Entry Rules

1.     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 behavior 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.

2.     Each person may submit only one entry form, and that entry form must be for only them. 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.

3.     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
 

4.     All players, accepting the rules when entering the tournament through the ZCS or ZCSQ, are responsible for familiarizing 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.

5.     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.

6.     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.

7.     The tactic of deliberately losing a match to influence the outcome of the tournament is prohibited.

8.     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.

9.     All matches will be played in accordance with the official United States backgammon rules and procedures where applicable and common sense prevails.

10.  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 reason to the Host, will not advance into the next round and may risk being DQ'd from the next ZCS.  Reasons 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 should 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.

11. Resignations will only be accepted when submitted to the Host via email.

Rules of Conduct
 

12.  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.

13. Matches may be analyzed and this analysis may be published. Players agree to this by entering. Players should show good sportsmanship 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
 

14.  Players must either have sent an email for scheduling to their opponents or have a posted match within the first 7 days of the ZCS and within the first 5 days of the ZCSQ to avoid being replaced per round. 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.

15.  Replacement players WILL NOT be made if ½ or more matches are played, and there is less than 1 week left in the round.  Forfeits will only be granted if the Email requirements are met for forfeits as above stated in Rule 10.

16.  The Host has the discretion to replace players when they withdraw, or are removed by the Host, based on the above.   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
 

17.  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.

18.  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:
 

19.  The ZCS Forum is open to public between the end of the Last Chance and beginning of the  ZCSQ.

20. 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.

21.  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
 

22.  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.

23.   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.