ALL AMERICAN SPADES
Rules and Policies
The Ranking System!

MyLeague has one of the simplest ranking systems ever used for competitive play. The concept was adopted from the ranking system used on the official Case's Ladders. We call it a "Ladder" because each member holds a unique rank or "rung" that represents their standing among other members. The highest-ranked member holds the #1 Ladder position; for example, someone ranked #2 is ranked below the #1 member. The goal is to "climb" the Ladder all the way to the top!

  • When you first join, you are placed in an "Unranked" category on the League.
  • You become "Ranked" after winning your first League match. (Unranked members may play each other, and the winner becomes ranked at the bottom of the League.)
  • When you defeat a higher-ranked member, you move up in rank 50% the distance between their rank and your own.
    • Example: If you are ranked #50 and you beat the #1 ranked member, then your new rank would be 25.
  • Your rank on the League does not go down if you lose a match unless your opponent is ranked DIRECTLY below you.
    • Example: If you are ranked #5 and the #6 ranked member defeats you, then your new rank would be #6.
  • When members ranked below you are victorious against members ranked above you, it's possible the member will jump over you in rank and you will move down one rung. This depends on the ranks involved.
    • Example(per 50% rank gain): You are currently ranked #7. If the #10 ranked member defeats the #1 ranked member, then #10 will advance to the #5 rung and you will fall to the #8 rung.

Account Rules

  • League Names
    • If your League name is deemed offensive or contains profanity, your account may be removed.
    • If your League name is deemed abusive towards another member, your account may be removed.
    • You can edit your League name by using the 'My Account' tab and choosing the 'Edit Username' option. If you have problems changing your League name, please use the 'Contact Admin' link, located on the 'Support' tab.
  • E-mail Address
    • Your E-mail address must be kept current at all times, in case you need to be contacted. You can use the 'Edit E-mail Address' link on the 'My Account' tab to edit your E-mail address.
  • Password Security
    • You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password.
    • You are not permitted to share your password with anyone for any reason.
  • Inactivity
    • In order to keep the League as dynamic as possible, your account will be automatically deleted if you are inactive for 365 days. However, one of the features of our Premium Membership Program is never being deleted for inactivity. Information regarding our Premium Membership Program can be found here.
  • Multiple Accounts
    • Only one account is allowed per person. There are no exceptions to this rule.
    • It is forbidden for more than one person to use or share the same account.
    • Multiple accounts from the same location will be investigated and possibly removed.

Challenges

Note: Please consult the Admin staff regarding whether or not League challenges are permitted for this League.

A challenge is defined as a request for a match with a higher-ranked member. Whether you are the challenger or the one being challenged, there are some rules that must be followed. Violating these rules may result in penalties. If you notice anyone violating these rules, please contact the Admin staff.

  • Chat
    • The best way to find League matches is to announce in chat that you are looking for a League match so that other members will know you are interested in League-play. You can also directly challenge a specific member in chat.
  • Formal Challenges
    • Most Leagues permit the use of Formal Challenges. A complete overview of the Formal Challenge system can be found here.
  • 5 time(s) Per Day
    • You may play the same member 5 time(s) per day. However, you may play as many different members as you would like on any given day. A "MyLeague" day begins at 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
  • Verify Information
    • We recommend you ensure a potential opponent is also a member of the League before starting your match. You can do this very easily by searching for your opponent using the 'Search for Players' tool.

Playing a Match

Once you are ready to start playing a League match, there are some guidelines governing game play that you should keep in mind.

  • Opponents
    • You are not allowed to report losses to another member that also plays from the same computer as you. Our security software will detect this activity if it is attempted, and participating accounts may be penalized or removed.
  • Sportsmanship
    • The same rules that apply to behavior in chat (covered in a later section) also apply during matches.

