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 255 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.
• 3 time(s) Per Day
  • You may play the same member 3 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

Zone Rules

While playing Case's Ladder matches on the Zone you are expected to follow the Zone Code of Conduct and cooperate with all Zone Personnel. Failure to do so could result in a Ladder penalty.

Zone Names

A + symbol in front of a Player's Zone Name should be disregarded, and the names considered matching as long as the rest of their Zone Name does match their Ladder Name exactly.

Tie Breakers (added 9/23/02)

If two or three players are tied for first place at the end of a game, a tie breaker must be played immediately. If a player loses connection or leaves before the tie breaker is completed, it is treated the same as leaving before the game is over and only a 5 minute wait is required. You default if you don't or can't play the tiebreaker.

To play the tie breaker, only the tied players should reseat at the table, with bots filling any empty seats, and play a short game to 25 points (bot scores included, low human wins). If there is still a tie between any two of the humans upon a seat reaching 25 points, all continue playing until that first time that a hand ends with one human player as the winner.

Legal Game(added 9/23/02)

A game must start with four human opponents who are ladder members. Only games to 100 points with one winner, and three losers are permitted. The three losers each report a loss to the one winner. A game is not over until ties are broken.

Games must be played in the Zone Hearts Ladder Room 1. (Exception: at times when the Ladder Room is not working. Usually the ladder players have found another room to gather in temporarily when the ladder room is not working.)

Tie Breakers(added 9/23/02)

If two or three players are tied for first place at the end of a game, a tiebreaker must be played immediately. If a player loses connection or leaves before the tie breaker is completed, it is treated the same as leaving before the game is over and only a 5 minute wait is required. You default if you don't or can't play the tiebreaker.

To play the tiebreaker, only the tied players should reseat at the table, with bots filling any empty seats, and play a short game to 25 points. Bot scores are included, and low human wins. If there is still a tie between any two of the humans upon a seat reaching 25 points, all continue playing until the first time that a hand ends with one human player as the winner.

Kibitzing(added 9/23/02)

Players may not turn off kibitz or silence kibitz talk without permission from the player who hosted the game. It is not permitted to kibitz on a bot seat during a tiebreaker match.

Start of Game(added 9/23/02)

A game is considered started when the first hand has been dealt. Leaving after this point for any reason is considered leaving after the game has started, and is covered in the rules below.

Quitting(added 9/23/02)

If someone deliberately “quits” a game before the last card of the game has been played they must report a loss to all of the other remaining players who were in the game.

Disconnected Players(added 9/23/02)

In the event of a disconnection, for the first two times that a player loses connection during a game, the remaining players must hold the last card of the hand and wait for at least 5 minutes to give the booted player a chance to return before the start of the next hand. Then, if the booted player does not return, they must continue playing the game with the bot.

A player who lost connection gets the win if the bot that finishes in his/her seat wins and had played less than all of the last two full hands. (When a player was booted after the hand has been dealt, the bot did not play "all" of that hand.) It is a loss if the bot played for all of the last two hands or longer, with the second place player getting credit for the win in this event. If a player leaves a game due to disconnection, and does not return to the game, he/she must report a loss to the winner.

Failure to Hold Last Card(added 9/23/02)

If a player entitled to the 5 minute wait returns within 5 minutes to find the others playing on with the bot in his/her seat, and if they admit that it would have been possible to hold last card and wait, the following adjustments will be made:
Determine how many points the bot took for the hand that he/she did not get to play for self, and subtract that amount from his/her score at the end of the game for the purpose of determining who won.

Substitute Players(added 9/23/02)

Substitutes are not permitted under any circumstances.

Three Times Per Day(amended 12/26/02)

A "day" means a calendar day or date. Change to the next day or date is based on the time that Case's Ladder uses. (Pacific Time)
All players may play and exchange reports with someone three times a day. However no one is ever obligated to play someone again the same day.
Once three reports have been exchanged between players they may not play again.
No carrying over reports to the next day. Tournaments are excluded from this rule. If two players get into a game and then realize that they should not be playing again, the two offenders should quit the game and give reports to the other two players. In this case no other penalties will be issued.
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.

• 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.