottom of the League.)
• When you defeat a higher-ranked member, you move up in rank 50% the distance between their rank and your own.
  • Example: If you are ranked #50 and you beat the #1 ranked member, then your new rank would be 25.
• Your rank on the League does not go down if you lose a match unless your opponent is ranked DIRECTLY below you.
  • Example: If you are ranked #5 and the #6 ranked member defeats you, then your new rank would be #6.
• When members ranked below you are victorious against members ranked above you, it's possible the member will jump over you in rank and you will move down one rung. This depends on the ranks involved.
  • Example(per 50% rank gain): You are currently ranked #7. If the #10 ranked member defeats the #1 ranked member, then #10 will advance to the #5 rung and you will fall to the #8 rung.

Account Rules

• League Names
  • If your League name is deemed offensive or contains profanity, your account may be removed.
  • If your League name is deemed abusive towards another member, your account may be removed.
  • You can edit your League name by using the 'My Account' tab and choosing the 'Edit Username' option. If you have problems changing your League name, please use the 'Contact Admin' link, located on the 'Support' tab.
• E-mail Address
  • Your E-mail address must be kept current at all times, in case you need to be contacted. You can use the 'Edit E-mail Address' link on the 'My Account' tab to edit your E-mail address.
• Password Security
  • You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password.
  • You are not permitted to share your password with anyone for any reason.
• Inactivity
  • In order to keep the League as dynamic as possible, your account will be automatically deleted if you are inactive for 180 days. However, one of the features of our Premium Membership Program is never being deleted for inactivity. Information regarding our Premium Membership Program can be found here.
• Multiple Accounts
  • Only one account is allowed per person. There are no exceptions to this rule.
  • It is forbidden for more than one person to use or share the same account.
  • Multiple accounts from the same location will be investigated and possibly removed.

Challenges

Note: Please consult the Admin staff regarding whether or not League challenges are permitted for this League.

A challenge is defined as a request for a match with a higher-ranked member. Whether you are the challenger or the one being challenged, there are some rules that must be followed. Violating these rules may result in penalties. If you notice anyone violating these rules, please contact the Admin staff.

• Chat
  • The best way to find League matches is to announce in chat that you are looking for a League match so that other members will know you are interested in League-play. You can also directly challenge a specific member in chat.
• Formal Challenges
  • Most Leagues permit the use of Formal Challenges. A complete overview of the Formal Challenge system can be found here.
• 1 time(s) Per Day
  • You may play the same member 1 time(s) per day. However, you may play as many different members as you would like on any given day. A "MyLeague" day begins at 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
• Verify Information
  • We recommend you ensure a potential opponent is also a member of the League before starting your match. You can do this very easily by searching for your opponent using the 'Search for Players' tool.

Playing a Match

Once you are ready to start playing a League match, there are some guidelines governing game play that you should keep in mind.

• Opponents
  • You are not allowed to report losses to another member that also plays from the same computer as you. Our security software will detect this activity if it is attempted, and participating accounts may be penalized or removed.
• Sportsmanship
  • The same rules that apply to behavior in chat (covered in a later section) also apply during matches.

Reporting the Match

Once your match is completed, the loser of the match is responsible for reporting the loss immediately. You can report your matches using the 'Report Loss' button located on the 'Standings' tab. Please note the 'Report Loss' link should only be used for League matches and not for tournament matches; you should consult the TD with any questions regarding reporting tournament matches. If you have any problems reporting a loss, you should contact the Admin staff and request assistance.

• Reporting the Loss
  • In one-on-one matches, the loser of the match reports the loss to the winner.
  • In partner matches, each member of the losing team reports a loss to both partners of the winning team. At the end of the match, you would either gain two wins or report two losses.
  • In "free for all" matches (matches in which multiple opponents are competing against each other without partners), each loser of the match must report a loss to one overall winner.
  • When playing matches with more than one opponent, it is important for losses to be reported in the proper order if rank will be affected by the order of report. You must report to the better-ranked opponent first in those cases. It is your responsibility to make sure you report in the correct order when necessary. Not doing so may result in penalty.
• Unreported Matches
  • If your opponent does not report their loss within one hour after completing the match or prior to starting another match, you should click on the "Contact Admin" link and then use the "Unreported Match" form.

Tournaments

The rules for a Tournament are determined by the Tournament Director hosting the event. You will find a summary of each individual Tournament, including a Rules page, if you follow the link for that specific Tournament.

League-Specific Rules

Game Specific Rules for the Backgammon (GameDesire) Ladder

If any of these rules here under "Game Specific Rules" appear to be in conflict with anything stated elsewhere in other sections of the rules, then the rule in this section takes precedence.

Where To Play (Amended 07/13/06)

All Case's Ladder matches must begin and end in the Case's Ladder Auto Report Room, unless otherwise posted in the forum.

