FOREVERSPADES LEAGUE
Standard Rules for All Tournaments
(These rules are in addition to the rules of the specific game being played)
updated August 1st, 2023
WE WANT OUR MEMBERS TO ENJOY PLAYING SPADES
THESE RULES ARE INTENDED FOR THAT PURPOSE
JOINING A TOURNAMENT
When registering for a tournament, please note the game and how it is played, start time and format and league rules. When you check box you agree that you have read over the rules and agree to abide by the game rules and league rules.
When registering for a tournament, members may join auto, create a team with a partner or create a team and find a partner. No new teams without a partner are to register 5 minutes prior to tourney start time. Puting team pw in lobby or in team name can help get a pard prior to tourney.; If you don't have a partner ready to join by 5 minutes til start time please go auto. Please have your pard in and be in ForeverSpades lobby ready to play by tournament start time.
As soon as it is start time, TD will start tournament as soon as autos are even. Teams without a pard may be dropped to keep tournaments on schedule so as members may have the option to join next tourney.
GAME TIME - LETS PLAY
The TD will start the tournament, post the game, rules, hands, pairings, any table limits, and time pairings was announced. TD may briefly silence lobby to assist all players seeing pairings then remove silence immediately.
The first named team, may be either player, will have 2 minutes to choose a table and announce table in lobby, Until stated in lobby, table is not considered chosen.
At two minutes the pairing is flipped and posted in lobby with new pairing and time announced. Once table is announced that is has been flipped all will need to go to that hosting table.
AT THE TABLE
All four players need to join table they play at and be ready to start playing within 2 minute from time pairings called. It is not required that the TD pm or flag warn players to be at tables.
If a player is missing, the partner needs to get partner to table or ask for sub in lobby before 2 minutes.
If both players on team are not present within 3 minutes from time called, the team will be DQ.
Once all four players are present, players check settings and start play once settings are correct and may begin play.
TD will join each table, verify all four players are present, post timer for any missing players and ask for sub in lobby. Once four payers are sitting, TD will verify settings, and post game rules and game timer. TD will check pings, ask for steady play, give warnings, boot, and get subs as needed and watch tables and game timer and be available to help with problems if necessary.
If players and TD miss incorrect settings AND it is caught before start of hand 3 then table will be remade and all start new game. If it is not caught before hand 3 has started then game will continue as set. All four players and TD should check settings before play begins.
SUBS
If a player needs a sub they may pm or ask for a sub of choice and have sub sitting within 2 minutes.
While the TD may assist, it is the responsibility of the player to get a sub when needed. TDs help but working together helps tourneys to run more smoothly which is better for everyone. The first player to sit will sub until the original player arrives or until the subs game is called. Once the original player arrives, the sub will stand after the hand in play is completed. A player may request a sub if need to leave by stating on table or in lobby.
Members receive sub credits for subbing. Sub Credit is our way of saying "Thank You" for helping TDs with their tournaments. Subs that play full game and win, subs that play full game and loses, and subs that play 1 card or 5 cards (part of a game) gets credits also.
GAME PLAY
STEADY PLAY VS SLOW PLAY VS BOOTING
We want our players to have fun and enjoy their game. Players may want to join next tournament so steady play is a must. If a player seems to have lag or connection issue, the TD will check ping and may ask player to stand and resit, or leave lobby and return to help with ping problem. The player may return to table to play two times, upon the third occurrence, the player will not be allowed to play again until the next round. Please do full reboot if necessary before next round starts. If SHG is having problems and multiple players are getting booted, TD may give an extra allowed return to play option.
Slow Play will not be tolerated. TD will give one warning for slow play. TD may need to soft boot if a player's ping is good or player is not playing at a steady pace. Player distracted, upset with game or partner, or bad sportsmanship can be factors of slow play. If TD is required to do a second soft boot, the player will be DQ from tournament and game play continue with a sub player.
BRBs
We feel that when a member registers for a tour that they are here to play Spades. The intent of a 'Be Right Back' is for emergencies only. Each player is allowed two brb's per game but may not exceed 2 minutes maxium total, (one two minute brb or two one minute brb). If player needs more than two minutes total please stand and ask for a sub for that hand or until return and able to finish game. If there is a nil or blindnil on table or game is Suicide and you need a brb please stand and a sub will complete the hand to ensure a fair game.
SPORTSMANSHIP
All players are expected to be good sports, We can't win every game and there has to be a winning team and a losing team.
We all play our hand the best we can. We can't see others cards or maybe that person plans to play cards differently than you would. Bad sportsmanship doesn't change what was played or the cards we are dealt so play nice and keep games fun for all.
