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.
• 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



FREINDS LEAGUE RULES (MAY 2019)


#1) HOST DECISIONS ARE FINAL! YOU MUST TAKE 1 TRICK WITH A COUNTER BEFORE RESIGNING. THIS ENSURES THAT NO BOSTON IS DENIED.

#2) WE WILL TRY TO START ALL TOURNAMENTS WITHIN 5 MINS OF THE POSTED CLOSING TIME. IF THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH PLAYERS TO START, THE TOURNAMENT WILL BE HELD OPEN A MAX OF 15 MINUTES. TOURNEY BEGINS AS SOON AS THERE ARE ENOUGH PLAYERS.

#3) THE PLAYER IN SINGLES OR TEAM IN PARDS LISTED FIRST WILL PICK TABLE AND SEAT THEY WANT TO PLAY ON. YOU MAY NOT SWITCH TABLES OR SIDES OF TABLE AFTER YOUR OPPONENT SITS. IF THE HOST DECIDES TO, THEY CAN ASSIGN TABLES

#4) AFTER MATCHES HAVE BEEN POSTED BY HOST, PLAYERS ARE ASKED TO POST THEIR TABLE NUMBER IN LOBBY. TABLE 75 CANNOT BE USED, IT IS RESERVED FOR FINALS IF NEEDED.

If FIRST PERSON CALLED DOES NOT POST IN PARDS. IT IS OK FOR THE 2ND PERSON (PARTNER) TO CALL THE TABLE, UNLESS THE HOST HAS DECIDED TO ASSIGN TABLES. THEN THE FIRST PERSON CALLED PICKS THE SEAT AT ASSIGNED TABLE.

#5) IF YOU ENCOUNTER AN ISSUE, PLEASE PM HOST AND REMAIN SEATED. TD ARE USUALLY BUSY WATCHING MULITIPLE TABLES WHILE HOSTING AND WILL RESPOND QUICKER TO A PM.

#6 A) HOST WILL PICK FINAL ROUND TABLE. PLAYER OR TEAM LISTED FIRST WILL HAVE FIRST CHOICE OF SEAT. IN THE EVENT THE HOST IS PLAYING IN HIS/HER OWN TOURNAMENT AND MAKES IT TO FINALS, THE FINAL ROUND WILL BE PLAYED AT TABLE 75.

#7) PLAYERS ARE NOT TO PLAY AT THE SAME TABLE MORE THAN ONCE DURING A TOURNEY. THERE ARE 75 TABLES TO CHOOSE FROM! IF YOU'RE TOLD IT'S BEEN PLAYED ON, SIMPLY CHOOSE ANOTHER.

#8 A) ONCE TOURNAMENT STARTS, PLAYERS ENTERED IN TOURNAMENT ARE NOT TO PLAY IN ANOTHER ROOM. OFFENDERS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFIED. IN PARDS REMAINING PLAYER MAY USE A SUB AND CONTINUE IN TOURNAMENT. DQ’D PLAYER WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO PLAY IN THE REMAINDER OF THE TOURNEY.

A) A PLAYER MAY NOT LEAVE TO GO TO DIFFERNT ROOM FOR ANY REASON B) PLAYERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO REQUEST A SUB TO ENTER IN THE NEXT TOURNAMENT WHILE THEIR NAME IS STILL ACTIVE IN THE PREVIOUS TOURNEY. PLAYERS CAUGHT PLAYING IN TWO TOURNEYS AT ONCE WILL RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING 1ST OFFENSE- DQ’D PLUS WARNING, 2ND OFFENSE- DQ’D PLUS BOXED 3 DAYS, 3RD OFFENSE- DQ’D PLUS BOXED 7 DAYS.

