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.
• 15 time(s) Per Day
  • You may play the same member 15 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

Spade Friends League/ Ladder Rules

Spade Friends League/ Ladder Rules

All Spade Friends members have the same goal.
We want to come to Safe Harbor Games (SHG) and play a fun game of spades.
We know that these rules are standard league rules and do not anticipate
there will be a problem with members following them.

Some of the penalties for the rules listed below and other offenses include, but are not limited to:

• A verbal warning by a TD or an Admin
• Penalty Box (minimum 1 day but can be more)
• Kicked or banned out of the league.

The severity of the offense will be the guiding factor in determining the penalty given.
If a complaint is made about a member, the Admin and TD team will look into the matter and determine what, if any, penalty will be given.

The Administrative Team has final decision; if you do not agree with the decision, please discuss it privately with a member of the Administrative Team.
In addition, if you disagree with a member or Admin/TD team, please discuss the matter privately, either at a table, or in IM.
Please remember everyone: arguments in the lobby do not solve anything, but it can interfere with games and tournaments.

If you are having a problem with another member or non-member please contact a Spade Friends Team Member (Admin or TD) and let them try to help resolve the situation.

Here is the link to basic league penalties and boxing times guidelines. Spade Friends League and Boxing Penalties

A member is only allowed to be boxed 3 times within 6 months, then that person COULD be kicked and/or banned from the league, depending on the frequency and severity of violations. These rules are intended to protect the integrity of the Spade Friends league, and chronic violators will not be tolerated.

**There will be a 30 day probationary period for all NEW members, if you break any league rules during that 30 day period, you could be removed from our league.
**If you withdraw from our league to avoid a penalty box, or in a fit of bad sportsmanship. There could be a 30 day waiting period before you can reapply for membership.**

LADDER RULES

• A member is allowed one ID only. That ID must be your exact Yahoo! ID.
  
  
• Members must have a valid email address. Please check your email address to be sure it is valid.
  Anyone with an invalid email address could be place in the box until a valid email address is provided
  
  
• All tables must be set for No Force Forfeit. Absolutely No Force Forfeit is allowed.
  All league games and tournaments are to be played on PROTECTED, NO FF setting tables.
  The only time a private table is allowed is if an Admin, or if in tournament a Td, asks you to make it private. If a member or non member is harassing the table, invite an Admin to table.
  
• A league game consists of 4 members. Bots are not league games.(unless its a tournament)
  If a bot is used as a sub or played in a game, the game is not reported as a league game
  
  
• All lg games will be NO DN unless specified at the start of the game. �
  Example: lg game with Dn, report asap or lg game NO DN, report asap
  Hosts: please remember to always give game rules.
  All players must agree to the rules before the game starts.
  *on a NO Dn game: if a person does hit DN in a lg game, all MUST skip hand immediately. If the oppt team wants another skip hand they can request it immediately after the bids, before hand is played.
  If all players do not skip hand, please call an admin.
  
  
• All losses must be reported immediately AFTER the game, BEFORE you play another game or enter a tourney.
  

  If an admin has to report it for you

  • You will receive a warning
  • You will receive a 5 rung penalty
  • You will receive a 200 rung penalty
  • You could be boxed
  If someone owes you a loss report, you may send him/her a friendly reminder. DO NOT harrass the person.
  You may also file an "unreported match" complaint. The link is on the left panel of the main page or click here
  The admin team will review all situations individually and then will determine further penalty, possible box.
  
  
• Booting members or non-members is not allowed in our marked league room. You are a representative of our league and must always treat others with respect.
  If you are playing a league game and have a disruptive watcher, get an Admin's approval before booting.
  If you are in a tourney and have a disruptive watcher you may call the TD or an Admin for approval. Booting without approval COULD result in penalty!
  The admin team will review all situations individually and then will determine the penalty if any.
  
  
• Foul language can not be tolerated in the lobby or during a tournament.
  
  
• If a member is boxed that means no league games can be played. If you play a game while in penalty box and report it when the box time is over, you are subjected to more penalty.
  
  
• NO person will be let out of box without the consent of the Admin that boxed them.
  
  
• Disrespect, abusive comments or rudeness of any kind toward Spade Friends league or any other league, a member, TD, or Admin will not be tolerated.
  This includes lobby, all private messages and private tables. It is illegal to abuse or harass another Ladder member.
  If you are observed being abusive in chat (lobby or at a table), it could result in penalty. Depending on the extent of the abuse, you might not always receive a warning. You may be boxed pending an Admin meeting to determine appropriate penalties.
  It is important to remember that two wrongs do not make a right. In other words, if you are being harassed by another Ladder member, come to Admins for assistance. Do not take matters into your own hands or return the abuse and do not get other members involved with your conflict or you could find yourself with a penalty as well.
  
  
• Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. This includes but is not limited to: reporting false results, or otherwise tampering with Ladder rankings; using private messages to communicate with your partner; or blatant table talk. For example, members can not tell their partner what to bid or say �bag em� or �set em�.
  
