Backgammon Ladder

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 115 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

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

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

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

League-Specific Rules

BGL Game Specific Rules take precedence over all MyLeague general Rules.

Where We Play:

All BGL matches must begin and end in the BGL_Beach Room at Safe Harbor Games.

All tables must be open to allow kibitzing. A player may not use the boot or ban option to remove watchers from a match without permission.

The Time Stamp feature MUST be enabled in the game room. [Click on File at top of the screen, then Chat Options then put a check in the box that says TIME ONLY].

The BGL_Beach room has a 15 minute auto-boot for inactivity. If you are booted for inactivity you will be able to return to the room immediately.
NOTE: Top 10 players must announce TT accepting when entering the room after being booted for inactivity.

While playing Ladder matches in Safe Harbor Games, you are expected to follow the SHG Terms of Use and Service and cooperate with all SHG Staff.

Account Rules:

EMAIL ADDRESS: Your E-mail address must be kept current on the site. Use the 'USER EDITOR' if you need to change it.

LADDER NICS: Your BGL nic must match your SHG nic exactly. If it doesn't, the match is invalid and your opponent is not required to report any losses to you.
If your Ladder name is offensive or abusive to other users, or is too similar to an existing user's nic you will have to choose another.
You are only allowed to change your Ladder name once per week. Top 10 players are not allowed to change their ladder nic. Those who do will be dropped to rank 51.

ONCE PER DAY RULE: You can only play the same person once a day except in tournament matches. The day begins at 12:01am and ends at 12:00pm on PST, so if you report a match at 11:59pm PST you may play the same player again after 12:01am PST. We have a world clock on our main page for your convenience.

INACTIVITY: If you haven't played a match in 90 days you will be automatically removed for inactivity in order to keep the Ladder as dynamic as possible. Removal for inactivity is completely automated. Our players want an active league full of opponents who can be easily found.

MULTIPLE USERS: We only allow a set number of accounts from one location. If this number is exceeded your accounts will be investigated and possibly removed. We have an automated security to keep track of this information, and all new account info is logged.

Tournament Matches:

The rules are determined for each individual tournament by the Tournament Director holding the event.
Tournaments are played in the BGL_Tours_Its4fun Room at Safe Harbor Games

Default Match Settings:

The default settings for regular ladder matches is 5 points. If both players agree, they may play for less than 5 or up to 7 points.

The default settings for Rank 1 vs Rank 2 matches is 11 points. If both players agree, they can play down to 7 points.

Ladder matches may be played in any format (e.g. No Hit, Lose to Win, Monty64) unless one of the players is in the Top 10. Both opponents must agree on the alternate format.

Challenge Procedures (See Special Rules below pertaining to Top 10)

All challenges must be made in the lobby of the BGL_Beach room, and only by players not currently in a match. The only exception is for Email Challenges and Top 10 Spot Challenges.

All players in the BGL_Beach room will be required to play if challenged.

All Players may decline a challenge made within 20 minutes before the start time of a BGL tournament in which that player registered.

If challenged by more than one player, you cannot accept the first challenge over the others.

If you have multiple people challenging you at once you should play the person with the highest rank.

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

A higher ranked player may not challenge a lower ranked player unless it is a Top 10 spot challenge

VERIFY MEMBER: We recommend that you make sure potential opponents belong to the BGL Ladder before starting your match. You can do this very easily using our find player utility.

Reporting the Match:

Report Immediately: Losses must be reported immediately after a game is completed before any further Ladder matches are started. Failure to report may result in the player being dropped in rank.

Unreported Matches: If your opponent has not reported your match you should send them a friendly reminder to post using your SafeHarbor Friends if they are still in the room or online in your friendlist.

If you get no response please follow the SUPPORT link and submit an UNREPORTED MATCH claim against them. Ladder staff will handle the situation from there for you. If you provide a screen shot of the match as proof, the admins will report your match for you without waiting 24 hours.
You should never harass another user in chat or interrupt their matches in an attempt to get them to report.
Players that fail to report on their own multiple times will be rung automatically through the software.

Problems Reporting: If you have a problem and cannot report your own loss follow the SUPPORT link and request assistance with this from Ladder Staff.

Failure to finish a match:

If you are disconnected for any reason before a match is finished, your opponent must wait 5 minutes for you to return to the match. If you do not return within 5 minutes, it is considered a loss regardless of the standing of the match and you must report it promptly.

There are no unfinished matches. If you cannot finish a match for any reason, you must report the loss to your opponent.
When your opponent boots, you must type it in the lobby for all to see clearly, with the time stamp.

The only exception to this is the 1 vs 2 match. This match takes priority and must be finished at the earliest time possible.

Special Game-Specific Rules Applying to Top 10:

Top 10 Challenge Procedures:

A player in the Top 10 must offer a down match upon entering the lobby by stating "TT accepting." If no challenge has been made after 2 minutes have passed on the time stamp, the player is free to challenge an up or accept an open match from a player offering one. Top 10 players CANNOT offer an open match at any time or just sit at a table waiting for someone to sit down with them.

When a Top 10 player is challenged, they must wait for at least 2 challenges or until 2 minutes have passed on the time stamp before accepting a sole challenge or asking for ranks. Once ranks are called no other challenges are accepted. Once 2 minutes have passed on the time stamp, only challenges made within that time may be considered.
We only use the minute time stamp with NO seconds. EXAMPLE: If someone challenges at :32, as soon as the SHG time stamp gets to :34 any further challenges are late and are not valid.

The ONLY exceptions to this rule are if a player is returning from a disconnection/boot where their opponent is still waiting for them, or for a Scheduled 1 vs 2 Formal Challenge match.

