Richters Spades 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 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 .
10 time(s) Per Day
- You may play the same member 10 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

LEAGUE RULES: Your name MUST match your yahoo name completely.....if you need helping getting rsl name changed get with a admin.
Names will NOT be rude or contain any cusswords.

Inactivity is set to 250 days for rsl.

You may only have 1 (ONE) ladder name in rsl.....please do not sign up your friends as it will show duplicate accounts for both of you in admin logs.

Same households can both play in RSL.....but you can NOT pard together.

There will be NO cussing in lobby, tables or in any way to another rsl member or in rsl rooms or lobbys.
This includes abbreviations
You will be warned and then possible box.
There will be NO booting of anyone off tables.....if your having problem with someone at table get with td/htd/admin and get permission to boot.

You are NOT allowed to play more than 1 spades game at a time....Unless it is roulettes and a reg game or tourney
These only apply if you can keep up......the td has the right to dq you for slow play
You may NOT playing in other leagues or yahoo while playing in RSL tourney.
You may be in LAST hand only of a game to get into next tourney.

Even though cases gives you 24 hours to report a league match....all matches should be reported asap.
Top 10 matches have to be reported in 1 hour....if they havent reported after 1 hour get with an admin and let them handle it.
You MUST report your match before playing another game....only exception is if cases is down.....then you may play more....but they must be reported in order they were played and reported asap.

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LEAGUE GAME RULES:

All league games MUST be 2x2 games.

All league games MUST be rated yahoo games....this helps to keep manipulation of ladder down.

DNILS are NOT allowed UNLESS stated at begining of game dnils allowed.

Top 50 may only play same person 1(one) time per day....others twice per day.

If you start a league game finsih it......leaving a game mad will result in boxing.

Do NOT take rsl business out of rsl room......it is against myleagues rules to harass or mention rsl in another league room

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TOURNEY RULES:

Read each tourneys rules......as all tds have the right to make their rules with a few exceptions,

Rated tourney will be to 500 points...no hand or time limits....dnils will be allowed If subs are allowed in rated tourneys they must stand (can finish that hand) when the origional player gets back.

No Subs allowed on 1x1 tourneys....except is if no bots may have human subs to finish a tourney or in a whos pard tourney.

Top Brackets always invite unless stated in rules.
IF after 2 mins from the time pairings are put out and they havent invited.........they then lose invite rights and their opps have them.

Subs are credited for wins/losses if they play 2 rounds...make sure td emails admins with record

All tables will be set to no forced forfiet at all times

If you have ping - play.....TD will check ping on slow players and warn to play faster or possible dq.

Turn off kibitz when you sit for game.....td will warn once....then -100 ....if you refuse then it is possible dq.

TD have final say in all tourneys.....if you feel they were wrong email a headtd or admin.

Bostons do NOT count unless stated in rules.

Winners announce winning team name in lobby.

Lobby will be given to td 3 mins prior to tourney to put rules in lobby.

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BOXING:

If you are boxed it will be for 1 days.....this is standard.....for 1st offense.
2nd offense will be 3 days
3rd offense will be 7days
4th offense indefinite boxing unless admins discuss weither to extend boxing or kick from ladder

NO person will be let out of box without the consent of the admin that boxed them.

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CHALLENGES:

1. All Challenges will be RATED GAMES with 4 humans.
2. You MUST ask and make a attempt to get the game BEFORE making a formal challenging.
3. Top 5 of ladder.....MUST play the challenge within 24 hours
4. Challenge games MUST be a league game.....EVEN if you meet in tourney you must also play a league game.
5. Lower rank will have option of table invites and seats.
6. Refusal of challenges (verbal or formal) may result in a pentalty.
7. If you have more than one challenge......the lowest rank must be played 1st.
8. You can NOT force someone to take a pard they dont want to complete a formal challenge.....but set up a time that all can be there.

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Common sense and common courtesy, is a must......give respect and you will recieve it.

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 7 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.