UNTOUCHABLE SPADES LEAGUE RULES
Welcome to our league! Thank you for choosing us to provide you with a great league experience!
All staff, and members are required to read & fully understand these rules. They will be frequently updated. It is your responsibility to keep checking back.
These rules apply to Rated, Unrated and Special Tournaments as explained below. Specific rules for each unique or special tournament will be provided on the tournament page typically under the rules tab
League ID
Each member is allowed only one league ID. Your league ID must match your Yahoo ID exactly.
Prior To Starting Tourney
The number of hands/time limit/points will be listed by the TD on the tourney page. If it's rated then it will always be Yahoo declares the winner.
Rules for the specific game should be on every tourney page under the rules link. The rules that are spammed at each table are the final rules.
Make sure you read the rules on the tournament page prior to starting your tourney.
Ask questions in the lobby if you don't understand something on the tournament page.
Many games are different, so you need to make sure you understand fully before the start of your tourney.
In some games bags, and score doesn't matter, and in some they do. Please make sure you look for that in the game rules.
Both teams should remain at the table until the TD calls the game. Absolutely DO NOT leave your seat until the game is called.
Tourney Grace Period
An additional 10-minutes (grace period) will be extended to all members by each attending HTD/TD.This additional time period is not meant to accommodate late arrivals.
However, if the member can go auto or quickly make a team with a partner this is acceptable as long as it does not further delay the tournament from starting on time.
Making Tables
Team in top bracket makes table and invites the opposing team.- Three minutes after pairings are posted in lobby, if table has not yet been created, it automatically flips.
- Tables are to be made, Unrated, Protected no Force Forfeit (unless otherwise stated by the TD). New tables are required for each new game.
- Games are not to be started until the TD has posted the game start time, and the rules have been given at the tables.
Kibitz
Turn off kibitz as soon as you sit at table, unless otherwise stated by the TD.
BRB's On Nil's
No brb on NIL’s. If a brb is requested during a nil the TD has the option to ask the players to skip the hand.The decision to skip the hand is at discretion of the TD (except for suicide or whiz).
Fast Play
Fast play is necessary to keep any game from unnecessarily delaying the tournament. Slow play will NOT be tolerated.- If your ping is good you're expected to play each card within 10-seconds.
- If you are playing slow the 10-second rules will be put into effect
- 1st - Warning
- 2nd- You will be asked to stand from your seat, so you may reboot, or get a sub.
Ten Second Rule
Players that cannot comply with the 10-second rule will be asked to get a sub or reboot.- If you refuse to reboot you will be penalized (-) 50 points.
- If you still refuse to comply the TD can DQ your team.
Visitors
Visitors may come to table and watch a league game but must not disrupt player’s.- Visitors must leave table if asked to do so by TD or player’s.
- Do not boot a visitor who kibitz's your game. Explain to them this is a tournament game and please do not kibitz.
- If a visitor is disrupting the game, ask permission to boot person from table.
Regular Rated Tourneys & League Games
These league rules are intended for regular rated games.
Tourney Length
Regular rated games are played to 500; Yahoo declares winner.
BRB's On Nil's
TD has the option to ask the players to skip the hand if a brb is requested during a nil.The decision to skip the hand is at discretion of the TD.
Misbids
Only misbid in a regular rated game is a Double Nil (DN).First DN skip hand, and warning. Second DN is an automatic DQ, unless tourney is anything goes (AG), and the opposing team will advance.
Subs
Subs must be a league member, use their league ID, and cannot be currently playing in a game.One original member of the team must be playing at all times. TD's are allowed to sub only if league member is not available.
- If a player returns, the sub must finish the current hand then stand immediately after hand is finished.
- If a sub misbids in an unrated game, skip hand and opposing team has option to skip next hand.
Reboot Time
NOTE: A sub may be obtained immediately if a player fails to sit or is booted from lobby so that play continues smoothly.- The TD must wait five minutes before requiring a sub to sit.
- After five minutes the partner of the missing player can ask for a sub.
- If a player returns, timer is paused. Timer is re-started if player is booted again.
The team has 10 minutes total time to resume play at the table, before the TD can disqualify the team.