Top 10 Activity:

If a player in the Top 10 cannot be active, then it is best to ask for a rank reduction.
Players in the Top 10 must play at least 5 matches during any 3 day period and 25 matches during any 7 day period. Tournament matches do not count for this purpose. Infractions of this rule will result in a player's rank being reduced.

Top 10 Spot Challenge Rule:

When two consecutively-ranked Top 10 players are in the room, either player can Spot Challenge the other in open lobby chat, except that a player cannot Spot Challenge up until satisfying the down match requirement on entering the room.

A Spot Challenge can be made while either or both players are playing. However, a player who is in a match against a consecutively-ranked player cannot be Spot Challenged until that match has been completed.

A player may refuse a Spot Challenge if s/he needs to leave the room, but repeated refusals will result in player's rank being reduced. Rank 2 may refuse a Spot Challenge if s/he is protected from playing Rank 3 under the Formal Challenge rules.

Once a Spot Challenge has been made and accepted neither player can accept another challenger until after the Spot match is played. Before playing the Spot match ranks must be verified and if the players are no longer consecutive in rank, the Spot Challenge is void, and both players must announce that they are accepting challenges.

After playing a Spot match, both players must announce "TT accepting" unless they are leaving the room.

Top 10 Rank Defense:

Top 10 players must play the person ranked directly below them at least once every 5 days. Violations of this rule will result in your rank being reduced to 21. This is NOT monitored by the admins and runging will be applied by a valid complaint from a current Top 10 player.
EXEMPTION: Top 10 players that have played over 40 regular matches in the past 5 days will be exempt.

Rank 1 vs 2 Formal Challenges:

All 1 vs 2 matches MUST be played in the BGL_Tour_Its4fun Room allowing players to kibbitz the match without being challenged.

A New Rank 2 has the ability to issue a Formal Challenge to Rank 1.
http://www.myleague.com/bgl/standings/formalChallenge/

Once a 1 vs 2 Formal challenge is issued by Rank 2. Rank 1 may not play Rank 3 or 4. Rank 2 may refuse a challenge from Rank 3 until this Formal Challenge is played.

1 vs 2 Formal Challenges may only be issued by Rank 2 on the ladder to the current Rank 1.

After losing to Rank 1, the same Rank 2 may not issue another Formal Challenge until:
3 days have passed since the last match with Rank 1, and Rank 2 has defended with Rank 3 since the 1 vs 2 match was played.

The 1 vs 2 Formal Challenge is required to be played within 24 hours - but timezone differences etc. will be taken into consideration if an extension is needed.

Any extension must be requested PRIOR to the 24 hour period elapsing & granted by BGL Admins.

It is the responsibility of BOTH players to be flexible and open to communication so as to organize a set time for this match.

All communication relating to the set up of your 1 vs 2 Formal Challenge match, MUST be cc'ed to BGL Admins- bg.ladder@gmail.com

Failure to notify the BGL Admins of the scheduled match time for a 1 vs 2 Formal Challenge match may result in penalty.

Failure to play this match within 24 hours, without extension, may result in a penalty.

Responsibilities of Rank 1

Rank 1 must check their BGL registered email account frequently, so they do not miss any important mailings (1 vs 2 Formal Challenge notifications etc.)

Rank 1 must be flexible in finding a mutually acceptable time for their 1 vs 2 Formal Challenge to be played.

If Rank 1 loses to Rank 2, then former Rank 1 must notify admins to adjust their rank to 21 either by PM, MSN or send email to bg.ladder@gmail.com. NO matches can be played until rank is adjusted to 21.

Expected Behavior:

SPORTSMANSHIP: The same rules that apply to behavior in chat also apply during games. Complaints will result in a player being penalized.

CHEATING: We won't stand for cheating of any kind. This includes breaking rules, using modified utables, reporting false results, or otherwise tampering with Ladder rankings.
If you are certain your opponent is cheating you should leave the match immediately and report the suspicious activity via the SUPPORT link on the Ladder page. You do not need to report the match as a loss. If your opponent submits an unreported match claim against you be sure to reply to the inquiry mail we send you explaining your reasoning or the match will be automatically posted against you.

ABUSE: If you encounter another Ladder user behaving in an unacceptable manner in chat the best thing to do is just ignore them. If you notice one particular user being abusive repeatedly please let your Admins know. Please be sure to include all pertinent information, such as the offender's username, and proof with lobby chat or screen shots of PMs.
It is illegal to abuse or harrass another Ladder member. If you are observed being abusive in chat it will result in penalty. If you are being harrassed by another Ladder member come to us for assistance. Do not take matters into your own hands or return the abuse, or you could find yourself in trouble as well.

BGL Admins:

If you have a problem in chat look for a BGL Admin to assist you. You can find a current listing of the Admins on our main page.

Abuse of BGL Admins in relation to them doing their jobs in chat or the forums is forbidden. If you are found to be guilty of this your account will be penalized. Remember that they are volunteers dedicating their time to helping improve the quality of the Ladder for all.
To submit a complaint about a BGL Admin or a decision they have recently made, follow the CONTACT ADMIN link, found under the SUPPORT heading on the BGL main page.

Fill in the Blank:

We can't cover every aspect of gaming in our rules. Just because something is not listed here doesn't meant that it is allowed.
Use common sense. If it is something that will adversely effect other players and you might think twice about doing it's probably against the rules. Our staff have the final say in such matters. If you have a specific question please feel free to contact us via E-mail.

END OF GAME SPECIFIC RULES... ITEMS BELOW THIS ARE THE STANDARD MyLeague RULES THAT DEFAULTED TO OUR BLUE COLOR.

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 3 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.

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.