#9) SINCE WE DON’T USE SUBS IN 1V1, ONCE PAIRING IS POSTED IN LOBBY, PLAYERS HAVE 4 MINUTES TO BE SEATED AT TABLE AND START MATCH. IF PLAYERS AREN’T READY TO PLAY WITHIN THAT 4 MINUTE TIME FRAME, THE MISSING PLAYER WILL BE DQ’D AND OPPONENT WILL BE DECLAIRED WINNER OF THAT ROUND. IN 2V2 HOWEVER, IF PLAYERS AREN’T ALL SEATED WITHIN 2 MINUTES, SUBS MAY BE USED. (PERHAPS SOMEONE ON A FULL BYE. ) THE MISSING MEMBER MAY RETURN TO HIS/HER TEAM ANYTIME DURING THAT GAME. IF THAT PERSON MISSES THE WHOLE ROUND, HE/SHE WILL BE DQ’D AND A SUB WILL BE USED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE GAMES. (THIS GIVESS TIME FOR REBOOTS AND OTHER ISSUES KEEPIMG THE MEMBER FROM PLAYING.) WE WILL NOT BE USING TIMERS IN 2V2, WE WILL ALWAYS USE SUBS. WE ARE TO GIVE UP TO 4 MINUTES FOR A BRB WITHOUT GETTING A SUB. THE ONLY TIME A 5 MINUTE TIMER WILL BE USED IS IF BOTH MEMBERS OF THE TEAM ARE NOT THERE TO PLAY....SINCE THERE CANNOT BE 2 SUBS IN A TEAM, A TIMER IS A MUST!

#10) TOURNAMENTS WILL HAVE MATCH TIME LIMITS. PARTNER 400 GAME MATCHES HAVE THE LIMIT OF 40 MINS, 500 GAME MATCHES HAVE A LIMIT OF 50 MINS AND SINGLE TOURNAMENTS HAVE 30 MINS PER ROUND. THE GAME TIME STARTS WHEN THE MATCH PAIRING IS POSTED IN THE LOBBY. IF YOU FEEL GAME IS LAGGING PM HOST AND ASK THEM TO COME TO TABLE. DON’T POST IN LOBBY. THE TEAM THAT CAUSES THE MATCH TO TIME OUT WILL BE DQ’D.

#11 A) THERE WILL BE NO TABLE TALK WHILE HAND IS IN PLAY. TYPING ANYTHING IN CHAT AND/OR USING SOUNDS AVAILABLE AT THE TABLE DURING BIDDING OR ANY TIME BEFORE A TRUMP SUIT HAS BEEN NAMED, IS GROUNDS FOR BEING DQ’D. THIS CAN BE TAKEN AS A SIGNAL TO YOUR PARTNER. USING STRINGS OF LETTERS OR ANY FORM OF REPETITION AT ANY TIME ONCE BIDDING HAS STARTED IS GROUNDS FOR BEING DQ’D. THIS APPLIES TO BOTH TABLE AND LOBBY CHAT. THIS MEANS THAT VNMP AFTER TRUMP IS CALLED AND MELD IS SHOWN IS FINE BUT TYPING VVVVNMP OR TYTYTY CAN BE AND HAS BEEN USED TO SIGNAL THE NUMBER OF ACES OR NUMBER OF CARDS IN A TRUMP SUIT TO PARTNER. IF YOU ENCOUNTER THIS YOU NEED TO COPY CHAT AND PM HOST.

B) CARDS WILL REMAIN INVISIBLE DURING ALL MATCHES UNLESS REQUESTED BY THE HOST. PLAYERS CAUGHT ALLOWING VIEW OF THEIR CARDS WILL BE DQ’D.

C) THE TABLE SETTINGS ARE PRE-SET TO 400, 8H, DISABLE BOTS AND SHOW POINTS WHICH IS STANDARD FOR OUR 400 GAMES. PLAYERS ARE RESPONSIBLE TO CHECK FORMATS AT TABLES WHEN GAME BEGINS. AFTER EVERYONE HAS PLAYED THE 3RD CARD...THE SETTINGS STAND AND YOU ARE TO PLAY WHATEVER IS SET. HOST IS TO BE NOTIFIED AND INCORRECT TABLES WILL BE RESET IF IN FIRST 3 CARDS. PLAYERS WILL STAND AND RESIT AT SAME TABLE AND SEAT. #12 A) IF A PLAYER IS BOOTED, STOP PLAY AND PM HOST. TD WILL TIME BOOTED PLAYER FOR 5 MINS FROM THE TIME POSTED WHEN THE PLAYER WAS BOOTED BEFORE THEY ARE DISQUALIFIED. PLAYERS WILL BE ALLOWED A TOTAL OF 5 MINUTES ON BOOTS. TIMER DOES NOT RESTART ON SECOND AND THIRD BOOT. IF A PLAYER TIMES OUT OR BOOTS 3 TIMES DURING MATCH, THEY ARE DISQUALIFIED. IN A PARDS YOU MAY ASK FOR A SUB AND YOUR ORIGINAL PARTNER IS OUT OF THE GAME. IN PARDS TOURNEYS A TEAM MUST CONSIST OF ONE ORIGINAL PLAYER TO CONTINUE IN TOURNAMENT, IF BOTH ORIGINAL TEAM MEMBERS LEAVE, TEAM IS DQ’D. IN OTHER WORDS, YOU CANNOT HAVE 2 SUBS ON ONE TEAM.

