Entry Rules

1.     The Tournament Coordinators 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 Tournament Coordinators and Host at the beginning of every ZCS.  Like all previous ZCS 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 nicknames that the 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. 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 servers at this time are  Renaissance Games and WGC (World Gaming Center), subject to change. For non-WGC and Renaissance players  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 Tournament Coordinators and Host. Only attempts to schedule through the ZCS 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.  While playing in the ZCS tournaments all players are expected to maintain 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 2 will be selected from the ZCS Round 1, and for the ZCS Round 3 from Round 2.

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 Coordinators, whose decision is final. Where appropriate, the Tournament Coordinators will appoint others to adjudicate on appeals in their place.

18.  Notwithstanding any of the Rules above, the Tournament Coordinators 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 ZCS.

20. The ZCS Forum is open to the Tournament Coordinators, Host and players of good standing between the beginning of the ZCS 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 Tournament Coordinators and Host.