Spades, like any other sport, is competitive. Competition, however, is no excuse for rude or insulting remarks. Whether at the table or lobby or private messages, it will not be tolerated. This includes questioning how or ways another player chooses to play. Rude, harassing, or abusive remarks toward any member or staff will not be tolerated whether it involves Spades or any other topic. One warning will be given and then DQ. If the language or abuse is severe enough or a repeated offense you will be DQ and boxed.
Private messages or table conferences during play is not allowed regardless of the content unless to pm the TD about a problem or game play.
BLOCKING PLAYERS
SHG gives the option to block players but it is the players responsibility when playing against a blocked player to either unblock a player or to leave table, let blocked player sit, then return to seat. If player refuses to unblock or stand they will be DQ. TD will request unblock if needed and block to be removed within 1 minute or player will be DQ if refuses. Player may reblock once play is able to continue and it doesn't interfere with game play if they choose to.
TABLE TALK VS CHEATING
Table talk is sometimes a form of cheating - unfair advantage to win a game.
Any and all talk about current or future hands may be considered table talk. This will include words or letters typed on table, sounds, punctuation, delays in play.
TD will have final determination.
First offense will be a warning
Second offense will result in DQ of player.
If Team is involved it is DQ of both players.
TD may logchat table and request HA to review with Admin Team if feels may be more severe form of table talk.
If TD believes cheating has occurred, TD may stop play and have another Admin to review table and game be called if both agree. Review by HA and Admin Team will determine if or any additional boxing or/and ban is needed.
Discussing game strategy in private messages during game play proven by logchats may result in both players being DQ and boxed and / or may be added to Do Not Pard List. LogChats are sent to HA for review with Admin Team.
Discussing cards in hand or suit to play is Cheating. Cheating is NOT tolerated and will result in banned from league if proven.
RESIGNING A GAME
Both players may agree to resign at any time during game by clicking Resign and partner clicking to agree and game ends. If one player declines or refuses to resign, the player requesting resign may ask for a sub and leave table and a sub will be gotten. Subs do not have to agree to resign if player who joined tournament states at table wants to resign game, TD will call game.
A TD may call any game when it is mathematically impossible for one team to win to continue tournament so players may join next tournament if choose to.
CHAT AT TABLES
Chat during a game is allowed as long as it doesn't interfere with steady play or cause upset to the players in game. Players may ask that chat by other players or by the gallery be limited during play. Members can choose to not allow watchers or chat by using Table Options for current game in play. Chat can be a distraction to players. Please be respectful if requested by keeping chat limited by players and gallery to not talk. If there are problems at table, TD may request no talk remainder of game.
GALLERY
Members may watch a game as long as they are not being a distraction. If asked by a player or the TD, the visitor will leave table.
No player may boot another league member or visitor without the TD directing them to do so.
If there is conflict between players, it is best to not go to that table just to watch game.
JOINING NEXT TOURNAMENT
A player may register for the next tournament once they are eliminated from current tournament or once they have reached the finals with three hands remaining. If time permits game to be completed before next tournament start time, players may join next tourney when finals are called.
If players game is called in the next tournament, the player must finish their current game and get a sub for next tournament.
If both players are registered as a team in next tournament, one will remain and other go to table for next tournament and each will get a sub at both tables.
If TD is playing in own tournament, the same rules apply as players, they can't join until finals with three hands remaining or time permits.
PLAYING IN TWO TOURNAMENTS/GAMES AT SAME TIME
Players are not allowed to play in two tournaments at same time. This rule applies to one of our tournaments and any other tournament or game on SHG.
Player will be DQ and a sub may be used to continue game. Player will be boxed if offense occurs again.
TABLES AND GLITCHES
Host may choose any table within the limits given by the TD of that tourney.
The same table may be used in next round only after all leaving table after game and next round pairings announced and table available.
Players can only be at one table while playing with the exception of TD or a TD who is helping with Tables.
Cards are to remain closed at all times unless otherwise stated by TD.
There may be issues with SHG from time to time. These include a table having a glitch which may include cards not being seen by all players, bids wrong for games that are automatically bidded or if cards highlighted for specific games are wrong. or score not seen are the most common. First, notify TD and ask TD to verify the problem.
Players will submit a Bug Report by clicking button on table which is sent to SHG.
TD will screenshot table and send to HA.
IF team agree to resign they may
The following options are available to the TD. If more than half of hands have been played TD may call game. or TD will have host to choose a different table. or IF a new table is used, the game will start over, TD will not manually transfer score to new table.
THANK YOU FOR PLAYING IN FOREVERSPADES LEAGUE
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