Reporting the Match

Once your match is completed, the loser of the match is responsible for reporting the loss immediately. You can report your matches using the 'Report Loss' button located on the 'Standings' tab. Please note the 'Report Loss' link should only be used for League matches and not for tournament matches; you should consult the TD with any questions regarding reporting tournament matches. If you have any problems reporting a loss, you should contact the Admin staff and request assistance.

  • Reporting the Loss
    • In one-on-one matches, the loser of the match reports the loss to the winner.
    • In partner matches, each member of the losing team reports a loss to both partners of the winning team. At the end of the match, you would either gain two wins or report two losses.
    • In "free for all" matches (matches in which multiple opponents are competing against each other without partners), each loser of the match must report a loss to one overall winner.
    • When playing matches with more than one opponent, it is important for losses to be reported in the proper order if rank will be affected by the order of report. You must report to the better-ranked opponent first in those cases. It is your responsibility to make sure you report in the correct order when necessary. Not doing so may result in penalty.
  • Unreported Matches
    • If your opponent does not report their loss within one hour after completing the match or prior to starting another match, you should click on the "Contact Admin" link and then use the "Unreported Match" form.

Tournaments

The rules for a Tournament are determined by the Tournament Director hosting the event. You will find a summary of each individual Tournament, including a Rules page, if you follow the link for that specific Tournament.

League-Specific Rules



TOURNAMENT RULES

(1). BEFORE JOINING OUR LEAGUE OR THE MATCHES, PLEASE AQUAINT YOURSELF WITH OUR LEAGUE RULES AND POLICIES. SPECIFIC GAME RULES AND TABLE SETTINGS WHICH APPLY TO EACH TOURNAMENT CAN BE FOUND ON EACH HOSTS INDIVIDUAL TOURNAMENT PAGE. *** SPECIAL NOTE: BARRING UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, IE: HARDWOOD BOOTS, CASES SERVER PROBLEMS, ETC., AS A COURTESY TO OUR MEMBERS AND TO SHOW RESPECT TO THOSE PLAYERS WHO REGISGERED EARLY FOR THE TOURNAMENT, OUR HOSTS WILL CLOSE NO LATER THAN 10 MINS AFTER THE POSTED START TIME. IF YOU ARE JOINING A PARDS TOURNAMENT AND ARE NOT IN THE ROOM WHEN IT HAS STARTED, **DO NOT EXPECT TO BE PAIRED UP** FOR THE TOURNAMENT. *** (1a)DO NOT CREATE LEAGUE NAMES OR TEAM NAMES WHICH MIGHT BE CONSIDERED PROFANE, OFFENSIVE, RACIST NAMES OR SLURS, SWEAR WORDS, LEWD ANATOMICAL REFERENCES SEXUALLY EXPLICIT OR HOMONYMS OF THESE WORDS. DO NOT USE COMBINATRIONS OF WORDS THAT PRODUCE AN OFFENSIVE RESULT (e.g. DUMBAZ, SEX LUVA, ETC) SHOULD A LEAGUE NAME OR TEAM NAME BE MADE WHICH THE HOSTING TD OR ANOTHER ADMIN CONSIDERS TO BE OFFEENSIVE, YOU YOU WILL BE ASKED TO CHANGE IT OR YOUR TEAM WILL BE REMOVED UNTIL YOU REMAKE THE TEAM WITH A NAME THAT IS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE OFFENSIVE. ***THERE WILL BE NO DISUCSSION ON THIS SUBJECT IN THE LOBBY AND IT IS THE STAFFS FINAL DECISION AS TO WHETHER A NAME IS OFFENSIVE AMD SHOULD BE CHANGED OR THE TEAM NAME REMADE.

