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 255 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 .
• 1 time(s) Per Day
  • You may play the same member 1 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
1. All games will be 500 points/12 hands or 60 minutes max. TD will keep track of start time. In Hardwood, game settings are Social, 500/100 or 12 hands (whichever comes first), no BN, Timeout Players ON, Cut Deck OFF.

2. There will be NO Dnil's or OD's. In the event any player accidentally OD's, the hand will be skipped by all and a 100 point penalty will be assessed to the team who misbid. At Hoyle the hand will be completed and the 100 point penalty will be assessed manually if the dnil is successful. Please call a TD to the table in the event of a misbid.

3. All tables will be unrated/protected (not private). No FF (forfeit) tables. (yahoo only)

4. Top bracket will choose table and invite bottom bracket in all matches except for final between tourney #1 and tourney #2 winners.

5. TD will choose table for final between tourney #1 winners and tourney #2 winners. The team whose name begins with the letter closest to "(to be determined at the start of each tournament)" will choose seats first.

6. Watchers and cheering (lobby only) on your respective teams is encouraged and welcomed. However, there is to be no chat while a hand is being played and minimal between hands. If a player or TD feels that the chat is excessive, the TD will give 1 warning. If it continues, the TD has the right to have those watchers booted from the table. Hoyle: There will be NO use of sounds by watchers or players during any hand in play. Hardwood: Minimal fooms are allowed and only between hands.

7. There is to be NO kibitzing by any member and only by a TD at the beginning of game and to verify a misbid. There is NO kibitzing by anyone, at anytime, other than the TD as stated above.

8. All decisions made by the TD are to be respected. A TD may seek assistance on a ruling from the head admin (BOL_Belinda).

9. All matches will be reported by the hosting TD only. TD Helpers will post winners in lobby and continue to do so until acknowledged by the hosting TD or BOL staff member.

10. All BOL ID’s must match your league ID and must be able to verify via your league’s Player List.

11. Subs: Should a player be late or get booted from the room, a sub may be used and must be seated within 5 minutes of the boot time. The sub must also be a registered member of the BOL. If both players are booted, the team is allowed 10 minutes to return. If neither player returns within the 10 minutes, the team is DQ’d due to time.

12. While attending the BOL either as a player or in a support role...you are representing your league. Appropriate behavior is expected at all times and violation of this rule could result in your league being suspended or even banned from BOL participation. Effective immediately, offensive, adult-oriented, inappropriate and/or sexually suggestive IDs are not allowed as participants or subs in BOL. In addition, no variation of the word “bitch” is acceptable. Participating leagues, at all times, are expected to keep in mind that this is a SPADES LEAGUE that is supported by people of all ages and there is absolutely no reason for IDs as mentioned above to be used at any time. As stated in previous BOL rules, if you have a “questionable” ID, change it before joining a BOL tournament. In keeping with another BOL rule, the ID you use for a BOL tournament (as a player or a sub) must match your league ID exactly and must be verifiable via your league’s Player List.

13. MISCONDUCT.... There will be NO TOLERANCE of any kind for disruptive behavior in the lobby or the game. Under NO circumstances are you to go into another league room and spam trying to get players to join your league. There is to be NO spamming by any league during a BOL event. Such behavior will result in you being disqualified from the current BOL taking place and your league either being suspended for a period of time or banned completely.

14. Any league caught in violation of Cases TOA will result in possible displinary action including dq of tourney and/or banishment of league from BOL.

15. Yahoo ONLY… Because of the size of BOL tourneys in Yahoo, the hosting league must assure that no other tourneys will be scheduled by their league while the BOL is going on. If this becomes a problem, please let me know ASAP so other arrangements can be made… such as, moving it to Jub. All tourneys will be made and hosted by a BOL Admin who is familiar with BOL Rules and comfortable with running large tourneys.

16. When playing in the finals on the 3rd Saturday, ALL pagers and IM services MUST be shut down or disabled. It is further recommended, that once you have entered into a game to play, you do not view any webpages. If you have AOL, all activity is viewed as "WAOL" and could be construed or mistaken as AOL Messenger. All games are monitored, and this is for your protection. If you must view a page, do it BETWEEN games. Hosting TD has the final say if a team is dq'd.

Good luck to everyone and have a GREAT night!!!



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 7 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.
• 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.