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.
• 12 time(s) Per Day
  • You may play the same member 12 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

The following are FFAS RULES, which may vary from the preceding Cases Rules: FFAS rules will supersede any cases rules speaking to same topic. Revised 8/30/2024.

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

All players must be a member of FFAS to play in FFAS with the following exception: A sub may be either an FFAS or FFA member to sub in an FFAS game or TC.

To join FFAS, visit http://www.myleague.com/ffas/ and click on Free Sign-Up.

The minimum age requirement to play in FFAS is 16 years of age.

Your e-mail address must be valid. Additionally, your e-mail address cannot be the same as any other member of FFAS.

Your Ladder Name must match your SHG Name to include spaces, underscores and other keyboard characters. An exception to this rule is CAPS or non-caps.

If your Ladder name is offensive to other users or contains profanity you will be asked to change it, or your account will be removed.

It is illegal for one person to have multiple accounts.

You must be a member of FFAS in order to register in an FFAS TC.

A TC exception to this rule is : A TC Host will be allowed to play in their hosting nic while registered in the TC in their playing nic, when necessary.

SAME HOUSEHOLD

If you are a member in the same household or workplace where you play, you must notify Admin at ffafun4all@yahoo.com . Please submit ladder nics of all involved.

Members of the same household may not play at the same table unless assigned to opp each other in a tourney. Same household players may only kibitz each other at a game table.

Changes of nics of same household individuals need to be reported to Admin.

Temporary moves or travel from the household do not change the same household status.

Same Household partnering may result in penalties or possible removal from the league.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The Number 1 Rule in our room is to have fun! The definition of fun is enjoying a game of spades with friends in a relaxing, peaceful and respectful atmosphere!

Conversations must avoid outright profanity and abbreviations standing for outright profanity.
Alternate spelling or partial masking of inappropriate language may be reprimanded in the same manner as the actual use of such words, depending on the context or intent, such as an attack or insult on a player, or extreme in some way.

Language which talks about or insinuates sexual acts or preference will not be allowed in FFAS. Racial, ethnic, political or religious slurs/debates will not be allowed in FFAS.

FFAS is an English-speaking league. Out of respect to all players, please refrain from extensive conversations in other languages in the lobby. At game tables, other than greetings, English only should be spoken.

Be respectful to all at your table. Although the table conversation is private, all 4 players must agree to the tone and content of the conversation.

Please refrain from inappropriate talk or verbal sparring in the lobby, at the game tables, or in pm's. It is every member's responsibility to see that FFA remains a pleasant and fun place for all to enjoy.

You may not bait, insult, or harass a player, admin or TD.

Usernames should follow the COC.

If you are not a TD Host, please make sure any macros you may use are not over 3 lines. Purposely flooding the lobby is against the rules and may result in you being gagged from talking in the lobby.

This is a family league so please remember that in your conversations!!

HARASSMENT

DO NOT at any time harass, inflame, or attack any player on this league or any other league in the lobby, pm's, or at the tables! This will not only get you booted from the lobby but will also put you at risk for suspension from the league! We are here to have fun and it is NOT fun to see someone being attacked. If this happens please ask for an administrator and let them handle the situation. Do not interfere as this might get you caught up in it as well.

TOP RANKS AND FAIR PLAY

The goal is to ensure that the top ranks are achievable for all active members. Let's keep the top ranks active and fair.

Top ranked players should give all players a shot, not only those ranked immediately below or above them.

Inactivity: Members in the Top Ten must play a League match at least once every 2 days; otherwise, you will be automatically dropped five rungs and your inactivity counter is reset.

CALLING A PLAYER A CHEATER WITHOUT PROOF/INSINUATING CHEATING

Any frivolous and unfounded accusations or hearsay that a player is a cheater, that cannot be supported by proof, may result in up to a 5 day box, left to admin discretion.

Repeated offenses may result in escalated penalties and possible removal from the league.

GAMES

Tables 1 and 2 are reserved for the use of TC Hosts and Pal Changers from 8 a.m. EST until after the start of the final TC of the night. Table 75 is reserved for TC Hosts for the 9:45 p.m. TC. No games are allowed at these tables during these times.

When advertising in the lobby, game format, number of hands, ndn or all bids must be stated. Game addies which do not specify a format (such as "any alt" or "any game") are permitted, but other addies run at the same time which DO specify a game will not be considered over-addies.

Etiquette and good manners dictates that you do not advertise in the lobby for a specific game format while someone else is also advertising for the same exact format.

If you do not wish to play against those already advertising, please wait until they get a game before starting to advertise for your game.

Game starts once all four people are seated, thumbs up and table opens.

Game, hands, nbn/all bids should be posted on game table before bidding.

If the format is set wrong, it will be a reseat to the same seats up until the end of Hand 1. If Hand 2 has been dealt, the game will continue as set unless it will not allow the game format to be played correctly.

Set hands to number stated in game addy (no limit for full regular). If number of hands is set higher, game continues as set and game will end at addied number of hands. If hands are set to lower than the required number of hands it will be a reseat to same seats up until the end of Hand 1. If Hand 2 has been dealt, the game continues as set until table ends the game. Players remain in same seats, type score/bags in chat, press start and manual score the remaining hands as per addy.

