We want our players to have fun and enjoy their game. Players may want to join next tournament so steady play is a must. If a player seems to have lag or connection issue, the TD will check ping and may ask player to stand and resit, or leave lobby and return to help with ping problem. The player may return to table to play two times, upon the third occurrence, the player will not be allowed to play again until the next round. Please do full reboot if necessary before next round starts.  If SHG is having problems and multiple players are getting booted, TD may give an extra allowed return to play option.

Slow Play will not be tolerated. TD will give one warning for slow play. TD may need to soft boot if a player's ping is good or player is not playing at a steady pace.  Player distracted, upset with game or partner, or bad sportsmanship can be  factors of slow play. If TD is required to do a second soft boot, the player will be DQ from tournament and game play continue with a sub player.

 

BRBs

We feel that when a member registers for a tour that they are here to play Spades.  The intent of a 'Be Right Back' is for emergencies only. Each player is allowed two brb's per game but may not exceed 2 minutes maxium total, (one two minute brb or two one minute brb). If player needs more than two minutes total please stand and ask for a sub for that hand or until return and able to finish game. If there is a nil or blindnil on table or game is Suicide and you need a brb please stand and a sub will complete the hand to ensure a fair game.

 

SPORTSMANSHIP

All players are expected to be good sports, We can't win every game and there has to be a winning team and a losing team.

We all play our hand the best we can. We can't see others cards or maybe that person plans to play cards differently than you would. Bad sportsmanship doesn't change what was played or the cards we are dealt so play nice and keep games fun for all.

Spades, like any other sport, is competitive. Competition, however,  is no excuse for rude or insulting remarks. Whether at the table or lobby or private messages, it will not be tolerated. This includes questioning how or ways another player chooses to play. Rude, harassing, or abusive remarks toward any member or staff will not be tolerated whether it involves Spades or any other topic.  One warning will be given and then DQ. If the language or abuse is severe enough or a repeated offense you will be DQ and boxed.

Private messages or table conferences during play is not allowed regardless of the content unless to pm the TD about a problem or game play.

 

BLOCKING PLAYERS

SHG gives the option to block players but it is the players responsibility when playing against a blocked player to  either unblock a player or to leave table, let blocked player sit, then return to seat. If player refuses to unblock or stand they will be DQ.  TD will request unblock if needed and block to be removed within 1 minute or player will be DQ if refuses.  Player may reblock once play is able to continue and it doesn't interfere with game play if they choose to.

TABLE TALK VS CHEATING

Table talk is sometimes a form of cheating -  unfair advantage to win a game.

Any and all talk about current or future hands may be considered table talk. This will include words or letters typed on table, sounds, punctuation, delays in play.

TD will have final determination.
First offense will be a warning
Second offense will result in DQ of player.
If Team is involved it is DQ of both players.

TD may logchat table and request HA to review with Admin Team if feels may be more severe form of table talk.

If TD believes cheating has occurred, TD may stop play and have another Admin to review table and game be called if both agree. Review by HA and Admin Team will determine if or any additional boxing or/and ban is needed.

Discussing game strategy in private messages during game play proven by logchats may result in both players being DQ and boxed and / or may be added to Do Not Pard List. LogChats are sent to HA for review with Admin Team.
 
Discussing cards in hand or suit to play is Cheating. Cheating is NOT tolerated and will result in banned from league if proven.

RESIGNING A GAME

Both players may agree to resign at any time during game by clicking Resign and partner clicking to agree and game ends. If one player declines or refuses to resign, the player requesting resign may ask for a sub and leave table and a sub will be gotten. Subs do not have to agree to resign if player who joined tournament states at table wants to resign game, TD will call game.

A TD may call any game when it is mathematically impossible for one team to win to continue tournament so players may join next tournament if choose to.

CHAT AT TABLES

Chat during a game is allowed as long as it doesn't interfere with steady play or cause upset to the players in game. Players may ask that chat by other players or by the gallery be limited during play. Members can choose to not allow watchers or chat by using Table Options for current game in play. Chat can be a distraction to players. Please be respectful if requested by keeping chat limited by players and gallery to not talk. If there are problems at table, TD may request no talk remainder of game.

GALLERY

Members may watch a game as long as they are not being a distraction. If asked by a player or the TD, the visitor will leave table.

No player may boot another league member or visitor without the TD directing them to do so.

If there is conflict between players, it is best to not go to that table just to watch game.

 

JOINING NEXT TOURNAMENT

A player may register for the next tournament once they are eliminated from current tournament or once they have reached the finals with three hands remaining. If time permits game to be completed before next tournament start time, players may join next tourney when finals are called.

If players game is called in the next tournament, the player must finish their current game and get a sub for next tournament.

If both players are registered as a team in next tournament, one will remain and other go to table for next tournament and each will get a sub at both tables.

If TD is playing in own tournament, the same rules apply as players, they can't join until finals with three hands remaining or time permits.

 

PLAYING IN TWO TOURNAMENTS/GAMES AT SAME TIME

Players are not allowed to play in two tournaments at same time. This rule applies to one of our tournaments and any other tournament or game on SHG.
Player will be DQ and a sub may be used to continue game. Player will be boxed if offense occurs again.

 

TABLES AND GLITCHES

Host may choose any table within the limits given by the TD of that tourney.
The same table may be used in next round only after all leaving table after game and next round pairings announced and table available.

Players can only be at one table while playing with the exception of TD or a TD who is helping with Tables.

Cards are to remain closed at all times unless otherwise stated by TD.

There may be issues with SHG from time to time. These include a table having a glitch which may include cards not being seen by all players, bids wrong for games that are automatically bidded or if cards highlighted for specific games are wrong. or score not seen are the most common. First, notify TD and ask TD to verify the problem.

Players will submit a Bug Report by clicking button on table which is sent to SHG. 

TD will screenshot table and send to HA.

IF team agree to resign they may

The following options are available to the TD.  IF more than half of hands have been played  TD may call game. or TD will have host to choose a different table. or IF a new table is used, the game will start over, TD will not manually transfer score to new table.

 

THANK YOU FOR PLAYING IN FOREVERSPADES LEAGUE