B) ONCE A PLAYER REQUESTS A SUB, THE FIRST PERSON THAT VOLUNTEERS TO SUB IS TO BE USED. IF THE PLAYER CHOOSE NOT TO PLAY WITH THE FIRST VOLUNTEER, THEY THEN MUST RESIGN AND THEY ARE NOT ELGIBLE TO SUB IN THE REST OF THE TOURNEY.

#13) PLAYERS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH TABLE, NEED TO PM HOST AND ASK THEM TO COME TO THE TABLE. IF A PLAYER LEAVES/BOOTS FROM SEAT, THEY MUST RETURN TO THEIR ORIGINAL SEAT. FAILURE TO DO SO RESULTS IN AN AUTOMATIC DQ!

#14) KIBITZERS ARE ALLOWED TO WATCH MATCHES AS LONG AS ALL PLAYERS OF MATCH AGREE. THEY WILL LIMIT THEIR CHAT AND SHADOW A PLAYER, BUT NOT A BOT. THE KIBITZER WILL LEAVE TABLE IF ASKED. IN A SINGLES TOURNAMENT THEY ARE ALLOWED TO SEE CARDS IF BOTH PLAYERS AGREE. IN A PARTNER TOURNAMENT, ONLY THE HOST IS ALLOWED TO SEE CARDS.

#15) NO SUBS ARE ALLOWED IN A SINGLES TOURNAMENT.

#16 A) IN PARTNER TOURNAMENTS, SUBS CAN BE USED. SUBS MAY BE USED TO REPLACE A HUMAN IF LATE OR UNAVAILABLE. WE DO NOT TIME THEM OUT UNLESS THEY MISS AN ENTIRE ROUND. ONCE THE HUMAN HAS BEEN TIMED OUT. SUB MAY BE USED IN THE FINAL ROUND ON THE TABLE GOING FOR TOURNAMENT WIN. IF THE SUB PLAYED THE MAJORITY OF THE ROUNDS WITH ONE TEAM,ALL VICTORIES THAT THE ABSENT PLAYER RECEIVES WILL BE REMOVED FROM HIS/HER RECORD AND ADDED TO THE SUB'S. THIS WILL BE DONE BY THE TD TELLING A MEMBER OF ADMIN WHO THE PLAYER IS AND NUMBER OF WINS TO SUBTRACT AND ADD.

B) NO SHOW PLAYERS THAT HAVE BEEN DQ’D FROM TOURNAMENT MAY NOT SUB IF THEY ENTER THE ROOM WHILE TOURNEY IS STILL ONGOING. NO SHOW PLAYERS WILL RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING. 1STOFFENSE- REMOVAL OF WINS, 2ND OFFENSE- REMOVAL OF WINS AND A WARNING, 3RD OFFENSE –REMOVAL OF WINS AND BOXED FOR 3 DAYS.

#17) A BOSTON IS NOT AN AUTOMATIC WIN. WHEN A TEAM TAKES ALL THE TRICKS, IT IS A BOSTON. THEIR NAME WILL GO ON THE LIST OF BOSTONS WITH A CONGRATS IN THE CHAT BOX! #18) IN THE EVENT OF A TIE, IF THERE IS A TIE, THE BIDDER OF THE LAST HAND WILL BE THE WINNER. ALL OF OUR GAMES ARE BIDDER WINS!