  
• You must report your match losses as soon as that game ends and before you enter a new game.
  If you fail to report your loss, an Administrator will report it for you but will assess a penalty.
  Top Ten Players are to report right after the game and BEFORE they start a new game or play in tourney. If you do not an admin will report it for you and can give you a 5 rung penalty
  Of course, we understand cases may go down, in which case, please report as soon as possible and let the team that defeated you know why you can not report at that time. ( you do not report a tournament loss; TD will do that for you )
  
  
• League subs are allowed in league games.
  The original player gets the win, and it is also the responsibility of the original player to report the loss
  If you are disconnected during a league match, your pard will decide whether to get a league sub to play until you return.
  If your team is clearly losing the game and you've been disconnected at least 5 minutes, and your pard decides NOT to get a sub, both you and your pard must report the loss. Unless there arises a need for further clarification, "clearly losing" is defined where your opponents have a winning bid on the table when you are disconnected.
  If the outcome of the game is not yet obvious, and your pard chooses not to get a sub, the match can be canceled and a rematch scheduled, if desired.
  In either case, call an admin for assistance.
  
  
• To concede in a game, you and your partner must agree. If your partner does not agree to concede and you leave the match anyway you may be subject to penalty for bad sportsmanship.
  You can not conceed in a rated tournament game! Call the TD. The td may offer to help you find a sub or might make you play the rest of the game out. Each situation may be handled differently depending on circumstances.
  
  
• Bad sportsmanship is not allowed in tournaments or in league games. If you display any form of bad sportsmanship you will be subject to penalty.
  
  
• Tournament play- TD is the �boss� of his/her tournament. Admins may assist if needed, but the final say is the TD's. If you click on the "RULES" link from the tourney page, you can find out the specific rules for that event.
  There will be NO SCROLLING, or causing lobby disturbances while the tourney is in progress; this will result in a penalty.
  The TD needs to use caps for advertising and conducting a tourney, so that tourney players can readily see the TD's directives. You must refrain from caps, and rapid conversations when you see the TD's caps directing information to the tourney players in lobby. Spade Friends League/ Ladder Rules

It is considered bad sportsmanship to leave an unfinished tournament game. You can not leave an unfinished tourney game without your partners agreement and go play a league game, or hang around in lobby without receiving a penalty.

If you are in a league game and registered for tourney, you must leave the game and start tourney game when TD announces your team.
You are allowed to have a sub for the league game; or if all 4 players agree, you may cancel the league game, but tourney games come first.

Top Ten Specific Rules

• The top ten positions on the spade_friends ladder are mutually responsible to ensure they play against BOTH the rung above, AND the rung below their position, at least once every 7 days. This will be monitored by admin, and failure to comply will result in a 5-rung penalty.
  
  
• The top ten must also use a specific reporting order, to maintain fairness, when they have lost a non- tourney match. The worse rung reports the loss first, and lists the winner with the better rung first. After the worse rung reports, the member with the better rung reports the loss, and lists the winner with the better rung first. Excessive violations of this rule may result in a 5-rung penalty.

You must report your loss BEFORE playing another game or tourney. If you do not an admin will report it for you and you will be penalized 5 rungs.

Formal Challenges:

• Email challenges should be reserved for users in the top 10 of the Ladder, and only used then if you have trouble setting up a match via the normal methods.
  If you are found to be issuing challenges via Email excessively and without first attempting to get a match via the traditional methods you will be penalized 5 rungs.
  
  
• After the formal challenge has been sent, both players have 2 days to complete the match. It should be played as soon as possible. If the formal challenge is not played within the 2 days, it will result in a 5-rung penalty.
  
  
• Once you have received the challenge, contact your challenger to arrange for a time to meet for your challenge game.
  
  
• The rank accepting the challenge will make the table and send the invite to the challenger. If a problem should occur, please contact an Admin immediately. The Admin will then make the table; if this is refused the challenge will be cancelled and the member to refuse will be subject to a 5-rung penalty.
  
  
• The challenge is between the member who sent it and the member who received it. Each member may pick their own pards, however; the challenges cannot be delayed because a certain pard isn�t in the room. A different pard has to be found. The challenge cannot be delayed due to pard picking.
  
  
• All 4 players must be league members.
  
  
• To be fair to all, if players cannot agree on a game format, then a regular, rated game to 500 points, no double nils, shall be played.

If, at any time, the challenger refuses the invite to complete the challenge, they will be subject to a 5-rung penalty, with the exception of the following:

• is actively playing in a tourney
• is actively in the middle of a game
• if a different time is set with Admin approval.

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Fair Play:
It should go without saying that other Top Ten players who challenge you should be treated with the utmost respect and courtesy. You should do your best to see that challenges of this nature are played as soon as possible for the benefit of both parties. Avoiding or delaying challenges from other Top Ten members will result in a 5-rung penalty.

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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.