(2). IF YOU ARE IN ANOTHER TOURNAMENT ROOM AND ARE NOT IN OUR LOBBY WHEN A TOURNAMENT HAS CLOSED AND HAS ALREADY BEGUN, YOU MAY POSSIBLY BE DQ'ED FROM THE FIRST ROUND OR THE ENTIRE TOURNAMENT. HOSTING TD DECISIONS ARE FINAL. A SUB WILL BE LOOKED FOR IMMEDIATELY TO TAKE YOUR PLACE. PLEASE BE ON TIME AND DO NOT ARRIVE LATE AND HOLD UP A TOURNAMENT AS THIS IS VERY DISRESPECTFUL TO THE HOST OF THE TOUNAMENT AND OUR MEMBERS !!!
**SPECIAL EXCEPTION: IF A PLAYER IS TIED UP IN THE PREVIOUS AMS TOURNAMENT WHEN THEIR TABLE HAS BEEN CALLED FOR THE NEXT PARD EVENT A SUB WILL BE APPOINTED IMMEDIATELY FOR THEM SO THAT THE TOURNAMENT IS NOT DELAYED. A SUB MAY BE SOMEONE WHO HAS A BYE FOR THAT ROUND OF THE TOURNAMENT AND THE PLAYER WILL BE ALLOWED TO JOIN THE MATCH AS SOON AS THEY HAVE COMPLETED THEIR GAME.

(3). IF YOU NEED A BRB IN BETWEEN A GAME JUST SAY "BRB". YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR AN 'OKAY' ... FOR A BRB IN BETWEEN GAMES. HOWEVER PLEASE BE AWARE THAT A 5 MINS TIMER STARTS SOON AS THE HOST CALLS YOUR TABLE. IF YOU NEED A BRB AFTER YOUR MATCH HAS ALREADY BEGUN AND YOU HAVE JOINED YOUR TABLE, AS A COURTESTY TO THE HOST, PLEASE CONTACT THEM IMMEDIATELY IN THE LOBBY TO LET THEM KNOW YOU NEED A "BRB" . YOU WILL GET 5 MINS AND THE TIMER STARTS SOON AS SOON AS YOU LEAVE THE TABLE. SHOULD YOU NEED MORE TIME THAN 5 MIN PLEASE ASK FOR A SUB SO THAT THE TOURNAMENT IS NOT DELAYED ANY FURTHER.

(4). PLEASE DO NOT SET OR JOIN A TABLE UNTIL THE HOST HAS ASKED YOU TO DO SO IN THE LOBBY. ONCE CALLED YOU HAVE 3 MINS TO SET OR JOIN THE TABLE AND AFTER THAT TIME A SUB WILL BE APPOINTED TO TAKE YOUR PLACE. SUBS ARE APPOINTED FOR PARD EVENTS ONLY. ONCE A SUB HAS JOINED A TABLE THEY WILL CONTINUE THE WHOLE (GAME/ROUND) UNLESS THEY WANT OUT. PLAYERS WHO HAVE TIMED OUT DO NOT HAVE A SAY IN THIS MATTER, SO PLEASE WHEN YOU JOIN A TOURNAMENT BE READY TO PLAY. SINGLE PLAYER TOURNEYS IF YOU DO NOT SET OR JOIN A TABLE WHEN CALLED, AFTER 3 MINUTES YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

(5). BOOT RULE: 3-3-0. AFTER THE 3RD BOOT A PERMANENT SUB WILL BE APPOINTED FOR THAT ROUND. IF YOU COME BACK YOU MAY REJOIN THE NEXT ROUND IF YOUR TEAM ADVANCES.

(6). TABLE TALK OF COURSE ISN'T ALLOWED AND WILL GET YOU DQ'D FROM THE TOURNAMENT. IF YOU'RE NOT SURE IF IT'S CONSIDERED "TT" BEST THING TO DO IS JUST NOT SAY IT. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT CHEATING, CHEATING OF ANY SORT, YOU WILL BE DQ' D FROM THE TOURNAMENT AND THE END RESULT OF YOUR CHEATING WILL BE YOU BEING (BOXED/BANNED) FROM THE LEAGUE. ***FOOMING: FOOMS ARE ALLOWED BETWEEN HANDS ONLY AND ARE NOT ALLOWED DURING HANDS IN PLAY AS THIS COULD BE CONSIDERED CHEATING.