#19) COUPLES (MARRIED OR CO-HABITATING) /PLAYERS IN SAME HOUSEHOLD OR SHARING THE SAME ISP NUMBER CAN NOT BE PARTNERS. THE ONLY TIME THIS RULE WILL BE ALLOWED TO BE BROKEN IS FOR A VERY SPECIAL TOURNAMENT AND IN RANDOM PARTNERS WHERE YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER PAIRING. THIS RULE APPLIES TO ALL PERSONS RESIDING IN THE SAME HOUSEHOLD.



LOBBY BEHAVIOR


#1 ALWAYS BE RESPECTFUL! PLEASE REMEMBER TO KEEP IT FRIENDLY, FUN AND NON JUDGEMENTAL. WE ARE ALL HERE TO PLAY A FUN GAME OF PINOCHLE, SO LET ALL OF US DO OUR PART TO KEEP DRAMA OUT OF OUR LOBBY.

#2 PLEASE HOLD ALL CHAT WHEN THE HOST HAS RQUESTED IT. SAVE ALL COMMENTS UNTIL THE HOST HAS OKAYED CHAT TO RESUME. PLAYERS ARE MISSING KEY INFORMATION WHEN TOO MUCH CHATTER FLOODS THE LOBBY CHAT WINDOW WHILE THE TD IS TRYING TO RUN A TOURNEY IN A TIMELY MANNER.

#3 PLEASE PM HOST WITH ALL ISSUES OR PROBLEMS. HOST IS USUALLY WATCHING MULITPLE TABLES DURING TOURNEY AND A PM WILL GET YOU A QUICKER RESPONSE.

#4 NO ARGUING OR OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE AT TABLE OR IN LOBBY. NEGATIVE COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OR STAFF WILL NOT BE TOLORATED IN LOBBY OR AT TABLES. THE USE OF OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE BY ANY LADDER MEMBER, WHETHER CURRENTLY PLAYING OR NOT, WILL BE IMMEDIATELY REPORTED TO THE ADMIN BY HOST AND PROPER ACTION WILL BE TAKEN. IF YOU ENCOUNTER THIS YOU NEED TO COPY CHAT AND PM HOST AND/OR ADMIN.

#5 PLEASE DO NOT ACCUSE ANYONE OF CHEATING (EVEN AS A JOKE) IN PUBLIC FORUM WHERE ALL MEMBERS CAN READ IT. PRIVATE MESSAGES ARE NOT CONSIDERED TO BE PUBLIC. IF YOU THINK SOMEONE IS CHEATING, YOU WILL NEED TO PROVIDE PROOF. FALSE ACCUSATIONS IN A PUBLIC FORUM WILL GET YOU "BOXED" FROM FREIND'S PINO AND GAGGED 60 MINS FROM SHG IF IT OCCURS IN LOBBY AND/OR TABLES (SHG RULE).

#6 IF YOU HAVE A DISPUTE WITH ANOTHER PLAYER OR A TD, PLEASE KEEP IT IN PM, NOT OPEN CHAT AND NOTIFY THE TD, HTD OR LADDER ADMIN. WE WILL BE MORE THAN WILLING TO MEDIATE AT A CLOSE TABLE IF NEEDED, BUT USING OPEN CHAT TO AIR YOUR DIFFERENCES CAN GET BOTH OF YOU “BOXED”, OR IN EXTREME CASES, BANNED FROM LADDER.

#7 PLEASE KEEP CHAT TO A MINIMUM WHILE YOU ARE PLAYING AS A COURTESY TO THE OTHER PLAYER(S) AND TO ENSURE THAT THE TOURNAMENT TIMES LIMITS ARE NOT EXCEEDED. IF YOU ARE BEING BOTHERED WITH PM’S FROM ANOTHER PLAYER OR ANYONE ELSE IN THE ROOM, PLEASE COPY THE CHAT AND REPORT IT TO THE TD.

#8) SAFE HARBOR GAMES DOES NOT ALLOW DISCUSSION OF POLITICS, RELIGION, GAMBLING, DRUG USE, ILLIGAL VENTURES, STRONG LANGUAGE ETC.IN THE LOBBY. SAFE HARBOR GAMES GUIDELINES HAVE BEEN UPDATED AND ARE ENFORCED IN THIS LADDER. THEY CAN BE FOUND AT http://www.safeharborgames.net/sitepolicies/cruise.php . PLEASE READ THE UPDATED VERSION.


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.

• 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.