LeagueMates

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

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 .
5 time(s) Per Day
- You may play the same member 5 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

MANDATORY TABLE SETTINGS ARE:
No Limit to players skill ratings (ALLOW all Pogo skill ratings to be able to sit at a table)
Allow players to watch game - MUST BE SELECTED
DO NOT Mute all watchers
DO NOT Allow watchers to see a players hand
SKUNKS must only be set if Tourney Rules request them
DO NOT Make game rated
SET the table for PRIVATE using the leagues PASSWORD
If for SOME REASON the ROBOT (computer) at the table has sat and played a card - a RESET will be called
Failure to set the table correctly will result in a RESET
IN STANDINGS;
The Player listed on the TOP BRACKET SETS THE TABLE FOR THAT ROUND.UNLESS A TD IS PLAYING IN THEIR OWN TOURNAMENT AND MAKES IT TO THE FINAL, THEN THEY WILL ASK THEIR OPPONENT TO PLEASE SET TABLE OF THEIR CHOICE.
When a player (or a newbie) are attempting to set a table and it is set wrong and needs resetting, they will be given 3 tries to set it correctly. After that the hosting TD will ask their opponent to set the table. If the opponent doesn't or refuses to set it, then a timer will be placed on them. Lastly, the hosting TD will set the table and will have one of the players sit across from them. Next the other player will come to the table as a watcher. The TD will then stand at the table, then have the watcher sit and replace the TD's spot and the game will start at that time.
There is a 3 x 10 minute Boot Rule. In order to STOP THE TIMER the player must be back in the game and played his/her next card, or be talking at the table.
GENERAL TIMER RULES
A TIMER will be placed for the following reasons.
1. ... A player is not in the lobby, when they are asked to sit and start.
2. ... A player ignores the request to sit and play
3. ... A player is booted from a table.
4. ... A player is frozen or hasnt played a card in a reasonable amount of time.
Advancing Rounds;
It is a League ruling that ALL rounds are to be played one round at a time. Occasionally however, when a Round is taking longer than usual, out of courtesy to our members, the Host can allow the waiting players to set and start the next round if they know who their opponent is.
(HOWEVER THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE SWISS OR D/E FORMATS).
All games are unrated.......... Each match must be played on a new table..... The final match will be played at the table chosen by the hosting TD.
OTHER TIMER RULES - only appropriate when previous round is still in progress
1. .... You cannot call for a TIMER on someone who is AFK (away from keyboard) and does not see the request to start next partial round.
2. .... Once both players have sat at a table, and begun the new round, a TIMER can then be called for if a player is booted from that table.
A TIMER WILL ONLY BE PAUSED FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
1. ... The player has returned, but someone is in their seat, and therefore cannot sit.
2. ... The player has returned, but the table has timed out, and has to be reset.
3. ... The player has returned, but watchers are causing problems and will be asked to leave.
4. ... The other player has not played a card for a length of time, is possibly frozen, and stopping them from playing their card.
POGO SERVER IS DOWN
Periodically POGO upgrades its site, or has problems and their server is down. If this occurs while you are playing, specific actions will be taken. They are as follows:
RULING 1 - If the finals have already started and a substantial amount of cards have been played... (Half-way mark)... then whoever was winning at the time... takes the win and the Tourney is closed.
RULING 2 - If the POGO SERVER goes down (crashes) just as the finals are about to start (either no table set or no cards played) then the players have 72 hours to finish the match (3 days). After this time, the tourney will be deleted. No buxs are lost to the players and stats remain unchanged. The TD will be there to watch the finals, or get a substitute TD if they are unable to attend. (substitute players will not be allowed).
RULING 3 - IF POGO decides to close down earlier in a Tourney... i.e. prior to the semis starting, then the Tourney will be cancelled (deleted) and all STATS and BUXS returned to the league members. Tourney will be Null and Void.
These options are only to be used when the whole of POGO has been unavailable.
Please do not play ladder games or "practice" games while you are actively involved in a tourney. If you experience delays in settings, loading, and the like, please feel free to load a table in preparation, but do not start that game. If you are playing at a table while involved in a tourney, you will be asked to reset a new table, and Admin will be notified. If you ignore the request, you could be DQ'd from the Tourney.
Once a player has joined a Tournament, no rules will be changed by the Tournament Directors, unless during the Semis and Finals, the TD needs to make adjustments due to time constraints.
NAME CHANGES ARE ALLOWED ONCE A WEEK WITHOUT ADMIN APPROVAL.
When reporting matches during a SWISS Tourney, PLEASE remember that any mistakes cannot be rectified once the Tourney has been advanced to the next Round.
Posting messages in LEAGUE MATES FORUM OR CHATBOX must NOT be of an abusive nature. LEAGUE MATES recognizes your Freedom of Speech, but personal abuse towards another league member or staff will result in your post being removed, and possibly a ban being placed on you from future posting.
