Fall
2004 ZCS Rules
Note :
All references to the ZCS apply to the ZCSQ as well.
Entry Rules
- The
Directors will not extend invitations to anyone who they
feel might compromise the integrity or civility of the
tournament. Validity of performance records, previous
incidents, and behaviour patterns in ZCS tournaments and
the various qualifying venues will be examined in these
determinations. Severity of infractions will be reviewed
by the Directors and Host at the beginning of every ZCS.
Like all Zone Tournaments, the ZCS Host reserves the
right to refuse entry to anyone based on past actions.
- Each person may submit only one entry
form, and that entry form must be for only themselves.
Any and
all Zone nicknames that players wish to be considered must be listed on the entry form. The
nickname that qualifies MUST be the one that is used
during the tournament..
- All Players must provide a personal email
address. This email will not be publicized on the
ZCS-ZCSQ site. Instead, a Player's only Email form
will be used to forward all email to the
player's personal email address.
Rules of Play
- All players, accepting the rules when entering the
tournament through the ZCS or ZCSQ, are responsible for
familiarising themselves with any amendments or new rules
that are added after they register. Any changes to
the rules will be posted immediately in the forum.
- If
any two or more players from the same team (Lions, BAA,
BIG, etc) are assigned to the same bracket, they must
complete their matches, against each other, within the
first 7 days of the schedule. If the players from the same
team cannot arrange to play their match within the first
week, then both players must contact the host, via email,
with an explanation of why they cannot do so. If the
players do neither, they risk being removed from the
brackets and/or DQ'd from the ZCS.
- Match
results must be posted, by the winner, within 24 hours of
match completion and before that round has ended. If
problems arise, or if you are using more than one computer
during ZCS events, the Host must be notified by email with
details.
- Players
may not receive assistance while in actual play, at a
table of a match. A suspended match for more than 30
minutes may be analyzed. All matches that are
suspended must be suspended at the end of a game and not
during the game. This
includes, but is not limited to, reference material,
automated backgammon programs (such as "bots"),
or verbal assistance from other humans via voice or chat. Players may not use any aid,
as referenced above, before or after the move being
played. Any kibitzer or player may contact the Host
with information regarding a violation of this rule.
Please note that you must have evidence of this rule
violation and it must be submitted to the host.
- The tactic of deliberately losing a match to influence
the outcome of the tournament is prohibited.
- All
matches can be played on any server, but the default server
is the MSN Gaming Zone. For non-MSN Gaming Zone
matches, dice logs must be captured by the players and
sent in as verification that the match was played.
During
a match, auto-double must be set to OFF and Kibitzing must
be left ON. Players must place themselves on DND, to
reduce outside interruptions.
- All
matches will be played in accordance with the official United
States backgammon rules and procedures where
applicable and common sense prevails.
- Players
are responsible for arranging and playing all their own
assigned matches in compliance with the tournament
schedule. Any player who has not completed their matches
within the specified time frame, and has not provided an acceptable
excuse to the Host, will not advance
into the next round and may risk being DQ'd from the next
ZCS. Excuses must be submitted via email to the Host and
will be reviewed by the Directors and Host.
Only attempts to schedule through the Email Form will be recognized as
proof that the player did try to schedule a match. All emails should be
sent thru
the brackets as emails are auto cc'd to the Host of the
tournament. All scheduling will be done at least 5 days before the
closing date of that round. If there are any problems with
scheduling,
please contact the host for assistance. The Host will
attempt to schedule,
within the 5 final days of the
round, if requested by the players, all matches that
have
not been
scheduled. Forfeits
will ONLY be granted IF the first scheduling
email is sent within
the first 7 days of the tournament AND 2 follow up
emails were sent
after the first one.
- Resignations
will only be accepted when submitted to the Host via
email.
Rules of Conduct
- MSN Gaming Zone COC must be adhered to at all times
while playing in the ZCS tournaments, as well as
maintaining a high standard of ethical behavior and sportsmanship. Any lapse risks disciplinary action from the Host
that may include, but is not limited to, forfeiting points,
forfeiting matches, or disqualification.
- Matches may be analyzed and this analysis may be
published. Players agree to this by entering. Players should show good sportmanship and
MUST remain
at the table after the conclusion or the suspension of the match
to allow time for their opponent to capture the dice
log. Failure to do so may result in the forfeiture
of the game/match.
Replacements/Substitutions
- Players must complete at least half of their matches
within the first half of the allotted time frame and one
fourth of their matches within the first quarter of the
time frame. If you know that you are unable to
meet these requirements, and wish an extension, the Host
must be notified in advance with your reasons.
Failure to do so will result in immediate player
replacement.
- The Host has the discretion to replace
players when they withdraw, or are removed
by the Host. If there are
valid played games, then the replacement player will
assume the wins and losses of the replaced player as their
own. The player will
advance as any other player. All Replacement Players for the ZCS Round 1 will be selected from the
ZCSQ, and for the ZCS Round 2 from Round 1.
General
- All
rulings during the active tournament will be done by the
Host. Any
entrant wishing to dispute a Host ruling may do so by
directing the issue via email to the Tournament Directors, whose
decision is final. Where appropriate, the Directors will appoint
others to adjudicate on appeals in their place.
- Notwithstanding any of the
Rules above, the Directors may
amend or add to these rules, if in their view, circumstances
make it necessary to best achieve the purpose of the
ZCS or ZCSQ.
ZCS
Forum:
- The ZCS Forum is open to public between the end of the
Last Chance and beginning of the ZCSQ.
- The ZCS Forum is open to the Directors, Host and players of
good standing between the beginning of the ZCSQ till the
end of the Last Chance.
- Forum use is not for name calling or accusations. Forum rules must be followed and
Forum Rules penalties will be applied as
appropriate. If you
feel you have a valid accusation, please send it, via email, to
the Directors and Host.
Zone Bugs
- Games Freezes Bug: This bug is avoidable and only
occurs when a player's board is closed. To avoid this
happening ensure that :
(a) Before a match starts, check that in game settings,
the "Automatically roll the dice" check box is
unchecked, and that the "Automatically end my turn
box" is also unchecked. Check the box labeled
"prompt me to end my turn";
(b) When on the bar and the board is closed, DO NOT
click on the brown "You have no legal moves" box.
- Should a Zone Bug occur that cannot be reset by reseating
and restoring the match, the players must do one of the
following:
(a) Agree on the amount of points that will be resigned and reseat the match and resign the appropriate points.
(b) Both players, and a witness, get a real board out and set the board up like the game currently being played.
Using the Zone dice, call your moves out in the table chat so that everyone can follow along appropriately
and see the moves on their real board.
Once the real board game is completed, the appropriate number
of points are resigned to each of the players, and the rest of the match continues on the Zone board.
(c) Call the host to the table to make a ruling or notify
by email (this is only needed if NEITHER player can agree on how
to resolve the situation)
(d) If the game does freeze, the "closed out"
player will be considered at fault, and this may result in the
award of the maximum value of the cube in that game if the
Host is called to intervene. (see paragraph 23c). If no
cube is thrown, then 2 or 3 points may be awarded at the
Host's discretion - this is only necessary if the host is
called upon to make a decision in regards to this bug.
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