Forced Bid, Unrated Tourneys
These rules apply to forced bid, unrated tournaments unless specified otherwise.
Unrated Tourney Length
All Games are played to a specific length are explained on the tournament page.- Unrated 1v1 6/20/500
- Unrated 2v2 8/30/500
(Hands/Minutes/Final Score)
Tied Games
In the case of a tie, (-) 200 to (-) 200, or 456 to 456, and regardless of bags, the score must be cleared.Then one hand of reg spades will be played as a tiebreaker.
Hosts are to keep track of the time and hand count during the game.
Calling Games On Time
Games are ruled based on the set number of hands, or time in an unrated tourney.Otherwise, Yahoo will declare the winner in a rated game.
If the winning team has caused the delay, the TD may allow the game to finish all hands.
If the team causing the delay is losing, the game will be called at the set time.
Booted From The Tables
Any team member who is booted from a game table will be allowed to return and resume play 2 times.Timer will be placed on the booted player for a period of up to 5 minutes.
If a player is booted for the 3rd time, they will not be allowed to return to this game.
The remaining team member must get a sub for the remainder of that game.
The player may continue in the tournament for the next round with the above being effective for each round.
Misbids
Hand will be skipped after each misbid. The TD's MUST be called to verify, otherwise no penalty will be assessed.- 1st offence: (-) 50
- 2nd offence: (-) 100
- 3rd offence: D.Q.
All Misbids will be deducted from the final scores
Intentionally misbidding in a 1v1 will result in automatic DQ, and partners choice of a sub, and 1 day box time. Bad sportsmanship will not be tolerated.
If one player misbids that player gets (-) 50 penalty with skip option. If their partner misbids later, they will receive (-) 50 penalty with skip option.
If one of those players have a second misbid they will receive (-) 100 with no skip option, and so on.
In 2v2 tournaments, the misbid applies to the misbidding team.
If a player misbids they will receive (-) 50, and if their partner misbids later they receive (-) 100, and so on
In a 1v1 misbids apply for both the player, and their current sub.
Code Of Conduct
Rudeness or abusive language towards members or staff will NOT be tolerated.Good sportsmanship is expected, win or lose.
No swearing will be tolerated.
No harassing members or staff at tables, in messenger, or in the lobby
Offenses are generally handled as follows:
- First offense: Verbal or Written warning;
- Second offense: 1 -7 days of penalty box time
- Third offense: 10 days of penalty box time, with pending HA review for removal from the league.
- More the three offenses in one month can result in removal from league
Depending on how bad the offense is, you may possibly be removed from the league.
Misconduct
You may not be in another game or tournament while in a league game.If you intentionally leave a match that is not yet over, you will be boxed for 1 - 3 days for poor sportsmanship.
Table Talk
Table talk is NOT permitted. Anything a player says to his partner that influences the way they play is considered table talk.- 1st offense: May result in DQ depending on the severity of what was said
- 2nd offense:DQ and possible box time
- 3rd offence: DQ and box time
Cheating
We cannot always prove cheating, however we have the right to question members if we suspect cheating due to good ping, and continuous slow play, or suspicious plays.Also, we have the right to box or ban members from the league if they are caught cheating. Card counters are not allowed.
Accusing members of using card counters or cheating without proof is prohibited.
Penalty for false accusations is time in the penalty box.
Malicious Behavior
Any player that disrespects another member of the league can be subject to immediate kick off (banned) from league if offense is determined by administrative staff to be malicious.This type of offense generally results in member being removed from the league.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment will not be tolerated. Sexual references on tables and or lobby are unacceptable.Different Offenses vary on severity. Admins will decide which actions to take.
Sexually harassing members in yahoo messenger will result in ban from league with proper evidence. (screen shots of convo history)
Problems Or Complaints
We ask that all issues or problems between members or staff be discussed privately via messenger or a private table when possible.If you have a problem with another member or staff that cannot be resolved otherwise please contact an Admin via messenger or e-mail as soon as possible.
Withdrawal From The League
Any member who withdraws from the league can rejoin if there was no drama or problems caused by the member.