Waiting for Up Matches

It is illegal to refuse challenges on the grounds that you are waiting for an Up match unless the potential Up match is in their final game of the match and at least one of the players in that match is bearing off. Note: When you claim your Up is bearing off, you must state the name of your Up in the lobby. You may only wait on one Up at a time - if you don't get the match, you have to accept your challenges instead of challenging another Up.

Top 30 Ladder Priority

If you are a Case's Ladder player ranked in the Top 30 your first priority is to accept your challenge from Case's Ladder Players BEFORE other "league or ladder" games are played. You cannot tell any Case's Ladder Player that they have to wait until you play other "league or ladder" games. Case's Ladder Games have priority over any other "ladder or league" games. If Case's Ladder games are not your priority you should ask for a rank reduction and make other "ladder or league" games your priority.

Top 30 Name Change (amended 4/09/05)

Players are not allowed to change their ladder name while ranked in the Top 30. Those who do will be dropped in rank by 100 rungs.

Top 50

A player in the Top 50 has the option to refuse a challenge from another player in the Top 50 if the challenger's up percentage (higher ranks played) is 50% or higher.

NO AFK

if your going to be away, unable to accept challenges, take your name out of the room with you.

Default Settings

The maximum points permitted in a Ladder match is no higher than seven (7). Players who are ranked one (1), two (2), and three (3) may play up to eleven (11) points only when playing each other. The exception to this rule is when both players agree to play Monty64.

If the opponents cannot agree on the number of points in a match, the match will be played with a default setting of 5 points.

All tables must be open to allow kibitzing (watching). A player may silence the watchers, but you cannot close the table completely.

Top 50 Required to Play

If you are ranked in Top 50 and in the ladder room used for general Case's ladder play, you will be required to play if challenged. To do otherwise will result in a rank reduction by 100 rungs. (i.e. Your rank at the time of violation is 48 then after penalty your new rank will be 148.) (Intent of rule: To stop Top 50 from remaining in the ladder room and claiming they are not playing. This in no way effects any challenge rules... including and not limited to the up bearing off rule.)

Challenge Procedures (amended 6/30/04)

Challenges must be made and can be accepted only by players not currently in a match.

You cannot leave or offer to forfeit a match to challenge another player under any circumstances.

The issuing and acceptance of challenges must be made in the lobby. You cannot accept the first challenge to prevent others from asking nor can you ask others to challenge you to avoid playing a legal challenge.

Rank 2 vs 1 Email Challenges (added 01/11/03)

The #2 ranked player may issue a challenge to the #1 ranked player via email (and must provide a copy of this email to the Ladder Ops). The #1 ranked player must respond to the email (and must provide a copy of the response to the Ladder Ops) with the earliest possible availability to complete this challenge. The #1 ranked player may not play ranks #3 or #4 from the receipt of the email until the 1 vs 2 match has been played.

A #2 player may only issue one of these E-mail challenges against the same #1 player every three days.

Spot Challenge Rule (added 9/8/04)

Any time there are two top ten players in the room, that are ranked consecutively, either player may call for a Spot Match Challenge. This may be done while either or both players are playing, and both have played, or are playing, their down match required as top 30 entering room. Once the Spot Match Challenge is made in open lobby chat, neither player can accept other challengers until after this match is played. Just prior to the game, ranks must be verified and announced in lobby. If the players are no longer consecutive in rank, the Spot Challenge is void, and both players must announce that they are accepting challenges.

Top Ten

The purpose of the League is to climb to the top and the competition for the rungs in the Top Ten is high. As such, we have special rules that apply for members in the Top Ten.

• Inactivity
  • Members in the Top Ten must play a League match at least once every 2 days; otherwise, you will be automatically dropped five rungs and your inactivity counter is reset. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Expected Behavior

As a member of MyLeague, you are representing the League, the Admin staff, and all other members when you are participating on a MyLeague. It's part of your responsibility as a member to act in a respectable manner within your League community.

• Avatars
  • The rules of common decency should be followed when uploading images to use as avatars. Inappropriate avatars may be removed without warning or notification.
• Cheating
  • If you believe your opponent is cheating, then you should contact the Admin staff.
• Abuse
  • It is forbidden to abuse or harass another League member.
  • It is important to remember that two wrongs do not make a right. If you are being harassed by another League member, contact the Admin staff for assistance. Do not take matters into your own hands or return the abuse, or you could be penalized as well.
• Nice Guy Rule
  • Please note that behavior guidelines govern all methods of communication. This includes chat, E-mail, message forums, instant messenger services, etc. Treat other members with respect!

Fill in the Blank

Although we have tried to be as detailed as possible, we can't cover every aspect of gaming in our rules. Please be advised that just because something is not stated in our rules and policies, then that does not mean it is allowed. Use common sense. If it is something that will adversely affect other members and you might think twice about it, then it's probably against the rules. The Admin staff will have the final say in such matters. If you have a specific question please feel free to contact us via E-mail.