IN-CRIB Tourneys and DQ's - When you enter any of these Tourneys which have this type format (5ic / Hic / Wish In Crib / Red,Black); failing to comply with the rules (which should have been read and understood prior to registering) carries an automatic DQ (disqualification). Please remember, in the interest of Good Sportsmanship to accept the loss gracefully and to wish your opponent good luck in the remainder of the Tourney.
ADMIN AND STAFF from any Single or Doubles League are welcomed and permitted to play at LEAGUE MATES providing they do not SPAM OR SOLICIT for their own leagues whilst playing as a member here. To do so will result in an instant ban. Please take into consideration that we all run our leagues slightly different, which makes us all unique.
Extreme Lag due to Server/Connection Problems or Excessive Slow Play which causes disruption and delay of a Tourney will be addressed in the following manner:
Any member who is having this type of problem during a Tourney will be asked to re- boot. (This can often correct the problem). A 10 minute timer will be placed. If this does not correct the problem, then we may have to disqualify the player from the Tourney. If a player refuses to re-boot or play faster when asked, the TD can disqualify the player.
TERMS OF SERVICE
You will violate the Terms of Service if you do any of the following, either in Blue Belly or in LEAGUE MATES Forum or Chatbox, which could result in your Account being withdrawn from the League.
Transmit or facilitate distribution of content that is harmful, abusive, racially or ethnically offensive, vulgar, sexually explicit, defamatory, infringing, invasive of personal privacy or publicity rights, or in a reasonable person's view, objectionable. Hate speech is not tolerated.
Use inappropriate laddernames, this can include those who in any way look like, sound like, stand for, hint at, abbreviate, or insinuate any of the following: profanity, sexual content (including but not limited to explicit language, sexual innuendo, sexual content, negative, disparaging or harmful references to sexual preferences), slurs (including but not limited to racial, ethnic, or religious slurs), illegal drugs/controlled substances, or illegal activities. Laddernames are also inappropriate if they intend to harass, threaten, embarrass, or do anything else to another member or guest that is unwanted.
Please do not use a name that is too similar to another players name, as it causes confusion for the TD's and players. Admin will make all final decisions regarding a players name.
Code of Conduct at LEAGUE MATES:
LEAGUE MATES is a warm, friendly, family site which we are very proud and protective of. Certain behaviour in our lobby or at a table is unacceptable, and to let you know up front what LEAGUE MATES Administration will tolerate on this league we have a code of conduct.
We are an easy going league and our main priority is that everyone has a good time.
Everyone should feel comfortable and relaxed.
Enjoying a joke together, being friendly and showing good sportsmanship is what this league is all about.
Unacceptable chat is anything that would upset or offend. Sexually explicit, political, Racial, Religious views/talk, or harassment of another league member will all carry the penalty of a strike being placed.
Innuendos are acceptable provided you do not cross the line. Please remember many of our members are either young people, or have children close at hand while playing.
If you have issues with anyone the best thing to do is ignore them. Mute them if you must. DO NOT bring it into Blue Bellys Lobby.
The TD is in charge of the lobby while the Tourney is in progress. You may not at any time be rude to a player or host for any reason. If you have a problem, then call the TD to a private Table after the Tourney has finished, or contact Admin who will deal with the matter.
If something is happening with someone else mind your own business, they will be dealt with.
Keep your personal differences away from LEAGUE MATES. We are sure everyone "thinks" they are right. But to be honest we don't want to know what "so and so" did and neither do most of the players at LEAGUE MATES.
Disciplinary Actions
We try to be very fair at LEAGUE MATES but we do have to take action sometimes. If you break the rules then the following steps we will take.
1. Strike 1 – Written Warning
2. Strike 2 – 7 day suspension
3. Strike 3 – Removed & Banned from the League
This policy applies to all members. A reminder that Staff of LEAGUE MATES are held to a higher standard of responsibility than the players.
Please send any complaints to either myself Kerrie at ( teammates11@hotmail.com ) or to any of our Admin Staff.
All complaints will be kept anonymous unless it is necessary that we need to involve you in the situation.
Ruling on Cheating
AUTOMATIC BAN FOR A LEAGUE MEMBER WHO ANNOUNCES THEIR CARD VALUES IN CHAT OR IN THE LOBBY WHILE THE HAND IS IN PROGRESS. (SCREENSHOTS REQUIRED)
New Ruling on League Protocol
AUTOMATIC BAN FOR ANY LEAGUE MEMBER WHO DISTRIBUTES INFLAMMATORY MATERIAL, CONCERNING EITHER THE LEAGUE MATES LEAGUE, OR ANY OF ITS MEMBERS, KNOWINGLY CAUSING UPSET AND WORRY TO OTHERS, EITHER VIA MESSENGER IM'S OR E-MAIL, AND WHO REFUSES TO STOP SUCH ACTION.

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 4 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.