Scoring is preset for all FFAS games, and should not be changed. Winning score is +500 and Losing score is -300. Bag count/penalty is 10 for -100. Exception: Changing presets is permitted when specific game settings are different.

If your SCORE IS TIED at the end of the game, regardless of the number of bags, play three more hands or until game is over, whichever comes first, without reseating. NOTE: Tables are set to "IF TIE + 3". Do not change this setting .

PLAYING OUT ALL HANDS

All hands addied for must be completed. Majority must rule to discontinue a game and report. If majority do not rule to discontinue a game, anyone leaving game will be responsible for reporting both losses, absolving partner of any loss.

REPORTING

It is every players responsibility to report their matches.If a match is not reported please send in full game chat to FFAfun4all@yahoo.com to be reported.

If a player is not a member of FFAS at or before the end of the game, it will be considered a no-game for the player who is not registered and no report will be posted for/by that player. Every effort will be made to have the unregistered player join FFAS in the case of a loss by them. Partner of the unregistered player shall report or be reported to as normal.

If you are having problems reporting please ask Admin for assistance.

Any players found continuosly leaving tables without reporting are subject to be penalized and possibly kicked from the league. So please if you have problems reporting ask for assistance!

TABLE TALK

Table Talk (TT) is anything said before the current hand and/or game is over that may affect the outcome of the hand/game and/or anything said that may reveal your hand to your partner prior to what is obvious to all players. Accidental or not, anything said by you about the cards in play can possibly be perceived as TT or even cheating.

If TT is proven, it will be a disqualification. This also includes but is not limited to games when forced nils are in the game format. One example would be (but is not limited to) -- if format is suicide, you cannot say anything that would indicate that you don't have a nil hand/or have the ace of spades.

The person calling TT needs to stop playing immediately and call an ADMIN when it happens, (not wait until the hand has been played out) state what the TT is and the number of cards remaining in the current hand. The admin called will assess the TT situation.

WATCHING

Watchers may NOT go to a table where a game is current and carry on a lengthy conversation. Please keep conversation to a minimum such as: GJ, NT, GL, etc. Lengthy conversations are very distracting and the players are there to be playing the game they are in,

Cards are to remain closed during league games EXCEPT: during nonreportable games, training games for new players, or when all four players at the table agree to open. Saying "no" to open cards is denying permission for the kibitzer to view cards by Safe Harbor game settings, and includes the use of any outside sharing or viewing programs or devices.

Cards can not be opened during Tournament play.

MISBID and MISPLAY

In non-TC games, Misplays/Misbids are allowed on the FIRST hand only. Reseat to same seats.

In TC games, Misplays/Misbids are NOT allowed in any hand.

In either instance, if there is a misplay/misbid, game play should stop IMMEDIATELY to ensure the correct call can be made. If there is a problem, please call a TD or Admin to your table.

The player who misplayed or misbid must click the Renege button, and their partner must confirm they want to declare a Renege. When the Renege is declared, the hand is scored and the game continues. The hand is scored as follows: The team that declares the Renege is scored as if their bid was set. The other team is scored as if they exactly made their bid. No bags are given.

BEING BOOTED OR LEAVING GAME

Please post the time of boot on the table.

The booted player has 5 minutes to return, or for their partner to find a sub (if one is available), or it is a forfeit.

The partner of booted player has the choice to continue the game with a sub or forfeit at the 5 minute mark.

Admin will post both losses to the booted player if the partner's choice is to forfeit at 5 minutes.

If a sub finishes the game for the original player and plays more than half of the game and wins, they will receive the win.

Any loss goes to the original player

MASS BOOTS

MASS BOOTS (FULL ROOM BOOT) = When all 4 players are removed from room and NO ONE has the opportunity to get scores, bags, and hands played, games are VOID.

BRB's AND EXCESSIVE LAG BETWEEN PLAYS

Please be considerate of the others in your game with and keep BRB's to a minimum. Please ask for HLC when possible, and try and take all BRB's at the end of the hand.

A sub is required if BRB will be over 5 minutes. Tag-teaming with a sub is not allowed.

Always play in a timely manner. Do Not Play Any Other Games or Multi-task (work, email, chat, etc.) at the same time you are playing a ladders game.

Playing in other SHG games when playing in FFAS is not allowed.

PRIVACY STATEMENT

FFAS has added a privacy statement for your information, as of May 25, 2018.

FFAS utilizes the services of Safe Harbor Games for the room in which we play.

FFAS is a MyLeague, which is managed by the FFAS Administration Team. MyLeagues are powered by Case's Ladder.

Our Admin Team is under contract with FFAS, which states that we will not share personal information about players in FFAS.

FFAS does not have any access to payment methods made by players to Cases, such as premium memberships.

Players may Opt Out of FFAS Newsletters and Tourney Bux Summaries upon registration or once they are registered, if they choose to no longer receive these automatic emails, they can either go to User Editor and change their preferences, or they can contact Admin at ffafun4all@yahoo.com and request to opt out.

FFAS Administration and Tournament Directors do not use chat broadcasting in Safe Harbor Games to our membership list.

Cases Ladder privacy statement is: http://www.casesladder.com/moreinfo/privacy/

Safe Harbor Games privacy statement is: http://www.safeharborgames.net/sitepolicies/privacy.php

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 2 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.