Spring
2005 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 are strongly encouraged to 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.
| Key |
XXXXXX means that no match
was played, but the player showed a valid effort to schedule a
match, shown by sending at least one email through the email
form.
Blanks ( ) mean that the player
did not play the match and did not send ANY emails through the
email form and will not advance.
(F) means that a win was
awarded to the winner, who was the only one to make the required
effort, and sent the required number of emails through the email
form. |
- 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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