(7). ONLY ONE SUB PER TEAM IS PERMITTED IN PARTNERS TOURNAMENTS AND NO TEAM CONTAINING 2 SUBS WILL BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE, AND YES SUBS ARE ALLOWED IN FINALS. NO SUBS ARE PERMITTED FOR SINGLES OR CUT TOURNAMENT EVENTS.

(8). NO ONE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IS ALLOWED TO KICK A PLAYER FROM A TABLE. IF THERES A PROBLEM YOU ARE TO IMMEDIATELY CALL THE HOSTING TD OR ANOTHER STAFF MEMBER TO THE TABLE. IF IT'S DETERMINED THAT YOU KICKED A PLAYER FROM THE TABLE THE END RESULT MAY BE YOUR "DQ" FROM THE TOURNAMENT.

(9). YOU MUST SHOW RESPECT TO OUR HOSTS AND MEMBERS AT ALL TIMES BOTH IN OUR LOBBY AND AT OUR TABLES. THOSE WHO DO NOT ABIDE BY THIS RULE WILL BE WARNED BY THE HOSTING TD OR ANOTHER STAFF MEMBER TO IMMEDIATELY STOP THE BEHAVIOR AND IF IT CONTINUES YOU WILL BE SILENCED, REPORTS CAN BE FILED WITH HARDWOOD, AND YOU CAN POSSIBLY BE "DQ' D" FROM THE TOURNAMENT AND THE END RESULT POSSIBLY CAN BE YOUR BEING BOXED OR KICKED FROM THE LEAGUE.

(10). USING AUTO BUTTON AND NOT PLAYING YOUR HAND WILL RESULT IN DQ IF CAUGHT AND POSSIBLY BOXING. DON'T DISRESPECT OUR HOST OR OUR MEMBERS BY DOING THIS AND DELAYING THE TOURNAMENT. PLEASE JUST ASK FOR A SUB IF YOU NEED TO GO. IF ACCUSED OF AUTO PLAY AND THE HOST SHOWS UP AT YOUR TABLE YOU WILL BE ASKED IF YOU ARE THERE OR IF THERE'S A PROBLEM ONLY TWICE. IF NO REPLY BACK TO THE HOST QUESTIONS YOU WILL BE KICKED FROM TABLE IMMEDIATLY, SO PLZ IMMEDIATELY RESPOND WHEN A HOST GOES IN AND ASKS IF YOU ARE THERE.

(11). PROFANE, OFFENSIVE, RACIST NAMES OR SLURS, SWEAR WORDS, LEWD ANATOMICAL REFERENCES, SEXUALLY EXPLICIT OR FOUL LANGUAGE OF ANY KIND IS NOT ALLOWED IN OUR LOBBY OR AT THE GAME TABLES. USE OF SUCH LANGUAGE WILL RESULT IN A WARNING FROM THE HOSTING TD OR ANOTHER STAFF MEMBER TO STOP AND IF YOU DO NOT HEED THE WARNING YOU WILL BE SILENCED AND A REPORT CAN BE FILED REPORTING THE INCIDENT TO HARDWOOD. USE OF THE 'F' WORD WILL GET YOU AN AUTOMATIC SILENCE OF 60 MINUTES WITH NO WARNING ISSUED.

(12). NO ACCUSATIONS OF OPPONENTS CHEATING WILL BE TOLLERATED IN OUR LOBBY OR AT THE GAME TABLES. IF THERE IS A QUESTION ABOUT THIS PLEASE ASK THE TD TO MEET YOU AT THE TABLE OR CONTACT THEM ON IM. THE HOSTING TD WILL LOOK OVER THE ISSUE(S) OR HAND(S) AND WHEN APPLICABLE TURN IT OVER TO AN ADMIN TO HANDLE IT AND RENDER A DECISION.

