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 180 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.
• 50 time(s) Per Day
  • You may play the same member 50 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

League Username

Your league Username must match your Pogo Screen name.

Your league Username cannot be shared with anyone else including family members.

You must have a valid e-mail address.

You are only allowed one league Username. If a duplicate is found the multiple Usernames will be removed.

League Username and Pogo Screen name must match during tournaments.

If the two names are not the same and you join a tournament, the Host will remove you from the tournament until you correct your names.

Game Play

Fast play is a MUST at ALL times.

We do not play rated games. In this league, our games are all about having fun and we work to maintain that fun-loving atmosphere.

You may not be in 2 tournaments at the same time. If you are playing at a table in the finals of a previous tour then you may jump the next tour. However, if you are still playing in the previous finals when it is your turn, you will be placed on a 5 minute timer. Purposefully disqualifying in the previous tournament will result in a disqualification in the new tournament.

When you jump a tournament please be in the lobby 2 minutes prior to start time.

Watch the lobby for instructions from your host for game rules, pairings, etc... If you are not at the table within 5 minutes of call time you will be placed on a 5 minute timer.

It is the member's responsibility to be ready to play on time.

When hosts assign pairings they will assign tables as well. The host will say something similar to Player1 v Player2 Table 6 -- This means the game is to be played on table 6 and Player1 is to set. The player's name that appears first in the pairing is the one who sets the table.

All players are responsible for checking that their table is set correctly. If a table is set incorrectly, the Host will ask for it to be reset. Scores are not kept and the game starts over.

ALL games are played with a 60 second timer. If a player gets frozen or booted from the table or lobby, they are allotted 5 minutes to find their seat and continue play. If 5 minutes has passed, the player is put on a 5 minute timer. The timer is not off until they are actually playing at the assigned table. Players are allowed 2 extensions per round as well as 2 timers per tour; on the 3rd extension per round or 3rd timer per tour the player will be disqualified.

During a Doubles Tournament (2v2), if your partner is missing from the lobby he or she will be granted a substitute (sub). If your partner is missing from table but still in lobby, then the partner is given 5 minutes to find his or her seat and continue play. If 5 minutes has passed, the player is put on a 5 minute timer and a sub is requested by the host. Subs may not be members still playing in the same tournament.

Please do not take "timing out" or disqualifying personally. It happens to us all. We follow guidelines to ensure that the tournaments run as smoothly as possible and is fair to waiting players as well.

Extensions do not count against a player if they are asking game related questions of the Host or waiting on the Host. Extensions also do not count when a member returns to the table after being thrust out of their seat.

All games must be played until the final score is totaled and winner is determined. Leaving a table before the game is over results in a forfeit. We expect good sportsmanship between players, win or lose.

If there is a tie, the players will play one more hand, same rules, highest score wins.

Table Talk

Absolutely no table talk will be allowed.

What is "table talk"? Chat about a hand in play is considered table talk. Avoid all conversations about the hand currently being played.

Anything that can be interpreted as table talk should not be typed. This includes telling or asking your partner what to play or not to play, what you have or do not have in your hand, or clarifying the rules. Only the Host may answer game related questions.

No private chats about the hand or game is allowed between players (partners or opponents) during a match. If there is a concern, message only the Host in lobby or IM.

The Host has sole discretion in determining what is considered table talk. The decision of the Host is final.

If the Host determines that table talk has occurred the team will be disqualified.

To eliminate the possibility of being accused of cheating, we request that members that are in the same household at any given time to not jump as a team.

Canasta Freaks Etiquette

Please be polite to all people in Canasta Freaks' hosted lobbies, tournaments, and tables.

We ask that you not be rude to fellow players at table and lobbies.

Say "thank you - ty" and "good game - gg" even if it is a loss to you.

Only the Host may enter as a "Watcher". We do not allow members to be watchers. Occasionally an HTD or Admin may come to the table to help settle disputes if the Host requests them to intervene.

Capital letters are reserved for Hosts.

Do not use caps as this can confuse members. Those with vision impairment must notify the Host.

Please do not be rude to the Hosts. They are here so that you can play. They give their time willingly and completely voluntarily.

If you leave for reasons such as disagreeing with your partner, your opponent, the rules, the Host, etc. you are subject to disqualification and possibly box time.

Continued unexcused departures will result in banning from the league.

Language

We expect our members to refrain from using profanity or obscene language in the Canasta Freaks' hosted lobbies or at tournament tables.

This is a family league.

First use will be given a 1 time warning.

If foul language continues, member will be boxed or banned according to the severity of the situation.

Clean language is expected at all times.

Cheating Accusations

Accusing a member of cheating is FORBIDDEN in the Canasta Freaks' hosted lobbies.

Talk to the Host in IM or at a private table.

Cheating is very hard to prove. Absolute proof for the Host to see with their own eyes is a must. If this proof cannot be provided, DO NOT ACCUSE ANYONE!

Drama

If drama occurs, member can be boxed or banned depending on the amount of drama caused.

If there is a dispute or problem, please realize that the Host will make the best decision he or she can at the time, trying to be fair to all.

We ask that all conflict between players be taken outside of the lobby. Please take the issue to a table or instant messenger and discuss it with the Host. If necessary, please request a Head TD.

If you are "boxed" for any reason you will not be allowed to compete in any tournaments for the duration of the boxing.

Solicitation

Solicitation is BANNED!

Soliciting in Canasta Freaks' hosted lobbies, the Canasta Freaks' Chatbox, or the Canasta Freaks' Message Forum will NOT be tolerated.

Religion and Politics

The Canasta Freaks' hosted lobbies are not the best forum for religious and political discussions.

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 3 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.