(13) UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES MAY ANYONE IN THE SAME HOUSEHOLD BE ALLOWED TO PARTNER AS A TEAM. IF THIS IS FOUND THAT THIS IS THE CIRCUMSTANCE THIS TEAM WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFIED FROM PARTIPATION IN THE TOURNAMENT.

(14). SPECIAL EVENT TOURNAMENTS SUCH AS: TOC, KING OR QUEEN OF THE HILL, STAFF AND MEMBER APPRECIATION TOURNEYS, MONTHLY BIRTHDAY TOURNEYS, BOS, OR ANY OTHER SPECIAL EVENT TOURNAMENT HOSTED BY ONE OF OUR HOSTS, ARE HOSTED BY OUR HOSTS AT THEIR PLEASURE AND SPECIFIC RULES PERTAINING TO THESE TOURNEYS WILL BE POSTED ON THE TOURNAMENT PAGE ITSELF.


**OUR LEAGUE'S GOAL: WE JUST WANT EVERYONE TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY THEMSELVES WHILE HERE IN AMS!!! WE WANT TO PROVIDE A DRAMA FREE FUN PLACE WHERE WE ALL CAN MEET TOGETHER, DEVELOP ONLINE FRIENDSHIPS AND ENJOY THE GAME OF SPADES. AS HOSTS AND STAFF MEMBERS WE ARE BOUND TO FOLLOW THE ABOVE LEAGUE RULES AND POLICIES WHEN WE COMPETE AT TABLES AND LIKEWISE WE PROMISE TO TRY TO ENFORCE THESE RULES FAIRLY WHEN WE ARE HOSTING TOURNAMENTS FOR OUR MEMBERS. OUR MAIN GOAL AS HOSTS WILL ALWAYS BE TO TRY TO BE FAIR, A LITTLE LENIENT AND NOT TOO PUSHY. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE HOSTING TD IN CHARGE OF THE TOURNAMENT DECISIONS WILL PREVAIL AND ARE FINAL. HOWEVER, THE HOSTING TD'S DECISIONS CAN BE OVERTURNED AT THEIR DISCRESION CONSIDERING SUCH SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AS PLAYER OR HARDWOOD BOOTS, ETC .


THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF ALL AMERICAN SPADES AND OUR TOURNAMENTS.


GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY !!
Top Ten

The purpose of the League is to climb to the top and the competition for the rungs in the Top Ten is high. As such, we have special rules that apply for members in the Top Ten.

  • Inactivity
    • Members in the Top Ten must play a League match at least once every 5 days; otherwise, you will be automatically dropped five rungs and your inactivity counter is reset. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Expected Behavior

As a member of MyLeague, you are representing the League, the Admin staff, and all other members when you are participating on a MyLeague. It's part of your responsibility as a member to act in a respectable manner within your League community.

  • Avatars
    • The rules of common decency should be followed when uploading images to use as avatars. Inappropriate avatars may be removed without warning or notification.
  • Cheating
    • If you believe your opponent is cheating, then you should contact the Admin staff.
  • Abuse
    • It is forbidden to abuse or harass another League member.
    • It is important to remember that two wrongs do not make a right. If you are being harassed by another League member, contact the Admin staff for assistance. Do not take matters into your own hands or return the abuse, or you could be penalized as well.
  • Nice Guy Rule
    • Please note that behavior guidelines govern all methods of communication. This includes chat, E-mail, message forums, instant messenger services, etc. Treat other members with respect!

Fill in the Blank

Although we have tried to be as detailed as possible, we can't cover every aspect of gaming in our rules. Please be advised that just because something is not stated in our rules and policies, then that does not mean it is allowed. Use common sense. If it is something that will adversely affect other members and you might think twice about it, then it's probably against the rules. The Admin staff will have the final say in such matters. If you have a specific question please feel free to contact us via E-mail.
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